From Russian Immigrant to Making 2k/Day Selling Heroin | Max's Story скачать в хорошем качестве

From Russian Immigrant to Making 2k/Day Selling Heroin | Max's Story

In this gripping episode of The Sober Side Podcast, host Armen sits down with Max, a 41-year-old Russian immigrant turned recovery warrior, who's been clean and sober for over 10 years after a decade-long battle with addiction to "everything"—from alcohol and weed starting at age 12, to cocaine, heroin, and meth. Immigrating to the U.S. at age 6, Max opens up about the culture shock of growing up in the San Fernando Valley, fighting bullies as a twin in elementary school, and how his parents' divorce at age 12 shattered his family unit, pushing him toward a path of self-destruction. Max recounts his wild origin story: stealing a marble dolphin weed pipe in Cancun, Mexico, during a post-divorce trip with his dad, only to smoke his first joint back home with a neighbor's stash. From there, it escalated—selling weed in high school leading to expulsions from El Camino and Taft, arrests for skipping school and possession, and relocating to Michigan to finish high school amid cocaine binges at parties overlooking Detroit. He shares the highs of making $2,000 a day flipping 25-gram "pieces" of black tar heroin in the Valley, renting luxury cars like Chrysler 300s, and servicing 120 customers while dodging tails—until a helicopter chase and bust with 13 grams, a scale, and $17K cash landed him in Wayside County Jail facing an 8-year sentence. Through 13 residential rehabs (including favorites like Cry Help and Impact), countless detoxes, and sober livings, Max details the brutal cycles of relapse: detoxing off methadone and heroin in jail, chipping away at meth while managing a sales team, and how a simple sake at a sushi date with his sober girlfriend spiraled into a year-and-a-half meth-fueled nightmare that cost him his job, apartment, and relationship. He challenges the genetics myth, noting his identical twin brother used heroin for 5 years but now drinks normally with a family, while Max couldn't moderate anything. Discover how NA resonated early on, AA later, and finding a "higher power" through steps 5 and 10—evolving from sponsor faces like Mount Rushmore to a cosmic energy—finally broke the cycle. Today, Max runs True North SC Incorporated (truenorthsc.com), a sober companion business with his friend Mike, prioritizing morality over money to guide others through recovery. This episode is a raw testament to resilience: from immigrant kid playing soccer to rock bottom in jails and rehabs, to living with purpose by serving others. If you're trapped in addiction, mental health struggles, or feeling hopeless, Max's message is clear—reach out, even if you don't believe it'll work. Recovery is possible; you're not alone. Follow us for more stories of hope and recovery: Instagram:   / sober_side_podcast   TikTok:   / sobersidepodcast   Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome & Max's Intro: Age, Sobriety, Drug of Choice 02:30 - Russian Roots: Immigration Shock & Family Life in the Valley 08:45 - Early Fights & Cultural Embarrassment with Grandparents 12:15 - Divorce Trauma & Move to Michigan 15:20 - First Drugs: Champagne at New Year's, Weed Pipe Theft in Mexico 20:40 - High School Chaos: Selling Weed, Expulsions, Arrests 25:10 - Cocaine in Detroit: Parties, Busts, & Quitting Cold 30:00 - Back to CA: Heroin Introduction via Brother's Girlfriend 35:40 - Dealing Empire: $2K/Day, 120 Customers, Helicopter Chase 42:50 - Jail Detox Nightmares & 13 Rehabs Cycle 48:30 - Relapse Triggers: Girlfriends, Sake, & Meth Spiral 55:15 - Rock Bottom: Fired from Job, Back to Cry Help 1:00:00 - Finding Higher Power in AA/NA & Sponsoring Others 1:05:45 - Life Now: True North SC Business & Advice for Strugglers 1:10:00 - Closing Thoughts: Purpose, Dignity, & Helping the Next Person Subscribe to The Sober Side Podcast for more unfiltered stories of triumph over addiction. If this episode hit home, like, comment your takeaways, and share with someone who needs hope. Let's destigmatize recovery—one story at a time. #AddictionRecovery #SoberJourney #HeroinAddictStory #MethRecovery #ImmigrantStruggles #AASuccess #NASuccess #SoberSidePodcast #overcomeaddiction