Brett Morris, Ashley Grimes, Jason Rudeen, Rev. LC Currie and JR Weaver

Recovery Revolution Live

Brett Morris, Ashley Grimes, Jason Rudeen, Rev. LC Currie and JR Weaver

  • Recovery Revolution Live with Mary Beth O'Connor

Recovery Revolution Live with Mary Beth O'Connor

Friday 4th November 2022

Mary Beth O'Connor discusses her journey from addiction to becoming a judge, highlighting diverse recovery strategies and the power of resilience.
Explicit
108 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Encouraging

About this podcast

Recovery Revolution Live
Author:
Brett Morris, Ashley Grimes, Jason Rudeen, Rev. LC Currie and JR Weaver
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery Reimagined
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Family Recovery from Addiction
Creative Recovery Journeys
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
83 (View all)
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Mary Beth O'Connor: From Addiction to Advocacy and Beyond

Either people are going to get hiv or we're going to give them easy access to syringes. And I mean that's to me, that's one of the core things about recovery- is that I'm able to change my ideas and grow and try different things.
Ever wondered how someone can rise from the depths of addiction to the heights of a federal judge's bench? Meet Mary Beth O'Connor, whose story is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode of 'Recovery Revolution Live', Mary Beth takes us through her journey from being an IV meth addict to a respected federal Administrative Law Judge. But her path wasn't just about kicking a habit; it was about overcoming childhood abuse, trauma, self-harm, PTSD, and anxiety.
Her memoir, 'From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction', captures this incredible transformation. Mary Beth's struggles began early. Abused as a child, she turned to substances for escape. College brought more turmoil with a life-threatening assault that pushed her further into addiction. By her senior year, her life was spiraling out of control. Recovery came, but not easily. As an atheist, Mary Beth found traditional god-centered programs didn't work for her.
Instead, she crafted her own recovery plan, blending elements from various secular programs. She leaned on self-empowerment, rational decision-making, and mutual support to build a solid foundation for her new life. In this episode, Mary Beth shares candidly about the impact of trauma on addiction and the role of medication-assisted treatment in recovery. She stresses the importance of flexibility in recovery strategies, acknowledging that what works today might not be effective tomorrow.
Her story is a powerful reminder that recovery is an ongoing process of growth and change. Mary Beth also highlights the benefits of having a supportive partner and building strong relationships. Today, she is not only a symbol of resilience but also an advocate for multiple recovery pathways, speaking regularly for organizations like She Recovers Foundation and LifeRing Secular Recovery.
Tune in to hear Mary Beth's inspiring story and gain insights into the diverse approaches to recovery that can help anyone facing similar battles.