Ryan Hampton, a beacon of hope and a leading voice in recovery advocacy, takes us through his transformative journey from the depths of heroin addiction to founding Mobilize Recovery. His story is one of resilience and a relentless commitment to change, illustrating how personal battles can fuel a larger mission. Through our conversation, Ryan shares how his experiences with homelessness and near-death encounters propelled him to mobilize 70,000 advocates across the U.S., aiming to break down societal stigmas and reshape the policies surrounding drug addiction.

We also dive into the pressing need for systemic healthcare reform, particularly concerning substance use disorders. Ryan discusses the barriers imposed by insurance companies and healthcare systems that make recovery seem more like a stroke of luck than a right. He emphasizes the importance of shifting perspectives to treat fentanyl and other substance issues as public health crises, advocating for comprehensive care that includes treatment, housing, and employment opportunities.

Brett and Ryan explore the power of community and the urgent need to create Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFW). They reflect on the collective effort required to foster inclusive environments and support systems. As we set our sights on the future, the conversation leaves us inspired by the possibilities of continued advocacy and the role we can all play in supporting this vital movement.

Links:
Ryan Hampton's Website
Mobilize Recovery
Ryan's books on Amazon
Ryan's media appearances - Fox, MSNBC, BBC, etc.

• Sober Curious Consulting - Brett and Nell's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
• Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
• Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
• Data on SUD in the US (2022) - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
• Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.