Purple Heart, Addict, 14 Felonies, and 1000 Days Sober w/ Jess Seiwert | The Hopeaholics Podcast #352

Jess Seiwert grew up in Kansas. He was abused at home from age 5 to 12. After 9/11 he joined the Army at 18, made sergeant, survived an IED blast, and came home with a Purple Heart and an Oxycontin addiction. One day he woke up in county jail charged with first-degree attempted murder and kidnapping after his best friend slept with his wife while he was passed out. He walked out with 14 felony convictions, seven rehab attempts, and 3.5 years in county jail across eight Kansas counties during Covid. He now has 1,000 days sober next month.This episode covers his entire journey. The IED that started the pill spiral. The gang he joined within three months in prison. Coming home to Kansas and going straight into meth distribution. Gambling away his drug money at the casino, three Christmases in a row while his family was at home. Using his Purple Heart military ID to run $200,000 in forgery across three states. One childhood mentor named Bob Timmons who bailed him out, got robbed by Jess, and kept coming back anyway. Getting high ten days into court-ordered treatment. And the moment he finally threw up his hands and let God inFollow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholicsGo to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.comIf you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:https://www.infinitigroupllc.com Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics Our Merch: https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie0:21 Intro2:14 Gambling: the addiction that swallowed everything at the end4:07 Father arrested for child rape 6:45 Growing up angry7:05 9/11 happens right after graduation. Joins the Army8:43 First drink: the first time he ever felt normal10:29 IED hits him + Purple Heart11:04 Comes home on Oxycontin13:26 Second marriage. Gets her hooked on pills.15:00 Wakes up with 1st degree attempted murder, kidnapping20:29 Crowley Correctional: in a gang within three months21:47 High on meth, headbutts his parole officer. Back to prison.25:38 Charlie Kirk assassination38:49 Forgery across three states: $200,00040:18 3 1/2 years in 8 county jails during Covid41:37 Using his Purple Heart military ID to forge checks43:11 Meets his 3rd wife in county jail 44:11 Gets out. Uses within 24 hours. She gets pregnant that night.48:47 120 meetings in 90 days. Fires his sponsor at 3 months clean50:04 Peer mentor in Kansas City / Social work.50:22 Almost 1,000 days sober. 43 years old51:19 Son with autism doing great. Rebuilding with his oldest two kids.1:01:03 Why recovery has to be the foundation on the hardest days1:10:34 Veterans and the VA1:12:21 Veteran mental health access1:17:36 "25 years of alcoholism. 15 years of addiction. Why would I give up on anybody?"