Three years on, Nadine Balmer returns to the Believe in People podcast, and her life looks very different.

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Nadine Balmer joins us to discuss long-term heroin recovery, ADHD, neurodiversity, identity, stigma, and rebuilding a life after addiction. Her first appearance became one of the most downloaded episodes of the series. This conversation shows what happened next.

Now six years free from illicit substances following a 17-year heroin addiction, Nadine reflects on the reality of sustained recovery and what it takes to move beyond survival. She speaks openly about transitioning away from methadone, rebuilding trust with her family, and developing a strong sense of self, purpose, and direction.

We explore how an ADHD diagnosis in recovery transformed her understanding of herself, and how neurodiversity and addiction intersect. Nadine explains why understanding the brain is critical, and how clarity, structure, and self-awareness have changed the way she lives her life.

Three years ago, this was a story about survival. Today, it is a story about growth, identity, and evolution.

This is what recovery can become.

This episode offers practical insight for people in recovery, family members, frontline practitioners, and anyone interested in real stories of change.

Search terms: addiction recovery podcast UK, heroin recovery story, ADHD and addiction, neurodiversity and addiction, long-term recovery, lived experience stories, peer support, trauma and recovery, substance misuse, Believe in People podcast.

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Believe in People is a platform for lived experience, recovery insight and honest conversation. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or working on the frontline, this podcast exists to inform, challenge stigma and inspire change.

If you or someone you know needs support with drugs, alcohol, housing, domestic abuse, or mental and physical wellbeing, free and confidential help is available via Change Grow Live (https://www.changegrowlive.org/) :

📩 Contact: robbie@believeinpeoplepodcast.com
🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” - Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six)

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🎙️ Facilitator: Matthew Butler
🎛️ Producer: Robbie Lawson
🏢 Network: ReNew (https://www.changegrowlive.org/renew)