100Pedals Talk: Recent Episodes
Dave Cooke
What happens when you take the time to listen to the perspective of someone else, without judgement, criticism, or condemnation? What happens when they feel heard and understood? It changes everything. Today's podcast looks at the listening, in a parenting model, and examines the impact selfless listening has on a child struggling to be heard or understood.
Today's "Inside the 100Pedals Blog" podcast focused on this statement, "Decisions made from a place of fear are often emotional reactions to complicated situations which rarely lead to the outcomes we desire as logic and reason have been minimized by the fear’s intense presence."
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/healing-through-listening/
From "Inside the 100Pedals blog" Podcast. Life rarely goes according to plan.When it doesn't, all is not lost. The same is true of a parent's story. Even if, even though, addiction may have radically changed everything, there is still an incredible, powerful story worth living and sharing.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/your-story-is-not-lost-or-broken/
What happens when a parent feels their child has fallen far enough? What happens when they think their child must have found their bottom? What if there is no such thing as a bottom? What happens when we rescue them because we have experienced enough?
All these questions considered and more as we explore, in depth, this week's blog "The Myth of the Bottom."
When everything is not okay, many people hide their struggle from others fearing judgement, or feeling shame or guilt. Today's "inside the 100Pedals Blog" podcast explores the normalcy of things not being okay and the opportunities which come with them.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/it-is-okay-to-not-be-okay/
Today's "Inside the 100Pedals Blog" podcast focuses on a different approach for parents in response to a child's disconcerting behaviors, and encourages as shift from confrontational activities to one of love and understanding.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/trusting-your-love-is-enough/
Today's "Inside the Blog" podcast focuses on how parental micro- monitoring adversely impacts a child's recovery and the best steps for avoid this practice.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/getting-into-your-childs-business-only-creates-confusion/
When it comes to a child's addiction, a parent's essential first-step embracing their personal recovery path. Committing to a path of personal development, education, and healthy support, is fundamentally the most important recovery related activity any parent can engage in.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/two-trails-one-path/
Exploring how the words we choose can bring healing to a complicated, challenging situation or issue.
Referenced blog: http://www.100pedals.com/healing-conversations/
Complicated problems are not easily solved at the drive-thru window. People trust random strangers with their most personal, intense problems. It makes decision making easier, but does it result in the best response? Today's podcast explores this issue in greater detail.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/the-trouble-with-problem-solving-in-public-forums/
Examining parenting, addiction, recovery and what you need to know: Why safety in the known is always easier than exploring the unknown. And, what these behaviors prevent.
Subscribe on I-tunes here
Parents have a tendency to get heavily involved in a child's recovery. Their involvement has productive limitations. Today's podcast examines healthy, productive parent engagement in relationship to a child's recovery.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/recovery-management/
As we become dependent upon the barriers created by our ego to protect us, it becomes difficult to step out from behind the wall to receive the healing we need most. Today we are discussing how to move past these barriers and find true healing in our vulnerability and trust.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/the-ego-and-four-words-which-get-in-the-way-of-our-healing/
Healing broken relationships require someone step up and to authentically, vulnerably demonstrate their commitment to begin the process. In addiction driven relationships, parents have a great opportunity to change lives,including their own, through authentic love and commitment. This podcast explores these concepts.
Blog post reference: http://www.100pedals.com/the-healing-process-begins-with-you/
Bringing transformed, healthy responses and behaviors into the chaos of a child's addiction provides a conduit for love and healing. Today's blog explores in greater detail, three critical behaviors parents and loved ones are encouraged to develop and engage in.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/three-behaviors-worth-committing-to/
Behaviors and interactions can become habit forming, including our responses to external triggers. Today's podcast focuses on productive ways to interrupt these patterns and habits.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/interrupting-the-patterns-of-response/
Examining the sources of our controlling behaviors and how to shift away from them at critical times. When things start to go in the "wrong direction" our desire to step in and take control increases. Unfortunately, this behavior can often be more destructive than we realize.
Blog Reference: Undoing our perceptions of control
Addiction and recovery, healing and healthy outcomes are all the byproduct of change and transformation. Today's conversation focuses on the responsibilities of loved ones to embrace change and transformation in their personal recovery activities.
Reference blog: Change is a required component of your recovery
A lesson learned this week: My involvement in my son's recovery isn't always productive or healthy for either one of us. Today's conversation: Discovering how to stay detached and at peace.
Blog Reference: Facilitating a healthy separation
The narrative around my son's addiction has changed significantly. Yet, I find myself struggling to trust what I am being told and what I am experiencing. Today's conversation focuses on how to shift my energy away from fear, doubt and worry and embrace the possibilities of a different day dawning.
Blog reference: Struggling to embrace a new level of trust
When the wind is in your face and going in difficult, push hard; when it is at your back and you are going downhill, push harder.
Reflections on maintaining productive habits even when it seems impossible to do so.
Blog reference: Maintaining momentum on your worst day
Reflecting on what happens when we lose trust and focusing our energies on regaining it.
Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/rebuilding-and-redirecting-lost-trust/
Reflecting on the realities that Addiction corrupts the mind, resulting in choices which rarely, if ever, make sense.
100Pedals blog: You can't make sense out of nonsense
When chasing the expectations in outcomes get in the way of living with confident clarity to purpose. How these behaviors rob people of joy and peace in their life.
A closer look inside an earlier blog "I have been there often, too often" and what it means to be in a community where you are safe, loved, protected; and, have the ability to authentically share your struggles and fears.
What if it was possible to turn your Hope into a result you could live with?
Today's podcast: Finding a different way and celebrating the result.
I was afraid of failing as a parent. I was determined not to fail as a parent.
Everything I did with my children growing up was determined by how I defined my measurable success as a parent.
Problem is, I was parenting from a place of being the parent I thought I needed to be, instead of being the parent my children needed me to be.
These are two critically different behaviors.
In today's podcast, I delve deeper into the content from this week's blog and explore the difference between parenting from fear and parenting in love.
What if you could trust in the outcome?
What if it was possible to be at peace with the process?
What if letting go of our fears were not as hard as we make it to be?
Today's podcast delves deeper into the battle between trust and fear.
Exploring what it took for me to finally embrace trust and overcome my fears.
When you take control of your life.
When you maintain your focus.
When you trust in doing what you know you need to do.
Your life will change.
More incredibly, so will the behaviors of others as they adjust to your new habits and attitudes.
This is the last in this early series about commitment, change, and taking back control of your life and the impact this one decision resulted in change in my life and influenced the lives of those around me.
Everyone has that moment when...
They realize they are at a fork in the road
They discover they are not in a healthy place
They know they need to do something, or else
In a blog earlier this week, I reflected on that moment that changed my life and what it meant to me. In today's podcast, I share my thoughts on why focusing on you at this fork in the road is so critical for everyone in your life.
We cannot change anything until we change the path we are on. What are you going to do to bring health, balance and clarity into yours?
What would it look like if you could find a moment to just relax and reconnect with your inner self?
How would it feel to have time every single day to simply get away from the chaos?
What impact would having that kind of time have on you and others?
Today's podcast explores the benefits of healthy balance and helps facilitate a way for you to find time for you and why this so critical in our chaotic lives.
These are reflections from the May 30 Blog, "Helping them find a way home."
“Home is where you go to find solace from the ever-changing chaos, to find love within the confines of a heartless world, and to be reminded that no matter how far you wander, there will always be something waiting when you return.” ~ Kendal Rob
Three stories jumped into my head when I heard this quote. In today's podcast, I share these stories and the importance of making sure our addicted children know their is always a way home!
What if there is an opportunity to learn from our children's hurtful outbursts ?
What if our children don't know how to share their most painful experiences?
What if all they need is a safe place to open up about issues they struggle with?
Inside the blog explores a recent post and identifies alternative ways to respond to the harsh words parents often encounter when dealing with their addicted child.
When faced with the crisis of addiction in the family, many parents attempt to quickly and easily fix the problem without really understanding the deeper addiction related issues. Conditioned to believe that there has to be a simple answer to a complex problem, parents often seek out simple solutions without embracing a truly effective educational and learning process.
In today's podcast, I reflect on the mission of 100Pedals and how it prepares and guides parents through their addiction journey. We cannot understand what we are asking of our children in their addiction if we, as parents, are not going through the same transformational, learning process. As parents, we have an inherent responsibility to challenge ourselves to go through our own, similar educational process and explore changing our lives in much the same way we expect our children to transform theirs.
I would have loved my journey to be easy, simple and concise. Addiction, the mind, and a lifetime of experiences are not unbundled easily, simply or quickly. The sooner parents discover the process and engage in similar work on themselves, the healthier and more balanced they will be. This awareness and wisdom is a gift that can then be shared and appreciated through the entire family.
Remember, there are no simple answers to complex issues. Finding the solution means understanding the entire issue, not just the one we think we see or know.
As parents of a child with an addiction, we are often tasked with making incredibly difficult and challenging choices. It can be quite a battle to decipher the better decisions from the bad ones. And, it is often difficult to move forward without reflecting back on the many options we had and the one we selected. Second guessing ourselves is an easy habit to get into and a difficult one to break.
Last month I was presented with a challenge that I have been preparing for over the past year. I knew the day would come and when it did, I made the decision that I made. While I still have some discomfort over the action I chose to take, there was a component of it that I was completely at peace with.
One of the many educational components of my journey was learning how to make better decisions and discovering how to become comfortable with both the choice and the outcome. While I still wrestle with the pros and cons of every action, I have learned to be more at peace with the entire decision making process.
In today’s blogcast, I share the foundation on which this trust and peace in constructed. It doesn’t mean I don’t reflect on my many options before, during, and after the decision; but, it does mean I have learned to more readily let go of the fear and doubt that used to linger in my obsessive mind. In the process, I have found a quiet confidence in my decision-making process that empowers me to have more clarity and decisiveness. And, it frees me from becoming entangled in what I have historically defined as the required outcome of every decision.
If you desire to regain control of your life. If you desire to learn how to make better, stronger, healthier, and more rational decisions. If you don’t know where to start or struggle to stay on task. Let me know. I would be happy to help you create your personal 100Day plan. It will completely transform your life.
If you are struggling with a loved one’s addiction and are looking for a path to clarity and peace, I am here to help. Contact me now.
You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com. Let’s get started now.
“No matter how dark the present appears, I choose to live for the promise of the future...”
This was the first quote I celebrated as I completed my first 100Pedals bike ride on January 1, 2011. It has been six years since I made the decision that my life, despite the chaos of my son’s addiction, was going to be different. It had to be. If I didn’t do something to change my life, his addiction would continue to destroy me.
In today’s blogcast, I reflect on the powerful transformation the 100Pedals commitment has had on my life, how it has helped me find peace despite the chaos of addiction, and why I share this message of hope with parents and loved ones.
There was a time where I was looking for absolute answers for dealing with my son’s addiction. His recovery was and still is my highest priority. In six years, my life has really changed for the better. The objective has never changed; however, my responses to the outcomes are now dramatically different.
What I have learned is there are no absolute answers to complex problems; nor are there any guarantees that things will turn out the way we want them to. Despite doing all that I can to set an example, mentor, coach, and encourage, my son’s recovery has still been an elusive dream. I have come to realize and be at peace with the reality that my son’s recovery is up to him and that the timing of his recovery is completely beyond my control.
Despite the frustrations that exist in this truth, I have learned that the healthier I am spiritually, emotionally, physically, and psychologically provides a great opportunity for me to be a beacon of love, light, hope, and encouragement for my son on his journey. Whatever path he chooses is not a reflection in me as a parent, as a dad, or as a teacher; it simply means my son has the power to make his choices. Only he can decide when, how, and where recovery will happen, if ever. While it can be confounding and painful, I have found peace in that truth because I have moved forward to a healthier, more balanced place in my life. One that gives me the ability to accept the outcomes of his choices and the strength to assist him if and when he asks for it.
If you desire to regain control of your life. If you desire to learn how to make better, stronger, healthier, and more rational decisions. If you don’t know where to start or struggle to stay on task. Let me know. I would be happy to help you create your personal 100Day plan. It will completely transform your life.
I am here to help. Just ask me how. Contact me now at dave@100Pedals.com. Let’s get started now.
Nothing disrupts or interrupts peace or joy more than adversity. Life would be so much simpler and easier if we just didn’t have to deal with conflict. In the world of a parent of child with substance abuse issues, the disruptions can often become overwhelming.
The other day I was coaching a parent about managing their response to these events. The discussion centered around learning to emotionally react to the situation vs. intellectually responding to it. The challenge is understanding how to detach from the situation long enough to identify the differences between what you can control and what you have no control over; then, defining how to respond to what you have control over. The likelihood you have positioned yourself to make a better, more intelligent decision increases significantly. Additionally, you begin to learn how to avoid getting pulled into the chaos of the behaviors, choices, and decisions of others, which are activities you have no control over anyway.
This is one of the processes I have used in my 100Pedals journey to help me find peace in the chaos of my son’s addiction. It is a process I have used to manage conflict in every area of my life and it has been a game changer for me. It is my hope you find peace in your chaos as you learn to manage your emotional reactions and replace them with intellectual responses.
Wishing you and your family Peace and Blessings through the Christmas Season!
If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com.
Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com.
#StartWithaSmile. When you do your holiday shopping on Amazon this year, remember 100Pedals. Start your shopping on Amazon by clicking this link smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1567141 and Amazon donates to 100Pedals Inc. Thank you!
In the holiday season, the relationship tensions that exist in families are often exacerbated. Even in the best of families, there are often relationship issues present between various family members. A family impacted by addiction are no exception. In fact, these tensions might even be more significant and pronounced, especially during the Holidays.
There are really no easy answers regarding the reality that these tensions might prohibit one loved one from attending a family function because of the potential participation of another. Because every family situation is different and unique, I cannot offer a clear, simple solution. I can only share how our family is dealing with this very issue and why I am comfortable with our approach.
In today’s podcast, I am sharing our family’s approach to the possibility that some members may not be in attendance because of their boundaries or history. I love that my children have defined their boundaries and expectations based on lessons and experience. I have no intention of challenging, changing, or criticizing their boundaries. Defining them and honoring boundaries are critical for one’s emotional, physical, and psychological health and security. However, relative to the boundaries of others, my own boundaries, rules, and philosophies are to be equally respected and honored, as well. It is in this conflict is where today’s podcast goes. Hoping this helps you and your family.
Wishing you and your family a Holiday Season of Peace, Love, and Forgiveness!
If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com.
Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com.
#StartWithaSmile. When you do your holiday shopping on Amazon this year, remember 100Pedals. Start your shopping on Amazon by clicking this link smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1567141 and Amazon donates to 100Pedals Inc. Thank you!
Most family members are terrified about the response when neighbors, or the people at church, work, or school find out that their loved one is addicted to drugs. The stigma of drug addiction and the fear of the judgment that comes with having an addict in your family is a very powerful, negative force.
Knowing who to trust with our story, our struggle, our pain and our problem often prevents many parents and loved ones from finding the help they need most to get through our difficulties.
In today’s podcast, I talk about the opportunity that exists in having the courage to be authentic and transparent with those we know and trust. It is in our authenticity and our humility that we put ourselves in position to be real, to be loved, and to be understood.
It takes a great deal of courage to be able to expose our warts and our problems; yet, it is in that release we find honesty and trust and love and support. And, it gives us an opportunity in that humility to be trusted in such a way that we can give back to those around us who have their own secret pain.
When it comes to a loved one’s addiction, every member of the family responds to it differently. Moms and dads are no exception. In an earlier podcast, I reflected on why it is critically important for parents to work together and come to agreement on how they are going to respond to this crisis within the families.
This week's podcast is a direct invitation to Dads to become and remain more actively involved in this crisis. When I give talks or workshops, the participation of Dads is less than 20%. There are always are a variety of reasons and justifications for this occurrence; however, just like problem solving, education and collaboration requires a team effort.
Addiction is a family problem; everyone is involved whether they want to be or not. It is one that requires the active engagement of all to better understand the issue and the appropriate measures for dealing with it while helping our loved ones.
Dads provide a critical leadership component in the family dynamic. Regardless of this situation, it is important they participate in this process, as well. Dads, please accept my heartfelt invitation to join us in the learning process. We need you.
If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com.
Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com.
#StartWithaSmile. When you do your holiday shopping on Amazon this year, remember 100Pedals. Start your shopping on Amazon by clicking this link smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1567141 and Amazon donates to 100Pedals Inc. Thank you!
It all began with a phone call informing me my son was in jail. What unfolded from that call was a story of homelessness, legal troubles, and a heroin addiction.
This is where my addiction journey began.
In the early stages I learned all about addiction related behaviors. I received a crash course in theft, deception, arrest, court systems, and jail. With every relapse, every arrest, every painful event, I felt more the failure as a man and a dad. All this became so painful, so difficult and so overwhelming it broke me.
Thankfully, there is so much more to this story and it gets much better from here.
The following podcast is a recording of a talk shared with the congregation at Broadway Christian Church. It is an inspiring, uplifting, and informative message for parents and other family members struggling with the addiction of a loved one. It also provides a insightful perspectives for those who do not yet understand this issue of addiction and what families go through when dealing with a loved one who is struggling.
One of the greatest conflicts that arise as a result of addiction in the family is the impact this has on the parents’ relationship. Moms and Dads respond to the situation and look at the issue from two different perspectives. At some point in the process, as the addiction adversity increases, the differences in approaches often lead to conflict, confusion, and resentment. When parents are divided, the addiction has control over everyone. The family will experience an even greater division at a time when strong agreement and support for each other is at its most critical juncture.
Addiction can easily, and often do, ruin marriages. This can be avoided.
Nothing is more critically important to an addiction issue than having two parents in agreement, collaborating to find ways to support each other and their child appropriately, while going through the collective thought and education process together.
In today’s podcast, I talk about the keys to parents working together, how they can proactively collaborate despite each other’s different approaches, and tips for coming to agreement.
If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com.
Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com.
#StartWithaSmile. When you do your holiday shopping on Amazon this year, remember 100Pedals. Start your shopping on Amazon by clicking this link smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1567141 and Amazon donates to 100Pedals Inc. Thank you!
Every parent dealing with the choices and behaviors of child with an addiction struggles with developing and honoring boundaries. In reality, most parents struggle with clearly defined boundaries and consequences, in general. Teaching our children and ourselves this lesson is a critical life skill that the entire family benefits from.
The process for creating healthy boundaries involves three key steps. First, in a moment of rational thought clearly define your rules and expectations for the acceptable behaviors of others. Second, take time to share these expectations and outcomes with those involved. Finally, make and honor your commitment to follow-through on the consequences you have identified and articulated.
Every parent has the authority and the responsibility to teach their children, whether they are using or not, that there are expectations and rules associated with their behaviors and their choices. Part of teaching these responsibilities requires parents to be willing to assign outcomes for failing to honor these rules and expectations and following through with their declarations. Otherwise, they become empty threats that effect credibility and respect.
In this podcast, I share my personal thoughts and experiences with my responsibilities as a parent to my children in this area. It begins with rational thought and planning. And, it manifests itself in the execution of the commitment. How others choose to respond to our clearly defined expectations is not our responsibility; it is our responsibility to teach our children the concept of and our commitment to our rules, expectations, and our defined consequences for failing to honor them.
If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com.
Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com.
We have all heard the saying “your gut is always right.” Despite our affirmative experiences with this truth, we have all had that defining moment where we wish we trusted our gut instincts.
It is hard for parents to believe that one of their children is using, lying, being dishonest, or manipulating them. Even though our strongest instincts are screaming at us to pay attention to them, many times we allow denial, not instinct to manage our decision-making processes.
In this podcast, I share a story about a personal experience with denial and the powerful lesson I learned to trust my instincts from that day forward. From this experience, I have developed the confidence to trust my instincts over everything and it has protected me from disastrous decisions ever since.
If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com
Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com
This podcast segment is a response to a question sent regarding the boundaries a parent set for her addicted son. The boundaries didn't change anything and now the parent is struggling to be comfortable with the decision and the undesired outcome.
In this response, I reflect on two components to this challenge: First, the motivation and necessity for these boundaries in the first place; Second, encouraging they embrace the opportunities for a healthier life as a result of their decision.
So many times, we take action hoping to inspire a response that causes a change in behaviors, attitudes, or results. However, not everyone will see the guidelines as motivation enough to change. This does not mean we adjust our guidelines, it means that we need to recognize and honor the benefits of these constructs on our life until our loved one reflects appropriately on the impact of these boundaries on their life.
The question was asked, "how do you talk to your addicted child without pushing them over the edge?"
The answer is easier than you may realize, executing it may take some time and effort. We want so badly to steer them toward recovery, responsibility, change that it is hard to resist the urge to remind them what they need to do to get there. When in reality, they pretty much know all this already.
In this short podcast, I share the approach I have used to have healthy conversations with my addicted son. While it sadly has not changed the choices he is making, it has enabled us to have very productive conversations that allow me to convey my unconditional love, hope and my commitment to him regardless of his mess.
I have learned that these conversations are more impactful to him because he always leaves knowing he is loved and left with something that reminds him there is hope.
If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. You can reach me with your questions or concerns at: dave@100Pedals.com
Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com
The last scheduled speaking stop on the Cycling for Recovery Mission was in Somerset, PA on Sunday, September 25. With nearly 35 people attending this event at St. Francis in the Fields Church, I shared the story of my journey with my younger son's addiction and the impact it had on our family.
The chaos and pain of the addiction of a child can often break a parent as they often go all in to save their child. I was one of those parents. It took me almost eighteen months before I realized how destructive my son's addiction was on my life - relationships, home life, health, and business.
In this talk, I share the struggle in my journey. More importantly, I share my story of how I learn to love my son and help him through his struggles while learning to live and celebrate my life in healthier, happier, more peaceful and powerful way.
Dave Cooke made a presentation in Godfrey, IL on Tuesday, September 6 at the United Methodist Church. Dave shared the story of his journey with his youngest son's heroin addiction and his testimony in how he has found peace and hope in the chaos. 100Pedals is sharing this message to provide guidance and inspiration to other parents struggling with the addiction of a child.
This talk was part of 100Pedals' Cycling for Recovery campaign a 3600 mile cross country cycling ministry. The mission with this ministry is to provide love and support to family members struggling with the issue of the addiction of a loved one while bringing education and awareness to the issue of addiction in our communities. To learn more about the Cycling for Recovery Mission - http://cyclingforrecovery.com.
Today's guest, Midwestern Mama, went searching on the internet to find the answers for dealing with her son's addiction. Frustrated by her inability to find cohesive information for simplest of searches, she knew she would need to build a better on-line community, someday.
In the meantime, she studied, researched, and interacted in many of the same ways every parent does. Except, she kept a mindful eye on managing the other relationships and resposibilities in her life - her other children, her husband, and her career. Maintaining balance while learning, while growing an on-line support community helped her navigate and evolve through the difficult, challenging, and painful experiences of her son's addiction.
Today, her online community, Our Young Addicts is a manifestation of the lessons learned and the resources built through her journey and experiences, plus the wisdom and insight of others.
Resources:
Our Young Addicts (Website)
Our Young Addicts (Twitter)
Our Young Addicts (Facebook)
How do our belief systems affect our behaviors and responses to a child’s addiction?
Do you want to learn how to better navigate the obstacles that get in our way?
Have you ever struggled to find your way to a better, more peaceful life?
Welcome to the addiction conversation. Today’s guest, Tam Veilleux, is a mom, a transformational life coach, and a parent with a story about her child’s addiction. Leaning on every ounce of professional training and experience, she was able to work through her own painful, difficult and challenging experiences with addiction – including her son’s harrowing, near death overdose.
Tam shares her journey plus her passion and commitment for coaching other parents in similar situations. In this podcast she enlightens us with her three step approach to transforming our lives, even in the most chaotic and disruptive of situations.
Links to Tam's Coaching Programs:
http://www.choosebigchange.com/dealing-with-addiciton/
http://www.choosebigchange.com/recovery-coach/
Not many people survive a thirty year addiction filled life unless it is followed by a nine year celebration of recovery. Today’s guest, Michael Manning, is one of those special people. Not only has he been celebrating his nine year recovery he has utilized his experience and his journey to teach, coach, and counsel those who are in their own addiction battle.
Like many of our addiction conversation podcasts, Michael brings his personal brand of honesty, passion, perspective, and truth our interaction. Please join the conversation as Michael shares his views and experiences with drug courts, parents of addicted children, societal stigmas, and rehab facilities. There's a little something in here for all of us. Enjoy!
Today’s guest shares our passion, our desire, and our commitment to better treatment norms and outcomes for all people and families suffering from the effects of the disease of addiction.
Today’s guest, Lorne Hildebrand, is Executive Director of Edgewood Treatment Facility in Vancouver Island, Canada.
Our guest passionately and enthusiasticlly declares "the disease of addiction is treatable" and how it can be accomplished. He shares a proven, conventional and documented approach - though it is not as easy or simple as any of us would wish it to be. Lorne brings a refreshingly direct and honest conversation to the issue of addiction in our society, including the legal, medical, societal, political, educational and personal obstacles to obtaining and sustaining a proper treatment regimine.
There is nothing better that an authentic intellectual discussion about addiction - today's Addiction Conversation delivers in a wonderful way!
Today’s featured guest brings her powerful perspective to a very painful, personal story. On April 12, 2013, Arlene Rice lost her youngest son, Gabriel, to his addiction. Through her extended addiction journey, Arlene has lived, learned, and experienced a great deal. From the moment she held her son Gabriel in her arms for the last time, nearly two years ago, she has been on a passionate journey of faith, advocacy and education.
On today’s conversation she shares very moving and comforting perspectives for parents who are dealing with the addiction of child and for parents who have lost a child to their addiction. In today’s conversation, Arlene reminds each of us the incredible power and peace discoverable and accessible in the resources around us.
Arlene’s message of faith, hope, love and restoration are quite compelling. Combining her past experiences with a relentless quest for knowledge and insight, Arlene brings wisdom to the addiction and parenting discussion. Those who take the time to listen to this podcast will be truly blessed for having done so.
Gabriel Project 930
Today’s guest, Chris Aguirre, has been in recovery from alcohol and drugs since 1997. From firsthand experience he knows sobriety may be simple but is not always easy.
Chris shares an interesting recovery story and brings a unique perspective to his conversation. For Chris, recovery wasn’t connected to a treatment program or sustained by traditional methods. Though he followed an untraditional, somewhat ill-advised path to his recovery, his eighteen year sober journey has been reflective and elightenting.
It is in conjunction with his perspectives of past and present that Chris has made a commitment to be a resource to those who are dealing with their addictions.
In our conversation, Chris comments on:
- His own challenges dealing with the addiction of a loved one;
- The joy that comes from witnessing others grow in their sobriety;
- The power that comes with positively reflecting on your past without trying to hide or forget it;
- How he found contentment in recovery and life.
We are often blessed by the gifts from those who share their stories and experiences in the conversation and this is certainly one of those enlightening ones! Enjoy!
Follow Chris' work through his website: Since Right Now
Today’s guest, Chavonne Long didn’t know what to do when she realized her son had an addiction. Rather that react, she responded. Her response was to learn everything about addiction, the impact that her son’s drug of choice had on his brain and on his recovery, and she set out to manage how the family would interact and communicate in the face of this issue.
It wasn’t always smooth or easy. It was like learning a foreign language. She did it.
Addiction can and does destroy families. Today’s podcast offers constructive perspectives on how to minimize or better manage the impact of addiction on the family.
In this podcast, we cover three critical learning areas for parents who are struggling with addiction in their family:
- How to create and define expectations for everyone, including the one with the addiction, that facilitates respect, communication, and understanding;
- The critical importance of self-care in coming from place of strength and clarity in managing this issue;
- The power that comes from being open, vulnerable and accessible in your external world. Hiding is not healing. Healing only comes when you bring your issue into the open to find and discover those who can and will help you on your journey.
My gratitude to Chavonne for sharing her message with us today. I know you will all appreciate her perspectives and insights. Peace.
Today’s conversation features Jennifer Miller - a mom with two perspectives to her addiction story. As a professional therapist, she works with young adults and their families dealing with the issue of addiction on a daily basis. As a mom, she witnessed the devastating effects of addiction through her 27 year old son’s opioid addiction battle.
As more and more stories of children dying from addiction overdoses have been shared, Jennifer made a commitment to be more involved, engaged, and active. Her passion for this cause clearly resonates in our conversation.
Listeners to this podcast will learn from her story about her son. How he went from a wildly popular, accomplished, scholarly student to a young man struggling with his addiction.
Plus, we discuss the impact that labeling people “addicts” has on their recovery, the perceptions it reinforces, and how we can change the addiction discussion simply by changing how we talk about it.
As Jennifer declares there is a battle out there; but, it is not the battle we think we have been fighting. “It’s not a war on Drugs, It’s a war on People.” To fight this battle we must all be engaged, educated, and supporting each other.
Reference Links:
Redemption House (Facebook Page)
Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (Website)
Chasing the Scream (Book)
Beyond Addiction (Book)
Today’s podcast features an incredible, if not improbable story. At 22, Jack Kelly was homeless, living on the streets, and addicted to heroin. Having lost everything that was important to him – his family, his athletic prowess, his dreams – all he had left was his addiction.
Even though they don’t have to, too many stories end here. Fortunately, for us and for Jack this story demonstrates that recovery is possible. That hope is not wasted. And, those who find their recovery are capable of incredible, successful life outcomes.
When you listen to this podcast, you will hear how Jack found his recovery, turned his life around while living and celebrating an accomplished, exciting life – running for office in his hometown of Boston, working for and mingling with community leaders, and even developing an IRecover App to help those in recovery connect with others in the same situation. Never lose hope, never give up – it possible. Jack is proof amazing recovery stories can and do happen!
Links of Interest:
Twitter: @Jack Kelly111
Facebook: Jack Kelly
IRecoverApp
Jack's Story
When it comes to parenting and addiction, “sometimes you have to think out of the box.” Today’s conversation features the story of a mom, Gerry Standard, who found herself at a point of desperation. She didn’t know what else to and decided to trust her instincts and her research and do something different. Her “different” was Ibogaine and her experience began over six years ago.
We talked about Ibogaine with the staff at Crossroads, Inc. on a previous conversation. The team shared wonderful insights and opportunities for the Ibogaine approach.
It was quite interesting and compelling to hear the personal story of a family’s direct experience with Ibogaine. Since her daughter’s Ibogain treatment six years ago, she has been clean the entire time and has made great progress in reclaiming her life.
Those who listen to this podcast will again discover that Ibogaine is only part of the recovery process. Aftercare is also the other critical component; plus, a willingness to all members of the family in recognizing responsibility for making changes in their own life as part of the recovery process.
If you have not listened to the podcast on Ibogaine, I would encourage you to listen to it as part of the educational process. Gerry shares and supports much of what is presented in the Ibogaine podcast; but, it is even more impactful when listened to in conjunction with the previous Ibogaine conversation.
Gerry also shares her 10 Rules for Dealing with Your Addicted Child.
*Note: Please do not confuse Gerry’s experiences with Ibogaine as an endorsement of the work being conducted at Crossroads, Inc.These are separate conversations and are not to be construed as related or a direct endorsement of the program at Crossroads.
Links:
Addiction Conversation: The Ibogaine Process
Ten Rules for Dealing with Your Addicted Child
What happens when a father’s recovery journey is not enough to protect his daughter from following her own addiction path? In today’s conversation we hear the story of father who spent a good part of his life fighting to find his recovery to be the dad he knew he could be. And, the subsequent story of his life in recovery as his daughter fought her own addiction battle until she nearly died from an overdose.
It has been a long journey, the lessons, experiences and outcomes of their choices have had lasting impact; but, love is the victor in this battle.
In this podcast you will hear about the journey of addiction, how guilt and hopelessness can trigger more abuse, and how recovery can be found in very unique and special ways. My thanks to Jeff Bertolet for sharing his incredible story and committing to using his story to inspire others.
Today's guest is a very special advocate for our children and loved ones. Judge Jodi Debbrecht Switalski, is a district court judge in Michigan. More importantly, she is clearly leading the way to help change the way addiction is managed in the courts, in our criminal justice system, and in society. She is a voice of education, awareness, and change.
As parents dealing with this adversity in our family, we can all be grateful for the presence of those who think forwardly and proactively. More importantly, we cannot stand by and have others fight our battles on our behalf. We must join in the fight for increased awareness, for improved education, and for the change that helps our children and loved ones in their battles with addiction.
Please listen to this podcast and learn more about the resources and programs that can help us in our battle. Nothing changes until we stand tall and fight for change. I promise, you will find hope and courage in this conversation! Peace!
Links of interest:
National Association of Drug Court Professionals
The Stutman Group
Dying to be Free
Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act
Judge Jodi's Bio
Everyone has that moment in their life when they realize something is wrong and change is required. Today's guest had that moment, acknowledged his reality, made a commitment and changed his life. As we learn in this conversation, we don't realize how serious our problem is until it shows up and gives us an unsolicited demonstration.
While many of our previous guests have been parents of those with addictions, today's guest Jim Humphreys is a mature adult, a parent, a man with a successful professional career. He also is in recovery from his addiction to alcohol and drugs.
Those who take time to listen to this conversation will find inspiration in his journey, education in his perspectives, and wonderful nuggets of quotable, repeatable words of wisdom.
Listen how hope, servitude, and commitment have transformed a broken life into a man reborn, rejuvenated in recovery.
Links of Interest:
Jim on Twitter: @CyRecovery
Jim's Blog: Cycle to Recovery
Positive Addiction (book)
Today's guest, Denise Mariano, shares the story of her family's journey with her son's addiction. While our conversation covered a wide range of topics like recovery, parenting, stigma, treatment, and community, the theme of our conversation centered around the power of communication as a tool to inspire, educate, coach, and encourage. Everyone battling with an addiction or struggling with the addiction of a loved one. While this fight may not yet be as successful as one would desire, the one certainty is that everyone involved is listening, learning, experiencing, and searching.
Listen to this podcast. The perspectives shared about how we communicate with ourselves, our loved ones, with others in similar situations is very, very powerful. Talking is healing, healing is listening, listening is understanding, and understanding is the gift you cannot live without or withhold from others. Please take time to listen to this conversation and be prepared share the gift of better communication.
Links of interest:
CRAFT (about)
SMART Recovery (website)
Partnership for Drug Free Kids (website)
Partnership for Drug Free Kids (coaching helpline)
When her daughter started using Crystal Meth, Barbara Stoefen didn't know what to do, so she did the only thing she could do - learn, get help for herself, and be open about her situation. Barbara learned early on the power of boundaries, consequences, and self-care. She quickly came to understand the only hope for her daughter's recovery was for her daughter to experience the consequences of her choices.
It was a decision that ultimately may have saved her daughter's life.
Please enjoy this conversation with Barbara as she shares her lessons and walks us through her journey. While Barbara's path was not always easy, it is extremely enlightening to hear how she proactively accelerated the learning curve and engaged in helping her daughter experience the consequences of her addiction driven choices. While these are not easy decisions for any parent, Barbara certainly presents a marvelous example of the power and opportunity in these behaviors.
Links of interest:
A Very Fine House (book)
Barbara Cofer Stoefen (website/blog)
Barbara Cofer Stoefen (Facebook page)
Barbara Cofer Stoefen (Twitter)
Tragedy changes us, it transforms us, it crushes us. While some are broken by the loss, others grab hold of the horns and fight through to make a difference in the lives of those around them.
This is the story of Tyler Armstrong Keister and his family. Lost to his addiction, Tyler's family have made a commitment to aTAcK Addiction! Their efforts to being education and awareness to families in the Delaware area is inspiring and game changing. They may never get past the loss of their son, but this family is committed to preventing other families from going through a similar journey.
When you listen to this podcast you will hear the all to familiar story of a wondeful, talented young man taken far too early in his life by addiction. You will also hear about a family's relentless commitment to educate, inform and inspire. Finally, you will hear about activities and resources that have been created and developed in Delaware that need to expand into other states. This could be your call to action.
Links of Interest:
aTAcK addiction website
helpishereDE
aTAck addiction 5K Race
Shatterproof.org
Every great story begins from much the same place. What makes any story great is not where it begins, but where it takes us.
The story of today's guest begins at the same place many of our Addiction Conversation stories do. It may be challenging or repetitive to hear listen to another story that starts from that dark place known as addiction, overdose and loss. It the only way to truly appreciate the success, the lessons, and the experience of the hero's journey is to know where their personal story begins.
What you will hear today is the journey of a single mom, who lost her son in 2013 to an overdose. While her son traveled in and out of treatment facilities for years, he eventually lost his battle with his addiction.
Every conversation is an opportunity to be inspired, informed, and educated. This conversation with Mary Beth Nametz is much the same. Listen to her story as she shares her experiences on her journey, her commitment to find recovery resources for parents who need answers now, and her other projects like providing coats to the homeless.
Heard on this podcast: "Unless life becomes so unbearable to the point they don't want to do this anymore, nothing changes. If we keep picking up the pieces for them they will never get to that point."
Links of Interest:
A Beautiful Mess Foundation
A Beautiful Mess Foundation (Facebook)
Every parent goes through the process. There are four stages to the learning curve when it comes to a child's addiction - shock, anger, detachment, peace. Not every parent finds the third or fourth phase. This mom did. It is not easy. But, it is possible.
Today's podcast features, Melissa Porche. Melissa is a mom whose oldest daughter is battling her addiction demons. There was a time, only months ago, where Melissa was stuck, didn't know what to do, and realized her daughter's problem was in complete control of her life and her family.
Today she has found peace in the storm. She reached out, found her trusted resources, took their advice, followed her instincts, and gave it to God. This is her inspiring, insightful, and authentic story.
References:
Three Ways to Rise Above the Addiction Drama
The Joey Song
A Time to Heal
We took a unique break from our traditional format. Instead of having a guest on this podcast, we opted to ask our parent listeners to provide issues and struggles for host, Dave Cooke, to reflect on. The response was tremendous. Thank you! From your submissions, we selected five questions that best reflected the general tone of all your questions.
Today's podcast focuses on the following topical areas:
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Dealing with a child who is not ready to embrace recovery; yet is at tremendous risk if they don't.
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The challenges of finding effective recovery programs for our children.
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Inspiring a child to get on with their life, post recovery.
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Responding to societal related issues of family, friends, relatives -judgement, scorn, ignorance - who just don't understand the roller coaster pain of a parent's addiction journey.
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Handling family divides, especially between siblings, that result from everyone's respective addiction related experiences.
Thank you to the parents who submitted questions. We will do this again. My son has offered to participate in our next Q&A session to bring someone with personal addiction experience and perspective into the conversation.
Next week (January 8) we will resume our series of guest interviews. In the meantime, enjoy and many blessings to you and your families through this holiday season and into 2015!
About this Podcast:
Having heard much enthusiasm for Ibogaine Treatment from parents across the country, it was hard to say "no" to Crossroads Treatment Center when they asked to be part of The Addiction Conversation.
While I didn't really hear the word "cure" to describe the experiences of parents whose children received Ibogaine treatment, they came close. Reluctantly agreeing to host the team from Crossroads, I was pleasantly surprised at what I learned and heard.
I am hoping that those with addictions and family members of people with addictions will listen very closely to the entirety of this interview.
What you will hear and learn:
Ibogaine is one critical, valuable step in the Crossroad treatment program. Ibogaine provides great benefits in clearing the mind and eliminating the craving. Ibogaine alone would not be enough. The "drug" is not the only piece to this puzzle. There are two other critical steps in the CrossroadsTreatment Center recovery program. These steps are, in many respects, essential to anyone searching for a path to their recovery.
The key to their recovery program is in how the other two steps leverage the benefit of the Ibogaine treatment. Without this three step approach, the "drug" component of this program would not be nearly as successful. The three steps are: Pre-treatment, Detox, Post-treatment.
There are parallel insights in this interview which offer wonderful educational perspectives on the keys to effective and successful recovery, in general.
Examples of the insights contained in this podcast include:
- The easy step to treating addiction is the detox component, the challenging task is aftercare and sustained recovery.
- People know what they need. By creating an authentic space where they can be safe, vulnerable and speak their truth, they can begin to layout and embrace their own recovery plan.
- When a person comes into a treatment program in a mindset of commitment and dedication to change and not tied to the program to make the change for them, they are much more likely to be successful.
- Planning and envisioning your future prepares the patient to start working on their future.
- A patient cannot go into treatment without first cleaning up and changing their environment before they go - otherwise they simply come back to the same stuff.
Key links:
"The Ibogaine Experience" (article)
Crossroads Treatment Center (website)
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Our guest: Meet Lorelie Rozzano. Seventeen years ago, she entered into a local treatment center. Less concerned about recovery and more committed to playing the game in order to get back to her addictive ways, she received something she didn't expect to find - recovery.
She finally discovered in recovery what she had been searching for in alcohol and drugs.Having grown up in an alcoholic home she understands first-hand, the importance of a healthy family. Since her recovery, she has become a successful author, mother, wife, daughter, grandmother, foster parent, counselor, sister and friend. Her passion is to help others recover from the effects of addiction in their lives.
As a writer she shares an authentic and insightful honesty to educate and enlighten families, parents, and those who are addicted. It is her quest through the honesty found in her books and in her blog, that those in addiction and their families will be inspired to search for the help they need. She wants everyone to discover and know there is hope for their situation!
What you will hear and learn:
You cannot apply logic to an illogical situation, you cannot apply reason to an irrational mindframe, you cannot bring a healthy person to an unhealthy person and get that unhealthy person well. All that will happen is a healthy person will become sick when continually exposed to the habits of unhealthy behaviors.
A parent can't love a child well and can't reason a child well. The underlying issue of addiction goes beyond simply the addiction. Its a family disease, no one gets there alone. The family has to also be willing to ask and go through anything they are asking the addiction person to go through.
Key takeaways:
- Eight symptoms of addiction
- Ten examples for parents and family members of "Going Too Far" to assist or help the addicted person in your life
- Lessons and guides for enabling and the stress parents feel in this situation
Helpful Links:
Lorelie's website: Jagged Little Edges
Gracie's Secret (book for children dealing with addiction)
What happens when a mom does everything she can, on her own, to save her son from his addiction? When she realized it made no sense to try to take her son into a recovery “battle he is not willing to fight”? What she did once he decided it was time to change his life!
- Learn how this mom experiences a massive transformation in her life.
Discover how she went from a place of complete self-denial, even protecting her family from the truth and reality of her son’s addiction, to a incredible wake-up call in the form of a heart attack. Today, mother and son are sharing a different, more inspiring, hopeful story about love, parenting, and addiction.
From “I am that mother who sits in church and says I don’t care what happens to me, please take care of my child.”
To "Its not okay to put your child before you at any cost…”
Links of interest:
Anita Devlin's Website and Blog
Addiction: Video Series
Addiction Video #2: "The Voicemail"
On this Thanksgiving Thursday, I am grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate my son's presence in my life and for his courage in sharing his addiction story. My youngest son, Brandon, offers very powerful insights and perspectives as a son dealing with his heroin addiction.
In conversation we discuss from his perspectives:
- His struggle and progress with his recovery
- The family dynamic in both relapse and recovery
- A very memorable conversation about Enabling
- The power and influence of boundaries
- What happened when he decided to change his life
If you have struggled to understand the mind and behaviors of an addicted person, you will be enlightened by this conversation. Grateful and impressed with Brandon articulate insights and comments. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to have this incredible conversation. Peace!
Addiction in a family is painful enough. Losing a child to their disease causes the deepest of hurts. Today’s podcast features a dad who is passionately and intently living the commitment he made to his son at his memorial service. This talk is blunt, authentic, and inspiring. Join us as we explore Bill’s journey through treatment programs, the social challenges every parent faces, and his personal commitment to educate and inspire. Thanks to Bill Williams for being on the Addiction Conversation today.
On November 29th, 2014 Elizabeth and her friends will run a half marathon to raise money to help individuals and their loved ones who are impacted by addiction. The money raised will be donated to the Where There's A Will Fund, which was founded in memory of Elizabeth's brother, William Head Williams, who died of a heroin overdose two years ago.
Links:
Where There's A Will Fund (Facebook)
Bill Williams Blog
Contact: Where There's a Will Fund
Donate to "Running for Will"
In a battle to communicate effectively with your addicted child?
Struggling to understand their choices and responses to your support?
You are not alone. It is a difficult and challenging learning curve for all parents dealing with addiction in their family.
The information in this podcast can and will help you...
Every parent feels a sense of responsibility for their child's addiction. Every one eventually comes to understand that guilt is part of the process; but, we are not to blame for the choices our children make.
A child's recovery from their addiction is a parent's highest priority. Just as we are not responsible for the choices that brought our child to their addictive situation, we are not responsible for their decisions in recovery.
How we communicate and interact with them can have a significant influence on how they manage their recovery.
Today's guest, Jill D. Cox, is a professional counselor specializing in treatment therapy. I connected with her through several professional groups on LinkedIn. I found her writings and comments particularly insightful and accurate. She has a great perspective for parents and a calming, steady approach in a very chaotic emotional environment.
Jill D. Cox (LinkedIn)
Jill D. Cox (Google+)
Even with a lifetime of experience behind her, this mom still struggled to manage her behaviors in response to her child's addiction.
Thirty-nine years clean and sober, a professional therapist, a passionate follower of the 12 Steps and firm believer in her faith. Seemingly the perfect resume for a parent to deal with addictions in her family - her son and her brothers. Despite her experience, her training, and her commitment she struggles with the adversity of addiction like we all do. Listen as Pam Hemphill shares her insights for finding strength, hope and encouragement through others to stay strong, at peace, and in control on her journey.
Links:
Time to Heal with Pam (YouTube)
Time to Heal with Pam (Facebook)
How many times have we heard a parent say, “I just don’t know why they would do this?” or “How could they possibly put themselves in that position?” My son used to remind me, “we cannot make sense out of nonsense.”
Today’s guest, Lisa Frederikson, sheds a bright light on: the various components impacting a child’s psychological and emotion development; the factors that can influence or impact the risk of addiction; and, how our child’s mind evolves over time.
Many of these concepts have been discussed and introduced to most of us, few have ever had the opportunity to have it delivered in such an organized, intellectual, and educational fashion.
This is one podcast the parents of an adolescent child cannot miss. Enjoy!
Every parent desires to be effective communicating and understanding their child. When dealing with the emotionally charged issue of addiction in the famaily, it is even more important to have productive interactions with their child.
Today's guest, Cathy Taughinbaugh brings the insights of her personal experiences with her children's ventures into alcohol and drug use together with her training to enlighten and inspire parents. The focus of our conversation is on the power of understanding and effective communication when dealing with addiction in the family.
Cathy also sheds light on the CRAFT program at the Center for Motivation and Change, their recent and powerful book "Beyond Addiction" and her experiences as volunteer coach for the Drug Free Kids Parent's Hotline.
Cathy is an incredible and inspiring resource, a curator of valuable information, and her empathetic and nurturing spirit is a gift to parents looking to better manage the adversity of addiction is their family.
Looking for some hope and insight - I promise this is worth your time.
Links to resources mentioned on the podcast:
Partnership for Drug Free Kids (main page)
Partnership for Drug Free Kids (Helpline)
Center for Motivation and Change
Beyond Addiction (book)
Cathy Taughingbaugh (blog)
Beyond the Yellow Brick Road (book)
Today's guest, Dean Dauphinais has two sons. His oldest son suffered from depression that ended up manifesting itself into a heroin addiction. Fortunately, his son managed to embrace his recovery and is now over 800 days clean and sober. While the story could end there, this is only the beginning. Dean and his wife have applied many of the lesson is this experience to strengthen their relationship, to embrace sobriety in their life, to use it as a educational reference for their other son's life, and share the inspirations and insights of their journey to support other parents going through similar challenges. There are great nuggets in this podcast and I am grateful for Dean's time, his authenticity, and his wisdom.
You can follow Dean his writing platforms:
My Life as 3D
Huffington Post
Heroes in Recovery
Today's guest, Cindie Vertefuille, was hit with a perfect storm in her life. In what seemed like a single moment, everything in her life completely changed. In the midst of that crisis she discovered that her life, no matter how messed up it was, mattered. Realizing she mattered, everything took on a new perspective and she began a transformational journey that helps her celebrate her life, offer love, and embrace the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate what she has. This is a wonderful interview for any parent struggling to find their path in the chaotic storm of addiction in their family.
Today's guest, Angie Geren, discovered the power of self-care and self-love on her own journey. Having lived with addiction, abuse and personal self-loathing, she discovered how to value, appreciate, and celebrate who she was and is. Many parents go through the experiences of guilt and shame as they wrestle with the choas of a child's addiction. It only when they begin to take care of themselves in the simplest of ways, to quit assigning themselves blame for the situation, and begin to grow from those behaviors do they find the strength and the courage to manage the issue differently and celebrate their lives.
Sandy Swenson shares her story of her addiction related journey with her oldest son, Joey. A son who is lost to her, lost to the streets, and lost to his addiction. Despite the grief of this ongoing experience, Sandy enlightens us with her courageous commitment to find strength and joy in her commitment find the strength to live her life and honor her son. Even though the addiction has control over her son, she will not let help the addiction destroy him or destroy her. If she does, then the addiction wins. Listen to Sandy's powerful, insightful, and inspiring story.