Life After Becoming a Doctor, Being Forced Into Sober Living, and Discovering the Real Reason People Relapse

Dr. Kamal Shah’s perspective on addiction recovery is both deeply personal and scientifically informed.  Addiction isn’t just behavior. It’s the brain, trauma, and the emotional patterns that keep people stuck. Over a decade into sobriety himself, Dr. Shah combines his lived experience with a background in neurology, movement disorders, and addiction medicine to explore what really drives relapse and what truly supports lasting recovery.GUESTKamal Shah, MDDr. Kamal Shah is a behavioral neurologist and addiction medicine specialist who combines over a decade of personal sobriety with medical expertise. Founder of Aftercare Doctors, he integrates neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and community support to help patients achieve lasting recovery.Learn more about Houston addiction doctor Dr. Kamal Shah and Aftercare DoctorsFollow Dr. Shah on Instagram @kamalshahmdMatt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing drug addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.comFind us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.Host: Matthew HandyProducer: Eva SheieAssistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah BurkhartEngineering: Voltage FM, Spencer ClarksonTheme music: Survive The Tide, Machina AeonCover Art:  DMARKMy Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.comQuestions this episode answers:What is the five-step neurological process that happens in the brain before every relapse?Why did a woman paying $100 a day to stay sober still cheat and what did that teach Dr. Shah?How does trauma reactivation in the amygdala trigger a relapse days before the person picks up?Why did the pandemic cause a massive relapse spike and what pattern did it reveal?Can a relapse be predicted and if so, can it be stopped before it starts?Why do more meetings and more coping skills fail to stop someone once they're in the fifth phase?