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In today's episode, we sit with the hidden reality of kratom dependence and how something marketed as natural relief can quietly reshape a life. We talk with Chad Womack about Feel Free, high-functioning addiction, rehab, and the slow return to clarity, responsibility, and self-respect.

• Kratom basics and why dose changes the experience
• How “legal” and “easy to buy” can speed up dependence
• Chad’s first experience with Feel Free and why it felt like support
• The quiet ramp from two bottles to eight
• Personality shifts that show up as anger, coldness and isolation
• The financial cost and the sneaky behaviors addiction creates
• A non-moral question that helps clarify any coping habit
• The breaking point that leads to rehab and what firm boundaries can do
• What a day in rehab actually looks like and why it feels brutal
• Coming home after treatment and living with consequences
• Purpose shame and the slow work of self-forgiveness
• What Chad says to someone quietly struggling

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Show Guest:

Chad Womack is a real estate professional, investor, and business owner with more than 25 years of experience building and managing successful ventures. Over the course of his career, he built and sold a company of 25 years while developing a strong portfolio of rental properties, giving him deep insight into long-term investment and sustainable business growth.

Behind that success, however, Chad faced a deeply personal challenge—an addiction to kratom, specifically the widely available “Feel Free” tonic. What began as a legal, easily accessible source of relief gradually turned into a dependency that led him to spend 45 days in rehab and nearly cost him his 20-year marriage.

Today, Chad shares his story with honesty and humility, offering a window into the reality of high-functioning addiction, the impact it can have on relationships and identity, and the ongoing work of recovery. His journey is one of accountability, resilience, and the slow return to clarity, purpose, and self-respect.

Outside of his professional life, Chad finds his greatest joy in spending time with his wife, daughter, and their two dogs.

You can connect with Chad Womack here.

You can connect with Dillon Womack here.

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Couch Time with Cat isn’t therapy—it’s real conversation designed to support your journey alongside any personal or professional help you're receiving. If you're in emotional crisis or need immediate support, please get in touch with a professional or reach out to a 24/7 helpline like:

• US: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
• UK: Samaritans at 116 123
• Australia: Lifeline at 13 11 14
• Or find local resources through findahelpline.com

You’re not alone. Let’s take this one honest conversation at a time.

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Show hosted by:

Catia Hernandez Holm, LMFT-A

Supervised by Susan Gonzales, LMFT-S, LPC-S

You can connect with Catia at couchtimewithcat.com

and

To become a client visit- catiaholm.com