If you’ve ever struggled yourself or watched someone you love battle addiction, this episode is for you.

On this episode of Tri State Time Machine, I sit down with Adam Foster—a content creator and storyteller from Charleston who’s built a strong following by being unapologetically honest about his addiction, his recovery, and the realities of rebuilding his life.

Adam bravely shares what it's really like growing up in Appalachia, the trauma and family dynamics that shaped his early years, and how he found himself trapped in a cycle of addiction. Together, we explore his turning points, the heartbreak of hitting rock bottom, and the daily work that goes into recovery—not just as a personal victory, but as a message of hope for others.

Our conversation doesn’t hold anything back. We discuss the tough choices, the ripple effect addiction has on families and communities, and the challenge of rebuilding trust and making amends. Adam opens up about how sharing his journey publicly has helped him—and others—feel less alone.

I hope you’ll find honest inspiration in Adam’s story and see, through our conversation, that recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, resilience, and learning how to love yourself again.

Moments

00:00 "Adam's Journey: Addiction & Recovery"

17:53 "Life's Turning Points and Struggles"

24:15 "From Friends to Strangers"

34:09 "Confronting a Preacher's Hypocrisy"

50:53 "Transformation Through Determination"

57:10 "Reflections on Motherhood and Loss"

01:14:14 "Honesty, Recovery, and Advocacy"

01:20:07 "Raw Honesty and Vulnerability"

01:33:03 "Breaking Cycles and Finding Grace"

01:41:22 "From Addiction to Redemption"

01:55:18 Inspiration Through Shared Stories

01:58:03 "Learning Self-Love and Coping"

If you have a memory you would want me to talk more about, just send me an email at TSTM@mail.com. Or post a comment on the Tri-State Machine FB Group page.

Welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine.

I'm your host Vanessa Hankins. This is a podcast where my guests and I share our memories and present day stories of the Tri-State Area. That's West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Nothing too serious, no political views, and no ulterior motives.

We're just here to share our fun stories about this great area.

Whether you're a past resident or a current Tri-State resident, I think you're going to have fun with us.

So join in, press play on your podcast player, and welcome to the Tri-State Time Machine!

https://ts-time-machine.captivate.fm/episode/adam-fosters-raw-journey-through-addiction-and-recovery-in-appalachia

Copyright 2026 Vanessa Hankins

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/