Dopey 506: From Almost Dying in the Crack House to being the VP at Hazeldon/Betty Ford, William Moyers , Oxys, Suboxone, Coke, Booze

Dopey: On the Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction and Recovery

This week on Dopey! We are joined by addiction/recovery heavyweight, VP of Public Affairs at Hazlelden/Betty Ford, author of BROKEN and BROKEN OPEN - William Cope Moyers! William takes us down the long path of growing up in the limelight and succumbing to addiction - only to claw his way out becoming one of the countries most heralded speakers and writers of recovery. When dental problems struck! William had extensive surgery and got excessive oxys prescribed! Here what happens next on a very special new episode of that good old Dopey Show! PLUS! The Origin of Boofing Meth in OKC, Doing Coke in Kabul and much much more on this weeks newest DOPEY!

What AI says:

Dopey Nation. Dave dives headfirst into an episode so jam-packed with raw honesty, wild tales, and dark humor that your headphones might file for workers’ comp. Joining him is the legendary William Cope Moyers—author, public advocate, recovery powerhouse, and Suboxone truth-teller—to unravel the rollercoaster of addiction, redemption, and, yes, a little “dark energy” courtesy of painkillers.

What’s Inside This Week’s Madness?

🚀 From Crack Houses to Betty Ford: William shares the gritty, jaw-dropping journey of addiction that landed him in a Harlem crack den (spoiler: while still rocking a tie).
💊 Painkillers, Suboxone, and Stigma: How dental surgery brought the Trojan horse of addiction knocking—and why Suboxone is saving lives (including his).
🎙️ Dave’s Oxy Confession: The Dopey host gets real about his recent dance with oxycodone and how recovery practices saved his ass.
🎶 Nitrous and The Beatles: What happens when nitrous meets headphones and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"? (Hint: not serenity.)
🔥 The Perfect Storm: Addiction, privilege, and why recovery is about more than just sobriety.

Quotes to Make You Question Everything:

• “Painkillers are the Trojan horse of addiction—and they walk right through the gates.”
• “I’m raising $10 million by day and dying inside by night. Welcome to addiction in a tie.”
• “Nitrous didn’t make me relapse—it made me cry and rethink everything.”

Dopey Milestones This Week:

• Fan Story of the Week: Diane gets Dopey socks for claiming she invented boofing meth—because that’s how you win at harm reduction.
• OG Dope Confession: Dawn’s Afghanistan coke adventure proves no passport photo is complete without pinprick pupils.
• William Cope Moyers Breaks Records: First guest to pull off “AA meets Suboxone advocacy” without breaking a sweat.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever felt like recovery is more about falling apart gracefully than staying perfect, this episode is for you. With moments of shocking candor, dark humor, and the kind of wisdom that comes only from surviving the impossible, Dave and William remind us why we fight to stay strong—one absurd, heartbreaking, and hilarious day at a time.

Stay Dopey:
📬 Write to us at [e-mail] with your crazy stories or feedback.
🎉 Support the show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast
🧦 Want Dopey socks? Bring your best stories (and maybe a good Canadian accent).
📢 Free tickets to Dopey Goes to Hollywood: January 11, 2025. Write to claim yours!

Toodles for Chris. Stay Strong, Dopey Nation.

keywords: Dopey Podcast, addiction, recovery, music, social media, community, personal stories, William Cope Moyers, gratitude, mental health, addiction, recovery, family support, substance use, marijuana, alcohol, expectations, mental health, public advocacy, personal experience, recovery, addiction, oxycodone, nitrous oxide, emotional impact, relationships, stigma, treatment, hope, dual reality

• The Dopey Podcast aims to create a supportive community for those affected by addiction.
• Music plays a significant role in expressing emotions related to addiction and recovery.
• Social media can be addictive and impact mental health, especially for those in recovery.
• Listener contributions enrich the podcast and foster a sense of belonging.
• Personal stories, like Dawn's, highlight the unpredictable nature of addiction.
• William Cope Moyers emphasizes the importance of understanding one's background in relation to addiction.
• Gratitude is a crucial aspect of recovery and personal growth.
• The podcast serves as a platform for sharing experiences and learning from one another.
• Addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their family background or status.
• The conversation around addiction is ongoing and requires compassion and understanding. Family support played a crucial role in my recovery.
• Early experimentation with substances can lead to addiction.
• Marijuana was a gateway drug for me.
• The pressure to meet expectations can fuel addiction.
• Addiction can occur even in seemingly perfect circumstances.
• Public advocacy is essential for understanding addiction.
• Many people share similar addiction stories.
• The descent into harder drugs can happen quickly.
• Long-term recovery requires ongoing effort and support.
• Recovery narratives are complex and multifaceted. Recovery is not just about sobriety; it's a broader journey.
• The emotional impact of substance use can be profound and complex.
• Nitrous oxide can evoke deep emotional responses tied to recovery.
• Oxycodone presents a unique challenge for those in recovery.
• Pain relief can be seductive and dangerous for recovering addicts.
• The opioid epidemic creates a perfect storm for addiction relapse.
• Living with a dual reality can complicate the recovery process.
• Medication-assisted treatment can be a vital part of recovery.
• Stigma around medication in recovery can hinder progress.
• Helping others can reinforce one's own recovery journey.

titles

• Exploring the Dopey Podcast's Mission
• The Emotional Power of Music in Recovery
• Navigating Social Media Addiction
• Celebrating Listener Stories and Community
• A Wild Kabul Adventure: Dawn's Diary
• Insights from William Cope Moyers on Recovery
• The Influence of Family Background on Addiction
• The Impact of Family on Addiction Recovery
• Navigating Early Substance Use Experiences
• Understanding the Gateway Drug Phenomenon
• The Weight of Expectations in Addiction
• The Illusion of a Perfect Life and Addiction

Sound Bites

• "You feel like no one else"
• "Their method, through compassion and connection"
• "I love the Dopey Nation"
• "Pay attention, Dopey Nation"
• "I was apoplectic"
• "I need help"
• "Gratitude is possibly the most important"
• "Recovery is not about what you give up"
• "I have a hole in my soul"
• "I found an answer to this hole in the soul."
• "I was on my knees, man. I was on my knees."
• "I think it's a derogatory term."
• "I was not using, but I was not recovering."
• "I was trying to control the woman that I love."
• "I was the poster child, if you will."
• "That's the hardest thing in the world."
• "I cried. I burst into tears."
• "It scared the shit out of me."
• "Pain pills are the Trojan horse of addiction."
• "There is more to my recovery than sobriety."
• "I don't like myself as I'm pursuing oblivion."
• "I was living the next chapter of my life."
• "I get help when I help others."
• "Why would we not take a medicine that works?"

Chapters 00:00Introduction to Dopey Podcast and Its Mission 06:07The Impact of Music and Personal Stories 11:53Social Media Addiction and Its Challenges 18:06Listener Contributions and Community Engagement 23:51Dawn's Diary: A Wild Story from Kabul 30:12William Cope Moyers: A Voice of Recovery 36:13Growing Up in a Prominent Family and Addiction 39:05The Role of Family in Recovery 40:50Early Experiences with Substance Use 42:34The Gateway Effect of Marijuana 45:27The Pressure of Expectations 49:15The Illusion of Having It All 51:02Public Advocacy and Personal Experience 52:57The Commonality of Addiction Stories 55:19The Descent into Harder Drugs 01:02:01The Journey to Lasting Sobriety 01:05:38The Impact of Long-Term Recovery 01:10:57The Complexity of Recovery Narratives 01:17:32Navigating Relationships and Recovery 01:18:58The Emotional Impact of Substance Use 01:20:50Experiencing Nitrous Oxide: A Personal Journey 01:22:09The Struggle with Oxycodone 01:24:08The Allure of Pain Relief 01:26:28The Perfect Storm of Addiction 01:30:13Living with a Dual Reality 01:32:36The Complexity of Recovery 01:37:26The Role of Medication in Recovery 01:43:11Stigma and Acceptance in Recovery 01:48:17The Evolution of Treatment Approaches 01:51:09Finding Hope and Purpose in Recovery