Life After Losing a Full Ride to UCLA, Becoming a Meth Head Dirtbag, and a Fentanyl Wake Up Call

Raised in a solid, loving family, Danny was a standout athlete with a full ride to UCLA for golf. His future was golden, but the lure of partying and a fast lifestyle spiraled into meth and heroin addiction, multiple jail stints, and years of chaos. Danny’s last relapse was the breaking point. Detoxing himself at his mother’s house after a dangerous encounter involving fentanyl, he  surrendered and asked God for help. Facing his mounting court cases, he was sentenced to 90 days in treatment at Monarch Shores instead of seven years in prison.While in treatment, he experienced a supernatural “God shot” encounter with a man who resembled his late father.Since completing treatment, Danny is building his sobriety and gradually rebuilding his life, reconnecting with his family, and developing a strong relationship with faith. Now working at Monarch Diagnostics, he helps others, speaks publicly, and sponsors people in recovery programs.GUESTDanny DaltonDaniel Dalton is a Business Development Representative at Monarch Diagnostics with over five years of experience in the healthcare and treatment space. He has a strong background in managing intensive outpatient (IOP) programs and is dedicated to connecting providers with Monarch’s diagnostic services to better support patient care. Beyond his professional path, Daniel has over seven years of personal experience in addiction recovery, giving him a unique perspective and deep commitment to the communities he serves. A former professional golfer, he brings discipline and focus into every aspect of his work.Learn more about Monarch DiagnosticsMatt 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 perfect family, no trauma, and a fun party culture still produce a full-blown alcoholic?What is the difference between a person who drinks and a person who's an alcoholic if both look the same from the outside?Why does watching adults drink successfully as a kid become one of the most dangerous setups for addiction?How do you reconcile a loving family foundation with a life that eventually fell apart?What does recovery look like for someone who has nothing obvious to blame their addiction on?