F#CK THE STIGMA

• I Spent Over a Decade Battling Alcoholism Until God Saved My Life

  In episode 33 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ansu, who shares his powerful story of battling alcoholism for over a decade while struggling with identity, family abandonment, and a toxic marriage. From growing up between cultures and living as a “functional” addict to hitting rock bottom and finding faith, Ansu opens up about his journey toward healing, self-discovery, and spiritual growth. Through honesty and reflection, he reveals how surrendering to God and embracing humility helped him rebuild his life and find true purpose beyond addiction.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction00:40 Growing Up Between Cultures02:18 Family Dynamics and Childhood Challenges05:13 Landmark Childhood Events and Moving08:07 Adjusting to New Environments10:11 Struggles with Identity and Acceptance13:13 Experimenting with Substances in Adolescence16:46 College Life: Escalation of Alcohol & Drugs21:21 Living as a 'Functional' Addict25:29 Marriage, Stress, & Substance Abuse32:57 Divorce, Rock Bottom & Hitting Crisis37:34 Withdrawal, Recovery & Spiritual Awakening41:05 Finding Healing Through Community & Faith44:22 Spirituality vs Organized Religion48:28 Humility, Ego, and Emotional Growth52:00 Service, Connection, and Helping Others56:41 Emotions, Reactions, and Growth01:00:10 God, Purpose, and Identity01:04:04 Materialism, Fulfillment & Guiding Decisions01:10:59 Defining God, Spirituality & Personal Belief01:14:32 Closing Reflections & GratitudeFuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

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• I Thought My Dad Dying Made Me an Addict, I Was Wrong

  In episode 32 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Tim Fritz to share his powerful story of battling active alcoholism and addiction. Tim opens up about how the loss of his father deeply impacted his life and became a driving force behind his substance use. Together, Laisha and Tim break down the thought processes that come with being in active addiction—the denial, the shame, and the endless cycle of chasing escape. Through raw honesty and reflection, Tim shares what it truly took to find his way out and begin the journey toward healing and self-awareness. This conversation sheds light on the emotional roots of addiction and serves as a reminder that recovery is possible, no matter how lost you may feel.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Intro & Growing Up in Baltimore01:30 Early Childhood and Family Dynamics03:30 Losing a Parent and Turning to Substances06:30 Is Addiction Nature or Nurture?08:00 Personal DUI Experiences & Defining Addiction11:00 Identifying as an Addict—Comparison and Craving15:00 The Spiritual, Mental, and Physical Nature of Addiction18:30 Impact of External Consequences and Unmanageability21:30 Adolescence into College—Escalating Drinking24:30 College Years and the Struggle to Control Drinking28:00 The Obsession with Control & Attempts to Moderate32:00 Substances Beyond Alcohol and Cross-Addiction36:00 Why Alcohol Feels Different Than Other Drugs39:00 Misconceptions: Is it Just Willpower?43:00 Material Success vs. Internal Fulfillment47:00 Reaching Bottom: The Path to Treatment51:00 Medical Marijuana, Relapse, and True Recovery55:00 Spiritual Experience & Life with a Higher Power01:00:00 Advice for Those Struggling & Breaking Stigma01:01:30 Closing Thoughts and FarewellDonate to support! https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donateFuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI

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• My Dad Died From The Same Addiction I Escaped

  In episode 31 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Maggie who opens up about her journey through addiction, recovery, and rebuilding her life. She shares what it was like growing up around addiction, experimenting as a teen, and facing early arrests and probation. From her first rehab stay—where she admits she tried to “beat the system”—to the depths of opiate and heroin addiction in Kensington, Maggie’s story is raw and eye-opening. She talks about the repeated attempts at treatment, the turning point of true surrender, and how community became essential to her recovery. Now years sober, Maggie reflects on becoming a parent in recovery, working in treatment, navigating mental health challenges, and finding spirituality and purpose in long-term sobriety. This episode is a real, honest look at what it takes to rebuild and heal after addiction.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Intro and Podcast Mission00:35 Maggie's Early Years & Family Background02:00 Childhood Experiences with Addiction04:34 Noticing Differences & First Encounters07:14 Teen Experimentation and Escalation13:10 High School Arrests & Probation Struggles17:00 First Rehab and Intentions to ‘Beat the System’19:09 Opiates, Heroin, and Full-Blown Addiction23:18 Going Deeper: Kensington and Consequences27:30 Multiple Attempts at Treatment32:00 The Role of Community and True Surrender38:29 Early Recovery, Growth, & New Challenges44:24 Becoming a Sober Parent and Building a New Life47:07 Working in Treatment & Family Recovery52:18 Mental Health, Stigma, and Support Needs55:26 Spirituality in Recovery01:03:42 Long-term Sobriety and Changing Recovery Paths01:07:07 Biggest Highlights and Reflections01:09:54 Ongoing Mental Health and Support in Recovery01:13:23 Final Thoughts and ClosingFTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donateFuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, DUI, DWI, forgiveness, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

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• Crack Addiction Was My Rock Bottom

  In episode 30 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Michael to share his story of addiction, recovery, and rebuilding his life. From early identity struggles to his first experiences with substances, legal trouble, and near-death moments, Michael opens up about what it took to reach rock bottom and finally seek treatment. He discusses relapse, homelessness, and the importance of finding a sponsor, setting family boundaries, and doing the hard internal work of change. Together, Laisha and Michael dive into stigma, mental health, overdose prevention, Narcan access, and what recovery really means. This conversation is raw, real, and a reminder that addiction recovery is possible.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Meet Michael & Podcast Intro01:05 Growing Up: Childhood and Family Dynamics02:27 Trauma, Emotions & Early Identity Issues04:07 First Experiences with Substances07:07 School Years and Deepening Addiction10:19 Legal Consequences & Arrest Stories13:31 The Role of Psychedelics and Opinions on Recovery16:15 Abstinence, Relapse, and Recovery Definitions19:35 Reaching Rock Bottom & Going to Treatment23:39 Homelessness, Health Scares, and Near-Death27:01 Finding a Sponsor & Starting Over31:39 Family Boundaries, Al-Anon & Building Relationships34:47 Describing Addiction & Seeking Internal Change39:34 Struggles in Recovery & What Matters Most43:12 Forgiveness, Amends & Maintaining Relationships47:11 Foundations for Recovery: Steps, Community & God53:40 Powerlessness & The Nature of Choice in Addiction54:46 Treatment Industry, Body Brokering & Advice01:00:06 Stigma, Normalizing Recovery & The Mental Health Crisis01:02:44 Why Are We Addicts? Nature, Nurture & Accepting Reality01:04:50 Overdose, Narcan, and Access to Help01:07:08 Final Thoughts & The Importance of ConversationFTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, DUI, DWI, forgiveness, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

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• Losing A Multi-Million Dollar Company to Drugs & Addiction

  In episode 29 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Joe as he opens up about his journey through pain, addiction, and redemption. From a rough childhood marked by school struggles, trauma, and searching for belonging, Joe shares how early challenges led him down a path of experimenting with drugs that eventually escalated into hard addiction. He speaks candidly about coping with personal loss, navigating the streets of Baltimore, and becoming involved in criminal enterprises that brought both wealth and devastating consequences. Joe reflects on his time in prison, the unraveling of his life, and the moment he truly hit rock bottom. From there, he describes his fight for sobriety, the healing process, and how he ultimately found purpose in recovery. The conversation also dives into Baltimore’s ongoing addiction crisis, the stigma and misconceptions society holds, and the struggles of mental health, isolation, and suicide that many face in silence.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Intro 00:18 Joe's Rough Childhood & School Struggles04:34 Special Ed, Trauma & Seeking Belonging09:01 Experimenting with Drugs and Addiction Starts14:00 Escalation to Hard Drugs & Coping Mechanisms20:00 Personal Loss, Grief, and Street Outreach Work27:00 Criminal Enterprise, Wealth, and Consequences36:00 Prison, More Business & Life Falling Apart44:00 Hitting Rock Bottom & Journey to Sobriety47:00 Healing, Recovery and Finding Purpose49:00 Baltimore's Addiction Crisis & Street Realities53:00 Mental Health, Isolation & Suicide Struggles01:00:00 Society, Connection & Simplicity of Life01:03:00 Biggest Misconceptions About Addiction01:04:38 Life Purpose, Community & The Power of Connection01:07:00 Final Thoughts & Podcast Wrap-UpFTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Fuck the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes people shouldn’t be judged or labeled based on their mental health status. Whether you are struggling with an addiction or have been taking meds for a diagnosis, our community doesn’t judge and seeks to collectively end the stigma around mental health. Our mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, DUI, DWI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness

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