Public Speaker, Writer& Producer
Episode 46: Sharing The Power of Recovery
Description: 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 humour 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 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:
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