Relapse doesn't always begin with a drink or a drug. Sometimes it starts with a thought: “Maybe I can just have one.” Or a change in behavior, like avoiding phone calls, canceling plans, or telling everyone you're fine when you're not.

In this episode of AAC Thrive: Doing Life in Recovery, we're joined by Maddie, Alumni Coordinator at Desert Hope Treatment Center, to talk about recognizing the relapse mindset before it leads back to substance use.

Maddie shares warning signs she's experienced in her own recovery, how to tell the difference between a bad day and a concerning pattern, and practical ways to interrupt those patterns before they escalate.

From recognizing the excuses we tell ourselves to reaching out when isolation feels easier, this conversation is about catching the warning signs early and knowing what to do next.

Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, this episode is worth a listen.

AAC Thrive: Doing Life in Recovery is a podcast from American Addiction Centers' Alumni Community, where we have honest conversations about what recovery really looks like after treatment. Subscribe for new episodes and share this one with someone who could use the reminder that recovery doesn't take a vacation.

Rebuilding trust after addiction isn’t only about earning back the trust of family and friends. It can also mean learning to trust yourself again.

In this episode of AAC Thrive: Doing Life in Recovery, Melina talks about what happens to self-trust during addiction and how it can be rebuilt through small, consistent actions in recovery. She also gets into the harder side of rebuilding relationships: what to do when loved ones still don’t trust you, why communication matters, how healthy boundaries can create a sense of safety, and why trust can’t be rushed.

If you’re working to rebuild trust in recovery—or you love someone who is—this conversation offers a practical look at what that process can actually take.

AAC Thrive: Doing Life in Recovery is a podcast from American Addiction Centers' Alumni Community, where we have honest conversations about what recovery really looks like after treatment. Subscribe for new episodes and share this one with someone who could use the reminder that recovery doesn't take a vacation.

Can you enjoy summer without putting your recovery at risk?

In this episode of AAC Thrive, we talk about navigating vacations, barbecues, weddings, and other summer events without losing sight of your recovery. Melina, one of our alumni coordinators who is in long-term recovery herself, shares practical advice for planning, setting boundaries, handling social pressure, and remembering that protecting your recovery is never something you have to apologize for.

AAC Thrive: Doing Life in Recovery is a podcast from American Addiction Centers' Alumni Community, where we have honest conversations about what recovery really looks like after treatment. Subscribe for new episodes and share this one with someone who could use the reminder that recovery doesn't take a vacation.