I Lost Everything to Alcohol | Homeless, Addicted & My Journey to Recovery

In this raw and honest interview, Riley Whelan opens up about her battle with addiction, multiple relapses, and how she’s found a new life in sobriety. Riley shares about her upbringing, her early exposure to prescription drugs, the spiraling path through college and substance abuse, hitting rock bottom, and the pivotal moments that pushed her toward recovery. She also discusses how she handles ego, vulnerability, and purpose now — especially as a voice helping others. 💬 What you’ll hear: • Riley’s first memory of addiction and the role of ADHD in her life • How her substance use progressed from prescription misuse to harder drugs • Her experience with arrests, hiding it from her family, and running away • The turning point: entering rehab, embracing the recovery community, and doing real work • What she’s doing differently this time (amends, service, humility) • How she stays grounded while speaking publicly and helping others If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone. There is hope, and listeners like you have the power to heal and rebuild. Follow Riley on TikTok: @riwhey_orthehighway #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryStory #RileyWhelan #RiseAbovePodcast #Sobriety #Healing #MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionAwareness #AlcoholismRecovery #DrugAddiction #RelapseAndRecovery #RecoveryCommunity #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryIsPossible #CleanAndSober #SoberLife #SoberLiving #YouAreNotAlone #Inspiration 00:00 Introduction & Riley's Story Begins 02:00 Growing Up and Early ADHD Diagnosis 06:00 ADHD Medication and School Struggles 12:00 Adderall Abuse and High School Challenges 16:00 Experimenting with Alcohol and Weed 21:00 Consequences in High School & Graduation 24:00 College Parties and Academic Deception 30:00 Spiraling Out: Arrests and Job Loss 36:00 Escalating Addiction & Family Impact 41:00 Running Away and Rock Bottom 47:00 Cross-Country Escape & Hitting Spiritual Low 54:00 Return Home, Camper Isolation, and Ultimatum 01:00:00 First Rehab Experience & Early Recovery 01:07:00 Relapse: Losing Recovery and Isolation 01:13:00 Breaking Through Shame & Getting Honest 01:17:00 Second Chance at Sobriety & Making Amends 01:22:00 Growth, Service, and Spreading the Message 01:24:00 Reflections, Social Media, and Final Thoughts 🔔 Join Rise Above with Kevin Lanning to watch more content on Triumph, adversity, resilience, and inspiration:    / @riseabovewithkevin   ✅ Stay Connected To Us. 👉Instagram:   / riseabovewithkevin   👉 TikTok:   / rawithk   👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/riseabovewithk ✅ For Business Inquiries: [email protected] ================================ ✅ About Rise Above with Kevin Lanning: Rise Above: Stories of Resilience with Kevin Lanning Welcome to Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, where resilience finds its voice. Join Kevin Lanning, a former Google Executive in sobriety, as he brings you powerful stories of individuals who have navigated life's greatest challenges and emerged victorious. About Kevin: Kevin Lanning personifies resilience. From overcoming addiction to conquering childhood trauma, his journey mirrors the triumph of the human spirit. Now, he's dedicated to sharing stories that uplift, educate, and ignite the spark within you. Join us on this journey to rise above adversity and thrive. For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: 📩 Email: [email protected] 🔔 Hit that subscribe button for more exclusive, insightful, and inspiring videos: https://www.youtube.com/@Riseabovepod... ================================= #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #corecore #motivation #addictionrecovery #inspiration #selflove #selfhelp #loveyourself Disclaimer: We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of our publications. You acknowledge that you use the information we provide at your own risk. Do your research. Copyright Notice: This video and our YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided. © Rise Above with Kevin Lanning