Skip to content
Akkeri Podcast Episode 4: My Son Is An Addict: Navigating Addiction as a Father with Stephen Randell
The Akkeri Podcast - Episode #4
May 16th, 2024
My Child Is An Addict: Navigating Addiction as a Father with Stephen Randell

Every father faces challenges because being a good father is no easy task, but what if one of those challenges is a drug-addicted child? That was the case for Stephen Randell, who lost his son to drug addiction at just 26 years of age.

In this episode of The Akkeri Podcast, Steve shares the story of how his son Zack became addicted to drugs and gradually turned into someone that Steve didn’t even recognize. He also shares how the writing of his book - My Son Is An Addict - was a deeply challenging yet healing process, as it forced him to relive the loss and come to terms with his own sadness as well as his fears related to telling the story as a fairly new author and public speaker.

In Steve’s own words, “addiction doesn’t show up one day as a full-blown, out-of-control thing”; it chips away at those it inflicts. So this is a conversation for fathers, sons, and men who can recognize the importance of authenticity in relationships and the courage to be "real", so that we can ask for help before we get to the point of potentially facing addiction ourselves.

Find Stephen Randell Here:

Website: https://stephenlrandell.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephennrandell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenlrandell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-l-randell-a576812b2/

Related
Episode #1: Origins: What is The Akkeri and Who's The Bald Guy

What is The Akkeri and who's the bald guy?

Deep, life-altering questions, I'm sure.

This first, inaugural episode is a story of fatherlessness, the good and bad of religion, adultery, separation, and divorce, failed business ...

Episode #2: Balls: Men Finding Courage with Dr. Ron Johnson

Do you consider yourself courageous?

I think most men would say "yes", but what about when it comes to your emotions?

Dr. Ron Johnson is an author and psychologist focused on helping men understand how they feel, value how th...

Episode #3: Fathers, Fathering, and Friendship with Matthew Denis

What was your relationship with your father like? Maybe it was somewhat strained, like mine, or maybe it was idyllic. The relationships boys have with their fathers have obvious impacts on the men they later become, but it also affects how they fo...

Episode #5: Building Mental Fitness with Cortez Hancock

You’ve screwed something up…do you laugh it off and move on or do you hear a little voice saying “way to go, dummy”.

We all have an inner dialogue, but the degree to which it is helpful or harmful depends on the level of your mental fitness....

Episode #6: The Discipline of Physical Fitness with Joel Prior

Physical fitness is valued in Western culture, but it's often the aesthetic benefits - rather than the mental and overall health benefits - that most people seem to be after. While we know the positive impact that a physical fitness disciplin...

Episode #7: Mentoring and Managing Emotions with Jason Walsh

As a police officer and former child and youth care worker, Jason Walsh has seen the challenges that young men face through several different lenses. Growing up in a lower-income family with a single mother and a father who was often in jail, his ...