Today we’d like to introduce you to Yianni Tsatas.
Yianni , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins with my own battle with drugs and alcohol. Addiction brought me to places I never imagined I would go, but recovery gave me the opportunity to rebuild my life from the ground up. I learned that change does not happen through words alone—it requires honesty, responsibility, discipline, and consistent action.
As I worked on my own recovery, I discovered that my experience could be used to help others. I returned to school, earned a degree in addiction counselling, and completed several professional certifications. Today, I work as a recovery coach, addiction counsellor, and interventionist, helping individuals and families navigate the realities of substance use and recovery.
I also created Raw in Recovery, a platform built on direct, honest conversations about addiction, personal growth, and lasting change. My approach is structured, compassionate, and straightforward. I do not sugar-coat recovery, because I know that avoiding the truth keeps people stuck.
Everything I do today comes from lived experience, professional education, and a genuine commitment to helping people recognize that their past does not have to determine their future. I am proof that it is possible to rebuild your life, find purpose in your pain, and use what you have survived to make a difference in the lives of others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. My greatest struggle was overcoming my own addiction to drugs and alcohol. Recovery forced me to face myself honestly, take responsibility for my choices, and rebuild my life one day at a time. There were no shortcuts. I had to change the way I thought, the people I surrounded myself with, and the way I responded to pain and adversity.
Building a new life and career also came with challenges. I had to turn my lived experience into something constructive, return to school, earn my degree in addiction counselling, and continue developing professionally. I also had to overcome the fear of being judged for my past and learn to view it as a source of strength rather than shame.
One of the most difficult lessons was accepting that I cannot want recovery more than someone wants it for themselves. I can guide, support, educate, and challenge people, but they must ultimately choose to take action.
The road has been difficult, but every obstacle has strengthened my purpose. My struggles gave me the experience, compassion, and honesty I now bring to the people and families I serve. I would not erase my past, because it helped shape the person and professional I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is centred on helping individuals and families affected by addiction. I provide one-on-one recovery coaching, intervention services, and sober companion support. Every person and situation is different, so my approach is highly individualized, structured, and hands-on.
Through individual coaching, I help clients understand the impact addiction has had on every area of their lives, recognize destructive patterns, reconnect with their emotions, develop accountability, and create realistic goals for the future. My role is not simply to tell someone what they want to hear—it is to help them face the truth and take consistent action toward lasting change.
As an interventionist, I work closely with families to help a loved one recognize the seriousness of their situation and accept professional help. As a sober companion, I provide direct, real-world support during vulnerable transitions, helping clients maintain structure, manage triggers, make healthier decisions, and build stability in their daily lives.
I am also extremely proud of my major collaboration with Counseling Unlmtd and Ronnie Costa. Working together allows us to combine experience, professional resources, and a shared commitment to providing people and families with meaningful, coordinated support.
What sets me apart is the combination of my lived experience, professional education, and direct approach. I understand addiction from both sides—not only through textbooks and training, but because I have lived it. I lead with compassion, but I do not sugar-coat the truth. My goal is not to make people temporarily comfortable; it is to help them create genuine and lasting change.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to anyone just starting out is simple: stop waiting until you feel completely ready. You will never have every answer, and the conditions will never be perfect. Start where you are, use what you have, and take the next right action.
Be willing to learn, stay humble, and surround yourself with people who have experience and integrity. Education is important, but so are mentorship, collaboration, and listening to the people you serve. Never allow your ego to convince you that you have nothing left to learn.
I also wish I had understood earlier that progress is rarely immediate. Building trust, developing a reputation, and creating something meaningful takes time. There will be setbacks, criticism, and moments when you question yourself. Consistency matters more than motivation during those moments.
Most importantly, be honest about why you are doing the work. If your purpose is genuine, let that guide your decisions. Do not chase recognition—focus on making a real difference. Take action, remain disciplined, and never give up simply because the road becomes difficult.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rawinrecovery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raw__in_recovery?stkn=ZzdsZjJod3k0YXZ3&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18UsyNdXLs/?mibextid=wwXIfr
