In this powerful episode of Sober Speak, Adam Vibe Gunton shares how the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and the power of faith transformed his life after addiction. From feeling completely powerless to discovering how deeply God helps, Adam’s journey offers hope, understanding, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking to overcome addiction and walk in true healing and freedom with God.
Adam Gunton’s Journey from Darkness to Light
In this section, we delve into the transformative journey of Adam Vibe Gunton, highlighting his descent into addiction and his subsequent path to recovery and purpose.
How the Lowest Point of Addiction Opened the Door to God
Adam Vibe Gunton’s descent into addiction began with deep pain, but his transformation started with something even more difficult: facing the truth about how far he had fallen. After years of substance use, homelessness, and destruction, one of the most defining moments of his life came not during an overdose—but while watching one.
In a courtroom, after surviving a near-fatal overdose, Adam was forced to watch video footage of police finding him unresponsive. He was legally dead. As the screen showed his lifeless body, he said it felt like he was watching his own funeral. It was a surreal, spiritual moment—like he was seeing the death of the person he had become through addiction. The experience broke something in him. In that room, he didn’t just feel embarrassment or shame—he felt like the Holy Spirit was confronting him with the full weight of what sin and separation from God had led to.
That encounter didn’t instantly fix everything. In fact, Adam has said publicly that beginning to seek God after that overdose wasn’t the end of his addiction—it was the beginning of his walk toward recovery. For two more years, he wrestled with temptation, relapse, and confusion, all while trying to understand why he couldn’t simply “pray it away.” But deep down, something had changed. His human spirit was breaking, and the illusion that he could overcome addiction by his own power was fading fast.
He reached a point where he no longer wanted his life. Not in a suicidal way—but in a way that meant true surrender. He finally became willing to give his entire existence to God. That first step—admitting his weakness and yielding everything—set the stage for a spiritual transformation that would change everything.
One morning, everything changed—not in a church, not during a worship service, but at the International House of Pancakes. Adam was having breakfast with his best friend Brendan when Jesus Christ appeared to him. In a moment that defied logic but was overflowing with truth, Adam had a face-to-face encounter with the Son of God. This was not a dream or a metaphor—this was real. In that moment, Adam knew he could no longer live for himself. He gave his life completely to God, and with it, the desire to keep using drugs was lifted.
From that day forward, he entered a 12-step program and began walking in abstinence-based recovery. November 6, 2017, became the turning point—the day Adam stopped surviving and started living with eternal purpose. It marked not only the end of his addiction, but the beginning of a new identity rooted in faith, grace, and service. It was the day he stepped fully into the calling God helped prepare him for all along.
Discovering God’s Purpose for Life After Addiction
After fully surrendering his life to God and beginning his recovery journey, Adam Vibe Gunton didn’t just experience slow progress—he encountered miracles that revealed his purpose. On day 25 of his abstinence-based recovery, Adam completed his first ever 5th step, openly confessing the exact nature of his wrongs to another person and to God. This act of obedience—rooted in scripture and reinforced through the spiritual discipline of the 12 steps—would become a moment that changed everything.
The very next day, on day 26, the thoughts, desires, and obsession to drink or use drugs were completely removed. It wasn’t a gradual fading—it was gone. Just like that. For someone who had once been so deeply enslaved to addiction, this seemed impossible. Adam hadn’t known that this kind of freedom was actually available—not through willpower, but through surrender to God and honest prayer. And when it happened, he knew one truth with absolute clarity: his life’s mission was to help other addicts find the same healing, the same peace, and the same hope.
With that mission burning inside him, Adam began to write. He poured his story onto the page—not to glorify his past, but to glorify the Lord who had delivered him from it. On November 6, 2019, exactly two years after he entered recovery, Adam published his best-selling book, “From Chains To Saved”. The book told his full story and extended a hand to those still stuck in the pit. It was raw, real, and filled with the message: God helps those who are willing to surrender and walk in faith.
But the book was only the beginning. In that same year, Adam founded Recovered On Purpose—a platform and movement created to help people in addiction recovery share their stories publicly. Recovered On Purpose offers tools, coaching, and content that empower people of any faith background to use their stories for support, connection, and impact. Through online programs, speaking events, video training, and outreach, it equips recovering addicts with the understanding and confidence to talk about what they’ve been through—and turn their past into someone else’s hope.
Since its founding, Recovered On Purpose has trained thousands to share their testimonies, reached millions through social media, and helped countless individuals in recovery find purpose beyond staying clean. Adam’s story has become more than redemption—it’s become a movement grounded in grace, truth, and unwavering service to a world that needs it.
How to Start Seeking God in Recovery—No Matter Where You Are
Begin With Honesty: Admit You Feel Powerless
For many in recovery, the journey toward God begins not with strength, but with surrender. Step 1 of the 12 Steps asks us to admit we are powerless—that our lives have become unmanageable. That level of honesty can feel like defeat, but it’s actually the first step to freedom.
When you feel powerless, it means you’re ready for something greater than yourself. This is where God helps. Not when we have it all together, but when we’re ready to say, “I can’t do this anymore.” To admit you’re weak isn’t failure—it’s the open door to divine power. Surrender isn’t giving up; it’s giving over. That’s when the walk begins—when you stop trying to control the chaos and invite God into it.
Build a Daily Practice of Prayer and Listening
After that first surrender, the next step is developing a habit of prayer. This doesn’t have to be complex or religious. Just sit still for 60 seconds each morning. Breathe. Acknowledge that you’re not alone. You can say something simple like, “God, if You’re there, guide me today.”
Consistency builds connection. Over time, you’ll notice a quiet voice inside—a spirit-level nudge, a sense of direction. Don’t dismiss it. That’s the beginning of your relationship with God. He speaks through stillness, through moments of reflection, and through subtle shifts in desire and peace.
Start with honesty, and then show up daily—even if you don’t feel anything right away. Just showing up is an act of faith. And that’s where healing begins: not by forcing change, but by letting God help you change from the inside out.
Applying 12-Step Principles to Grow Spiritually
Inventory and Confession: Cleaning the Soul
One of the most transformative parts of the 12 Steps is found in Steps 4 and 5: taking a searching and fearless moral inventory and then admitting it to God, ourselves, and another person. This isn’t just about listing mistakes—it’s about confronting sin with the goal of healing, not shame.
Doing a moral inventory is a spiritual exercise that forces you to look beneath the surface. You start to see patterns, motives, and memories through the lens of truth. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary. Scripture says, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” That ancient instruction is echoed in the 12 Steps, showing how God uses confession to unlock understanding and renewal.
When we bring our past out of the shadows and into the light, it breaks the power that guilt and secrecy hold. Inviting God into every corner of your life—not just the clean parts—is how real transformation begins. The darkness loses its grip when you stop hiding from it.
Fellowship and Finding Faith-Filled Friends
No one recovers alone. After confession, the next vital step in spiritual growth is fellowship—surrounding yourself with people who will walk with you in truth. A friend who’s willing to be honest with you, challenge you, and pray with you is a gift you cannot replace.
You don’t need perfect people—you need people who understand the temptation, the evil you’ve faced, and the hope that’s possible. True support comes from those who’ve been there and are still committed to growing. The right friend will point you back to God when you’re drifting, and walk with you when you feel like quitting.
To grow spiritually, you must remain open, honest, and humble. That’s where connection deepens. That’s where strength is shared. And that’s where healing continues.
What the Bible Says About Addiction and Redemption
Jesus’ Power to Forgive and Heal the Addicted
The Bible is filled with accounts of Jesus reaching out to the broken—those battling addiction, sin, and deep struggle. He never avoided the hurting; He pursued them. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” These words remind us that the Son of God came to bear the burdens we could not carry ourselves.
No person is too far gone. The grace of the Father extends to all His children, no matter how lost they’ve been. His forgiveness is not earned—it’s a gift. Through faith in Christ, we receive healing not just for the body, but for the soul. That healing leads to salvation, and eventually, eternal glory in heaven. God bless the addict who turns to Him—you are not abandoned, but deeply loved.
Why God’s Word Is Still the Answer Today
The Bible isn’t outdated—it’s alive. Hebrews 4:12 calls the Word of God “living and active,” powerful enough to expose lies, offer truth, and help you overcome addiction. When you pray and open the Bible, you begin to hear the Lord. His voice still speaks into a world filled with temptation, evil, and deception.
If you’re dealing with addiction, remain faithful. The devil wants you lost, but God gives the power, ability, and promise to be set free. You are not too weak to overcome—He is strong enough for both of you.
As you write your new life story with God, remember this: you are not alone. You are chosen, redeemed, and part of something amazing.
How to Begin a Personal Relationship With Jesus Christ
If You’ve Never Tried Jesus—Here’s What to Say
If you’ve walked through addiction, you know what it means to feel empty, lost, or tired of the struggle. Maybe you’ve tried everything—rehabs, meetings, willpower—and still feel like something is missing. If that’s you, this is an invitation to try something different. To call on Jesus Christ.
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. Just talk to Him. Say His Name out loud. Invite the Holy Spirit into your life. Tell God you’re ready to know the truth and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Here’s a simple prayer to begin:
“Father, I don’t know everything about You, but I want to. Jesus, if You are real, I’m asking You to show up in my life. Forgive me for my sin, help me in my struggle, and give me the strength to overcome. Fill me with Your Spirit. Amen.”
It may feel impossible, but people have said that before miracles happened. You have nothing to lose and peace to gain.
How to Stay Close to God After You Start
Once you’ve opened the door to faith, the journey continues. Start reading the Bible—even a few verses at a time. Choose a local church where you can grow and ask questions. Look for other believers who understand addiction and will walk with you.
When you pray, you’ll begin to hear the Lord speak—not audibly, but through your heart, your understanding, and His Word. Stay close. Remain humble and teachable. God will guide you, and the promise is this: You don’t have to walk alone anymore. He will be your Father, your Lord, your source of hope, and your peace.
Final Thoughts from Adam Gunton: Don’t Give Up
If you’re still dealing with addiction, I want you to know—you’re not alone. The Lord sees you, loves you, and has a promise for your life. When I opened the Bible, began consistent prayer, and sought support from other believers, everything changed. I’ve watched fear be replaced with faith, and I’ve seen God do amazing things through people who thought they were beyond hope.
You are one of His children, and He’s not done with your story. Write the next chapter with Him. Don’t quit. Keep walking. Keep seeking. Keep surrendering. The breakthrough you’re praying for may be closer than you think. And I promise you—it’s worth it.