In this candid episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast, we sit down with Carter Graves, founder of KMFK Safety Services and Executive Director of Grassroots Harm Reduction. Carter shares their journey of growing up in a household shaped by meth use, navigating personal trauma, and redefining recovery through harm reduction and managed methamphetamine use. With courage, humor, and radical transparency, Carter challenges traditional recovery narratives and offers powerful insights into drug policy, peer-led safety, and what it truly means to heal.

Whether you're in recovery, support harm reduction, or are curious about alternatives to abstinence-based models—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

00:00 - Carter introduces themselves and their definition of recovery
00:27 - Growing up with a single mother and generational meth use
01:48 - The trauma, poverty, and strength of Carter's family story
03:00 - Early substance use: Adderall, ecstasy, and meth
04:30 - Mother’s death and escalation of use
05:56 - The 2020 uprisings and how a street medic changed everything
06:58 - Quitting meth for three years and entering abstinence-based recovery
08:59 - The physical and emotional toll of abstinence
10:00 - Long COVID and reevaluating recovery
11:00 - Creative life, relapse language, and return to use
12:00 - What is reagent drug checking?
13:20 - Origin story: DanceSafe, MDMA testing, and community care
15:09 - Honoring people where they are on the spectrum of use
17:28 - “Brave space” over “safe space”
18:41 - TJ shares faith-based perspective on harm reduction
20:00 - The roots of KMFK and “Candy F***ing Carter”
21:45 - Expanding into condoms, Plan B, and other peer services
23:11 - From underground raves to national recognition
24:56 - Carter’s current roles at PA Groundhogs and more
25:10 - Learning harm reduction tools for meth use
26:50 - Proper dosing, sleep, and hydration strategies
28:20 - Setting personal boundaries and red flags
30:08 - Support system and what keeps Carter grounded
31:30 - Where to find Carter and KMFK online

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• https://grassrootsharmreduction.org
• https://pagroundhogs.org
• https://dancesafe.org
• KMFK Safety Services on Instagram & Facebook
• 📧 Contact Carter: contactcartergraves@gmail.com

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share this episode to support honest conversations around addiction recovery, substance use, and harm reduction.

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Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 181 | TJ and Mickey delve into Mickey's personal journey of long-term recovery. Mickey shares her raw and inspiring story, starting from her early exposure to alcohol and drugs, leading up to a DUI that became the turning point in her life. She speaks candidly about her struggles with addiction to various substances, including alcohol, cannabis, and prescription medications. Mickey also discusses her traumatic childhood experiences, which included abuse and neglect, and how these influenced her path toward addiction. Through sheer determination and multiple therapeutic approaches, including AA, holistic practices, and therapy, Mickey has transformed her life. She reflects on the spiritual experiences that reconnected her with a higher power and the importance of community support in her recovery journey. Mickey's story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of seeking help and building a new life, free from substances.

00:00 Introduction and Host Backgrounds

00:22 Mickey's Early Exposure to Substances

01:05 High School and Early Drug Use

02:57 Struggles with Addiction and Employment

06:16 Family and Childhood Trauma

09:46 Return to Connecticut and Continued Addiction

13:46 The Turning Point: DUI and Therapy

16:30 Journey to Sobriety and AA Meetings

19:52 Exploring Alternative Recovery Paths

21:17 Spiritual Awakening and Nature's Influence

23:24 Ongoing Recovery and Therapy

25:36 Final Thoughts and Advice for Newcomers

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Host TJ takes listeners live to the State Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut for Recovery Day. The event features an array of voices, including State Representative Robin Comey, Senator Saud Anwar, and Representatives Patrick Biggins and Devin Kearney, among others, who share their personal stories and legislative efforts to support individuals in recovery. Key discussions include the importance of removing the stigma associated with addiction, the potential benefits of Overdose Prevention Centers, and the need for robust community support and resources. The episode highlights the interconnected nature of recovery, community well-being, and legislative advocacy, emphasizing that recovery is a journey that involves everyone. Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 180

00:00 Introduction to Recovery Matters Podcast

00:26 State Representative Robin Comey's Personal Recovery Journey

02:54 Senator Saud Anwar on Overdose Prevention

07:18 Patrick Biggins on Youth and Recovery

08:43 Students for Recovery: Advocacy and Support

11:29 Taylor Aitken on Legislative Support for Recovery

13:47 Mike Pohl on Community Recovery Efforts

17:42 State Representative Devin Kearney on the Importance of Recovery

18:39 State Representative Toni Walker on Embracing Recovery

21:46 Stacy Sharpentier on Funding and Recovery Support

23:56 Conclusion and Resources for Recovery

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