In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down in person with Jaime Vinck, President of The Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, to have an honest, no-hype conversation about addiction treatment and recovery.

Jaime is the author of The Rehab Playbook: Demystifying Addiction Treatment, a guide written to help people in treatment and their families understand what rehab actually does, why it sometimes falls short, and how to approach recovery with clarity instead of confusion.

Recorded live at Camelback Recovery Treatment Center in front of outpatient clients, this conversation speaks directly to people who are:

• Currently in treatment
• Early in recovery
• Returning to treatment after relapse
• Skeptical due to past treatment experiences
• Family members trying to help without causing harm

Together, Tim and Jaime explore why rehab isn't a "fix," how trauma and mental health influence addiction, what accountability really means in recovery, and why aftercare and daily structure matter more than motivation alone.

This episode also addresses common misconceptions about rehab, including:

• Why treatment doesn't always work the way people expect
• How broken or poorly matched programs can impact recovery
• Why relapse is not a moral failure
• What ethical, effective addiction treatment actually looks like

If you or someone you love is navigating addiction treatment, recovery, or the decision to seek help, this conversation offers realistic hope, practical insight, and a clearer understanding of the recovery process — without shame, fear, or false promises.

Tim Westbrook sits down with entrepreneur and CEO Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Door Service, who shares what it really takes to build a high-growth company and how working nonstop could lead to self-destruction. He opens up about workaholism, burnout, identity, and the moment he realized that performance alone was not enough. They explore how ambition can quietly become a coping mechanism, why work is often a socially acceptable addiction, and what it looks like to create success without sacrificing health, relationships, or peace of mind. They also discuss lifestyle changes, stress management, stepping away from alcohol for clarity, and the role of boundaries, values, and purpose in long-term well-being. This episode is for anyone asking: How do I stay driven without destroying myself?

Topics covered:

• Workaholism and burnout

• Mental health and high performance

• Stress, pressure, and coping strategies

• Alcohol, lifestyle changes, and clarity

• Identity, purpose, and sustainable success

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with Kathryn Elliott, alcohol mindset coach, speaker, and founder of The Alcohol Mindset Coach, to share how she discovered a scientifically proven yet rarely discussed link between alcohol and increased breast cancer risk. Together, they discuss what the research actually says about "moderate" drinking, how alcohol affects hormones, inflammation, and sleep, and why you do not need a diagnosis or a rock bottom moment to reconsider alcohol's role in your life. Kathryn also explores how to approach these conversations without fear, shame, or self-blame, and how clarity, confidence, and well-being often improve when we choose ourselves first.

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with Estil Wallace, founder of Cornerstone Healing Center, for an honest, live conversation about recovery, mental health, and what it really takes to build a life in sobriety. Estil shares his personal journey through addiction, the role the 12 Steps have played in his recovery, and how lived experience – not theory – shapes the way he shows up today. Together, they talk about experience, strength, and hope, navigating early recovery, staying grounded as life gets bigger, and why recovery is about much more than just not using. This episode is for anyone who's struggling, early in the process, or looking for proof that meaningful change is possible one day at a time.

Addiction is typically addressed in a harsh and imposing manner, and compassion is often thrown out of the window. Heather Ross, a family recovery coach and podcaster, joins Tim Westbrook, MS to discuss how parents should support children struggling with substance use without confrontation or shame. Delving deep into family recovery, they break down how children struggling with addiction positively respond to connection, communication, and emotional regulation. Heather also explains that tough love often backfires, how nervous system regulation impacts the entire family, and how parents can set boundaries that build connection instead of distance.

Anxiety will always be a part of the roller coaster of life. However, suppressing it will only lead to frequent panic attacks and a more emotionally unstable you. Joining Tim Westbrook, MS is Dr. Nicole Cain, ND, MA, a licensed naturopathic physician in Arizona and a leading expert in trauma-informed and integrative mental health. Together, they discuss how to turn anxiety into intelligent signals from the body that lead to healing. Dr. Nicole also breaks down the four steps of reprogramming, the nine different types of anxiety, and how to listen to your symptoms. Find out how to treat anxiety not as an enemy but as a messenger you should closely listen to.

Choosing a medical provider in recovery can be a life-and-death decision, and for those newly sober, an uninformed choice could create a dangerous path back to old habits. Dr. Ravi Chandiramani, a pioneering naturopathic physician and expert in integrative addiction medicine with over 20 years of clinical experience, joins us to issue a crucial warning about the growing trend of biohacking, peptide therapy, and hormone replacement that is being pitched to vulnerable people in early recovery. Dr. Chandiramani explains the dangerous "more is better" mindset that makes controlled substances like testosterone and stimulants like Phentermine a slippery slope, detailing the real risks of non-FDA-approved peptides, and why it is essential to partner with a doctor who knows your full addiction history.

Addiction may bring you to your rock bottom, but it does not mean jumping back is impossible. Learn how to find your path to recovery and love yourself all over again with bestselling author and podcaster Arlina Allen. She joins Tim Westbrook to share how she helps redefine the recovery process through her Sober Life School, her book The 12 Step Guide for Skeptics, and The One Day at a Time Recovery Podcast. Learn how to embrace solutions-based approaches that go beyond traditional recovery techniques to deliberately create a better future for yourself. Arlina also explains how to live above the line and get rid of your limiting beliefs to start transforming your life and embrace an authentic, sober identity.