The Good Little Drug Lord: Shawn’s True Story of Addiction and Redemption

Sean Hemeon shares his powerful journey from a chaotic childhood in a strict Mormon household, through struggles with identity, addiction, and dangerous high-stakes drug dealing, to long-term recovery and reconciliation with his family. He opens up about feeling “not enough” from an early age, the role alcohol and drugs played in numbing that pain, and how his life spiraled into violence, federal charges, and life-threatening situations. After narrowly escaping prison, Sean entered recovery in 2004 and has since built a life grounded in service, creativity, and healing. He reflects on the emotional turning points that shaped his sobriety, including confronting deep wounds with his mother, finding community in recovery, and pursuing his passion for acting and art. Today, he uses his story, and soon to be released as a memoir, as a testament to the transformative power of connection, forgiveness, and purpose. More on Sean Hemeon: https://www.seanhemeon.com 00:00 – Introductions & sobriety dates 00:35 – Childhood in a Mormon household, family chaos, and parental conflict 02:11 – Early emotional neglect and feelings of not being enough 03:42 – Teenage identity crisis and discovering same-sex attraction 04:58 – First experiences with alcohol and instant connection to its effects 07:31 – High school years: masking identity, increasing substance use, hidden relationship 10:13 – Violence and abandonment; deepening shame and isolation 11:26 – Core belief of “I’m not enough” and the cycle of addiction 13:05 – College years, heartbreak, suicide attempt, and coming out to his mother 15:00 – Immersion in DC’s gay club scene and early drug experiences 16:18 – Meeting a meth dealer boyfriend; thrill of underground life 18:57 – Becoming a dealer, escalating risks, and major consequences 20:56 – Federal arrest, decision not to inform, and mysterious case dismissal 22:34 – Six more weeks using before calling parents for help 23:20 – Entering treatment, relapse on inhalants, and final decision to get sober 25:00 – Extent of substance use before recovery 26:28 – Biggest regret: a friend’s overdose and missed chance to help 27:00 – Recovery process: embracing 12-step programs and community 29:28 – Moving to LA, finding strong recovery support, and focusing on rebuilding 30:55 – Powerful meeting story about service and greater purpose in recovery 31:43 – Evolving beyond 12-step rigidity and exploring spirituality 32:43 – Breaking ties with his mother to protect his recovery 34:35 – Slow reconnection and pivotal forgiveness moment during the pandemic 36:24 – Emotional apology from his mother and her walking him down the aisle 38:52 – Reflection on miracles, higher purpose, and the role of addiction in finding connection 39:01 – The memoir The Good Little Drug Lord—origin, writing process, and future release 41:53 – Staying connected via Instagram and newsletter 42:05 – Advice for someone in their first 24 hours of recovery 42:50 – Closing thanks and CCAR’s Telephone Recovery Support information ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast? 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/ 🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery 📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery 🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery