John: My son, John Wayne, Jr., became addicted to drugs and alcohol when in his teens. After several years of in-patient facilities, out-patient services, counseling and other efforts, my son finally became serious about his recovery in December 2011. I supported his recovery. For instance, I attended his Narcotics Anonymous ("NA") meetings and was fortunate to become friends with many of his friends in recovery and to observe first-hand the unbelievably strong network and support-group that NA has to offer folks wanting to recapture their lives from the Beast of Addiction. It was at my son's NA meeting in December 2012 that I, as a proud father, was honored to give my son his one-year medallion for having been clean for one year; however, I learned the hard way that, although an addict may find his or her way to recovery, the Beast of Addiction lies in wait for some momentary resurfacing of the addict's powerlessness over his or her addiction. Indeed, in July 2013, my son relapsed from his recovery, he overdosed and he died. The Beast of Addiction had taken my son from his family and friends.

Anthony: Like John's son, I became addicted to drugs at an early age. I began practicing criminal defense in Miami in March 1987. While I was incredibly successful in my trial practice, it had the opposite effect on my addiction.

You each took different paths to Addiction & Recovery; why or how do you maintain your passion for recovery?

John: I have been asked this a few times. Usually, the question is, "Well, you had a son who had made his way to recovery but who relapsed and did not make it through his recovery-how can you still have a passion for recovery?" The answer is easy. My family, my son's young daughter and I had lost my son to the Beast of Addiction and recovery gave our son (and gave my young granddaughter's father) back to us for a year and seven months. While in recovery, my son was instrumental in leading several young friends to recovery.

Anthony: On December 21, 2001, God not only healed me from my addiction, but at that moment I was healed from numerous physical and emotional diseases, including but not limited to, asthma, obesity, anxiety and panic attacks, just to name a few. I was released from prison in early 2003. Within a few weeks I was awarded sole custody of my son who was in first grade at the time. The IRS accepted an offer in compromise on a tax liability which exceeded one half million dollars, despite the fact I had just been released from prison. I was able to pay pennies on the dollar over the course of two years in order to have that enormous debt lifted off my shoulders.

John: I channel my passion for Recovery by remaining involved with in the recovery world. Recovery is indeed a way of life. I am fortunate to sit as Vice-President of the Board of Directors of Turning Point of Central Florida, Inc., a 501(c)(3) entity that provides out-patient services to persons suffering with substance abuse and to the families impacted by that Beast. I am one of the founders of Mind, Body & Soul Recovery, LLC, through which we own and operate four (4) sober-living homes in the Orlando area for men who wish to reside in a clean and sober environment with like-minded and supportive men while committing themselves to a recovery way of life. I and others founded The Mind, Body & Soul Recovery Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity that will be committed to raising funds for Recovery. For instance, this Foundation will likely assume responsibility for promoting and managing the annual 5K/10K Recovery Run (in Orlando) and the annual Surf-for-Recovery Retreat (in Costa Rica) that have historically been promoted by another company that I helped create called The Mind, Body & Soul Surfing Club. I also serve as Vice-Chair of the Health & Wellness Committee of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar; a committee designed to promote the health and wellness of members who passionately serve Florida's families in their family-law matters.

Anthony: My "current connection with recovery" is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It manifests itself in many ways. For instance, beginning September 2003, I have been a monthly guardian and speaker at St. Luke's Addiction and Recovery Center in North Miami. After being released from prison, while still under contract with Florida Lawyers Assistance, I volunteered my time as an FLA monitor for young lawyers struggling with addiction. I'm on the Board of Directors of Lawyers to the Rescue which provides, free legal services to the homeless community through Camillus House in Miami. Once a month, we spend a Saturday morning speaking with these clients, in a suit and tie, helping them with their very serious issues. I handle all of the family, dependency and domestic violence issues that arise within this program. I have numerous pro bono cases through this program which I've been handling for several years. I rarely miss an opportunity to speak to groups about addiction and recovery, in recent years I have been asked to preach at three churches outside of my home church.