Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

In this episode, I sit down with Karina Miesner for a raw Q&A covering the most asked questions around addiction, relapse, and sobriety.

We break down real experiences from both sides of recovery including rock bottom moments, near relapses, triggers, relationships, trauma, and what actually works when it comes to staying sober.

Karina opens up about hitting rock bottom in the ICU with liver disease, while we both share the truth about relapse, shame, and how recovery really happens.

If you’re struggling, early in sobriety, or trying to understand addiction, this episode gives you honest, unfiltered answers from people who’ve lived it.

Topics include:


What rock bottom actually looks like


Can you get sober without rehab?


Triggers that almost caused relapse


Is relapse part of recovery or failure


Therapy, trauma, and EMDR


Relationships in early sobriety


Daily routines that keep us sober


Letting go of your old identity

This is the conversation people need but rarely hear.

Follow Karina Miesner:
Instagram: @karinamiesner (update if needed)
TikTok: @karinamiesner

Full episode based on real Q&A from the Rise Above community

If this helped you, share it with someone who needs it.

#addictionrecovery #sobrietyjourney #recoveryispossible #mentalhealthmatters #relapseprevention #soberlife #addictionhelp #12steprecovery #traumahealing #recoverycommunity

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Lauren Gaffney shares her raw, unfiltered story of addiction, trauma, and recovery. From a “normal” childhood in the suburbs to taking 5-hour bus rides into Kensington to score drugs, her life spiraled into heroin use, crack addiction, arrests, and years of chaos.

After multiple run-ins with the law and waking up to sheriffs at her door, Lauren finally hit a breaking point. This is the story of how addiction took everything… and how she fought her way back to sobriety.

If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode could change everything.

Lauren Gaffney shares her raw, unfiltered story of addiction, trauma, and recovery. From a “normal” childhood in the suburbs to taking 5-hour bus rides into Kensington to score drugs, her life spiraled into heroin use, crack addiction, arrests, and years of chaos.After multiple run-ins with the law and waking up to sheriffs at her door, Lauren finally hit a breaking point. This is the story of how addiction took everything… and how she fought her way back to sobriety.If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode could change everything.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment.
Call or Text: 844-443-5669
Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april

#addiction #heroinaddiction #recovery #sobriety #mentalhealth #truecrime #kensingtontheory #drugaddiction #recoveryjourney #riseabove

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Chris Stroud started using drugs at just 11 years old… and by 17, he was hooked on crack cocaine.

What followed was decades of chaos — robbing drug dealers, running from gangs, getting arrested, and eventually facing federal prison.

From living a double life to losing everything, Chris takes us inside the brutal reality of addiction and the moments that nearly cost him his life.

After years of destruction, something finally changed… and today he’s over 4 years sober, working in recovery and helping others find a way out.

If you’re struggling, this episode is proof that no matter how far gone you feel… there’s still a way back.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment.
Call or Text: 844-443-5669
Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april

#addiction #recovery #sobriety #drugaddiction #prisonstory #mentalhealth #crackaddiction #federalprison

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Tyler Ramsey had it all… working on Baywatch, MTV, Survivor, and building a career in Hollywood.

But behind the scenes, he was spiraling.

What started with alcohol turned into Adderall, Xanax, and opiates… leading to blackouts, chaos, and near-death situations.

The moment everything changed?

His young daughter found his drugs.

That was the line.

In this episode, Tyler breaks down:


Growing up with trauma and loss


Hollywood success while secretly addicted


The moment addiction took full control


The terrifying wake-up call involving his daughter


The ultimatum that saved his life


How he rebuilt everything and found real sobriety

This is one of the most honest conversations about addiction, consequences, and what it really takes to change.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you’re not alone.

Tyler Ramsey had it all… working on Baywatch, MTV, Survivor, and building a career in Hollywood.But behind the scenes, he was spiraling.What started with alcohol turned into Adderall, Xanax, and opiates… leading to blackouts, chaos, and near-death situations.The moment everything changed?His young daughter found his drugs.That was the line.In this episode, Tyler breaks down:Growing up with trauma and lossHollywood success while secretly addictedThe moment addiction took full controlThe terrifying wake-up call involving his daughterThe ultimatum that saved his lifeHow he rebuilt everything and found real sobrietyThis is one of the most honest conversations about addiction, consequences, and what it really takes to change.If you or someone you love is struggling, you’re not alone.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment.
Call or Text: 844-443-5669
Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april

#addiction #sobriety #recovery #xanaxaddiction #opioidcrisis #mentalhealth

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Ryan Moyer had a key to a pharmacy… and one night, he used it to steal the entire narcotics closet.

What started with prescription pills turned into a full-blown heroin addiction, multiple arrests, federal charges, and living in trap houses just to survive. He was running scams, stealing cars, and doing whatever it took to get his next fix.

But that wasn’t the end of his story.

After hitting rock bottom, Ryan made a decision that changed everything. Today, he’s over 5 years sober and has built a successful business as “The Tesla Doctor,” working on high-end vehicles and rebuilding his life from the ground up.

This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about addiction, crime, consequences, and what it really takes to turn your life around.

If this story helps even one person, it was worth it.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment.
Call or Text: 844-443-5669
Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april

#addiction #heroinrecovery #sobriety #recoveryjourney #drugaddiction #fentanylcrisis #cleanandsober #riseabove #truecrime #selfimprovement

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