I Was a Full-Blown Addict at 12… Then Got Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison | Ep 145

In this intense and unfiltered episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Matt Wiseman to unpack a life story that is as shocking as it is deeply human.Matt’s journey begins in a chaotic childhood where innocence was stripped away early. He shares what it was like taking his first drink at just 6 years old—forced to grow up fast in an environment filled with trauma, violence, and confusion. As his family faced devastating accusations against his father, Matt recalls the moment law enforcement came to take him away—and how, as a child, he reacted in a way no kid ever should have to.From there, his life spiraled into a cycle that would define his adolescence: addiction, crime, and incarceration. By the age of 12, Matt already believed he was a full-blown addict, and from that point forward, freedom became rare. In and out of juvenile detention and prison, he opens up about spending the majority of his formative years behind bars—detailing charges ranging from robbery and kidnapping to grand theft auto, arson, and more.This episode dives deep into the mindset of someone institutionalized at a young age—what it’s like getting caught stealing a semi truck by multiple departments, surviving prison riots, and even breaking into a volunteer fire department in search of needles. Matt also shares stories from working on oil rigs, the violence he encountered both inside and outside prison walls, and the moments that continued pulling him back into the system.Perhaps the most raw moments come from his time serving a 16-year sentence, including his transfer to Lebanon Correctional Institution, where the first six months tested him mentally and physically. He speaks openly about making moonshine behind bars, and what it really looks like to join the Aryan Brotherhood—including the brutal initiation process.But through all the chaos, there’s a question that lingers—what’s different this time?Now, after spending the majority of his life locked up and only a few years of true freedom since childhood, Matt reflects on the patterns, the pain, and the possibility of change.This is not just a story about crime and addiction—it’s about trauma, survival, identity, and whether someone can truly break free from a life that seemed destined from the start.⚠️ Viewer discretion is advised: This episode contains graphic discussions of violence, addiction, and prison life.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, this conversation is a powerful reminder that no matter how far gone things may seem, change is still possible.
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