Podcast Summary: "I Hit Rock Bottom" feat. Chase Chrisley

Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley – PodcastOne
Date: December 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid and emotionally charged New Year’s episode, Savannah Chrisley welcomes her brother, Chase Chrisley, for a vulnerable and insightful conversation about hitting rock bottom, struggling with addiction, and the long road to recovery and self-acceptance. Through honesty, sibling banter, and humor, the siblings revisit the most challenging periods of the past two years and look forward to 2026 with optimism, renewed relationships, and hard-won growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Family Turmoil and the Cost of Addiction

• Recapping the Past Years: Savannah sets the stage, noting that 2024 and 2025 were “some really long years for our family” as they navigated her parents’ absence and internal family struggles.

  • Savannah: “I think I was pissed off at the fact that, like, [the show] didn't touch more on your issues with addiction.” (03:00)

• Chase’s Hidden Struggles: Chase acknowledges his substance use escalated when their parents went away, shifting from celebratory drinking to using alcohol and drugs as an escape from pain.

  • Chase: “I would use alcohol and a little booger sugar... I would rather feel nothing than feel, like, the pain I was feeling... I didn't even realize, like, obviously I was, like, destroying myself, but I was, like, destroying the relationships around me.” (04:00)

2. Living with (and Loving) an Addict

• Impact on the Family: Savannah candidly expresses pain over public sympathy skewing toward Chase and not considering the hurt caused to family members.

  • Savannah: “People always talk about feeling bad for the person who's addicted… But they don't talk about feeling bad for the people that have to endure the actions.” (07:21)

• Denial, Blackouts, and Transformation: Chase recalls blackouts, memory loss, the toll on his appearance, and emotional numbness—contrasted with Savannah’s emotional cutoff as self-protection.

  • Chase: “I thought I was gonna die.” (05:58)
  • Savannah: “I had to emotionally prepare... I have to be prepared to call mom and dad and tell them Chase died.” (06:58)

3. The Mechanisms of Addiction

• Nature or Nurture?: The siblings debate whether addiction is genetic or personal, with Chase leaning toward some inborn wiring but rejecting inevitability for everyone.

  • Chase: “I think it's just the way some people are wired... I think it's in your genes.” (08:37)

• Personal Responsibility: Chase reflects on the havoc he caused without intention, and the personal work needed to face his mistakes.

  • Chase: “Inside I knew that I was being a piece of... you know. And, like, after I went away and, like, sat through a lot of therapy, like, I, like, broke down and I was just, like, sobbing, and I was like, God, like, I don't know how I'm...going to forgive myself.” (11:43)

4. The Road to Recovery

• Rehab Experience: Chase reveals he entered rehab at the end of July, shortly after his parents’ return, crediting their homecoming and Savannah’s support as catalysts.

  • Chase: “When [mom and dad] got home, I finally was like, okay, like, I can...the pain’s over, you know?” (13:51)

• Building New Routines: He discusses rebuilding his environment, staying close to family, avoiding old crowds, and working out with his dad as key to maintaining sobriety.

• Sobriety Milestone: Chase proudly shares being (almost) six months sober.

  • Chase: “Then I got six months [sober].” (13:22)

• On Therapy: Chase credits intensive therapy with helping him address underlying trauma and patterns.

  • Chase: “I was against therapy, but I'm telling you, that changed my life...I was able to lay it to rest. Honestly. Once I let it go, it immediately felt like a weight was lifted.” (21:39, 22:22)

5. Humor, Sibling Banter & Healing

• Playful Teasing: The siblings’ playful dynamic surfaces as they joke about family workouts, weight loss, posting on social media, and “high-waisted” jeans.

  • Savannah, on working out: “I hate working out. Like, I don't care what anyone says. Yes, it's good for you. Do I feel better after? Yes. But during it, I hate it.” (15:13)
  • Chase, on Savannah’s jeans: “Those are the highest waisted jeans I've ever seen.” (31:13)

• Humor Returns with Health: Savannah notes Chase’s humor as a sign of recovery.

  • Savannah: “See, but this is when you know that you're doing good is when you can, like, your sense of humor comes back.” (18:50)

• Memorable Family Story: Savannah tells a Thanksgiving story about Chase accidentally asking a cousin about her dog—two years after it had died—illustrating lingering effects but also the family’s ability to laugh now. (23:26)

6. New Projects, Purpose, and the Year Ahead

• Gold Drop Seltzer Project: Chase promotes his non-alcoholic seltzer, which he created to support sobriety—now reformulated as a low-sugar soda alternative.

  • Chase: “It started out because I got sober, and so I wanted to do something that could help other people…” (20:13)

• Faith and Gratitude: For 2026, Chase shares that his faith and memories of hitting bottom remain his motivation to stay sober and work on being the best version of himself.

  • Chase: “I don't want to forget about how bad things got for me, because that's a constant reminder of, like, okay, this is why you should stay sober.” (28:12)

• On Rebuilding Family: Both reflect on rebuilding trust, communicating better, and letting go of resentment.

  • Savannah: “I have finally gotten to a place of where, like, I'm ready to let go of just like anger and resentment… Life is too short.” (30:45)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On hitting bottom:

  • Chase: “I thought I was gonna die.” (05:58)

• On emotional cost:

  • Savannah: “I had to emotionally prepare...I have to be prepared to call mom and dad and tell them Chase died.” (06:58)

• On forgiveness:

  • Chase: “After I went away and sat through a lot of therapy...I was like, God, like, I don't know how anyone else is going to forgive me. I don't know how I'm going to forgive myself.” (11:43)

• On therapy:

  • Chase: “I was against therapy, but I'm telling you, that changed my life.” (21:39)

• On sobriety vigilance:

  • Chase: “I don't want to forget about, like, how bad things got for me, because that's a constant reminder...this is why you should stay sober.” (28:12)

• On family love (with their signature sarcasm):

  • Savannah: “I love you and I'll get back to liking you again. We're getting there.” (29:01)
  • Chase: “I'm a nice dude.” (29:03)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:00] – Savannah on the reality show not showing the depth of Chase’s addiction issues.
• [04:00] – Chase details how his substance use changed from fun to escapism.
• [07:21] – Savannah discusses the impact of addiction on the family.
• [11:43] – Chase reflects on guilt and the emotional burden after going to therapy.
• [13:22] – Chase celebrates reaching six months sober.
• [21:39] – Chase talks about the transformative impact of therapy.
• [28:12] – Chase shares his lessons from the past year and his outlook for the future.

Tone and Language

The episode is marked by raw honesty, vulnerability, dark humor, and loving (often jokingly adversarial) sibling dynamics. Neither Savannah nor Chase shy away from uncomfortable truths, but always loop back to genuine care, encouragement, and a shared hope for continued growth.

Takeaway for Listeners

Listeners will find a heartfelt exploration of addiction, grief, recovery, and the complex, often messy process of rebuilding trust and self-worth. The episode’s blend of humor and truth-telling offers strength and solidarity, whether you’re struggling personally or supporting someone through dark times. Chase and Savannah’s journey is relatable, unfiltered, and ultimately hopeful as they approach 2026 renewed and more connected than ever.