THE IBOGAINE DIARIES: Trauma, Healing & Starting Over | Dr. David Griffin | HC0088

<p>In this deeply personal episode of Hazard Class, Jake Ryks sits down with Dr. David Griffin, retired assistant chief with the Charleston Fire Department and author of <em>The Ibogaine Diaries</em>, to talk about what happened after he walked away from the fire service and began rebuilding his life.</p><p>Griffin traces the cumulative weight of nearly two decades of trauma, beginning with the 2007 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston firefighters. He describes years of anger, depression, isolation, strained relationships, prescription medication, and the pressure of rising through the ranks while feeling increasingly disconnected from himself. After deciding to retire, Griffin traveled to Mexico for medically supervised ibogaine treatment, an experience he describes in vivid and sometimes brutal detail.</p><p>The conversation follows the flood dose, booster doses, visions of the Charleston fire, and the difficult work of processing guilt and trauma. Griffin also emphasizes the integration that followed: therapy, meditation, prayer, rebuilding his marriage, reconnecting with family, and changing how he approaches work, identity, and purpose.</p><p>This is a raw conversation about trauma, forgiveness, identity, relationships, and learning how to build a life you actually want to live.</p><p><br></p><p>GUEST BIO:</p><p><br></p><p>Dr. David Griffin is a retired assistant chief with the Charleston Fire Department, author, educator, speaker, and longtime fire service instructor. His career was profoundly shaped by the 2007 Sofa Super Store fire, where nine Charleston firefighters were killed. Griffin went on to serve as an engineer, captain, battalion chief, shift commander, and assistant chief while dedicating much of his career to teaching leadership and fire service operations.</p><p>His newest book, <em>The Ibogaine Diaries</em>, documents his decision to retire, his experience undergoing ibogaine treatment in Mexico, and the personal work that followed. Today, Griffin continues to teach, speak, podcast, and share his story with a focus on trauma, mental health, leadership, family, authenticity, and personal growth.</p><p><br></p><p></p><p>CONNECT WITH DR. DAVID GRIFFIN</p><p>Dr. David Griffin:<br><a href="https://www.drdavidgriffin.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">www.drdavidgriffin.com</a></p><p>The Ibogaine Diaries:<br><a href="https://www.drdavidgriffin.com/ibogaine.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com">The Ibogaine Diaries | Dr. David Griffin</a></p><