Hooked by the System: The Truth About Prescription Addiction with Adam Ashburn

Adam Ashburn’s life changed in an instant when he was hit by a car travelling 100mph.

At just 19, he went from training as a professional golfer to being told he might never walk again. His injuries were extensive, multiple surgeries, years in recovery, and a complete rebuild of his physical body. But what followed was even tougher.

Hooked on prescription opioids, Adam found himself spiralling. Like so many others, he was following medical advice. Doing what he was told. But behind the scenes, the painkillers were slowly eroding his sense of self. Numbing everything, physically, emotionally, mentally.

And yet, this story is not about defeat.

It’s about radical responsibility. About making the decision, no one else is coming to save you, so what are you going to do about it?

In this episode, we dive into the real stuff. The messy stuff. From addiction and trauma to breaking free of victim mentality and reclaiming control. Adam opens up about the realities of recovery, the unspoken challenges of long-term medication, and what it takes to truly take your life back.

We also go wide. From media narratives to cancel culture, censorship to the importance of speaking your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable.

⸻

Key moments include:

✔ Surviving a 100mph car accident and the brutal physical aftermath
✔ Prescription addiction: how it starts, how it’s sustained, and how he broke free
✔ The mental game of recovery and why painkillers were harder to come off than the injuries themselves
✔ The shift from victim to owner: what real accountability looks like
✔ Leaving employment and stepping into business ownership
✔ Why speaking up still carries risk and why he’s doing it anyway
✔ Conversations most people are too afraid to have: big pharma, politics, cancel culture, and control
✔ Why we need long-form conversations more than ever

This is a powerful episode with a message that will stay with you long after you finish listening.

Don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.

⸻

Connect & Follow

Follow Ellie McKay:
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_mckay_official/?hl=en-gb

🔗 On a Mission Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onamissionpodcast2.0/?hl=en-gb 

Follow Adam Ashburn:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ad-ttm

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ad_ttm_?igsh=aWttNmYzdHEweGFp