Trevor Steinhauser
Trevor Steinhauser
The Chameleon
The Chameleon
The Chameleon
Monday 21st October 2019
Ben Ertel shares his journey from addiction to advocacy, highlighting the importance of community support in recovery.
Explicit
41 minutes
Inspiring
Hopeful
Informative
Supportive
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Trevor Steinhauser
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Stigma & Social Perspectives
Family Recovery from Addiction
Recovery from Trauma
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Links:
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Episodes:
66 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!The Chameleon: Ben Ertel's Journey from Addiction to Advocacy
Addiction is the most isolating. You are literally removed from society because you can't have real relationships.
Imagine feeling like an actor in your own life, constantly changing roles to fit in. That was Ben Ertel's reality growing up in Cincinnati. Despite a seemingly great childhood, Ben always felt out of place and never truly let others into his world. To cope, he became a 'chameleon', adapting to whatever situation he found himself in. His story takes a dramatic turn when he moves to Washington D.C.
for an internship with a congressman, where his drinking spirals out of control. A car accident leads to pain pills, which eventually pave the way to heroin addiction. Ben's life hits rock bottom as he finds himself living on the streets and out of his car. But this isn't where his story ends. Ben gets a second chance at life, diving headfirst into recovery and turning his personal battle into a career dedicated to helping others.
Since 2015, he's been working in business development within the treatment industry, creating personalized recovery plans and aiding hundreds of families. In this episode of 'Stigmatized', Ben shares his raw and powerful journey from addiction to advocacy, shedding light on the importance of community support in overcoming addiction and mental health challenges. His story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of hope.