Sharing the Power of Recovery with Joel Gotlib

Carrie sits down today with a friend and longtime former colleague Joel Gotlib. Joel demonstrates big time courage, vulnerability, and character by describing his recovery from a 7 year battle with opioids. Joel explains his personal story on how he started taking them, how he got addicted, and the ways in which it took a grip on everything in his life. He then shares how he found treatment and how we can recognize the symptoms and help others who are going through such a profound and unfortunately now growing crisis. Joel has a way of adding humor and wit into everything he does, and this week’s episode is no different.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Joel was an anchor and reporter with CTV, and was a well known public figure who many thoughts had it all together.
No one knew Joel was dealing with addiction and so much pain, even those working with him closely.
How it began in 2011 with a sciatica attack while walking his dog, and went home with Percocet.
The tolerance Joel built up for his pain meds, and the sense of euphoria and focus it gave him furthered the addiction, yet caused a slow and steady decline.
How Joe’s family and personal life began falling apart, and he began to feel more disconnected and discouraged than ever.
His emotions from a series of floors falling out from underneath him, including an online stalker and being taken off the CTV anchor desk and assigned to the new role of a reporter.
When Joel really hit rock bottom, and how his psychiatrist brother helped him realize his only option at that point was attending rehab.
How Joel went from wanting to leave the rehab center after the first stay to sticking it through, getting clean, and even becoming a co-captain to help others.
The new passion that has emerged in Joel to share his story to help other addicts and their loved ones in their journey.
Why we should focus on compassion and caring with addiction rather than blame and shame.

Quotes:

“Don’t resort to Percocet. I’m sorry. It’s addicting and it’s ruining lives.”
“When you are an anchor you don’t just sit and read the news. It’s a hard job, but one of the best jobs in the world to have.”
“There’s no coming out the opposite side. You have to climb back up.”
“I took Percocet all the way to the rehab center.”
“You can’t surrender to the program unless you come clean on everything.”
“I have long admired people that have gone to rehab to come out and live a better life.”
“I have a story to tell and it’s important to share it. And that’s why.”

Mentioned:

Journey Into the Inner Circle:

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