Episode 1242 - John Swab

Personal Journey

John Swab's personal journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he faced the challenges of a religious and insular community, which he describes as a place of "Jesus, guns, beef, and teen pregnancy" 1. His early life was marked by addiction, leading him to live between the streets and various cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago, where he attempted to kick his habits 2. Despite the chaos, John found a path to recovery, reflecting on his struggles with substances like speed and crack, which he humorously refers to as his "landing gear" 3.

I was eating a pound of bacon for the first year of sobriety, you know, every day.

--- John Swab

His story is one of perseverance, as he navigated the complexities of addiction and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose.

   

Industry Exploits

John Swab's films, such as "Body Brokers," shed light on the exploitative practices within the recovery industry. He recounts his own experiences in rehab, where he quickly realized that many centers prioritized profit over patient care 4. John describes a shocking encounter where he was encouraged to use drugs before entering a treatment facility, highlighting the corruption and manipulation prevalent in the industry 5. These experiences fueled his desire to expose the "cottage industry" that preys on vulnerable individuals seeking help 6.

They'd go on the street and just pick up people, you know, homeless people, and say, hey, we'll give you $300. You want to come in?

--- John Swab

Through his work, John aims to bring awareness to these unethical practices and advocate for genuine recovery support.