

Real Recovery Talk
Tom Conrad, Ben Bueno, Dr. Pamela Tambini
We are a podcast dedicated to sobriety and recovery from alcohol and drugs. (And whatever other addiction that is out there) It doesn't matter what you have been through in the past. We have all done very bad things in our addiction. This does not define who we are. We know there is a way out of addiction. Family and loved ones, you play a part in this as well. There are plenty of stories out there of families and loved ones not knowing what to do with their addicted loved one. Let us guide you on the right things to do and the right decisions to make to ensure that you and your loved one gets the help that you need.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 8, 2025 • 27min
560: How Families Can Break Free From the Fear of Drug Addiction
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc If you love someone struggling with addiction, you probably know the constant fear of "waiting for the call." The call that something terrible has happened. The call you've been dreading. In this episode, we have an honest conversation about what it's like for parents and loved ones living with that constant anxiety. We talk about: Why addiction creates so much fear for families The emotional toll of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" Practical steps you can take to regain peace and protect your own well-being How to set boundaries without abandoning your loved one If you're a parent, spouse, or sibling of someone battling addiction, this episode is for you. You are not alone. There is hope. 📩 Have questions or need support? Email us anytime at info@realrecoverytalk.com. ➡️ Learn more about our Family Reconnect Program: www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Aug 6, 2025 • 34min
559: Big Book Study: Step 8,9,10
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In today's episode, Erik takes us through Step 8,9,10 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
Aug 3, 2025 • 59min
558: The #1 Killer of Young People: Fentanyl
Fentanyl is killing more people than any other drug in American history — and it's not slowing down. Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/ In this episode, we break down how fentanyl became the deadliest street drug in the U.S., why it's showing up in everything from fake pain pills to cocaine and marijuana, and what you absolutely need to know to protect yourself or your loved ones. ⚠️ One pill can kill. Don't wait until it's too late.
Aug 1, 2025 • 12min
557: 5 ways parents enable addiction
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Jul 30, 2025 • 32min
556: Big Book Study: Step 6,7,8
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In today's episode, Erik takes us through Step 6,7,8 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
Jul 27, 2025 • 1h 6min
555: Are you married to someone struggling with alcohol?
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc Are you married to someone struggling with alcohol? In this episode, Abby and Marshall share their story of living with an alcoholic husband — the chaos, the heartbreak, and what it finally took to make a change. Whether you're in the middle of it or trying to heal, this conversation will give you clarity and hope. What You'll Learn: How alcoholism affects marriage and mental health What boundaries actually worked The mistake she stopped making that changed everything Why enabling can look like love — but isn't 🔗 Learn more about the Family Reconnect Program: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc 📬 Contact us directly: info@realrecoverytalk.com 💬 Comment below: Have you ever felt like love wasn't enough? Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 8min
554: Could You Survive What She Went Through? Lorraines Story...
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc 🎙 In This Episode: Drug addiction. Alcoholism. Prostitution. Jail. Institutions. Trauma that most people couldn't even imagine. Lorraine lived through it all. At just 24 years old, Lorraine was lost in active addiction, caught in the grip of heroin, crack cocaine, and sex trafficking. For months, she was held against her will, beaten, sold, and stripped of her humanity. She was certain she would die in that house. But by nothing short of a miracle — she escaped. Now, after 9 years clean and sober, Lorraine is a licensed therapist helping others recover from addiction and trauma. Her story is gut-wrenching, raw, and real — but it's also filled with hope, redemption, and healing. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, this story will remind you that recovery is always possible, no matter how far gone it may seem. 💬 Topics We Cover: Her descent into addiction at age 12 The moment she was chained and trafficked How her mother never gave up on her What finally led to her surrender and recovery Why she now helps others as a therapist Her advice for families who feel hopeless 👉 Need Help or Support? Visit: https://realrecoverytalk.com/frc Learn more about our Family Reconnect Program 🔔 Don't forget to subscribe for more powerful recovery stories that bring hope to the hopeless. Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Jul 23, 2025 • 31min
553: Big Book Study: Into Action
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In today's episode, Erik takes us through INTO ACTION from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
Jul 20, 2025 • 44min
552: What Would You Do If Your Son Was Drinking Himself to Death?
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, we sit down with a mother who shares what it's really like to love someone battling addiction. She opens up about the eotions that she had to go thru, throughout this whole season of life. Vann and Robert talk openly about how their relationship has been restored through Roberts sobriety. Together, they talk about: The early signs of alcoholism What it took to finally get help How their relationship changed through recovery Whether you're a parent, sibling, or loved one of someone struggling with addiction, this episode will hit home. 💬 Need help navigating a loved one's addiction? 👉 Fill out this form and we'll reach out: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/help 🔔 Subscribe for more real stories, honest conversations, and practical tools for recovery. Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 5min
551: Addicted to Fentanyl and Stuck in the South Florida Shuffle: Nikki
Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In thgis episode we sit down with Nikki. She does into detail about her sobriety journey al what it took for her to finally get sober. Nikki talks openly about getting stuck in the South Florida Shuffle which we break down in the episode. It is an amazing story or resilience. 💬 Need help? Fill out this form and we'll reach out: 🔗 https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/help 🎧 Subscribe to hear real stories of recovery, healing, and second chances. 👉 Check out the Family Reconnect Program here: https://realrecoverytalk.com/frc Questions? Hit us up: info@realrecoverytalk.com Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/


