Danny and Emily Deaton are the founders of Living Proof Recovery Services, a company dedicated to supporting individuals and families who are navigating addiction with a loved one. They carry degrees from rival schools, the University of Utah and Brigham Young University but found common ground in their love for Jesus and the Utah Jazz. They have built a life they love together in Alpine, Utah. They love being parents to three awesome children and have served as Stake Young Single Adult leaders and Emily as a Relief Society president. Danny and Emily host the “Your Living Proof Podcast” and love speaking and sharing their message of faith in action, hope, and their love for Jesus Christ.
Links
YourLivingProof.com
Your Living Proof Podcast and YouTube
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Highlights
Emily and Danny talk about the growing issues of addiction, highlighting the importance of being prepared to address these challenges and the need for resources and education. Danny recounts his experience with opioid addiction, detailing how it progressed from a seemingly manageable issue to a life-altering crisis that culminated in a near-fatal incident. He reflects on the pivotal moment when his father intervened, demonstrating the power of love and family support in the recovery process.
Emily adds her perspective, emphasizing the time required for true healing and the transformative power of the Atonement in their lives. The couple discusses the importance of understanding addiction as a family disease, where the entire family unit must engage in the recovery process. They stress that addiction often manifests as a secretive struggle, and families typically wait too long—averaging seven years—before seeking professional help. The Deatons advocate for the role of interventionists and the necessity of establishing boundaries to support loved ones in their recovery journey. They also highlight the importance of church leaders in recognizing the signs of addiction and guiding families toward appropriate resources, such as support groups and professional help.
Danny and Emily challenge the misconception that individuals must want to recover on their own before intervention can occur, arguing instead that families must take proactive steps to facilitate recovery. They discuss the need for families to learn about addiction, set boundaries, and seek help themselves, creating a supportive environment for their loved ones. Church leaders and families can utilize available resources and to understand that addiction is a complex issue that requires a collective effort for healing and recovery.
02:00 – Danny and Emily Deaton’s Background
03:00 – Danny’s Journey Through Addiction
06:00 – The Low Point of Addiction
08:00 – The Role of Family in Recovery
09:00 – The Power of the Atonement
10:00 – Transitioning to Recovery Services
12:00 – Understanding the Role of an Interventionist
13:00 – The Impact of COVID on Recovery Services
14:00 – Developing a Comprehensive Recovery Program
16:00 – The Importance of Family Support
18:00 – Recognizing the Signs of Addiction
19:00 – The Illusion of Control in Addiction
20:00 – The Need for Professional Help
22:00 – The Role of Agency in Addiction
24:00 – The Importance of Boundaries
26:00 – The Challenge of Helping Loved Ones
28:00 – The Statistics of Addiction
29:00 – The Underlying Issues of Addiction
30:00 – The Role of Church Leaders in Recovery
32:00 – The Disconnect Between Spiritual Guidance and Addiction
34:00 – The Need for Professional Intervention
36:00 – The Importance of Family Healing
37:00 – God’s Example of Boundaries
39:00 – The Role of Church Leaders in Addiction Recovery
41:00 – The Importance of Family Support Systems
42:00 – Resources Available for Families in Need
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
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