My Mother Handed Me Heroin, My Father Showed Me the Needle episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 11, 2025 · 37 MIN

My Mother Handed Me Heroin, My Father Showed Me the Needle

from Recovery Matters! Podcast · host Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery (CCAR)

Tyler shares his raw and emotional journey, detailing a chaotic childhood where addiction was the family norm. He recounts the shocking progression of his own drug use, the moment his mother introduced him to heroin, and how his father was the first person to put a needle in his arm. After years of the "jail, rehab, rehab, jail" cycle, hear how the loss of his 'perfect' life and a moment of desperation led him to a permanent path of recovery. Now sober and working at the very treatment center that saved him, Tyler discusses finding his identity, the power of fellowship, and how he navigated the grief of losing both parents while staying clean. [00:00] Podcast Introduction and Tyler's Clean Date (October 1st, 2023) [00:00:45] The Host's Initial Doubt: "He's not gonna make it" [00:02:29] Finding God and a "Physically New Person" [00:03:30] Growing Up in a Vicious Cycle of Family Addiction My Mother Gave Me My First Perk; Sniffing Heroin Together [00:07:28] "My Father Was the First Person to Put a Needle in My Arm"[00:07:47] Playing the Shitty Cards: Winning with the Disease of Addiction [00:09:26] The 10-Year Cycle: Jail, Rehab, Rehab, Jail [00:11:37] The Gift of Desperation: Leaving the "White Picket Fence" [00:14:13] The Genetic Factor of Opiate Addiction[00:15:55] Identity Crisis: Who Am I Without Drugs? [00:17:59] Life in Recovery & The Power of Fellowship (NA/AA) [00:20:18] Faking the Funk: Why Half-Stepping the Work Fails[00:30:52] Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes [00:31:35] Grieving in Sobriety: Losing Both Parents [00:34:33] Final Thought: It's Easier to Keep Your Seat Than to Get It Back [00:36:06] Conclusion and Gratitude ----Across the Web----🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 11, 2025

Embed this episode

Ready to play

My Mother Handed Me Heroin, My Father Showed Me the Needle

0:00 37:38

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Recovery Matters! Podcast?

This episode is 37 minutes long.

When was this Recovery Matters! Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on November 11, 2025.

Can I download this Recovery Matters! Podcast episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!