From Heroin, Prison & Overdoses to 1 Year Sober | Michael Martin’s Recovery Story

Описание: He started using at 12—and heroin later took him to prison, homelessness, and overdoses he can’t even count. Today, Michael Martin shares how he’s approaching one year sober and stepping into purpose.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Dora Dixie (board-certified Family Medicine + Addiction Medicine) sits with Michael Martin, a Chicago native, to unpack the real-life progression of substance use disorder: childhood trauma and abandonment, early drug exposure, escalation to cocaine and hallucinogens, transition to heroin in his 50s, incarceration, relapse cycles, and the long road to stability.

Michael speaks candidly about:
How early family instability shaped his choices
The shift from “functioning” use to life consequences
Heroin use, prison time, and what finally made sobriety feel non-negotiable
Methadone treatment, overdoses, and using Sublocade as part of getting off opioids
His faith-based recovery mindset and message to his children

🙌 Watch until the end — Michael’s turning point will stay with you.
00:01 Ask Dr. Dora intro + mission
00:52 Meet Michael Martin (Chicago, 67)
02:15 Life before drugs: family + feeling overlooked
03:30 Father’s drinking + domestic violence at home
05:47 Mother leaves at age 10 (abandonment)
06:22 Growing up fast + “new mama” moments
07:50 First drug at 12: marijuana
08:14 Dad taught painting + money at home
09:52 Escalation begins later (late bloomer)
10:43 Dropping out before junior year
12:29 Looking for love + father’s influence
13:17 Marriage, kids, and consequences
15:13 Cocaine, LSD/microdot, “sherm” explained
18:15 Working + “supporting” the lifestyle
19:04 Divorce + betrayal + deeper spiral
21:33 Cocaine becomes daily lifestyle
24:16 Impact on relationship with his kids
27:20 Heroin enters (50s): “that’s trouble”
27:54 Prison 4 times (burglary)
30:01 Money, stopping work, survival choices
31:40 Driving women around (street economy)
34:25 Stopping that lifestyle + painting talent
35:23 Last prison release (2016) + Bible inside
37:53 Sober only in prison + relapse cycle
38:49 “Mike on the bike” + turning a corner
40:25 Heroin at ~53: “smooth” then changing
42:05 Methadone clinic begins
42:26 Homelessness + loss of someone he loved
46:33 Daughter’s death + grief
48:03 “Steal no more” + values shift
49:53 Clinic orientation: becoming a counselor
51:33 New Year’s Eve 2020: drugs + turning point
54:36 Hit by car, leg broken (life shift)
56:18 Rehab + returning to use (honest relapse)
57:59 First legal apartment + stability returning
59:01 When drugs stopped: methadone journey
1:00:08 Overdoses (more than 10) + near-death
1:02:14 Narcan + waking up after days
1:03:24 “No matter what” commitment to sobriety
1:04:55 Nearly 1 year drug-free (Dec 20)
1:06:25 Group therapy + helping others now
1:12:02 Getting off methadone + Sublocade
1:15:31 Triggers + “scared straight” mindset
1:16:37 Message to his children
1:18:24 Closing words to the woman he loved
1:19:44 Dr. Dora outro + subscribe + help resources

💬 What was Michael’s biggest turning point in your opinion? Drop it in the comments.
🙏 If this hit your spirit, SHARE it with someone who needs hope today.
✅ Subscribe to Ask Dr. Dora for weekly recovery stories + real tools.

if you or someone you love is battling addiction: you are not alone, and help is available.
• Find treatment: https://findtreatment.gov/
• SAMHSA National Helpline (24/7): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Guest inquiries: [email protected]
Crisis/urgent help: call local emergency services.

#AddictionRecovery #OpioidCrisis #RecoveryStory