The Phone Call That Changed Everything | A Brother & Sister’s Recovery Story
When addiction hits a family, everyone feels it – but recovery can ripple through a family too.
In this powerful episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with siblings Sean and Kathleen McGowan, two people whose lives were once consumed by addiction and chaos, and who today both work in the behavioral healthcare field.
Sean shares the moment that changed his life: waking up in a hotel room after a cross-country road trip, facing the reality of his heroin addiction, and finally surrendering to treatment. Kathleen tells her own devastating story – from drug arrests and life on a California weed farm to a severe nitrous oxide addiction that left her unable to walk.
Their paths diverged for years until a desperate phone call brought their family back together. Today, both siblings are sober, working at High Watch Recovery Center, and using their experiences to help others find hope.
This episode includes:
The cross-country trip that ended with Sean entering treatment
What heroin addiction looked like behind closed doors
Growing up in a loving family that didn’t talk about addiction
The hidden addiction that nearly left Kathleen paralyzed
Nitrous oxide abuse and its devastating neurological effects
How denial can persist even in the face of life-threatening consequences
The moment Kathleen called her father and asked for help
Sean driving overnight to rescue his sister from an abusive situation
What it’s like when siblings recover together
How recovery rebuilds families, trust, and relationships
Why families should never give up hope
This is a very honest and raw conversation about family, accountability, second chances, and the power of showing up when someone you love asks for help.
Connect with Zac:
https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclarkhttps://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553https://twitter.com/zacwclark
If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery:
(914) 588-6564
releaserecovery.com@releaserecovery
The Zac Clark Show
Twelve years ago, I was smoking crack, shooting dope, unhappily married, broke, and hopeless. My story isn't unique, but I'm one of the fortunate ones. I never wanted to do a podcast, but I see the world burning — substance use, depression, anxiety, suicide — and the conversations that need to happen aren't. This podcast is a platform to have these hard conversations. With experts, frontline heroes, voices we know and the many we need to know, my intent is to confront these issues head-on and, most importantly, offer solutions and hope.
- No. of episodes: 86
- Latest episode: 2026-03-31
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