Life After Burning 13 Holes in My Leg & 2 in My Junk, and Escaping a Life Sentence, and Killing Myself in the Hospital

Chris grew up in Odessa, Texas, in a home where alcohol and drugs were part of everyday life. At 15, he altered his birth certificate to work in the oil fields. By 19, he was drilling, and by 25, he was running crews—building a successful career.Drug addiction resulted in four incarcerations, and by his last conviction he faced a potential life sentence. In prison, he began seeking faith and direction but his addiction destroyed his family. When an 86-year-old lawyer offers to take Chris’s case and be paid later, he miraculously gets his sentence reduced to a six‑month state jail deal, which he sees entirely as divine intervention.After he’s released, rather than changing his life he spirals again, overdosing in a hospital bed. This is when he knew it was time to change.In 2009, he committed to sobriety and has stayed clean since 2012, but his tattoos and criminal record made it hard to find a job. He earned his CDL, became a truck driver, and saved more than $70,000. In 2016, he invested in Bitcoin and set about rebuilding his family life.Chris went on to start The Hopper House, a faith-based addiction recovery program, became a pastor, and began speaking in prisons and meetings. Today, he leads a church where people in recovery share their stories and teaches faith and accountability as tools for lasting change.GUESTChris HopperFounder of The Hopper HouseChris Hopper is a pastor, speaker, and founder of The Hopper House, a faith-based recovery community dedicated to helping men rebuild their lives through structure, service, and spiritual growth. After overcoming incarceration and personal loss, he turned his life toward ministry and mentorship, inspiring others with a message of redemption and purpose. Through The Hopper House, Chris continues to guide people toward healing, responsibility, and lasting transformation.Learn more about The Hopper HouseSubscribe to Chris’ YouTube channelMatt 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 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:How does a face-tattooed, four-time DWI convict get a CDL, a hazmat endorsement, and $70,000 saved?What finally made a man who was unapproachable in prison decide to change?How does a spiritual awakening in a truck cab redirect a life pointed at destruction?Why does the world keep telling ex-cons what they can't do — and why is that the wrong approach?What did Chris do with $70,000 he saved driving a truck — and what does Bitcoin have to do with recovery?How does AA's original program connect directly to the Bible — and why did we drift from it?What is the real story behind how "just for today" ended up in AA's big book?