What if the most important part of recovery wasn’t something you could measure, but something you could feel?
For many, sobriety marks the start of rebuilding routines, repairing relationships, and rediscovering joy. But beneath all of that is a quieter truth: healing often begins with the people we let into our lives. True connections, the kind built on trust, vulnerability, and shared growth, can be transformative. This kind of connection can become the foundation for lasting change, especially for those rebuilding their lives after addiction.
In a recent conversation on Positive Recovery, MD, host Jamie Demeris chats with guest Tom Dodson about how connection to others and self can anchor us through life’s most difficult seasons. From decades behind bars to decades in recovery, Tom opens up about the role of daily meditation, service, and showing up authentically as essential tools for not only staying sober but creating a life worth living. His journey reminds us that true connections help us heal from past traumas and give us room to grow into who we were meant to be.
Get to Know Our Guest – Tom Dodson
Tom’s journey has been anything but conventional. Having spent decades in prison, he found profound wisdom and resilience in the face of adversity. His experiences have shaped his perspective on redemption, trust, and the power of human connection. A devoted member of the recovery community, Tom attends AA meetings almost daily and remains deeply engaged in the principles of service and self-discovery.
Born and raised in Houston, Tom Dodson has dedicated his life to personal transformation and the pursuit of deeper connection. After getting sober in 1993, he reestablished a daily meditation practice that has remained a cornerstone of his recovery and spiritual growth. With decades of experience in substance use disorder treatment, Tom holds an active Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) credential and continues to guide and support others on their paths to recovery.
Beyond his work in recovery, Tom is passionate about live music and nature. He finds joy in the simple, unfiltered moments that life has to offer. His story is one of perseverance, growth, and the undeniable strength of the human spirit.
Connection Is a Mirror for Growth
When someone is navigating the challenges of early recovery, it can be difficult to know who they are beyond the thing they are addicted to. They question who they are beyond the bottle, painkillers, or other substances that keep them from growing into the person they were meant to be. These substances, however, never point back to our true selves. That’s where the true connection between ourselves and our loved ones becomes a mirror. This “recovery mirror” reflects our potential, progress, and past pain.
When we try to find our meaning and purpose within substances, drugs or alcohol inhibit us from looking deep within. They inhibit us from accountability and keep us in the right direction, and these substances cause us to wither away from our most authentic selves. However, true connections, whether it’s a sponsor, a peer in a group meeting, or a trusted friend, these relationships help us better understand ourselves. These relationships help us better understand our past, teach us how to love ourselves in the present moment, and help us create a future of growth and limitless potential. Having true connections in our lives reminds us that we’re not walking this path alone and don’t have to.
The Role of Vulnerability in Healing
True connection requires vulnerability, and in recovery, that can feel terrifying. Letting our guard down, however, is often the very thing that opens the door to transformation. When we’re honest about our past and hopeful about our future, we create space for others to do the same. In that mutual openness, healing takes root. Vulnerability doesn’t signal weakness; it’s one of the most courageous acts we can take to pursue lasting recovery. The beautiful thing about openly sharing our experiences is that others become inspired to do the same.
True Connections: Belonging Over Isolation
It’s true that addiction thrives in isolation. Drugs and alcohol drive us away from our most authentic selves and isolate us from friends and family. When we’re lost in our addictions, we often try to numb the pain of our past or fill a void that the substances promise to fill, only to be met with the endless cycle of using them to feel something, only to feel empty when they run out.
However, it’s also true that recovery blooms in finding ourselves in a strong, healthy community; rather than trying to fight off addiction ourselves, building a support system grounded in authenticity and care provides emotional safety, shared wisdom, and the reminder that even in moments of struggle, we are seen, heard, and valued. These healthy bonds often become the foundation upon which people rebuild their sense of belonging and self-worth.
Loved This Conversation? We’ve Got More Like This One!
If you loved this conversation about shifting our energy and emotion to live in amends, and how redemption and resilience allow us to return to love and connection, you can listen to the full episode here! Want access to more Positive Recovery MD podcasts? Subscribe today wherever you listen to your favorite shows – tap this link to find your preferred channel!