What I found fascinating in the interview was that after using drugs or alcohol the brain changes. (We become pickled?, lol) When I got sober there was only AA. But now there is medication that cuts down on craving and they find cognitive therapy is a big help in recovery.
Oh yea the chaos. Didn't pay taxes for years so of course the IRS showed up immediately. I lost so much and came in with 0 self esteem, lots of shame. But if you keep coming it's possible to build a good life ... with lots of bumps in the road, so many new lessons to learn...