Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

In this episode of Rise Above, Ali Zansberg shares one of the most intense addiction stories we’ve ever featured on the podcast.

After surviving stage-four liver failure as a teenager, Ali was prescribed opioids — which quickly spiraled into doctor shopping, oxy addiction, meth use, psychosis, and repeated overdoses. At her lowest point, she overdosed nine times in a single month, experienced severe drug-induced psychosis, and found herself in and out of jail.

Her addiction escalated from prescription opioids to meth and eventually kratom, where she became trapped in brutal withdrawals and a cycle she couldn’t escape.

Ali opens up about surviving overdoses, being revived multiple times with Narcan, doctor shopping prescriptions, battling addiction across multiple states, and the moment she finally surrendered and asked for help.

Today Ali is over a year sober, sponsors other women in recovery, and is helping others find a way out of addiction.

If you’ve been listening to Rise Above for a while, you know I don’t believe in shame, stigma, or one-size-fits-all treatment. That’s why I partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health.

Compassion is intentionally boutique sized so clients receive real individualized care. Whether someone needs detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, IOP, or even virtual support, they offer a full continuum of care built around evidence-based therapy along with innovative options like TMS, neurofeedback, and EMDR when appropriate.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, mental health, or both and you don’t know where to start, this is a compassionate place to begin.

Call or text 844-443-5669 or visit compassionbehavioralhealth.com.

#addictionrecovery #opioidcrisis #sobrietyjourney #overdose #riseabovepodcast

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Ryan Yonkers grew up in a seemingly normal household outside Chicago. But behind the scenes, childhood trauma, addiction, and a chaotic home life pushed him down a dangerous path.

Ryan started experimenting with substances at just six years old, eventually falling deep into drug culture. By his late teens he was selling drugs, running with dangerous people, and chasing a rap career that briefly put him on stage with artists like Young Buck.

But addiction took over.

What started with pills turned into heroin, armed robberies, and a life completely controlled by drugs. Ryan lost friends to overdose, watched people he loved die, and spiraled into a lifestyle he thought he would never escape.

After hitting rock bottom, Ryan found recovery and a new purpose helping others battling addiction.

Today he shares his story in hopes of helping someone who is still suffering.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, help is available.

Compassion Behavioral Health offers compassionate, evidence-based treatment for addiction and mental health disorders.

📞 Call: 877-414-3007
🌐 https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com

Recovery is possible.

#addictionrecovery #heroinaddiction #sobrietystory #recoverypodcast #riseabovepodcast #mentalhealthrecovery

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If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, mental health, or both, Compassion Behavioral Health offers individualized treatment designed to address the root causes — not just the symptoms.

Compassion Behavioral Health is intentionally boutique-sized, allowing clients to receive personalized care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. They provide a full continuum of care including detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, and virtual support.

Alongside evidence-based therapies, they also offer innovative treatment options like TMS, neurofeedback, and EMDR when clinically appropriate.

They are in-network with most major insurance providers and are available 24/7.

Call or text 844-443-5669
Visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com

Serena Lamotte joins Kevin Lanning to share her powerful story of addiction, trauma, and survival.

After growing up in a difficult environment and experiencing significant loss, Serena found herself pulled into a destructive lifestyle that eventually led to a three-year ketamine addiction. What began as partying quickly spiraled into toxic relationships, dangerous living situations, and a life she barely recognized.

Everything changed after a devastating drunk driving crash that left Serena with severe injuries and permanently blind in one eye.

In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Serena opens up about grief, addiction, abusive relationships, surviving violence, the crash that nearly took her life, and how she ultimately found the strength to rebuild.

Her story is a raw reminder that even after the darkest chapters, it’s still possible to rise above.

#RiseAbovePodcast #KevinLanning #KetamineAddiction #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryStory #DrunkDrivingCrash #DomesticAbuseSurvivor #TraumaRecovery #Sobriety #PodcastInterview

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This episode is sponsored by Compassion Behavioral Health.

Compassion Behavioral Health is a boutique mental health treatment center that focuses on the deeper issues driving addiction, anxiety, depression, and unresolved trauma. Their intentionally small program allows for highly individualized care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

They offer a full continuum of care including detox, residential treatment, outpatient programs, and virtual support. Alongside evidence-based therapy, they also provide innovative treatments like TMS, EMDR, and neurofeedback when clinically appropriate.

If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health or addiction, Compassion Behavioral Health is available 24/7.

Call or text 844-443-2274
Visit compassionbehavioralhealth.com

Jessica Tanir shares her journey from the nightlife and bartending culture of New York City to finding sobriety and clarity in Florida. What started as casual drinking slowly turned into blackouts, toxic relationships, and nights she couldn’t remember—including the moment she woke up covered in sand after passing out on the beach.

In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Jessica opens up about the hidden side of alcohol misuse, the hospitality industry’s drinking culture, and how spiritual healing, retreats, and deep self-reflection helped her walk away from alcohol for good.

Now over two years sober, Jessica helps others explore sobriety through mocktails, wellness practices, and mindful living.

Her story is a powerful reminder that alcoholism doesn’t always look the way people expect—and that real transformation is possible.

#sobriety #addictionrecovery #riseabovepodcast #alcoholism #recoveryjourney #mentalhealth #soberlife #selfhealing #mocktails #podcast

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If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, Compassion Behavioral Health offers personalized treatment and a full continuum of care, including detox, residential, and outpatient services. Their team is available 24/7 and works with most major insurance providers. Call or text 844-443-5566 or visit compassionbehavioralhealth.com.

Kristine Bowers lived through things most people could never imagine.

As a teenager, she was pulled into escorting through her mother’s boyfriend, entering a dark world of exploitation, drugs, and survival. What started with partying and pills eventually spiraled into heroin addiction.

At one point, Kristine was using heroin while pregnant.

Her life became a cycle of trafficking, abusive relationships, overdoses, and near-death experiences. She even survived a terrifying medical crisis where her organs began shutting down.

But Kristine’s story didn’t end there.

After hitting rock bottom and nearly losing everything, she entered treatment and began rebuilding her life through sobriety, faith, and helping others struggling with addiction.

Today she works in recovery and speaks openly about trauma, addiction, shame, and redemption.

This is a powerful story of survival, accountability, and transformation.

#AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #HumanTrafficking #SobrietyJourney #RiseAbove

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