Recovery on Rucker: Recovery from Substance use Disorder

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Jack and April dive into one of the most crucial—and often uncomfortable—topics for parents: when and how to talk to your kids about drugs. Drawing from their own journeys in recovery and parenting, they share personal stories, practical advice, and candid reflections on what they wish they’d known sooner.
They emphasizes the power of honesty: “Kids can handle the truth better than we think. What they can’t handle is silence.” Adding, “It’s not about scaring them—it’s about preparing them. The earlier we start, the stronger they stand.”
Whether you're a parent, guardian, or someone who cares about the next generation, this episode offers real talk, real tools, and a reminder that prevention begins with conversation.
Snohomish County Recover Coalition

On this episode of Recovery on Rucker, Jack and April spotlight Peer Support Specialists—trained professionals with lived experience—who bring empathy, hope, and practical insight into hospital settings. Despite lingering biases about their professional status, peer specialists are transforming patient care and clinician collaboration.
Key Benefits of Peer Support in Healthcare
Emotional & Social Support: Peers reduce isolation and boost resilience through shared experience and belonging
Health Navigation & Self‑Care: They guide patients through complex systems, reinforce treatment plans, and teach coping and self‑help skills
Improved Outcomes & Cost Savings: Evidence shows decreased rehospitalizations and crises, increased outpatient engagement, and overall quality‑of‑life gains
Strengthening Clinical Teams: Peer Specialists ease doctor workloads by enhancing patient engagement, offering non‑clinical support, and acting as credible recovery role models Episode Highlights
Role Clarification: Learn how peers complement—not replace—medical staff, and how certification, training, and supervision uphold professional standards.
Success Stories: Tune in for real-world examples of peer specialists in emergency departments, inpatient care, crisis teams, and primary clinics.
Breaking the Stigma: Jack and April discuss overcoming stereotypes around professionalism and show why peer specialists are vital members of patient-centered teams.
By the end, you will see why Peer Support Specialists deserve recognition as essential healthcare professionals who humanize care, drive better outcomes, and support clinicians.
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition

In this heartfelt episode of Recovery on Rucker, Jack and April sit down with Will B. — a Recovery Café member, clinician, and steadfast voice of encouragement in the recovery community. Will opens up about his coast-to-coast journey, sharing the deep struggles he faced from the moment he began using, through his most difficult challenges, and into the meaningful work he does today.
With honesty, humor, and hope, Will reflects on the people and places that shaped his recovery, what continues to inspire him, and why the journey inward is just as important as the miles he's traveled. This is an episode about resilience, connection, and believing in what’s still possible.
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition

Snohomish Recovery Coalition
In this powerful episode Recovery on Rucker we confront a harsh reality: too often, people with substance use disorders walking into an emergency room are dismissed—as “drug seekers”—and treated as burdens instead of human beings in crisis. Many are genuinely ill, in pain, or even overdosing, yet find themselves ignored, devalued, or spoken over. Others may be seeking drugs—but every person deserves to be heard, assessed, and treated with dignity.
We explore how this stigma—fueled by outdated beliefs and a lack of addiction education in medicine—leads to real harms: delayed care, untreated pain, and tragic outcomes. Studies confirm that healthcare providers often carry negative stereotypes about addiction, which directly lowers the quality of care these patients receive.
Understanding that emergency staff face immense pressure and uncertainty, we discuss how small shifts—person-first language, empathy, and basic respect—can close the gap between crisis and compassionate care.
Our episode wraps with a moving story from April, who shares her deeply held gratitude for a Primary Care Physician who, even during her darkest moments of active addiction, always treated her with respect and humanity. It’s a testament to what’s possible—and a call to action.
Snohomish Recovery Coalition

Snohomish County Recovery Coalition 
In this powerful episode, Jack and April sit down with Kyle, the dynamic Executive Director of the Recovery Café. Kyle shares his deeply personal journey from active addiction to recovery and leadership, offering a raw and inspiring look at what it means to heal and give back. Together, they discuss the mission of the Recovery Café, Kyle’s bold vision for expanding its reach, and the importance of recognizing that recovery isn’t just about substance use — it’s about healing from trauma, grief, mental health struggles, and more. This conversation is a reminder that recovery is possible, community matters, and everyone is recovering from something.
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition 

Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
Jack and April P talk about dating in recovery. It isn’t one-size-fits-all—and in this episode, we dive into the messy, beautiful, and often complicated reality of romantic relationships on the road to healing. They explore the perils and pitfalls of dating while in early recovery, what it’s like to walk the recovery path as a couple, and how to navigate love, boundaries, codependency, and personal growth without losing yourself—or your sobriety.
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
podcast@snocorecovers.org

Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
April P and Jack talk about one of the most challenging yet critical parts of recovery—asking for help. When the initial “pink cloud” of early sobriety fades, real life sets in, and things can feel heavy—especially the phone. Making that call, reaching out, admitting you're struggling—it’s not easy. But this is exactly what your recovery community is for. You don’t have to do this alone. We explore why asking for help feels so hard, how to recognize the signs that you need support, and what happens when you finally make that call. Whether you're new in recovery or years in, this conversation is a reminder that connection, vulnerability, and community are key to lasting sobriety.
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
podcast@snocorecovers.org

Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
April E and April P unpack the expanding meaning of recovery—a word once reserved for addiction, now applied to nearly every corner of modern life. From drugs and alcohol to food, shopping, gambling, sex, technology, and our ever-present phones, we explore how the concept of recovery has grown alongside our increasingly overstimulated, over-consumed world. What does it mean to be “in recovery” today? And if we’re all healing from something, could recovery be a shared human experience? Join us for a conversation about the personal and collective journeys we take to reclaim balance, connection, and ourselves.
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
podcast@snocorecovery.org

Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
April E and April P explore how lived experiences can drive meaningful change in recovery and policy. You'll hear powerful stories from individuals who have stepped up to use their voices, not just to heal, but to advocate for better systems. We dive into the idea that there are many pathways to recovery, and how recognizing this diversity is essential in shaping inclusive, effective policy. From peer support to grassroots organizing, this conversation highlights the critical role that people with real-life experience play in transforming communities and influencing decision-makers.
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
podcast@snocorecovery.org

Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
In this deeply personal episode, we explore the complexities faced by parents in recovery when their children begin experimenting with drugs. Drawing from lived experiences and expert insights, we delve into the emotional turmoil of confronting the familiar patterns of addiction in your child, especially when a family history of substance abuse looms large.
We discuss the challenges of resisting the urge to accuse or lecture, recognizing that such approaches often backfire. Instead, we emphasize the importance of open dialogue, understanding, and setting healthy boundaries. The episode also highlights the critical need for support systems, both for parents and children, to navigate this difficult terrain.
Tune in for a candid conversation about the intersection of recovery, parenting, and the hope for breaking generational cycles of substance abuse.
Snohomish County Recovery Coalition
podcast@snocorecovers.org