In honor of National Fentanyl Awareness Day (April 29), Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog tapped leading addiction recovery expert Richard Taite to discuss the growing fentanyl epidemic, his urgent new podcast episode, and what families and communities must know to protect themselves.
Richard Taite is a nationally recognized addiction recovery expert, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. He was the founder of Cliffside Malibu and now serves as the Founder and Executive Chairman of Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa and 1 Method. With over two decades of experience guiding high-profile clients, clinical teams, and families through long-term recovery, his work has been featured on Real Time with Bill Maher, Elizabeth Vargas Reports, America’s Hope with Kelly Wright, and in Medium.
He also hosts the new podcast We’re Out of Time, where he interviews public figures, experts, and frontline workers battling the addiction crisis.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
Fentanyl is often described as “the deadliest drug in America.” Why is it so dangerous, and what makes this crisis different from past drug epidemics?
Richard Taite:
Fentanyl is unforgiving. It’s 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it—and just two milligrams can be fatal. What makes this crisis different is that it’s not just affecting people with substance use disorder. This is hitting kids who think they’re taking a Xanax to relax or an Adderall to study. It’s a deception epidemic, not a drug epidemic. And it’s wiping out an entire generation.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
As someone with decades of experience in addiction treatment, what trends have you observed in the rise of fentanyl-related cases?
Richard Taite:
The trend is terrifying—more deaths, fewer warning signs. In the past, addiction showed a progression. With fentanyl, there’s often no buildup—just one counterfeit pill and someone’s gone. We're seeing it impact younger people across every demographic. No one is immune. What's most alarming is active military members we treat who swear they’ve never used fentanyl, yet they test positive. This is terrorism now, and it’s affecting our national security.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
Your podcast We’re Out of Time is releasing a special episode on April 29. What can listeners expect, and why is it more urgent than ever?
Richard Taite:
This episode is a wake-up call. It’s emotionally raw, painfully honest, and deeply necessary. We feature Matt Capelouto, whose daughter Alexandra was poisoned by fentanyl at 20. Since her death, he’s led the charge for Alexandra’s Law, warning drug dealers they can be charged with murder if someone dies. The title says it all—We’re Out of Time. We’re past prevention. We're in triage. We made this episode to shake people out of their comfort zones before it’s too late. It also features the PSA we ran for 15 months during the campaign to roll Alexandra's Law into Prop 36 for passage.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
What are some of the biggest misconceptions the public still has about fentanyl and those who fall victim to it?
Richard Taite:
That it only happens to “those kinds of people.” That’s the most dangerous lie. Fentanyl is showing up in counterfeit Adderall, Percocet, even party drugs. It’s hitting athletes, honor roll students, and first-time users. This isn’t just addiction anymore—it’s unintentional poisoning. These are beautiful kids who made one mistake and never got a second chance.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
You've worked with high-profile clients and families. What do you recommend parents or loved ones do if they suspect someone is at risk?
Richard Taite:
Act now. Have the conversation. Get Narcan in the house. And if there’s even a flicker of concern—get them into treatment. At Carrara and 1 Method, we see more parents reaching out early, and that’s key. Waiting for someone to "hit bottom" doesn’t apply with fentanyl. Bottom could be death.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa and 1 Method take unique approaches to recovery. How do you address the specific challenges of fentanyl addiction?
Richard Taite:
Fentanyl requires a different level of precision and attunement. At Carrara, everything is curated—detox, therapy, medical care, even nutrition. During detox, we spend hours matching each client with the right clinician before they even meet. At 1 Method, we bring that same rigor to an in-network model, making world-class care accessible. Most people can get 30 days of free treatment for a $500 deductible—or sometimes no deductible at all. Our philosophy is simple: real healing comes from connection, and connection takes preparation.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
What policy changes or public health efforts are urgently needed to combat the fentanyl crisis?
Richard Taite:
We need to treat this like the national emergency it is. Cut off precursor chemicals from China and Mexico. Start awareness campaigns in middle school. Make Narcan and treatment as available as aspirin. Content involving fentanyl needs clear warnings on social media and the internet. We must also enforce stricter federal and local laws. It has to be a full-court, holistic approach—no half-measures.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
What gives you hope when it comes to turning the tide on this epidemic?
Richard Taite:
The resilience I see in people. Parents turning tragedy into advocacy. Clients who come in broken and leave transformed. And the fact that once someone is connected to the right kind of care, they do get better. That’s not just hopeful—it’s actionable.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
How can the public get involved or support the cause on National Fentanyl Awareness Day and beyond?
Richard Taite:
First of all, every day should be Fentanyl Awareness Day if you have a loved one at risk. But to answer your question: Educate yourself. Share the message. Carry Narcan. Talk to your kids. Awareness is our strongest weapon right now. And if you want to do more, support frontline organizations in prevention and treatment. Change starts with conversation, but it doesn’t end there.
Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog:
Lastly, what message do you want to leave with readers who may be struggling themselves or worried about someone they love?
Richard Taite:
There is always a way back. I lost 25 years of my life to addiction—and I’ve been sober for 22. I’ve helped thousands of families get their loved ones back. No one is too far gone. But you have to act now. Get treatment before it’s too late. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but—we’re out of time.
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For more information on Richard Taite’s work and resources on addiction recovery, visit CarraraTreatment.com.
Podcast: We’re Out of Time with Richard Taite | Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms
Watch on YouTube: WereOutOfTime
