Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery Podcast

Don sits down with us to share his story about alcohol addiction, life in the Navy, and how trying to run from the problem only pulled him deeper into it. He talks about what drinking became for him, how leaving the Navy in an attempt to quit didn’t fix the pain underneath, and how addiction started affecting the people closest to him, especially his family and relationships. This episode gets into the hard truth of alcohol addiction: how normalized it can look from the outside while it’s quietly taking over everything. Don opens up about the damage, the breaking points, and what finally helped him start choosing sobriety for real.

He also shares how getting sober changed his life, how joining the church became part of his personal recovery path, and what life looks like now that he’s no longer living controlled by alcohol. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about honesty, accountability, and finding a reason to keep building a better life. If you’ve ever struggled with drinking, served in the military, or felt like you were losing yourself while trying to hold everything together, this episode is for you.

This week, Noize sits down with Robin and Steve from The Red Project right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a conversation that challenges perspectives and dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in our community: harm reduction.

We discuss what harm reduction actually is, why organizations like The Red Project exist, and the stigma that still surrounds the work they do. The conversation goes beyond opinions and looks at real data, including how harm reduction efforts have been shown to reduce the spread of HIV, AIDS, and other transmissible diseases while creating pathways for people to access healthcare, treatment, and recovery.

Whether you agree, disagree, or simply want to better understand the topic, this episode is about having an honest conversation backed by experience, education, and facts.

Our goal with Tatted Addicts has always been to have the conversations that matter—the ones that aren’t always comfortable but deserve to be heard.

June's story is one of loss, survival, addiction, and redemption. From losing her father, serving in the military, and battling alcohol and drug addiction, to living a fast-paced life as a club promoter in Las Vegas and bouncing from state to state searching for purpose, June has seen both the highs and lows that life can throw at someone. Today, she’s proof that your past doesn’t have to define your future. In recovery and stronger than ever, June has transformed her life and now helps others as a personal trainer, using her experiences to inspire change and growth. This is a conversation about grief, identity, addiction, resilience, and what it really takes to rebuild your life from the ground up. Her comeback is stronger than her past.

Danica sits down with us to talk about domestic violence, drinking, and what it’s like trying to hold life together when everything feels unsafe and unstable. She opens up about how alcohol became a coping mechanism, the ways trauma and fear can shape your choices, and what it cost her mentally and emotionally—especially as a mom. We also talk about the kids—how these situations impact them, the guilt that comes with it, and the hard truth that love alone doesn’t fix chaos. Danica shares what helped her start breaking the pattern, what boundaries and support actually looked like, and how she’s working to rebuild a healthier life for herself and her family. This episode is raw but important: for anyone who’s been in DV, anyone using alcohol to numb pain, and anyone trying to protect their kids while they’re still healing themselves.

Noize sits down with Alex for one of the most raw, honest, and inspiring conversations we've had so far. Alex opens up about his personal battle with addiction, the dark places it took him, the people it affected, and the difficult journey he faced while trying to reclaim his life.

This episode shines a light on the reality that addiction doesn't discriminate. It can impact anyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstance. Alex shares the mental and emotional struggles that often come with addiction, including feelings of hopelessness, isolation, anxiety, and depression. Through his story, listeners will hear firsthand what it feels like to hit rock bottom—and more importantly, what it takes to fight your way back.

Mental health and addiction often go hand in hand, and this conversation explores the importance of seeking help, finding support, and believing that change is possible even when it feels impossible. Alex's journey serves as a powerful reminder that recovery isn't always easy, recovery isn't always quick, but recovery is absolutely possible.

Whether you're currently struggling with addiction, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for a story of resilience and hope, this episode offers valuable insight and encouragement. The road to recovery begins with a decision, and as Alex explains throughout this episode, if you truly want a better life and are willing to put in the work, transformation can happen.

You are not your mistakes. You are not your addiction. Your past does not define your future.

Tune in now to hear Alex's powerful story and join us as we continue breaking the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health, one conversation at a time.

Retro sits down with us to talk about alcoholism—how it started in her youth, how it quietly became normal, and how it shaped the choices, relationships, and self-worth she carried into adulthood. She breaks down the difference between “just drinking” and drinking to cope, the patterns that kept repeating, and the moments where it started costing more.

If you started drinking young, grew up around it, or you’re realizing alcohol has more control than you want to admit—this conversation will hit home.