Life After Homelessness, 2 DUIs, Too Many Jail Stays, a Baker Act Crisis, and a Prison Sentence

From Jason’s first drink at 17, his alcohol addiction spiraled into prison, and homelessness. He tried AA, NA, and church, but staying in recovery was tough, and a string of DUIs and prison sentences made things harder.While homeless, Jason describes walking the streets of Pensacola, covering about 20 miles in June heat until his shoes were bloody and had to be discarded upon arrival at a mental hospital, where he collapsed. This grueling walk marked a turning point, leading him to seek help and eventually enter sobriety through sober living.He moved to Tampa and into a sober living home, where he was met with structure, accountability, and, most importantly, a community that welcomed him. Over time, he began to contribute and became an operator and peer specialist, helping run recovery housing programs across several states.Today, Jason is thriving in long-term addiction recovery. He’s reunited with his family, embraced fatherhood, bought his first home with his wife, and continues to mentor and advocate for peer-led recovery housing, supporting others who face relapse and homelessness.GUESTJason PullinTROHN Director, RecoveryPeopleJason Pullin is an experienced leader and public speaker with a bachelor's degree in Christian Leadership and over 30 years of professional experience. As a person in long-term recovery with an RSPS certification, he has valuable lived experience in recovery housing. Prior to becoming the TROHN Director at RecoveryPeople, Jason served as a regional and corporate training director for a major service provider. He also serves on several advisory boards, including the Clean Cause Foundation.Learn more about RecoveryPeopleMatt 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:Why does sobriety feel optional after a few good years and how does that thinking end?What makes someone forget jails, hotel rooms, and prison the second things start going well?How does one partner who isn't in recovery slowly pull a sober person back out?Can you genuinely recover from addiction without fully committing to abstinence early on?Why does going to prison once not always stop someone from circling back to the same behavior?