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This episode of Medford Happenings (Episode 49) features an insightful and candid conversation between host John Petrella and Greg Carbonello, a lifelong Medford resident who shares his personal journey through addiction and recovery.
Key takeaways from the discussion:
Greg’s Journey: Greg discusses his transition from high school sports to a struggle with substance abuse (specifically opiates) that lasted for 20 years, beginning around 2003 (5:35-6:47).
Greg highlights how he maintained a professional career while battling addiction in secret.
The Turning Point: Greg credits divine intervention and a moment of being “stopped in his tracks” in June 2023 for leading him to seek help through his employer’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (8:18-9:17).
Recovery Efforts: He emphasizes the importance of taking action and accepting help. He completed a 28-day inpatient program in Portland, Maine, followed by living in a sober house in Malden (10:33-15:15). Greg currently maintains his recovery through monthly Vivitrol shots, attending support meetings, and working on his recovery daily (16:11-17:46).
Community and Stigma: The conversation addresses the prevalence of the opioid epidemic and the need to break the stigma surrounding addiction. Greg encourages those suffering to reach out for help and highlights local resources in Medford, such as meetings at the First Baptist Church and initiatives by the Board of Health (19:38-21:28).
Family Impact: Both John and Greg discuss the devastating ripple effects of addiction on families and the concept of “enabling,” emphasizing that addiction affects everyone, regardless of background or financial status (24:46-27:59).
MedfordHappenings #RecoveryJourney #AddictionAwareness #BreakTheStigma #Sobriety #MedfordMA #MentalHealthMatters
Medford Happenings 
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