Sam Miller | From Tarp Living to Nationally Touring Recovery Comedian

"It was not about getting high, it was about not being sober." In this raw and deeply moving episode of Recoverycast, nationally touring comedian and recovery advocate Sam Miller joins Brittany Bernard to share his incredible journey from the streets of Olympia to the comedy stage. Sam opens up about the intersection of ADHD and addiction, the profound impact of childhood trauma, and the cycle of methamphetamine, alcohol, and benzodiazepine use that led to years of homelessness and incarceration.Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/Sam describes the "mental load" of growing up with a father who was both violent and loving, and how the loss of his parent at age 12 shifted his fear from one man to the entire world. From huffing gas as a child to sleeping in barns and jail cells, Sam provides a window into the reality of meth recovery and the "survival mode" of unhoused life. He discusses the pivotal moment under a tarp when he finally chose help over death, leading to over 15 years of 12-step recovery, therapy for PTSD, and a successful career in stand-up comedy. This is a story of breaking cycles, finding "52% happiness," and the power of being "okay with being okay."If you or someone you love is struggling, Sam’s story proves that no matter how far you’ve gone, there is a path back.Subscribe to Recoverycast for more authentic stories of healing, and share this episode to help someone feel seen today.⏱️ Chapters:00:00 – Meet Sam Miller: Comedian & Advocate01:41 – Childhood Trauma and a Father’s Legacy04:09 – Navigating ADHD and the School System07:23 – Grief, Guilt, and Losing a Parent at 1213:37 – The Spiral: Early Use and Huffing Gas18:31 – "I Was Running Away From Sobriety"22:35 – Homelessness and Survival in Olympia31:17 – The Tarp: The Day Everything Changed33:36 – Stabilization, 12-Step, and Therapy51:01 – How Comedy Entered the Recovery Story❓ Questions the Video Answers:How does childhood trauma contribute to substance abuse?What is the link between ADHD and impulsive addiction?How can someone recover from long-term methamphetamine use?What does "running away from sobriety" mean in addiction?How do 12-step groups help with long-term stabilization?Can therapy help process PTSD from an abusive upbringing?What is the reality of living unhoused while struggling with addiction?How does a parent's addiction affect a child's mental health?What are the dangers of huffing gas and dust-off?How can comedy be used as a therapeutic tool in recovery?How do you break a generational cycle of abuse?What are the first steps to take when deciding to get sober?#MethRecovery #ADHDandAddiction #SobrietyStories