Avoiding the Addiction Affliction: Recent Episodes
Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition
When does it stop being a party and start becoming a problem? Is there a way to steer clear of addiction? Every Wednesday, Mike McGowan, host of the podcast "Avoiding the Addiction Affliction," explores substance use disorders with expert guests. The podcast series is sponsored by the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition.
Working with people with substance use disorders means working with the person’s whole self, body, mind, spirit, and environment. Dr. Sarah Nasir talks about her holistic approach to addiction medicine and the challenges that underserved populations face in getting the help they need to discover their whole selves. Dr. Nasir is a dual board-certified family medicine physician with a sub-specialty in addiction medicine. An alumna of UC Davis, she majored in Biological Systems Engineering and later pursued her passion for medicine at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Currently, as the medical director at a methadone clinic, Dr. Nasir specializes in treating patients with opioid use disorders. She founded several holistic wellbeing-focused startups, including Tripti-v, Transcendant You, and the nonprofit Pacific Oasis Foundation. Dr. Nasir’s work and links can be found at https://www.facebook.com/sarahnasirdo/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Mimi Tallo grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a northeastern, blue-collar town. She was surrounded by dysfunction, abuse, and addiction. She was also surrounded by relatives she didn’t find out were relatives until she dove into her genealogy. Mimi talks about her upbringing and her father’s life-long belief that he was Sicilian and how it shaped him and their family. He was, at it turns out, Irish. Mimi is a speaker, author, and podcast maven. Access to her books and story are at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mimi-Tallo/author/B09FJ4K65Y?ref=ap_rdr&ccs_id=1efbf676-940e-40e8-bfea-5065d5941dc7, and her podcast can be found at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-heard-empower-yourself/id1680364703. Her previous podcast about her memoir, "Raised by Wolves Trapped by Demons," can be heard at https://ataapodcast.com/raised-by-wolves-trapped-by-demons/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
What we feed our bodies has a tremendous effect on our physical and mental health. Lis Schmelzer discusses the importance of being aware of how what we consume affects all our bodies’ systems. She also discusses the role of functional medicine in bringing our bodies and minds into a state of well being. Lis is a Clinical Nutritionist, Nutrition Sales Executive, and wellness advocate. Additional information and Lis’s contact information can be found at https://nourishwisconsin.com/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Mental health needs are at an all time high. Mental Health America Wisconsin is an organization that helps people in desperate need of immediate help. Funding for their Uplift Wisconsin Statewide Warmline, which took 24,000 calls in 2024, was abruptly cut by the federal government recently. Martina Gollin-Graves, the Executive Director and CEO of Mental Health America Wisconsin, discusses their work, their services, and the challenges they face to continue serving people in need. Martina and Mental Health America Wisconsin can be supported and reached at https://www.mhawisconsin.org/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
“Keep it to yourself” is not a great tag line when it comes to your mental health. It’s even less healthy when you’re a police officer and deal with trauma daily. Adam Meyers discusses his work and the crisis that led him to addressing his and others’ mental health. Adam has been a Police Officer in Wisconsin for 23 years. He is also a Certified Peer Specialist in Wisconsin and founder of “Stop the Threat - Stop the Stigma.” Adam and “Stop the Threat - Stop the Stigma” can be reached at https://stopthethreatstopthestigma.org/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
K.J. Aiello is a Canadian who describes herself as a mentally ill writer. It is, she says, who she is. K.J. discusses her fabulous new book, "The Monster and The Mirror." It's a unique blend of memoir, research, and cultural criticism in which K.J. tries to understand her own mental illness using "The Lord of the Rings," "Game of Thrones," and other stories as guides to heroism and agency as well as cautionary tales of how mental illness is easily stereotyped as bad and violent. K.J. and her work can be accessed at https://www.kjaiello.ca/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
The field of addiction medicine and mental health has seen incredible innovation over the past two decades. Dr. Mark Hrymoc discusses those innovations and where they may lead. Dr. Hrymoc is the Founder of the Mental Health Center in Los Angeles, California. He has extensive expertise in the psychopharmacology of addiction and other mental health disorders. He is double board-certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry and was previously board-certified in Addiction Medicine. Dr. Hrymoc previously held the position of Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, where he supervised training psychiatrists at the Addiction Psychiatry Clinic. He and the Mental Health Center can be reached at https://www.mentalhealthctr.com/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Drugs don’t care where you grew up, went to school, or what you majored in. When you develop destructive habits, though, you have an opportunity to turn your life around by developing new, healthier habits. Dr. Jason Giles discusses the road to recovery from substance use disorders. Dr. Giles is a graduate of University of California Berkeley. He earned a degree in molecular biology and then earned his medical degree from UC Davis. Dr. Giles completed an internship in General Surgery, residency in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and earned board certifications in Anesthesiology and Addiction Medicine. He was a cardiac anesthesiologist and pain specialist before devoting his full attention to addiction medicine starting in 2005. He is the author of a new book, “The Addiction Doctors Manual for Behavioral Health Technicians: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do” and a previous book, “Outsmart Your Addiction.” His books can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Addiction-Doctors-Manual-Behavioral-Technicians/dp/1735081914 and https://www.amazon.com/Outsmart-Your-Addiction-Powerful-Developed/dp/1735081906 Dr. Giles can be reached at https://addictiondoctors.com/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
It is not trite to say that some people see challenges as obstacles and others see them as opportunities. Katy Arvidson was ten years old when she was diagnosed with Pompe disease. In spite of that diagnosis, she kept going and eventually obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work. Katy is currently Ms. Wheelchair Alaska, embracing a platform of not just surviving but thriving. She talks about her life, work, and dedication to helping people. Katy can be supported and reached through The Dane Foundation, whose mission is to provide for the unique needs of individuals with physical and developmental disabilities: http://thedanefoundation.org/donate.html More information about the Ms. Wheelchair USA competition can be found at: https://www.mswheelchairusa.org/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Desilynn Smith lost her husband to drugs in 2021. Her husband, a Black man, belonged to one of the highest demographic groups in our country losing their lives to drugs: older Black men. Desilynn talks about her work with that community and her dedication to doing that work in her husband’s memory. Desilynn is the Executive Director of Uniting Garden Homes, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Special Education and a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling, specializing in Substance Abuse Counseling. With over 20 years dedicated to serving her community, she has focused on addressing the injustices within the justice system, advocating for individuals with mental health issues, and tackling community trauma. Uniting Garden Homes, Inc., their many programs, and Desilynn can be reached at https://www.ughinc.org/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Jessica Guerrieri is a writer and novelist who lives in Northern California with her husband and three daughters. With a background in special education, Jessica left the field to pursue a career in writing and raise her children. With over a decade of sobriety, she is a fierce advocate for addiction recovery. She discusses her recovery and her award-winning debut book club fiction novel Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Jessica’s book, other works, and contact information can be accessed at https://www.jessicaguerrieri.net/. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Some people seem to be born to help others. Rev. Dr. Monica L. Cummings is one of them. She has dedicated her life to being of service to others. Drawing on her experience as a college basketball player, Army Officer, Peace Corps Volunteer, parish and community minister, university faculty member, yoga and meditation instructor, and substance abuse counselor, Rev. Dr. Cummings supports those she works with with an inclusive, non-judgmental, compassionate, and relational approach to the healing process. In this podcast, she discusses her life’s work, interests, the importance of community, and recovery. Information about Dr. Cummings and iRest yoga can be found at iRest Store. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
If you ask almost anyone about the time of year that people feel the most down, the time people are most at risk for depression, suicide, and increased substance use, they will answer winter. Surprisingly, perhaps, the research shows that it’s actually when spring moves into summer. Joshua Arvidson discusses that research and what can be done to help individuals improve their mental health during challenging times of the year. Joshua is Chief Operations Officer for Alaska Behavioral Health. He is a licensed clinical social worker and an expert in trauma informed care for children who established the Alaska Child Trauma Center at Alaska Behavioral Health. He serves on the Steering Committee for SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network and is the Principal Investigator for the Military Family Child Trauma Program. He’s also on the Editorial Review Board for the Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma and has presented on childhood trauma at over 100 conferences, including the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Joshua serves on the Board of Directors for FOCUS and has designed and taught courses on clinical practice with children and adolescents and childhood trauma for the University of Alaska Anchorage. Joshua has published in the journals Child Welfare 360, Child Maltreatment, the Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, and Trauma, Abuse and Violence. Alaska Behavioral Health, its resources, and its programs can be reached at https://alaskabehavioralhealth.org/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Like a lot of young people, Bradie Ewing dreamed of playing college and professional football. He became one of the few to achieve that dream, but all too soon, the dream ended. Bradie discusses how to reset your life, your goals, and your dreams. Bradie Ewing is a National Account Coordinator for Kelley Supply, Inc. He is also a motivational speaker, sales professional, and former college and professional football player who played with the University of Wisconsin before moving into the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons. He can be reached at https://www.instagram.com/bradie.ewing/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Getting help for mental health and substance use issues is not easy. It’s made more difficult when access to the appropriate care is denied. Kandyce Walker discusses her work with people experiencing mental health crises, and her advocacy to get them the help they need. Kandyce was the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Nursing at Trauma Recovery Institute in Cedar Park, Texas. That center, unfortunately, closed due, in part, to lack of reimbursement. Kandyce began working in trauma and recovery in 2006 as an EMT, then worked as a Paramedic, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and now as a Registered Nurse. Working with patients throughout the process of a physical trauma, Kandyce was witness to its impact on people both physically and emotionally. Kandyce can be contacted at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandyce-walker-rn-8979a6120 The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
It’s not unusual that those who have experienced substance use disorders or severe mental illnesses have had interruptions and difficulties in their employment. Re-entering the workforce in recovery presents obstacles. Abbie Timmerman talks about the challenges and opportunities people new to recovery with issues in their employment history face when seeking employment. Abbie is a Talent Acquisition Leader & Business Partner with the Panaro Group, a 100% woman-owned recruitment firm with over 30 years of expertise in building a Recruiting Center of Excellence. Abbie has a decade and a half of success delivering effective, targeted talent acquisition, people development strategies, and programs for business and industry. The Panaro Group can be reached at Panaro Group | Your Strategic Recruiting Partner The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Getting help for a substance use disorder is not a one-stop proposition. There are obstacles, doubts, backslides, and often frustrating delays, waiting lists, and an absence of resources. Nanci Schiman talks about the challenges an individual encounters when finally making the decision to stop using substances and get help. Nanci is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience in the mental health field working with adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Getting help can be challenging, but it is well worth the lifesaving effort. Nanci can be reached at info@orendacounselingservices.com. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Mimi Tallo grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a northeastern, blue-collar town if there ever was one. Surrounded by dysfunction, abuse, and addiction, Mimi talks about her struggle to make something of her life while battling the demons that seemed to pop up around every corner. Mimi is a speaker, author, and podcast maven. Access to her books and story are here, and her podcast can be found here: Be Heard: Empower Yourself The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Tom LaGrave is a former Navy SEAL. His military career ended due to drug use. After a recovery program, he set out on a new journey. It began with his working with adolescents, then a return to higher education, and finally licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He is the author of a new book, called “Special Welfare . Social Warfare,” which pulls together all of his many years of experience, giving a roadmap of hope, especially to younger people. Tom and his socials can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlagravejr/. More information about the Honor Bound Academy can be found at Honor Bound Academy The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Eddie Jones is an attorney who found himself in trouble with drugs and with the law. A federal prison sentence allowed him the opportunity to get help and turn his life around. Now, twenty-three years into recovery, Mr. Jones is an attorney in the Paducah, Kentucky, office of Boehl, Stopher & Graves and is also the McCracken County Commissioner. After years of helping others through his volunteer work, Eddie recently received a pardon from President Joe Biden. He discusses his troubles and his recovery. He can be reached at https://bsg-law.com/edwin-jones/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
There isn’t a script to follow that turns growing up in a chaotic family into living a life of peace and serenity. In fact, it seems like a miracle when someone does turn that life around. Melissa Huray is a former radio and television broadcaster, an addiction counselor, and an author whose memoir "Blackout to Blessing” chronicles her path towards sobriety and salvation. Melissa is currently the Executive Director of the Lindell Recovery Network and the host of "The Hope Report,” a daily internet television show. She has also written a new book, a daily devotional called "Radical Freedom.” Access to her books and story are at https://melissahuray.com/, and daily internet TV show can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHopeReport The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
For many, spending time with family during the holidays is joyful and fulfilling. For others, spending time with family is emotionally challenging as they navigate varying degrees of disease, disinformation and dysfunction. Guida Brown talks about how we can take care of ourselves, set healthy boundaries, and handle relationship dysfunction with honesty and respect. Guida is the Principal for Guided by Guida and serves as the Community Relations Consultant for the US Drug Testing Laboratories in Des Plaines, Illinois. She has been an adjunct faculty member for Carthage College, University of Wisconsin -- Parkside, Concordia University, and Gateway Technical College. Guida is certified by the State of Wisconsin as a Substance Abuse Counselor, a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder trainer, and an Intoxicated Driver Program Assessor. She is also a Kenosha (Wisconsin) County Board Supervisor. She can be reached at https://guidedbyguida.guide/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Jordan Davis found himself at a crossroads between his passion and his addiction. He discusses the decision he made to get his life back on the road to success. Jordan is the director of operations of The Chocolate Moose, a restaurant and creamery in Bloomington, Indiana. He is also the host of the podcast “No Dishes,” a discussion dedicated to finding Bloomington’s culinary gems. He can be reached at The Chocolate Moose | Best Dessert in IN, and his podcast can be found at No Dishes Podcast | The Bloomington Food Scene. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
DJ Quam is in recovery from a substance use disorder but experienced ongoing depression and occasional anxiety. After discussing options with his partner and sponsor, he decided to try ketamine therapy. He discusses his experience and results. The FDA has warned that ketamine and compounded ketamine products aren’t approved to treat any psychiatric disorders, although a ketamine-derived drug called esketamine is approved for some people as part of treatment-resistant depression in a certified clinical setting. More information about the use of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression can be found here: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-treatment-resistant-depression-when-and-where-is-it-safe-202208092797 and here: FDA warns about compounded ketamine for psychiatric disorders. DJ’s previous podcast can be found here: We Have a Problem - Avoiding the Addiction Affliction The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
There are many roads to long-term recovery. Janice Claps discusses the road she took and her belief that predicaments are wholly self imposed through our own thoughts, actions, and behaviors. Janice is an Expressive Therapist at Lake Behavioral Hospital in Waukegan, Illinois. She is also a yoga instructor, CrossFit coach, meditation teacher, and recovery mentor. She is an Active member of The Phoenix Sober-Active Community and describes herself in her bio as “a sober health and wellness professional with a dark sense of humor who enjoys candy and mischief from time to time.” The Phoenix Sober-Active Community information can be found at National Sober Active Community | The Phoenix The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
The holidays are often a time of reflection and gratitude. Troy Schaefer shares a story about a moment with his father and how each of them viewed that moment moving forward. Troy is the Principal of Sevastopol, Wisconsin, Middle and High School. He was also a college pitcher and professional bowler, but, for this story, he was a son with a deep love and appreciation for the gift his father gave him.
Watch the Bowling With The Champs video clips: Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz6eHuj3Ms4 Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZhCPf-vbe0 The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Losing her father early in her life created a trauma that took Gail Taylor on a lifelong journey full of curveballs. Gail talks about turning that trauma into inspiration. Initially working in finance and experiencing remarkable success as an investment advisor, Gail fearlessly embarked on a profound second act in life that transformed her into a prolific songwriter, motivational speaker, and philanthropic force. She is the author of Curveballs: Unlocking Your Potential Through Personal Growth and Inspirational Music. Gail Taylor’s work and contact information can be found at https://www.gailtaylormusic.com/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
December 21 is the longest night of the calendar year. Michelle Sandberg, the Executive Director of the Hope Council in Kenosha, Wisconsin, discusses their second annual, “Light Up the Longest Night” event, remembering those who are suffering from or who have succumbed to addiction as well as honoring those in recovery. Michelle also talks about the challenges that organizations like the Hope Council face and the many programs they offer to help and heal local communities. Michelle and the Hope Council can be reached at https://www.hopecouncil.org/. Light Up the Longest Night registration and support information can be found at https://www.hopecouncil.org/how-you-can-help/special-events/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Daniel Ciccarone, MD, talks about the apparent decline of fentanyl deaths across the country in 2023 and early 2024 and the reasons why, if the data is accurate, that the decline might be happening. Dr. Ciccarone is a Professor of Family Community Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his work with addiction medicine, street drugs, particularly heroin and its many derivatives, and his work with the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS and related diseases in socially-marginalized populations. Dr. Ciccarone discusses what steps might be most effective to end the fentanyl spiral. Dr. Ciccarone can be contacted at Daniel Ciccarone • UCSF Profiles The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Stephanie Short began drinking in elementary school. By the time she dropped out of high school in her junior year, her use had intensified, and so did the problems that came with it. Taking whatever drugs were trending at the time, Stephanie’s use and difficulties continued until she got into enough trouble to end up in prison. And then she said, “enough.” Now, six years into recovery, she discusses how she got to a place of recovery and serenity. Stephanie is now a Certified Peer Specialist and Recovery Coach and the owner of Esares Wellness Services. She is also a Community Impact Coordinator for Health with the United Way of Door County, Wisconsin. Stephanie and Esares Wellness can be reached at linkedin.com/in/stephanie-short-7b6532259 The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
If we are to have a better understanding of our relationships with family, friends, society, and ourselves, we need a way forward. Rainie Howard, an award-winning CEO, bestselling author, and relationship expert, discusses her book, The Love Habit. Because a person’s self-image directly influences daily habits (emotional, mental, and physical), which then directly impact relationships with others, Rainie talks about how to develop habits that lead to a healthier sense of self. Rainie is a devoted wife, nurturing mother, and award-winning humanitarian. She is the host of her own podcast, The Rainie Howard Show. Her groundbreaking work has been featured on major platforms like FOX, NBC, and ABC, reinforcing her status as a leading authority on emotional intelligence, mental health, and spiritual growth. Rainie’s book, socials, and her other works can be accessed at Rainie Howard | St Louis Keynote Speaker | Motivational Speaker | Motivational Speakers The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Words matter. Words are powerful, so powerful that many of us avoid talking about certain topics because of the emotions the words create. Jessica Lahey, the author of the New York Times bestselling books, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence, discusses losing her good friend to depression and suicide and her hesitancy in writing about it. Jessica’s work, including her article about her friend Mary Moore, and contact information can be accessed at Jessica Lahey. Our previous discussion is here: The Addiction Inoculation - Avoiding the Addiction Affliction The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When people experience decline in their mental health, every part of their lives is affected. Sydney Reece discusses the need for an integrated approach in addressing a person’s mental, emotional, and physical selves. Sydney is the Vice President of Operations at Mind Body Optimization. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling from University of North Texas and has worked in multiple settings across the healthcare industry, including private practice, outpatient clinics, and inpatient hospitals. Mind Body Optimization is based out of greater Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas. They and Sydney can be reached at Mental Health Treatment Centers - Mind Body Optimization or by calling 972-590-9909. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
What would you do if your life’s partner, the father of your children, was planning on ending his life? That was the situation facing Jenny Prochut when she discovered that her husband, Chris, a police commander, had made plans to do just that. Jenny tells the story of what she did to gather the resources necessary to save Chris’s life. Chris Prochut is a mental health advocate and law enforcement suicide prevention trainer whose own mental health issues led to his starting “Talk2EndStigma,” a training and resource firm dedicated to starting the conversation to end the stigma of mental illness. He and Jenny occasionally co-present trainings to help law enforcement understand mental health trauma. They and “Talk2EndStigma” can be reached here: http://www.talk2endstigma.com/home.html Chris’s podcast, discussing his ordeal, can be found here: https://ataapodcast.com/episode/there-is-no-shame-asking-for-help/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Jacob Jansen and Douglas Darby embody their company’s mission of “connection, strength, and hope.” Both Jake and Doug are survivors in long-term recovery. Separately, they established several businesses focused on recovery and then collaborated in 2020, forming Turning the Page, a company that offers educational programs about mental health, substance use disorders, and behavioral change. Jake, Douglas, and Turning the Page can be reached at https://turningthepagenow.com The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Recovery from Substance Use Disorder is everything from a challenge to a celebration. The recovering community is ever-present to support folks through the challenges and to celebrate together every step of the way. Cindy Burzinski discusses her work with the recovering community and the many programs available at Wisconsin Voices for Recovery. Cindy is the current Director of Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, part of the UW-Madison Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH). She is also a licensed Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor, person in long-term recovery, and researcher interested in increasing access to supportive resources within the recovery community. Cindy and Wisconsin Voices for Recovery can be reached at https://wisconsinvoicesforrecovery.org/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Who helps the helpers when the helpers need help? And what if the helpers are law enforcement officers and first responders? Chris Prochut, a mental health advocate and law enforcement suicide prevention trainer, discusses his own mental health issues that precipitated in his starting “Talk2EndStigma,” a training and resource firm dedicated to starting the conversation to end the stigma of mental illness. Chris is a former Bolingbrook, Illinois, police commander, and recipient of numerous mental health awards. Chris and “Talk2EndStigma” can be reached at http://www.talk2endstigma.com/home.html The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
An increasing number of sober, sober curious, and recovering people have found that alcohol is not necessary. Kristi Tanner is a single mother of four in long-term recovery who serves as a recovery coach and the driving force behind Sober Social, a non-alcoholic bottle shop (AKA a "package store" or "party store") in Middleton, Wisconsin. Kristi is a passionate advocate for sober living and community inclusion. She discusses her recovery and her decision to open the first non-alcoholic bottle shop in the state of Wisconsin. Sober Social and Kristi can be reached at Sober Social, and Kristi’s Instagram is at @mocktailmommy. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Since the inception in 1980, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) has worked tirelessly to end impaired driving. In 2022 almost fourteen thousand people were killed by an impaired driver. Erin Payton and Karl Krull discuss MADD’s mission and work. Erin is a Director of Mission Operations for MADD, providing support and guidance to about twenty percent of the country. Karl is a Program Specialist for MADD in Madison, Wisconsin. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers’ national website is at Home - MADD. Walk Like MADD, Madison, Wisconsin, registration is at: 2024 Walk like MADD Madison The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Saturday, September 21, is World Gratitude Day. The benefits of expressing gratitude for our physical and emotional well being are many, but how do children learn gratitude, especially when so many are surrounded by negativity? Jacqui Letran, Author, Speaker, Nurse Practitioner, and Teen Confidence Expert discusses her latest book, Have You Ever Thanked Your Nose, a work geared towards helping young children, and their parents, begin to express appreciation for all that surrounds them. Jacqui’s multi-award-winning Words of Wisdom for Teens book series is considered a go-to resource for teens, parents of teens, and anyone working with teens. Jacqui’s contact information, socials, and many books, including her new series about gratitude, can be accessed at Your Mind. Your Life. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Indigenous educator and mental health advocate Tim Decorah discusses coping with undiagnosed mental health issues and his dedication to helping others. Tim is a Coach, Teacher, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Mentor. He is a former University of Wisconsin-Platteville basketball player who played under Hall of Fame Coach Bo Ryan. As a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, Tim hopes to serve as a face for those within indigenous communities who are struggling with mental health issues. He can be reached at https://www.coachdecorahllc.com/. The 2024 Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Seminar where Tim will be a keynote speaker can be found here: https://www.wisconsinconnect.org/2024aps.html The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When people think of drugs, they often think of the headline drugs, opiates, cocaine, meth. They rarely think of the drug they have at home in their refridgerator. Maureen Busalacchi discusses the number one drug in the country, alcohol. Maureen is the Director of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project (WisAPP), and has decades of experience in public health policy. She works at the Medical College of Wisconsin and is currently is President-elect for the Wisconsin Public Health Association and served as Chair of the ad hoc Workgroup on Alcohol Prevention for the Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse whose purpose was to develop evidence-based recommendations to reduce excessive alcohol use. She can be reached at Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project (WisAPP) | Medical College of Wisconsin. Information for the upcoming Alcohol Policy Seminar can be found at Alcohol Policy Seminar The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
A drug is a drug is a drug, unless that drug is alcohol, in which case it is, or is not, considered a drug, depending on where you live, how you grew up, and what part of the family you come from. Guida Brown discusses the difficulty in diagnosing Alcohol Use Disorder and the ongoing efforts to treat it as a disease. Guida is the Principal for Guided by Guida and serves as the Community Relations Consultant for the US Drug Testing Laboratories in Des Plaines Illinois. She has served as adjunct faculty for Carthage College, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Concordia University, and Gateway Technical College. Guida is certified by the State of Wisconsin as a Substance Abuse Counselor, a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder trainer, and an Intoxicated Driver Program Assessor. She is also a Kenosha, Wisconsin, County Board Supervisor. Guided by Guida The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
How does a mother recover from the loss of a child? Felicia Labatore talks about losing her son Clay, who took his own life at age sixteen, and her emotional recovery from that trauma. Professionally, Felicia is a police officer, speaker, and mental health advocate. Felicia can be reached through The Clay Davison Legacy Scholarship Fund at https://kenoshafoundation.org/scholarships/the-clay-davison-legacy/. Felicia’s YouTube video, “Fighting It’s in your DNA,” can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiPebVybkf8 The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Growing up isn’t easy. With so many social messages and daily reminders that you aren’t a finished product, it’s difficult to keep the negative messages out of your head. Jacqui Letran discusses her early-life obstacles and the work she has done to help young people find a positive path in their own lives. Jacqui is an Author, Speaker, Nurse Practitioner, and Teen Confidence Expert. She blends over twenty years of experience working with teens in the medical and holistic settings to provide time-tested, practical guidance to help teens embody Peaceful Confidence™. Her multi-award-winning Words of Wisdom for Teens book series is considered a go-to resource for teens, parents of teens, and anyone working with teens. Jacqui’s contact information, socials, and many books can be accessed at Your Mind. Your Life. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (FFAs), like all opioids, cause respiratory depression, but FFAs also cause a phenomenon called wooden chest syndrome (WCS). Dr. Torralva (Randy) discusses his research to reverse FFA overdose. Dr. Torralva is a board-certified anesthesiologist and specialist in Addiction Medicine with over 30 years in clinical medicine. He has extensive expertise in pharmacology, invasive monitoring, and CNS drug delivery of potent opioids and anesthetic agents, specifically fentanyl and its analogues. In 2018, seeing the need for new responses to fentanyl and fentanyl analogue overdose treatment, he started TORRALVA MEDICAL THERAPUETICS LLC (TMT-rx) and began self-funded, contract research work with the Portland VA to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of fentanyl toxicity. Dr. Torralva can be reached at Phillip R. Torralva, MD — tmt-rx.com. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
James Murdock, Jr., talks about his experience being part of the DAD Project, a City of Milwaukee Health Department program that works to strengthen the bonds between fathers and their children. Through weekly in-home visits and group sessions, the program supports Milwaukee fathers in engaging in early literacy activities, tracking their child’s development, and building a community of fathers. James is, as he says, a father, his most important job. The DAD Project can be accessed at DAD Project. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Substance use disorders and dysfunctional relationships often go hand in hand. In recovery, learning new, healthy relationship patterns is essential for long-term recovery and mental health. Mark Sanders discusses the trauma caused by toxic relationships and the healing that can — and must — take place. Mark is an international speaker, trainer, consultant, and the author of numerous books on behavioral health, including Relationship Detox: Helping Clients Develop Healthy Relationships in Recovery. Mark has been a certified addictions counselor for over three decades and has received numerous awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Addiction Counselor Certification Board. Mr. Sanders can be reached at On The Mark Consulting. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Trauma is a word used a lot today. Whether caused by events that happen naturally or through human ineptitude and cruelty, studies show an increase in people dealing with trauma. Jim Scarpace is the Chief Clinical Officer and Interim Community Division President at Gateway Foundation, one of the nation's largest providers of behavioral health services for clients diagnosed with co-occurring mental health disorders, and in this podcast he discusses how to recognize trauma, what it does to us, and what to do about it. Jim has over 25 years in administration, operations, and the treatment of mental health, substance use disorders, and criminal justice programs. Jim is also an assistant professor of Clinical Psychology at Benedictine University. Gateway Foundation can be contacted at their 24-hour hotline 855-925-GATE (4283) or at www.gatewayfoundation.org. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Substance use and misuse and mental health issues within a rural community can present many problems. From lack of available services and resources to economics and privacy issues, working in small towns and rural areas presents many challenges. Rachel Stankowski and Danielle Luther discuss those challenges and what the Family Health Center of Marshfield, Wisconsin, is doing about them. Rachel Stankowski, PhD, is an Operations Project Manager, and Danielle Luther, MPH, is a Senior Project Manager. Both work at Family Health Center of Marshfield, Wisconsin. The Family Health Center and its services can be reached at Family Health Center of Marshfield. The HOPE Consortium, its upcoming conference, and the webinar series can be accessed at HOPE Consortium – Supporting Treatment and Recovery in the Northwoods The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Substance Use Disorders affect every demographic, but the impact on some groups has received less attention. An estimated one million older people in the United States have a substance use challenge. Alexandra Plante discusses her article “Substance Use Challenges in Older Adults” and the substance use issues facing older adults. Ms. Plante is a Senior Advisor of Substance Use Disorder in the Strategy and Growth Office of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. She is a recipient of a Fulbright Specialist Award in Substance Use Disorder, leads the National Substance Use Interest Group, and volunteers her time with the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project. She has served as a consultant to U.S. federal agencies and state policymakers as well as to international agencies such as the United Nations Office of Drug Control and Crime (UNODC). The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, its resources, and Ms. Plante can be reached at https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/. For those in need of assisted living, Caring.com, https://www.caring.com/senior-living/assisted-living/assisted-living-and-addiction/, has put together a guide of questions that patients and families can ask of assisted living facilities about substance use disorder support. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Michael Rebellino talks about Crazy, his followup novel to his critically-acclaimed novel of recovery, Clean. In Crazy, Rebellino uses a creative mix of prose and poetry to examine the challenges of caring for a loved one’s mental health while managing one’s own recovery and mental health. Where is the line between self care and selfless care for others? Michael is a writer, a professional civil engineer, and a substance use disorder/mental health advocate. Michael’s information and his book can be found at Michael Rebellino The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Dr. Alice Feller grew up in a family affected by mental illness and then made it her life’s work. She discusses her work within the mental health system and her thoughts on the state of care available to those who need it. Her book, American Madness: Fighting for Patients In a Broken Mental Health System, is an honest examination of a system in need of overhaul. Dr. Alice Feller is a board-certified clinical psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and author. She has worked in private practice, hospital emergency rooms, psychiatric wards, chemical dependency programs, and public clinics in East Oakland, California, and beyond. Dr. Feller’s contact information can be found at Alice Feller, M.D. | Author of American Madness. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Patricia Roos, Professor Emerita of Sociology, was at Rutgers University when, in 2015, she lost her son Alex, who was 25 years of age, to a heroin overdose. As a professor who had devoted her career to the study and research of work, gender, inequalities, stratification, work/family dynamics, and addiction, Patricia shifted her research and advocacy interests, turning grief into activism. In her new book Surviving Alex, Patricia weaves together the personal and the sociological as she examines the broader set of factors implicated in mental health and substance use disorders. Patricia’s book, her other works, and contact information, can be accessed at Patricia A. Roos The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When one is stressed and under pressure, there are many paths towards healing and mental health. Jeanie Y. Chang discusses the unique role that K-dramas (Korean dramas) might play in that process. Jeanie Y. Chang is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and author of the new book, “How K-Dramas Can Transform Your Life: Powerful Lessons on Belongingness, Healing, and Mental Health.” She is an accomplished international speaker, providing keynotes and workshops for corporations, community organizations, and universities addressing the intersectionality of mental health and identity, DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), and psychological safety, as well as education about topics such as burnout, resilience, mindfulness, stress, and mental health conditions including anxiety and depression. Jeanie’s contact information, socials, and book can be accessed at Noonas Noonchi. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
It may take a village to raise a child, but how do you organize the village to care and work together? Timmie Sinclair talks about a prevention initiative called Communities That Care and what it takes to get it going and keep it going as well as how programs like these make a difference in people’s lives. Timmie Sinclair is a Community Impact Coordinator for the United Way of Door County Wisconsin. Communities That Care is part of the Social Development Research Group, an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners united in a common mission to understand and promote healthy behaviors and positive social development among children, adolescents, and young adults. Information about Communities That Care can be found at The Center for Communities That Care. Timmie Sinclair and The United Way of Door County Wisconsin can be reached at United Way of Door County – United We Fight. United We Win. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
“Suck it up” and “Deal with it” were phrases many men heard if they began to express their feelings while growing up. Ryan Kopyar saw multiple generations of men in his family live out those phrases. Ryan discusses his new book, Big Boys Do Cry: A Man’s Guide to Navigating Emotions and Showing Up More Vulnerable in Relationships, and the importance in expressing difficult emotions. Ryan is an internationally-licensed counselor and acclaimed author with a diverse background in holistic healing, counseling, and hypnotherapy. Ryan’s books, his other works, and contact information, including event speaking and booking, can be accessed at Ryan Kopyar Holistic Healing and Counseling The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Despite a growing acceptance, in many parts of our society, of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQIA+) community, this subset of the population has a significantly elevated risk of addiction and mental health difficulties compared to the general U.S. adult population. Recent studies have also shown that significant differences even exist among individual LGBQ and T subgroups. Kelly and Andrew, a mother - son duo, team up to educate folks about understanding and accepting gender dysphoria. Educational materials can be found at: 5 Short Videos for Teaching Students About What It Means to Be Transgender The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Loneliness, isolation, and stigma are hallmarks of substance use disorders and mental illness, yet recovery requires understanding and support. In the midst of his own recovery, Kurt Schmidt recognized that need and went about the business of meeting it. Kurt is the Founder and CEO of the PeerNetwork.com, which is a tele-health platform where recovering individuals who are self-determined in their journeys from mental illness and substance use disorders have access to online peer support and resources to empower them to lead fulfilling lives. Kurt is a Certified Peer Support Specialist and Licensed Master Social Worker. Kurt and The Peer Network can be reached at https://thepeernetwork.com/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
David Comer talks about the DAD Project, a City of Milwaukee Health Department program that works to strengthen the bonds between fathers and their children. Through weekly in-home visits and group sessions, the program supports Milwaukee fathers in engaging in early literacy activities, tracking their child’s development, and building a community of fathers. David is a Health Project Supervisor for the DAD Project and holds a Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling. The DAD Project can be accessed at DAD Project. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Chrissy Dunn began drinking and using marijuana in early high school. Before she graduated she discovered heroin and crack cocaine. What followed was a series of failed rehabs, relapses, and a pregnancy. Now five years into recovery, Chrissy discusses how she got to a place of peace. Chrissy got help at The Horizons Program at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. It is a substance use disorder treatment program for pregnant and/or parenting women and their children, including those whose lives have been touched by abuse and violence. Chrissy and the program can be reached at https://www.med.unc.edu/obgyn/horizons/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Recovery doesn’t happen in a vacuum any more than addiction does. Family, friends, and coworkers are all affected by the disease. Jim Savage discusses the importance of family education and support in recovery. Jim is the owner of “Rehab Works! Family Support Program” and Jim Savage Consulting. He is the author of Rehab Works! A Parent's Guide to Drug Treatment and a new ebook, Sobriety Doesn't Have To Suck: A Guide To Finding Happiness, Excitement, And Spiritual Fulfillment In Recovery. Jim has been helping individuals and families in recovery for over three decades. Jim’s’ contact information, video series, trainings, and other works can be accessed at Jim Savage, LCDC The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When a child’s caregivers are bullies, the child often carries the scars of that relationship around with them into adulthood. Dr. Ghazeleh Bailey discusses the trauma caused by those primary relationships -- and the healing that can take place. Dr. Bailey is a certified therapist, couple’s therapist, supervisor, and trainer with a PhD in Psychology. She is based in Berlin, Germany, and has a unique multi-cultural background and approach she uses to help people overcome childhood and generational trauma. Her work and research is focused on the healing power of emotional transformation and self-compassion. Dr. Bailey can be reached at Individual Therapy Berlin, and her YouTube channel. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Dr. Wendy Freitag discusses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is a comprehensive psychotherapy that accelerates the treatment of many different pathologies and trauma related to disturbing events and present life conditions. Dr. Freitag is a Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Therapy clinician, trainer, and consultant as well as a Professional & Life Coach with over 30 years of experience. She is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, Approved Consultant and Sr. Trainer for EMDR Institute of Dr. Francine Shapiro, and has been the President of the EMDR Research Foundation since 2006. Dr. Freitag can be reached at https://www.wendyfreitag.com/. To find an EMDR therapist in your area go to https:/www.emdria.org/ The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Sarah Rusbatch got to the point in her life where she realized that she was developing what she describes as a “dysfunctional relationship” with alcohol. She decided to remove it from her life in early 2019 and has never looked back. She's now an accredited “Grey Area Drinking” coach, helping other women (and men) enjoy the benefits of sobriety and improve their health. She talks about what “grey area drinking” is and the benefits of living alcohol-free. Sarah is the author of the book, “Beyond Booze: How to create a life you love alcohol-free.” She is a certified Women’s Health and Wellbeing Coach, an accredited Grey Area Drinking Coach, and a keynote speaker who shares with global audiences her journey to sobriety and the impact of alcohol on mental health. Sarah’s book and her other works can be accessed at https://sarahrusbatch.com The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
New York Times best selling author Maia Szalavitz talks about her most recent book, “Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction Is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addiction” and the future of drug treatment and policy. Maia’s previous New York Times bestseller, Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction wove together neuroscience and social science with her personal experience of heroin addiction. It won the 2018 media award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. She is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times and has written for numerous other publications, including TIME, Wired, Elle, the Nation, and Scientific American. Maia’s many works and contact information can be accessed at Maia Szalavitz. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
We all want peace in our world. We hope for it. We wish for it. And some of us work for it every day. Jill Sternberg has been working on peace and justice issues, primarily focusing on nonviolent conflict transformation, for more 35 years. She has supported nonviolent movements in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Currently, Jill is a restorative justice coordinator in a New York City high school. She is on the Board of The Restorative Justice Initiative. She came to restorative justice with a deep commitment to ending racism, a major cause of the violence permeating US society and culture. The work of the Initiative and Jill’s contact information can be found at Restorative Justice Initiative. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When does wagering cross the line from entertainment to problem gambling? Jerry Bauerkemper, a Consultant to the Office of Problem Gambling at the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), discusses the rise in problem gambling across the country. He is responsible for supporting IDPH Problem Gambling Treatment providers serving Iowans experiencing problems due to their gambling as well as providing support to their families. Jerry is a nationally-recognized expert on problem gambling and has provided training throughout the United States. Jerry’s contact information is at Jerry Bauerkemper | Your Life Iowa. Registration information for the conference Jerry will be speaking at can be found at https://www.wi-problemgamblers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2024-Conference-Brochure.pdf The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When a loved one dies tragically, there are questions, so many questions. Brian and Cindy Hoeflinger’s oldest son Brian died after drinking and driving. Dr. Brian Hoeflinger talks about how he and his family coped with the tragic loss and how they have tried to turn the tragedy into hope. Dr. Hoeflinger is an Ohio-based neurosurgeon whose passion and profession is saving lives. Instead of asking why his son died, Dr. Hoeflinger asks us to consider instead why he lived. The Hoeflinger family, their work, and contact information can be found at https://www.brianmatters.com. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
There are many ways to make a difference. Telling a story is perhaps the oldest and most effective way to get the message across. Glen Muse, an accomplished professional filmmaker and video producer/director whose experience includes contributions to productions for PBS, The Discovery Channel, ABC News, and The History Channel, discusses his work with Texas Pictures. Texas Pictures creates socially relevant, award-winning documentaries of substance about important topics in order to increase awareness and make a difference. Their work and Glen’s contact information can be found at https://www.texas-pictures.com/documentaries.html. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Children who grow up surrounded by trauma are affected differently by their adverse circumstances. Why do some children make it successfully into adulthood while others succumb to substance misuse, homelessness, crime, and mental illness? Dr. Kathryn Daley discusses her work with traumatized youth and the power of developed resiliency. Dr. Daley is a Senior Lecturer in Youth Work and Youth Studies and Theme Leader, Homelessness and Housing Insecurity - Social Equity Research Centre for Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Australia. She is interested in good, just, and equitable policy and how it impacts those on the margins. Kathryn is an academic with a background as a practitioner. She researches issues to do with disadvantaged youth and is author of the book Youth and Substance Abuse (2017). Her work has examined issues of poverty, child abuse, homelessness, self-injury, and mental health. She and her work can be found at https://www.rmit.edu.au/contact/staff-contacts/academic-staff/d/daley-dr-kathryn The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Anyone who has experienced chronic pain or has had a serious injury or surgery knows there is a role for pain-killing drugs. We’ve also all heard that those drugs can be dangerous when taken recreationally or incorrectly. Claudia Merandi discusses the important role opioids play in treating patient pain and the campaign to limit or eliminate those necessary drugs. Claudia Merandi is a former court reporter/owner of Merandi Court Reporting and is the founder and Executive Director of The Doctor Patient Forum and Don't Punish Pain Rally Organization. She is a patient advocate. Claudia and her organization can be reached at https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host, Westwords Consulting or the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Alcohol is such an integral part of our culture that deciding to stop drinking carries its own stigma...and benefits! Gabriella Flax talks about her decision to stop drinking and the physical and mental health benefits that being alcohol-free brought. Gabriela is a graduate of the University of St. Andrews and the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is a stress reduction coach whose goal, as she says, is to "help burnt out people become resilient people." Her contact information can be accessed at https://therppmethod.lpages.co/rpp-method-intake-form/ and her socials at https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriela_flax We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Men, young men in particular, make up the largest substance using demographic. Jim Scarpace talks about the baggage that comes with the cultural expectation of excessive use and how to break through the isolation that comes with the disease of Substance Use Disorders. Jim Scarpace is the Chief Clinical Officer at Gateway Foundation, one of the nation's largest providers of behavioral health services for clients diagnosed with co-occurring mental health disorders. Jim has over 25 years in administration, operations, and the treatment of mental health, substance use disorders, and criminal justice programs. He is also an assistant professor of Clinical Psychology at Benedictine University. Gateway Foundation offers a full continuum of care across a wide range of clinical settings and can be contacted at their 24-hour hotline 855-925-GATE (4283) or at www.gatewayfoundation.org. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Have you ever loved someone with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and felt completely alone? As a mother of a daughter with SUD, it’s a question Brandi Mac asks regularly. Brandi talks about what she has experienced and the changes she made in order to start meeting her daughter where she is while in active substance use. Brandi, her blog, her guide, Doing What You Can Live With, her social media, and her contact information can be accessed at https://bio.site/BrandiMac. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
What happens when mental illness intersects with substance abuse in a culture of silence? While You Were Out, a New York Times Editors Choice book by award-winning journalist Meg Kissinger, is a searing memoir of a family besieged by mental illness, as well as an incisive exploration of the systems that failed them and a testament to the love that sustained them. Meg is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and has won dozens of accolades, including two George Polk Awards, the Robert F. Kennedy Award, Investigative Reporters and Editors, and two National Journalism Awards. Ms. Kissinger teaches investigative reporting at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and was a visiting professor at DePauw University, her alma mater. Meg’s work and contact information can be accessed at https://www.megkissinger.com We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
K.J. Aiello is a Canadian who describes herself as a mentally ill writer. It is, she says, who she is. Canada’s medical assistance in dying (MAID) law, which first came into effect in 2016, is scheduled to be expanded in March of 2024 to give access to people whose sole medical condition is mental illness, which can include substance use disorders. K.J. discusses the implications of the proposed change and the obstacles to getting assessment and treatment for mental illness. To make end of life decisions just based on how insufferable mental illness can be without taking into account all the pieces of a very large, complicated life puzzle, K.J. says, doesn’t seem like a choice at all. Not everyone is served by the mental health and substance abuse system equally. K.J. is a Toronto-based mentally ill writer whose work includes essays, op-eds, and a soon to be released non-fiction book titled The Monster and the Mirror which explores the intersection of speculative fiction and mental illness. K.J. and her work can be accessed at https://www.kjaiello.ca We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When a culture submerged in alcohol consumption and sales comes out as a leader in excessive use among women and adolescents, it should surprise no one. Guida Brown talks about the latest studies showing Wisconsin among the nation’s leaders in alcohol consumption and excessive drinking and the mental health issues that correspond to that usage. Guida is a Community Relations Consultant with United States Drug Testing Laboratories. She also is an Adjunct Faculty member with Concordia University-Wisconsin and an accomplished writer. Her blog article “#1 Isn’t Always A Good Thing” can be read here: https://4csofaddiction.com/ and Guida can be reached at guidedbyguida@gmail.com. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Is weed addictive? That’s the question Walter Hendrickson asked himself as he began a thirty-day quest to stop smoking cannabis after nine years of daily use. Walter chronicled his journey daily on his TikTok account and first joined us on day six. We catch up with him here after 51 days to see how it all went. Walter talks about the discoveries, the temptations, the revelations, and the joy of the quest. Walter’s TikTok can be followed here, https://www.tiktok.com/@walterooski?_t=8gI2xTdG4vz&_r=1. His YouTube channel is at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=walterooski We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Mental health crisis doesn’t happen on a schedule or in a therapist’s office. Amber Heil talks about the work of the Milwaukee Mobile Crisis Team, a community-based intervention model that focuses less on psychiatric inpatient admissions and emergency room visits and more on bringing services to the individual in need. Amber is a Master-degreed Social Worker and a licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker. If you need help in the Milwaukee area, the Crisis number is (414) 257-7222. To learn more about the Milwaukee Mobile Crisis Team or to apply, go to, https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/DHHS/BHD/Mobile-Crisis-Recruitment We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Mommy Wine Culture is the pervasive message that alcohol helps women survive motherhood. That message couldn’t be more flawed and destructive. Celeste Yvonne pulls back the veil on what's really plaguing mothers and discusses her new book, It's Not about the Wine. Celeste Yvonne is a writer and certified sober coach with over twenty years of experience as a communications professional in corporate America. Her essays on parenting, the mental load of motherhood, mommy wine culture, and sobriety resonate with mothers everywhere and have been featured in the Washington Post and on Good Morning America, Today Show, and Refinery 29, among others. She is also a contributing writer to the Wall Street Journal's and Publishers Weekly bestseller, So God Made a Mother. As Celeste says in her book, “Alcohol is not the answer; it actually keeps us from being present during this precious time of motherhood.” Celeste’s book and her other works can be accessed at https://www.celesteyvonne.com We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When the goal is to transform the current system of how substance use disorder is viewed and treated and break the mold of the endless merry-go-round of this disease, you assemble a stellar group of scientists in the field to work as a team. And that’s what Nancy Davis did. Nancy is the Founder and President of Cure Addiction Now (CAN), an organization dedicated to start funding important, well-thought-out research and generate new discoveries for substance use disorders. Nancy and Cure Addiction Now can be reached at https://cureaddictionnow.org We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When people decide to stop using alcohol or other drugs, one of the first things they are often advised to do is “go to a meeting.” Soon after they are advised to “get a sponsor.” Kris and Nanci, Alcoholics Anonymous sponsors, discuss the role of the sponsor and the unique relationship between sponsor and sponsee. Finding support among a community of like-minded people is one of the cornerstones of recovery. You can find AA meetings here: https://www.aa.org/find-aa and NA meetings here: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/. More information about sponsorship can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Step-Sponsorship-How-Works/dp/1568381220?ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=0beb1ae9-59db-4504-a705-7fb9b584d696 We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Carmen Skarlupka lost her daughter to an overdose. Like many parents who go through a similar devastating tragedy, she wanted to help make sure it never happens to another family. Carmen is the Co-founder and President of Never Use Alone. Never Use Alone is a toll-free national overdose prevention, detection, life-saving crisis response and reversal service for people who use drugs while alone. Never Use Alone’s peer operators are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and can be contacted at 800-484-3731. No stigma. No judgment. Just love! Never Use Alone can be accessed at https://neverusealone.com We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When young people leave home for college, they leave behind much that is familiar. Jeanne Williamson, David Israels-Swenson, and Matt Johnson talk about how the University of Minnesota Morris creates a community that sustains and supports students well-being and success. Jeanne Williamson is Associate Director for Student Counseling, Health, and Wellbeing; David Israels-Swenson is Senior Director for Student Activities, Health, and Wellness; and Matt Johnson is the athletic director, all at the University of Minnesota Morris. Jeanne, David, Matt, and the University of Minnesota Morris can be reached at https://morris.umn.edu. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
The freedom young people experience when they leave home for college provides opportunities and obstacles. Sandy Olson-Loy and Adrienne Conley discuss some of those obstacles and how the University of Minnesota Morris works to create a community that cares. Success often depends upon making good decisions and connecting with a caring community. Sandy Olson-Loy is Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and Adrienne Conley is Associate Director for Residential and Community Life at the University of Minnesota Morris. Sandy, Adrienne, and the University of Minnesota Morris can be reached at https://morris.umn.edu. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
How do those who take care of the rest of us take care of themselves? Chaplain Teresa Durbak Sipos discusses how, when surrounded by trauma, those caregivers can take care of their moral and spiritual selves. Teresa serves as a behavioral healthcare chaplain and has taught mental health and addictions nursing for many years at three state universities in Ohio. Teresa is the author of "Integrating Spiritual Healthcare Interventions into Nursing Praxis: An Educational Intervention" and "Spiritual interventions may alleviate moral injury and depression among nurses." October 22 through 28 is National Pastoral Care Week / Spiritual Care Week. Teresa can be reached at https://www.trinitycounselingllc.org. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Is weed addictive? That’s the question Walter Hendrickson asked himself as he began a thirty-day journey to stop smoking marijuana after nine years of daily use. Walter is chronicling his journey daily on his TikTok account and discusses with us what he has learned so far. Six days of not using at the time of this conversation, Walter’s goal is to make it to one month and see what happens from there. Walter’s TikTok can be followed here: https://www.tiktok.com/@walterooski?_t=8gI2xTdG4vz&_r=1 We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
When everything you have done is associated with substance use, how do you have a good time when no longer using? That’s the question Alex Peacock and Nolan Wright asked and why they formed Recess Games USA. The goal, their mission, is “To pair those in the community with people in recovery who are seeking healthy avenues to have good, clean fun while building a meaningful and purposeful life.” It is possible to have fun again. Alex, Nolan, and Recess Games USA can be contacted at https://www.recessgamesusa.com We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
As more and more states legalize marijuana and others have a variety of cannabinoid products available, it seems sensible to ask what they are, what they aren’t, and how they might affect young people. Annie von Neupert is Project Coordinator for REACH. REACH, a federal Drug Free Communities coalition, focuses on reducing misuse of alcohol, nicotine, and other substances by youth in Calumet County, Wisconsin. When a product is visible and accessible, young people tend to view it as safe to use. As always, it is important for families to have discussions with their children about all substance use. Annie and REACH can be contacted at https://www.cahlinc.org/about/reach We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
A returning panel of women, now entering their senior year in college, discuss navigating their journey through college while also navigating academics, a pandemic, excessive alcohol and other drug use, relationships, and mental health issues. Grace, Aiden, Jackie, and Austyn talk about discovering who they are and where they want to go, made more challenging and complicated by issues around mental health, substance use, and maturity. Remember, every college has a student health center and access to counseling. If the assistance you receive is not adequate, please keep asking and looking. If you or a loved one needs help, it is available. You can find a directory of AA meetings here: https://www.aa.org/find-aa and NA meetings here: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/. SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY 1-800-487-4889, is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
We’ve all seen the slogans, signs, and bumper stickers. “One Day at a Time,” “K.I.S.S.,” “I’m a Friend of Bill W.,” and dozens more. What do they mean to folks in recovery? Kathy Reiley, a retired attorney and a person with an alcohol use disorder, talks about the meaning of the recovery slogans so frequently seen. One of the keys to recovery is finding a community of like-minded people to connect with. As an attorney, Kathy wants the legal community to know confidential recovery resources are available through the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Helpline that can be reached at (800) 543-2625. You can also find a directory of AA meetings here: https://www.aa.org/find-aa and NA meetings here: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/ We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Providing world-class, empowering, and transformative interdisciplinary care to women and their children affected by substance use disorders is the mission of the Horizons Program at the University of North Carolina Medical School. Dr. Hendrée Jones, Dr. Elisabeth Johnson, and Chrissy Jones, an alumni of the UNC Horizons Program, discuss the importance of providing substance abuse resources and programs geared towards women and children. Dr. Jones is a licensed psychologist and an internationally-recognized expert in the development and examination of both behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for pregnant women and their children in risky life situations. She consults for the United Nations and the World Health Organization and is a member of the National Institute of Health’s HEAL multidisciplinary working group and the Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health. Dr. Johnson is the Interim Division Director and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina’s Horizons Program. The Horizons Program at the UNC School of Medicine is a substance use disorder treatment program for pregnant and/or parenting women and their children, including those whose lives have been touched by abuse and violence. The guests and the program can be reached at https://www.med.unc.edu/obgyn/horizons/
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Michael Rebellino is a civil engineer. And a writer. Michael’s stream of consciousness novel, Clean is the fictional story, inspired by true events, of Cameron, an independent, accomplished, and strong-willed young adult caught in the grips of alcoholism and drug addiction. Whoever you are and whatever you’re going through, you’re not alone. And there is hope. There is always hope. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Or is it? Can drugs long labeled as problematic be used as therapeutic aids? Kevin Franciotti is a Denver-based writer and licensed addiction counselor trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy. He discusses an increasing amount of research indicating that some substances can be beneficial in the treatment of depression, opioid addiction, PTSD, and other brain disorders. Several states have passed laws, or are considering licensing and regulating naturally occurring psychedelic compounds, to be grown, bought, possessed, and used without legal complications. Kevin Franciotti can be contacted at https://www.kevinfranciotticounseling.com and for Psychedelics in Recovery go to https://www.psychedelicsinrecovery.org.
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Where is the line between caring about someone else’s pain and caring so much that it affects your own well being? Lynn McLaughlin and Karen Iverson Riggers talk about how to manage empathy in our relationships, especially for those who work in the helping professions. Lynn and Karen are consultants, co-owners, and members of Ebb & Flow Connections Cooperative in Northeast Wisconsin. They can be reached at https://www.ebbandflowcooperative.com. Numerous studies have shown a high rate of compassion fatigue among teachers, social workers, therapists, and nurses, among others. Navigating the line between understanding other’s feelings and managing our own is crucial to our own mental health. Help is available if you are concerned about your mental health or that of a loved one. Nationally, you can start your search at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.
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How can parents help their children navigate the minefield of growing up without making poor choices around substance use? Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Jessica discusses substance use disorder research and the dialogue needed between parents, teachers, and children to help young people make good choices. Until children’s brains fully develop, they are at greater risk for greater harm from substances. Jessica’s work and contact information can be accessed at https://www.jessicalahey.com
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We know where the drugs come from. We know how the drugs get here. We know how they are made and distributed world wide. Michael Brown explains how current and advancing technologies can aid in the disruption of the flow of fentanyl. Brown is the global director of counter-narcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices. He has a distinguished career spanning more than 32 years as a Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). As Mr. Brown explains, understanding the drug distribution chain is only the beginning. It takes pressure, cooperation, and political will to stop the flow. To book Michael Brown for engagements or for media requests, contact Evan Bloom, Fortress Strategic Communications, at evan@fortresscomms.com. More than 100,000 individuals lost their lives last year to synthetic opioid overdoses in the United States. If you want to know what you can do locally, get involved, support prevention activities, call or email legislators, ask your local school what they are doing to educate the students, and, most of all, talk to your children.
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When it comes to substance use disorders, women have traditionally been misunderstood, understudied, and underserved. In her newest feature film, Attention Must Be Paid: Women Lost in the Opioid Crisis, Debra Gonsher Vinik shines a light on the women experiencing opioid abuse. Dr. Gonsher Vinik is a film producer, writer, director, and founder of Diva Communications. She has produced and written twenty-one documentaries, including six Emmy winners. Attention Must Be Paid: Women Lost in the Opioid Crisis is a call-to-action for more women-specific addiction treatment and recovery services nationwide. The new film was edited into a two-hour series airing on ABC-affiliated stations in August and November 2023 under the title Listen to the Silence: Women Trapped in the Opioid Epidemic. Debra can be reached at Diva Communications.
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Most people spend most of their time at work, and what happens at work is often a leading cause of their stress and anxiety. Michelle Correia-Templin talks about the importance of asking for what you need and forming healthy relationships in the workplace. Michelle is the author of Selling It Right! Getting Result with Integrity and Five Star Teamwork. Michelle is also the President of Get Smart Training, a California-based learning organization with focus on Sales Messaging, Emotional Intelligence, and Change. She is an international speaker and trainer. When over a third of the workforce has reported their mental health has worsened in the past several years, it makes sense that employers and employees address the issue. Michelle Correia-Templin can be reached at michelle@getsmarttraining.com. Help for your mental health is available. Nationally, you can start your search at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.
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William Stoehr’s artwork focuses on victims, witnesses, and survivors of opioid/substance use disorders and the stigma that inhibits prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Stigma suffocates discussion, blocks action, causes pain. William Stoehr wants to use his art to normalize the discussion and to help erase the stigma. William discusses his art, his sister’s substance use disorder, which led to her death, and his exhibit, “Art for Hope/Stigma snd Survival.” William’s art can be accessed at www.williamstoehrart.com. He can be followed on social media platforms at: Facebook @William Stoehr Art, Instagram @wlstoehr, and Linkedin @William Stoehr
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In the 1980s when drugs were seemingly everywhere and parents couldn’t take their children to parks for fear their children would step on heroin needles, Switzerland decided to try a different approach to their drug problem. Now, forty years later, Simone Schär talks about the country’s collaborative effort and Switzerland’s Four-Pillar Policy. Simone Schär is a studied psychologist and head of department at CONTACT Foundation. To work with people who use or abuse substances was always something, Simone says, that fascinated her. After working seventeen years in the repressive system of the incarcerated (carceral) environment, Simone wanted to see how the totally different approach of harm reduction works. Through the collaboration and cooperation of the public, treatment professionals, law enforcement, and politicians, Swiss crime is down, drug usage is down, drug-related death is down, infectious disease is down, and the parks and streets are relatively free of drug use and drug paraphernalia. Simone can be reached at simone.Schaer@contactmail.ch, and information about CONTACT can be accessed at https://www.contact-suchthilfe.ch/fr/contact-fondationaideaddiction/ (The website is in French and German.)
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Mark Murphy lost his twenty-one-year-old daughter Lizzie to fentanyl poisoning. He has worked tirelessly to try to make sure other families don’t experience a similar loss. An Ohio native, Mark has traveled the country to share his experiences and learn from those who are trying to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US. Mark shares his observations about the dangers of fentanyl and what is being done, and not done, to stem the flood of drugs into and across the country. A media report of one of those trips to Cochise County, Arizona, can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tei0aOSqdI. More than 100,000 individuals lost their lives last year to a synthetic opioid overdose in the United States. If you want to know what you can do locally, get involved, support prevention activities, call or email legislators, ask your local school what they are doing to educate the students, and, most of all, talk to your children.
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A recent study has shown that mental health has worsened for thirty-four percent of American workers. Dr. Uma Kedharnath talks about how workplaces are addressing the mental health concerns of their workers. Dr. Kedharnath received her doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Colorado State University and is currently an Associate Professor of Management at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. Taking the steps to address mental health is not only good for the employee; it’s good for the business and good for the culture, too. Dr. Kedharnath can be reached at graduma@gmail.com. Help for your mental health is available. Nationally, you can start your search at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.
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What happens in a relationship when partners don’t see eye to eye on important issues? What happens when, over time, values and opinions change? Dana Emold, a Clinical Therapist and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor with LifeStance Health, discusses relationship roadblocks and deal breakers. People and relationships change over time. That change can be anticipated and embraced, but it needs to be communicated, too. Dana can be reached at https://lifestance.com/provider/dana-emold-ms-lpc-csac/ or by calling 262-737-8908.
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Jack Quehl was successful in almost everything he did. Sports, academics, friends. On September 20, 2021, a decision to use a drug laced with fentanyl ended Jack’s life. Stephanie and Tom Quehl talk about their son’s life, his tragic passing, and lessons they learned about fentanyl poisoning. The Jack Quehl Foundation’s mission is to educate communities about the threat of fentanyl poisoning. More than 100,000 individuals lost their lives last year to a synthetic opioid overdose in the United States. Stephanie and Tom Quehl can be reached at https://www.doitforjack.org. If you want to know what you can do locally, get involved, support prevention activities, call or email legislators, ask your local schools what they are doing to educate the students, and, most of all, talk to your children.
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It isn’t easy to ask for help to overcome opioid dependency or, for that matter, to offer that help. Amy Molinski, a Peer Support Specialist with Community Medical Services, talks about working with community partners to decrease overdoses. Battling the stigma of drug usage and reaching out to people where they live, teams of professionals have seen a 21% decrease in overdoses in the communities they work in. Amy and Community Medical Services can be reached at https://communitymedicalservices.org. To learn more about the Milwaukee Overdose Response Initiative (MORI) you can watch a short YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/qUZboqFsklY
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Representative Tip McGuire, from Wisconsin Assembly District 64, discusses the proposed legislation allowing fourteen year olds to serve alcohol and other pertinent addiction and mental illness issues. While traveling the state as part of the Joint Finance Committee, Representative McGuire has seen and heard the people ask that government work together to help with the problems citizens and communities face. Representative McGuire believes a combination of education, treatment, and interdiction will make the difference in making our communities healthier places to live. Representative McGuire can be reached at Rep.McGuire@legis.wisconsin.gov We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Cletus was fishing when his father called about a letter in the mail. Cletus had sold drugs to an undercover police officer and was now facing numerous charges. His life changed in a heartbeat. He talks about what led to his using, his dealing, and the other mistakes he made along the way. More importantly, he discusses what he learned from those mistakes and how he found his way back. If you or a loved one needs help due to substance use disorder, help is available. There are online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every day at https://aa-intergroup.org/meetings/. A registry of Al-Anon meetings for friends and families of those who are afflicted with substance use disorders can be found at https://al-anon.org. In Southeastern Wisconsin you can find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/ We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
The old saying is, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Melvin Adams shares his recipe for lemonade. Melvin grew up in poverty, with an abusive father in Houston, Texas. He was challenged early on with extremely negative circumstances. Even though Melvin was only 5’8”, he became a two-time NCAA All-American basketball player and the team captain of the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. Melvin Adams knows firsthand how to achieve great things despite challenging circumstances. Now a globetrotting motivational speaker, Melvin can be reached at and booked through https://topyouthspeakers.com/speakers-topics/melvin-adams We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!
Every family that experiences addiction and mental illness searches endlessly for answers to their pain and hopes to stumble upon a survival guide. Lisa Gennosa discusses her journey as she tried to cope with her son Tyler’s illness. Lisa is the author of Incurable Hope: A Memoir and Survival Guide for Coping with a Loved One’s Addiction. Lisa is a practicing Physician Assistant. She is a dedicated wife and mother who grew up the third child of a liquor and narcotics agent. She discusses how substance use disorder, mental illness, and trauma can collide with the legal, medical, and treatment systems. Lisa’s book, blog, and contact information can be found at www.lisagennosa.com.
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K.J. Aiello describes herself as a mentally ill writer. It is, she says, who she is. After being misdiagnosed in college, K.J. spent a decade and a half wondering who she was and where she fit in. She discusses that journey, her acceptance of her mental illness, and how her life has improved because she simply didn’t care to hide or defend herself anymore. K.J. is a Toronto-based mentally ill writer whose work includes essays, op-eds, and a soon-to-be-released non-fiction book titled The Monster and the Mirror, which explores the intersection of speculative fiction and mental illness. She also authored an article that appeared in the independent publication, The Walrus, titled “Who Gets to be Mentally Ill,” since, as she indicates, not everyone is served equally by the mental health and substance use disorder system equally. K.J. and her work can be accessed at https://www.kjaiello.ca
When a loved one dies from alcohol or other drug use, everyone is devastated, but everyone copes differently. Melissa Largey talks about her brother Chris’s death from opiates, how she coped with his passing, and how that tragedy has affected her life and relationships moving forward. Professionally, Melissa is a Human Services Case Manager. She is also a wife, daughter, sister, and mom. If you or a loved one needs help due to substance abuse, help is available. There are online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every day at https://aa-intergroup.org/meetings/. A registry of Al-Anon meetings for friends and families of those who are afflicted with substance use disorders can be found at https://al-anon.org.
When students are asked what issues they face, mental health problems and drug usage often top the list of concerns. In Door County, Wisconsin, four county high schools formed a coalition called Project 180 to allow students to make a positive difference on these issues in their schools and across their communities. Jody Nelson and Sara Paye are counselors at Southern Door High School in Brussels, Wisconsin. They discuss the success of Project 180, current concerns of the young people, and the empowerment of students. If you’d like more information about Project 180, contact Mike McGowan at michael07@aol.com.
Many people follow very traditional routes towards recovery of substance use disorders; others, not so much. Patrick Ridge talks about his unique road to recovery and the way he uses his social media visibility to help others. Pat is a member of the Hip Hop group Hyper Crush, Owner of Graceland Ranch Sober Living, Co-Founder Of Ridge Production and the Brand Learning To Lose. Recovery is possible, whatever road you choose. Patrick can be reached at www.learningtolose.com, and links to his various platforms can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@PATRICKRIDGETV
According to the Department of Justice, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. Kylene Spanbauer, Miss Wisconsin 2022, provides education and empowerment through her social impact initiative, No Means No: Sexual Assault Education. Kylene is a Certified Inclusion Ambassador and has received training for ACES, CPIS Crisis Intervention and De-escalation strategies, WCASA Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy School, and AMAZE for prevention educators. She discusses her initiative and work in communities to bring greater awareness to the issue of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Kylene can be reached for more information and bookings at https://www.misswisconsin.com/miss-wisconsin-2022-kylene-spanbauer/
Strong feelings don’t just check themselves at the workplace door. Lynn McLaughlin and Karen Iverson Riggers talk about how to address strong feelings that occur in the workplace and how to construct safe boundaries. According to numerous studies, including one from the Harvard Business Review, expressions of anger have risen dramatically across the culture. If you need help for your mental health, it is available. Nationally, you can start your search at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help. You can also reach out to today's guests, Lynn and Karen. They are consultants, co-owners, and members of Ebb & Flow Connections Cooperative in Northeast Wisconsin and can be reached at https://www.ebbandflowcooperative.com.
At a time when it seems as though every drug bought illegally is laced with something toxic, it would seem users would be cautious. But drug fatalities are up in 2023, yet again, after record numbers in 2022, and new adulterants are appearing on the scene all the time. Sara Schreiber talks about those souls who lost their lives to their addiction and the combinations of chemicals that killed them. Sara is the Forensic Technical Director in the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) County Medical Examiner’s office. If you or a loved one needs help, it is available. You can find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Many people believe that pregnant people who use any amount of a criminalized drug will inevitably harm or even kill their fetuses. But media hype is not the same as science, and popular news reports have misrepresented the facts about prenatal exposure to drugs. Dana Sussman discusses the role of Pregnancy Justice’s work to educate the public about the science of pregnancy and drug usage and to defend the rights of pregnant people, especially those who are most at risk of state control and criminalization: those who are low-income, of color, and drug-using. Dana is the Acting Executive Director for Pregnancy Justice, an organization formed to ensure that no one loses rights because of pregnancy. Pregnancy Justice can be reached at https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org.
Where is the line between healthy and unhealthy relationships? How do we break patterns of unhealthy behaviors in our relationships? Rio Timberlane, the author of the book The Joy of Lucid Love, talks about the journey to finding yourself and navigating life in the healthy lanes of the highway. Rio is a Relationship Scientist, Author, and Speaker. He and his work can be accessed at https://www.riowrks.org/rio-timberlane.
Sometimes, when we are feeling down, we mask our pain behind a smile — or a drug. Dr. Laura Petracek entered her teen years just as her family moved to a new state. She felt distant from everyone she lived with and knew, and she felt invisible. Like many people, she masked her pain. She recounts her journey and discoveries that led her to combine the philosophies and teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Petracek is the author of The Anger Workbook for Women and The DBT Workbook for Alcohol and Drug Addiction. Her contact information and work, including her books, can be found at https://www.laurapetracekphd.com
Looking in the mirror takes courage and the willingness to see what’s there, not what we want to be there. Jenn Kautsch talks about that look in the mirror and how it led her to found Sober Sis, a like-minded community of women who are renegotiating their relationship with alcohol, without labels, shame, judgment, or rules. The Sober-Minded Sisterhood is about making a conscious choice to be the best version of yourself and to live in an intentional manner, creating the life you want. Jenn’s contact information and resources, including events, blogs, and the 21 Day Reset Challenge, can be found at https://www.sobersis.com/ss-home
When people with mental health and substance use disorders lose their homes and find themselves unsheltered and on the street, recovery becomes difficult, if not impossible. Dan Grellinger talks about the work of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s, Street Angels. Street Angels is a program whose small staff and volunteers travel throughout Milwaukee County providing hot meals, clothing, blankets, tents, NARCAN, caring conversations, and HOPE to those who are experiencing street homelessness. Dan is a substance abuse counselor and Outreach Coordinator for Street Angels. Find out more about Street Angels and how to help at https://www.streetangelsmke.org.
Many times, before substance use, there is trauma. Confusing, and sometimes destructive, messages from others about who we are as children affect the way we develop, cope, and mature. Lynn McLaughlin talks about her journey of self discovery, which she calls uncovering. Uncovering the real you takes time, support, and self-forgiveness. Lynn is a co-owner and member of Ebb & Flow Connections Cooperative in Northeast Wisconsin. She can be reached at https://www.ebbandflowcooperative.com. Support services are available for mental health. Nationally, you can start your search at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.
If young people are going to work and live in a global society, understanding the impact of other cultures and that history takes place every day across our planet is important for them to learn. Colin Hanson, an educator in the Edgar, Wisconsin, School District, talks about A Walk in Their Shoes, a collaborative effort by north central Wisconsin educators to provide access to powerful speakers who have first-hand experience with contemporary history. The vision is to help students see the world with different eyes and give them the opportunity to look at life from a global perspective and the chance to see that one person can truly make a difference. Colin and the speaker series can be reached at https://www.awalkintheirshoes.org.
It’s not uncommon that people are drawn into a field of work because of their life experiences. We know the topic, we lived it, and we can give something back to help others. Jason Shiers talks about his personal road to recovery and the work he has done to help others undo the labels that they have put on themselves or have been given to them by others. Jason is a certified Psychotherapist and Certified Transformative Coach who has been working with addictions and mental health for over 25 years. He is also the host of the outstanding podcast “Misunderstandings of the Mind.” Jason’s podcast can be found at https://www.misunderstandingsofthemind.com, and he can be reached at https://www.wideworldcoaching.com.
Anger never knocks on the emotional door without company. According to numerous studies, including one from the Harvard Business Review, expressions of anger have risen dramatically across the culture, and, whether disagreements about politics, the pandemic, other social issues, or even work and personal relationships, anger seems to be the most prevalent emotion expressed. Lynn McLaughlin and Karen Iverson Riggers, consultants, co-owners, and members of Ebb & Flow Connections Cooperative in Northeast Wisconsin, talk about the rise in anger responses in our society and what lies underneath. They can be reached at https://www.ebbandflowcooperative.com. Help is available for mental health concerns. Nationally, you can start your search at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.
Are the customs and patterns around alcohol and other drug usage that much different in other places? Juliana, Maria, and Brenda talk about substance use and abuse in their native Brazil. The legal drinking age is different, and so are the consequences. Now in the United States for college, the women compare the culture they were born in with the one they moved to. Other countries and cultures address alcohol and other drug usage differently than in the United States, too. If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, help is available. Locally, resources can be found at Crisis, 262-657-7188 or 211 Wisconsin: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Like all families who have lost a child to drugs, the Rachwals were left asking, “What now?” For Erin Rachwal, her husband Rick, and their youngest son, the answer was to make sure what happened to their son Logan did not happen to another family. More than 100,000 individuals lost their lives last year to a synthetic opioid overdose in the United States. Erin discusses the fight to bring awareness to this epidemic and how they are coping with their grief and loss. The Love Logan Foundation and Erin can be reached at https://loveloganfoundation.org. If you want to know what you can do locally, get involved, support prevention activities, call or email legislators, ask your local school what they are doing to educate the students, and, most of all, talk to your children.
Optimal mental health occurs when we are able to experience and cope with the entire range of human emotions. Lynn McLaughlin and Karen Iverson Riggers talk about why all of the messages we receive across the culture that indicate we should all exist in the “happy zone” all the time are counterproductive to our sense of well-being and mental health. Lynn and Karen are consultants, co-owners, and members of Ebb & Flow Connections Cooperative in Northeast Wisconsin. They can be reached at https://www.ebbandflowcooperative.com. If you need help for your mental health, that help is available. Nationally, you can start your search at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.
Not everyone is served equally by the mental health and substance abuse system. Chardé Hollins discusses the obstacles those of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds have accessing substance abuse and mental health treatment and what can be done to level the treatment playing field. Chardé is an independently licensed clinical social worker and the owner of Relevant Connections in Cleveland, Ohio. Ms. Hollins consults with organizations committed to increasing their cultural awareness and access to behavioral health services by naturally integrating emotional wellness supports and inclusive policies into their agencies’ cultures, services, and missions. She can be reached at https://www.relevantconnections.org.
Alcohol is a toxin and, far and away, the most commonly abused substance. It can kill all by itself. It also doesn’t play well in the sandbox with other drugs. Guida Brown talks about the potentially fatal interactions when combining alcohol with other substances. Guida is a Community Relations Consultant with United States Drug Testing Laboratories. She also is an Adjunct Faculty member with Concordia University-Wisconsin and an accomplished writer. Guida can be reached at guidaforusdtl@gmail.com; you can follow her blog here: https://4csofaddiction.com/. If you need help for your substance abuse issues, help is available. In Kenosha, contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse; call 262-658-8166 or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://sefa-na.org/meetings
Holidays are a time of family gatherings and traditions. Nanci Schiman talks about the challenges the holidays present to people new to recovery. Nanci is a licensed clinical social worker with over 17 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, families, and couples in the mental health field. When substances are as prevalent as holiday decorations, learning to navigate a healthy path is both challenging and necessary for those in recovery. Nanci can be reached at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/nanci-schiman-mequon-wi/720368. If you or a loved one needs help, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Not all losses are resolved; not all endings actually end. Cassondra Frisque, a therapist with Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, talks about ambiguous loss, which is, simply, loss without closure. We experience many losses in our lifetimes, ambiguous or otherwise, from family members and friends to the substances used if we’re recovering. How we handle those losses is unique to each of us. Cassondra can be reached at https://www.familyservicesnew.org/womens-recovery If you or a loved one needs help for substance abuse, help is available. Contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse by calling 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
We are witnessing a mental health crisis among our young people that we have never experienced before. Amy Herbst discusses the impact that social media, the pandemic, and developing life skills have played in the rise of young people’s depression, anxiety, and stress. Amy is the Vice President of Mental and Behavioral Health at Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We all have a role in helping our young people navigate inevitable difficult times. Information about Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Institute for Child and Family Well-Being can be reached at https://uwm.edu/icfw/, and the Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-In Clinic can be reached at (414) 337-3400 or online at https://childrenswi.org/location-directory/locations/urgent-care/craig-yabuki-mental-health-walk-in-clinic
It is common practice for medical professionals to run tests to determine the cause and severity of a patient’s condition. Guida Brown talks about why that should also be the case when it comes to persons with Substance Use Disorders. Guida is a Community Relations Consultant with United States Drug Testing Laboratories. She is also an Adjunct Faculty member with Concordia University-Wisconsin. Whether testing urine, blood, fingernails, hair, or even newborn tissue samples, the test results can be an aid in helping people come to terms with the nature and extent of their Substance Use Disorders. Guida can be reached at guidaforusdtl@gmail.com; you can follow her blog here: https://4csofaddiction.com/
A little over two years ago, late in the evening, Phyllis Babrove got the phone call that all of us dread and none of us want. Her daughter Sara, who had struggled for most of her adult life with drugs, had died of an accidental overdose. Phyllis shares her daughter’s story and her work to try to help other families understand the problems of substance abuse. Phyllis is a Clinical Licensed Social Worker and the author of Words from a mother in mourning: How to protect your child from drugs. Phyllis’s book, blog, information about Sara’s life, and contact information can be found at https://herstarforevershines.wordpress.com. If you need help for your substance abuse issues, help is available. In Kenosha, contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse; call 262-658-8166 or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://sefa-na.org/meetings
Linda Van Tol discusses women’s substance use and recovery. Linda is the Medical Assistance Residential Substance Use Disorder Supervisor with ARC Community Services in Madison, Wisconsin. Using a Relational Model of Therapy that helps women with their substance abuse, life roles, cultural expectations, and socioeconomic needs, Linda and ARC provide a safe environment for women to heal and grow. ARC Community Services programs and Linda can be reached at https://arccommserv.com. Linda can be reached at lvantol@arccommserv.com. If you need help for your substance abuse issues, help is available. In Kenosha, contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse; call 262-658-8166 or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://sefa-na.org/meetings
Many therapists, social workers, and even parents have to work around substance abusers’ denial that they are using drugs. One of the tools often used to help break through that denial is drug testing. Kimberly Henderson discusses her company’s sweat patch testing product and its effectiveness. Kimberly works in Business Development and Sales for PharmChem, Inc. With her background in child protection and education, Kimberly’s role at PharmChem allows her to combine her passion for people and their well-being with a heart for service and education. Kimberly can be reached at khenderson@pharmchem.com and PharmChem, Inc., at https://www.pharmchek.com
When someone close to us passes away, we grieve. Many times we experience that same sense of loss when someone we didn’t know, except through their public persona, passes away. Zoë Page talks about the grieving process and talks about how families who lose a child cope. Zoë works as a Child Life Specialist at Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts. We all experience many losses in our lifetime, from family members and friends to the substances used if we’re recovering. How we handle those losses is unique to each of us. If you have experienced the loss of a child, The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, https://www.dougy.org, has numerous resources for families. If you or a loved one needs help due to substance abuse, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Zach spent a long time making poor decisions in Seattle, compounding problems that began at age thirteen with a doctor’s prescription for opiates. Homeless in Seattle and using the strongest street opiates he could find, hoping he wouldn’t wake up, he eventually ended up in recovery and alive. Zach updates his story telling us about his trip back to Seattle for the first time since he stopped using drugs and began recovery. Recovery is possible. If you or a loved one needs help, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Veronica King finishes our discussion about people cited for Operating While Impaired. The push for decriminalization and legalization of marijuana has resulted in a significant increase in automobile accidents and fatalities involving cannabis. Countering the often-repeated myths about substances and breaking through the denial is just part of the task all substance abuse counselors have to overcome to help clients. Veronica does so as a Social Worker and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor who instructs Group Dynamics classes at Gateway Technical College for those who have been convicted of Operating While Impaired (also known as Driving Under the Influence). Veronica holds a Master’s of Science degree from Chicago State University, is a Doctoral candidate, and is the President of the Kenosha NAACP. If you need help for your substance abuse issues, help is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166 or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://sefa-na.org/meetings
Good fortune or bad luck? When someone is cited for Operating While Impaired, how they view the arrest depends on their perspective. Veronica King discusses facilitating the Group Dynamics class for first-time offenders. Veronica is a Social Worker and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor who instructs Group Dynamics classes at Gateway Technical College for those who have been convicted of Operating While Impaired (also known as Driving Under the Influence). Veronica holds a Master’s of Science degree from Chicago State University, is a Doctoral candidate, and is the President of the Kenosha NAACP. If you need help for your substance abuse issues, help is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://sefa-na.org/meetings
A returning panel of college women, Grace, Aiden, Viv, Jackie, and Haley, discuss navigating through their first two years of college with a mix of pandemic, alcohol, other drug use, and mental health issues, on top of the academic expectations. As mental health concerns and drug use have risen across the country with young people, getting help for those issues is more challenging, they believe, than it needs to be. Every college has a student health center and access to counseling, and if the assistance you receive is not adequate, please keep asking and looking. In Kenosha, if you or a loved one needs help, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://sefa-na.org/meetings
Diane Yager, a teacher, hall of fame coach, and mentor in Seneca, Wisconsin, coordinates one of the longest-running school wellness programs in the country. By focusing on mental health and alcohol and other drug prevention, the goal is to empower the students in her small rural school district to make good decisions. By utilizing generations of students in leadership roles, Diane created an infrastructure that serves as a model for what schools can do to address serious mental health and substance use issues in a caring, supportive environment. As a teacher, coach, and mentor, Diane inspired her students to live their best lives and to help others along the way. If you or a loved one needs help, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://sefa-na.org/meetings
When the worst happens and a loved one is unconscious, not breathing, overdosed, and close to death, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team responds. Nick Eschmann discusses the role of EMS in the ongoing health crisis caused by substance abuse. Nick is the Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the Kenosha (Wisconsin) Fire Department. He is passionately committed to giving people one more chance at life. Emergency Medical Services in Kenosha can be contacted at https://www.kenosha.org/departments/fire-department/divisions/emergency-medical-services. If you need help with your substance misuse or that of a loved one, help is available. As Nick says, “No one needs to die from this disease.” To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org.
In a time when many people seem to acquire their self worth through social media followers and likes, Vanessa McGowan talks about letting our priorities guide our choices and decisions as we cope with life’s challenges. Vanessa is a New Zealand-born musician, writer, and entrepreneur based in Nashville, Tennessee, and Door County, Wisconsin. Vanessa’s “Musician’s Hierarchy of Needs" has implications for those in recovery as well as for those just trying to live their best lives. Vanessa’s contact information, her blog, her writings, and her music can be accessed at https://vanessamcgowan.com
Raised just outside Frankfurt, Germany, Stella Terner was allowed to sample alcohol from a young age by dipping her finger in her parent’s beer and wine. She could buy beer at sixteen. The norm during her teenage years was to not drink to excess but to have a glass of wine with dinner. Now at the University of Mannheim, the same cultural norms are in place: no drinking to get drunk, no drinking just to drink. Stella compares the culture of alcohol consumption she grew up with with her observations as a foreign exchange student in the United States and the American drinking culture. Other countries and cultures address alcohol and other drug usage differently than in the US. What a culture allows is often what happens. If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, help is available. Locally, resources can be found at 211 Wisconsin: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
What would our country be like if average Americans drank three times as much alcohol as they do today? We don’t have to imagine; that’s the way it used to be. Travis Spangenburg discusses the rise of the Temperance movement in our country and the many parallels to the issues in our culture today. Travis is the Creative and Production Manager at the American Prohibition Museum in Savannah, Georgia. He talks about the role heavy alcohol consumption played in the lives of average Americans and the adverse effects on families, health, and, especially, women and children. Information about the American Prohibition Museum can be found at https://www.americanprohibitionmuseum.com
There isn’t just one way to treat opioid dependency. Dr. Selahattin Kurter discusses harm reduction, medication for addiction treatment, and his clinic’s work with clients with substance use disorders. The key to success is treating all of the issues concurrently and using all of the tools available. Selahattin Kurter, MD, is the Executive Director of West Grove Clinic. Dr. Kurter is one of Milwaukee's leading experts in the field of Addiction Medicine. He carries a dual board certification in Addiction Medicine as well as Psychiatry and Neurology and has extensive experience working with clients with substance use issues. He and the West Grove Clinic can be reached at https://www.westgroveclinic.com. If you need help with your substance misuse or that of a loved one, help is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org.
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman and Kenosha County’s Behavioral Health Manager Kari Foss discuss the ongoing opioid epidemic and efforts to address that and other substance abuse issues in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Ms. Kerkman and Ms. Foss propose that working together to bring the county resources to those who need them, where they live, is what will make the difference in the lives of those they serve. The Mental Health and Substance Resource Center in Kenosha County can be reached at 262-764-8555, Kenosha Human Development Services - (khds.org), and all of the Kenosha County services can be viewed at https://www.kenoshacounty.org. If you or a loved one needs help, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
The coffee shops of Amsterdam in the Netherlands are legendary but not for their coffee. Other countries and cultures address drug usage differently than in the United States. Paul Bierman talks about the coffee shops of Amsterdam, where, despite it being illegal, cannabis usage is allowed. Paul Bierman is a professional trainer and founder of Tourist Run Amsterdam, and on this podcast he discusses the evolution and effects of the drug tolerance policy in the Netherlands. He gives a variety of tours of the Netherlands capital city, including the Coffee House Tour. The Coffee House Tours and others can be accessed at https://touristrunamsterdam.com/ Paul is also a professional trainer who helps people develop their public speaking skills. His trainings are unique, insightful, and entertaining. He can be reached at www.entertrainer.nl (The web site is in Dutch, but Paul trains in English for those companies who have English-speaking employees.)
Congressman Bryan Steil discusses the ongoing opiate epidemic and what the federal government is doing to address the flood of fentanyl analogs coming into the country while also assisting those in need. Representative Steil believes it’s a combination of education, interdiction, legislation, and treatment that will make the difference in stemming the tide of the opiate epidemic. Congressman Steil represents Wisconsin's First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Steil can be reached at https://steil.house.gov. If you or a loved one needs help, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Zach’s problem with opiates started at age thirteen with a doctor’s prescription. By the time he finally got into long-term recovery he was homeless and using the strongest street opiates he could find, hoping to not wake up. Zach’s ongoing story is one of resilience, hope, and life. Recovery is possible. If you or a loved one needs help, it is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Cade Reddington and Logan Rachwal are two of the more than 100,000 individuals who lost their lives last year to a synthetic opioid overdose in the United States. Their moms, Michelle Kullmann and Erin Rachwal, discuss their fight to bring awareness to this epidemic and their own personal battles with their grief due to their sons' deadly fentanyl overdoses. If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, help is available. Locally, resources can be found at 211 Wisconsin: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
It doesn’t matter where you live, drugs are available. Detective Mike Osmond, an Investigator with the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, discusses the prevalence and increase in street drug usage, overdose deaths, and fentanyl. It’s the partnership of law enforcement, education, and treatment that Detective Osmond believes makes a difference in communities. The Wisconsin Alliance for Drug Endangered Children can be reached at http://www.wisconsindec.org/home.html. Detective Osmond can be reached through the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office.
How do you cope with losing someone you love to an overdose death? Jason Fritz talks about the life and legacy of his brother Terry, who passed away with a needle in his lap, alone, in his car, across the street from a police station. Jason is a Treatment Advocate and Business Development Officer with the Recovery Centers of America. Information about he memorial golf tournament Jason talks about is at https://www.terryfritzmemorial.org
Are suffering, long-term pain, and surrender necessary before individuals address their substance abuse? Dr. Peg O’Connor echos the sentiments of the philosopher William James and says “absolutely not.” Peg O’Connor, PhD, is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. She believes that philosophy helped her address her addiction and aided in her recovery. Dr. O’Connor’s expertise has been featured on BBC’s Free Thinking and Canadian Public Radio’s On Drugs podcast, as well as in print and online publications ranging from The New York Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Cosmo. Dr. O’Connor is the author of numerous books, including her new one, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, 2022). For more information go to: https://pegoconnorauthor.com
How does a person overcome dropping out of school, substance abuse, and a mountain of trouble? Tiffany talks about how she has turned her life around. She chose life and recovery. Her infectious optimism and determination are the foundations of her recovery, If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Less structure, more down time, and the availability of almost every chemical you can think of, including some you’ve never heard of, presents summer challenges for families. Shauna Blackledge, a Community Impact Coordinator with the United Way of Door County, talks about how to help young people make good decisions about alcohol and other drugs during the summer. Shauna and the Door County AOD Coalition can be reached.
The average teenager spends more time in front of a device’s screen than sleeping. As technology becomes more prevalent, the development of life skills are being delayed or lost. Gretchen Pederson discusses what she sees happening to the youth she works with as a school counselor and why she sponsored an evening for her community to discuss the effects of screen time on teenagers. Gretchen is a School Counselor with the Boyceville School District in Boyceville, Wisconsin. The film she showed to her community, Screenagers Next Chapter, can be previewed at https://www.screenagersmovie.com/about-screenagers-next-chapter
Alcohol consumption rose substantially during the pandemic. Tragically, yet predictably, alcohol-induced and alcohol-related deaths also rose. Maureen Busalacchi and Felice Borisy-Rudin of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project discuss the implications of that rise and what communities can do to address the issue, which costs our businesses economically, strains our helping systems, and leaves many families mourning the loss of loved ones. Maureen is the Director, and Felice is a Policy Analyst with the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project. They can be reached at https://www.mcw.edu/departments/comprehensive-injury-center/wi-alcohol-policy-project.
When your loved ones tell you that you have a drinking problem, you do. DJ didn’t want to believe it, but he knew it was true and trusted those who loved him. He talks about making the decision to sign on to a virtual AA meeting. He has been in recovery since. If you are concerned about your use, you can choose life and recovery. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Substance use delays emotional and social growth. The earlier and longer someone uses, the greater the need in recovery to discover new ways of coping with life and relationships. Jeannie Seefeldt talks about what works to help people with addiction acquire the skills they need to discover their moral, creative selves. Jeannie is a therapist and consultant with The Wellness Initiative in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She can be reached at jeannie.seefeldt@outlook.com. If you need help with your substance misuse or that of a loved one, help is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org.
Tim’s father gave him his first taste of alcohol at age seven. By age fifteen, Tim was drinking regularly and trying almost every drug he came into contact with. Several attempts at treatment and recovery ended in relapse. Decades later, Tim found SMART Recovery and has now been drug-free for the longest period in his life since adolescence. He discusses what he has learned and how he applies the program to his life. If you are interested in learning more about SMART Recovery, information is available at https://www.smartrecovery.org.
One size doesn’t fit all in recovery. Finding people and programs that work for you is all that matters. Carrie Szulczewski is a Certified Recovery Coach and Program Coordinator for Bridges Community Center, a program of Kenosha Human Development Services. Carrie discusses SMART Recovery support groups and the many other programs available at Bridges Community Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin. If you are interested in learning more about SMART Recovery, information is available at https://www.smartrecovery.org and if you are interested in any of the Bridges Community Center services, more information is available on the website at https://www.namikenosha.org/bridges.html or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Bridges57187thave/
We hear it all the time: “Nothing works.” “Kids will be kids.” “They’re going to do it anyway.” Those statements, often repeated by adults, about prevention education for our youth could not be more wrong. Annie Lisowski is a Professor of Youth Development with the University of Wisconsin Extension. She discusses the role of prevention in helping our youth make good decisions and avoid the pitfalls of previous generations. Information about the Buffalo County Partnership and their youth development programs can be accessed at: https://buffalo.extension.wisc.edu/4hyd/yd/
Sr. Elise Cholewinski is a member of the community of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She discusses the role of spirituality in recovery and the many opportunities for reflection offered through the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Reflection often brings us face to face with the issues we’ve tried to avoid but need to look at so we may forgive ourselves. For information about the retreats offered at the Jesuit Retreat House on Lake Winnebago, go to https://www.jesuitretreathouse.org
Spirituality plays a large role for many individuals in recovery. Three women, Beth, Nanci, and Sharon, talk about the importance of spirituality in their lives, their recovery, and how they stay connected to that power greater than themselves. If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, help is available. Locally, resources can be found at 211 Wisconsin: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Over the past two years alcohol consumption increased dramatically. Mark Sommerhauser discusses the role alcohol consumption played in people’s lives during the pandemic. Many people chose to deal with their isolation, increased stress, and anxiety by drinking more alcohol. In Wisconsin, all seventy two counties reported increases in excessive drinking. Mr. Sommerhauser is Communications Director/Policy Researcher for the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Their research can be accessed at https://wispolicyforum.org. If you are concerned about your use, you can reach out for help. It can start with a phone call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Best selling author Jarrett J. Krosoczka talks about growing up in a family coping with opioid addiction. Over nine million children in the United States under the age of 17 live in households with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder. Substance abuse wreaks havoc on the entire family, and, most tragically, the children. Jarrett J. Krosoczka is a New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and the graphic novel we discuss today, Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Jarrett can reached at StudioJJK.com. Jarrett also signs books ordered from his local indie book seller: https://www.highfivebooks.org/product/hey-kiddo-signed-jarrett-krosoczka/548
Anna Bunker discusses the mental health crisis among young people in our country. A forty percent rise in emergency room visits for young women who have attempted suicide and a demand for mental health treatment that has not been met are indicators of a burgeoning mental health crisis for our youth. Anna Bunker is Prevention Education Manager and Youth/Teen Advocate at Reach Counseling Services in Neenah, Wisconsin, and a Youth and Teen Support Specialist at NAMI in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley. If you need help with substance use or mental health problems, help is available. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Kenosha County can be reached at 262-652-3606 or namikenoshacounty@gmail.com. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or email them at info@hopecouncil.org. Learn more about the agency's services at hopecouncil.org
Amanda began drinking at age twelve. At twenty she knew she had to stop so she could keep on living. She talks about navigating a path to sobriety using online meetings, sponsors, and a growing recovering community. Healthy, happy, and dedicated to her recovery program, Amanda keeps her cup of water close and her support system closer. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
When young people use substances, lots of things happen, all of them bad. Substance abuse adversely affects an adolescent's physical, emotional, and social development. Dr. Michelle Maloney and Dr. Sean LeNoue discuss the impact substance use disorders have on adolescents and their families. Michelle Maloney, PhD, is Executive Director of Addiction Services for Rogers Behavioral Health system. Sean LeNoue, MD, is the Associate Medical Director for the Regional Division at Rogers Behavioral Health. They can be reached at https://rogersbh.org.
Cade Reddington, an eighteen-year-old college freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee passed away after taking a pill he didn’t know was one hundred percent fentanyl. His mother Michelle Kullmann talks about Cade’s life, his tragic passing, and her fight to make sure no other mother wakes up to this nightmare. If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, help is available. The documentary Michelle mentions is, dead on arrival, and can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJgPmrLjkuo. Locally, resources can be found at 211 Wisconsin: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Over 100,000 Americans died from drug overdose in the past year. Paul Krupski talks about the ongoing epidemic of opiate use, the prevalence of fentanyl in street drugs, and what works to stem the tide. Mr. Krupski is the Director of Opioid Initiatives with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. He can be reached at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/people/krupski-paul. Resilient Wisconsin can be found at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/resilient/index.htm. If you or a loved one needs help with a substance use disorder, help is available. Locally, you can reach 211 Wisconsin at https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Substance abuse wreaks havoc on the entire family, including, most tragically, the children. How do you reconnect with your family and repair the damage in recovery? James “Dimitri” Topitzes, PhD, talks about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact growing up in adversity has on our youth and families. Dr. Topitzes is on the faculty of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He teaches trauma counseling to master's students and philosophy of science to doctoral students. If you would like to find out more about Adverse Childhood Experiences, go to, https://acestoohigh.com. You can reach Dr. Topitzes at topitzes@uwm.edu.
Relationships can be difficult. Relationships with someone in recovery can be challenging and wonderful at the same time. Stacy and Matthew met when Stacy was a couple of years into her recovery. They discuss their relationship and the importance of healthy communication, honesty, love, and trust. As Matthew says, “You can wait for a long time for a relationship that has all four of those components, but when you find it, it was worth the wait.” If you are in a relationship with someone with substance abuse issues you can learn more at https://al-anon.org. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
A recent study found that half of all young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) also experience alcohol and other drug abuse. That is double the rate of the population in general. Dr. Nathan Valentine discusses the dynamics of working with ADHD and substance use disorders concurrently. Getting a better handle on substance abuse, effectively treating the ADHD, understanding the issues, and working together with the family and mental health professionals means covering all the bases in recovery. Nathan Valentine, MD, FAPA, is board-certified in addiction medicine and general psychiatry. Dr. Valentine serves as the medical director of the Herrington Center for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery at Rogers Behavioral Health in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He can be reached at https://rogersbh.org.
Dottie and Dick are a married couple who have both been in recovery for a long time. They talk about their relationship and the importance of communicating, sharing feelings, trusting each other, and respecting each other’s recovery journey. What makes the journey worth it, they tell us, are all the “wows” experienced along the way. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Dr. Dana Ballewske discusses mental health and substance abuse challenges among the LGBTQ+ community. Recent studies have found that sexual minorities have higher rates of substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs) than people who identify as heterosexual. The population experiences more social stigma and discrimination, and rates of depression and anxiety are also high. Dr. Ballewske talks about what families, schools, allies, and communities can do to help support the LGBTQ+ community in accessing treatment and support services. Dr Ballewske is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Coordinator of School-Based Services for Professional Services Group. Dana currently heads the school-based mental health clinic program for Kenosha Unified School District, and she can be reached at https://www.psgcip.com
Miriam Falk discusses the devastating and sometimes deadly cycle of violence and substance abuse that victims of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence must overcome in order to get help. Empowering individuals, having available resources, and building a support network are critical to breaking the cycle. Ms. Falk is an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin; her emphasis is Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault. Her office can be reached at https://wilenet.widoj.gov/directory/tsb/miriam-falk
Substance abuse creates incredible stress for families. That is never more true than during the holidays. Mike McGowan, the host of this podcast, shares a holiday story from his past that serves as a reminder that the best gifts are the ones we never see coming. In addition to hosting the “Avoiding the Addiction Affliction” podcast, Mike is an insightful and engaging consultant, trainer and motivational speaker. He can be reached at michael07@aol.com. If you grew up in a home with substance abuse issues you can learn more at https://adultchildren.org. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Dr. Shilagh Mirgain discusses the roles that attitude and gratitude play in our mental and emotional health. While holidays and life in general can be stressful, there are ways we can improve our mood and control our emotions. Giving ourselves the gift of positivity is a great place to start. Dr. Mirgain is a Health and Sport Psychologist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and can be reached at https://www.uwhealth.org/findadoctor/profile/shilagh-a-mirgain-phd/6930
More than one out of every three adults grew up in a house where someone had a substance use disorder. Stacy was among them. As a child she became a doer, a people pleaser, and a protecter for her siblings. As an adult, she developed her own substance use disorder. After five years of recovery, she was introduced to ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) issues. Another deeper door into recovery opened. Stacy shares her journey of discovery and ongoing work to connect with her feelings. If you grew up in a home with a person who abused substances you can learn more at https://adultchildren.org. If you are concerned about your use, you can call 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Cami Peggar speaks about the staggering increase in mental health issues among young people. Cami is the Community Impact Coordinator with the United Way of Door County. She works with schools, agencies, and mental health providers to bridge the gap between the need and access for mental health assistance. Cami coordinates prevention and intervention programs that build a support network for adults and children in an area that has only twenty-five percent of the resources that are typically available in communities nationwide. More information about the STRIDE program can be found at www.stridecreativedc.com, and Cami and the United Way of Door County can be reached at https://unitedwaydc.com/.
When everyone around you is talking about family and “home for the holidays," what do you do if you’re not in that place in your own life? Ryan Clevenger talks about forming recovery families, where support and gratitude can be found in abundance. Ryan is an Outreach Worker for Oxford Houses, Inc. Oxford Houses are long-term, self-managing, and self-supporting recovery houses. For further information about Oxford Houses for sober living, go to https://www.oxfordhouse.org Ryan can be reached for assistance at ryan.clevenger@oxfordhouse.org.
Shelly Becker began drinking at age eleven and using heroin at age seventeen. The journey that followed was predictably full of chaos and pain, but those challenges led her to a place of hope and recovery. Shelly shares her story of falling down and getting back up, again and again, each time learning from the last mistake. By surrounding herself with winners, Shelly has become a beacon of hope for her community and the women she sponsors, If you are concerned about your use, you can call 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Tiffany used her stimulant medication as directed, until she didn’t. Before long she was buying additional medication on the street and then began using methamphetamine. Legal trouble followed, and Tiffany faced a life-changing, fork in road, decision. She talks about choosing life and recovery. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Val describes herself as a “chronic relapser.” She found that drinking, even at an early age, was a quick fix for powerful emotions. In recovery now and feeling stronger than ever, Val shares her story of perseverance and hope. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Cindy Czarnik-Neimeyer, M.S., talks about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact that growing up in adversity has on our youth. Nearly 1 in 6 adults report experiencing at least four types of ACEs while growing up. Cindy is a therapist and certified prevention specialist with Catalpa Health in Appleton, Wisconsin. She is contracted to the Appleton Area School District as the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse & Mental Health Liaison and Prevention Specialist. Cindy can be reached at https://catalpahealth.org/profile/cindy-czarnik-neimeyer/. If you would like to find out more about Adverse Childhood Experiences, go to https://acestoohigh.com
Stacy grew up surrounded by people with substance use disorders. She didn’t know that not drinking was even possible. Finally, a series of events made her take note and stop drinking. In recovery now, Stacy shares how she manages her relationships and the many messages around us that encourage us to use substances. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Kathy Reiley, an attorney and a person with an alcohol use disorder, talks about the omnipresent drinking messages In our everyday lives and how they can trigger those in recovery. An event, a sight, a sound, or a smell can all create a sudden, unexpected craving for those in recovery. Learning coping mechanisms and developing a non-judgmental support network are essential to long-term recovery. There is a confidential resource available to those in the legal community who are concerned about their substance use. It is the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Helpline and can be reached at (800) 543-2625. If you are concerned about your use but are not a lawyer, you can call (262) 564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Kelly Petrusky talks about celebrating each day as the person she has become in recovery. Moving from abusing substances and not knowing who she was to becoming the person she always knew was inside her meant letting go of shame and self judgement. Learning to tell the truth, noticing the beauty in her world, and forming healthy relationships took time and a commitment to her recovery. Recovery from substance use disorders is possible. If you are concerned about your use, you can do what Kelly did: reach out for help. It can start with a phone call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Dr. Robert Gruenberg talks about the sense of shame that is present within all of us and how we can resolve those feelings. Shame is us telling ourselves that we are flawed and not worthy. Those messages are old, destructive, and always right under the surface. Dr. Gruenberg is a clinical psychologist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and can be reached at (414) 352-1144.
Hope Wesley-Early discusses helping clients deal with past shame and life problems. Moving beyond “who I was" to “who I can be" takes time, commitment, and trust. Hope runs the Moral Reconation Therapy Program for the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. If you need help with substance use, help is available. To contact the Hope Council, call 262-658-8166 or explore their website at https://www.hopecouncil.org.
A returning panel of college women discuss their first year of college and the role alcohol and other substance use had on their experiences. Substance use rose significantly during the pandemic as coping strategies for anxiety and stress were taxed. Grace, Maya, Aiden, Haley, Jackie, and Viv share their observations on college, substance use, and mental health. Every college has a student health center and access to counseling. If you are struggling with substance use or have mental health concerns, please seek assistance.
Dana Ballewske, PsyD, talks about how to help young people navigate their worlds during unpredictable times. Young people are not immune to the rise in substance use disorders, depression, and mental health concerns in our society. How parents, mentors, school staff, and counselors respond makes all the difference. Dr Ballewske is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Coordinator of School-Based Services for Professional Services Group. Dana also currently heads the school-based mental health clinic program for Kenosha Unified School District. She can be reached at https://www.psgcip.com
Dana Emold discusses developing a healthy lifestyle in recovery as a way to cope with stress and anxiety and as a way to develop a healthy, non-using social network. Recovery means finding a lifestyle where addiction doesn’t fit. Dana is a Clinical Therapist and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor with Cedar Lake Counseling. Dana can be reached at dana@cedarlakecounseling.net or 262-244-6177 ext.108.
Michael Graveley talks about the legal and life risks of opioid and other drug use. Mr. Graveley has seen first hand what works and doesn’t work to keep someone drug free and well out of harm's way. Mr. Graveley is the elected District Attorney for Kenosha County. He is an advocate for treatment and diversion programs for first-time drug offenders. If you or a loved one needs help with substance use disorders, help is available. There are many places to start, including your own doctor. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Ryan Clevenger shares his journey from addiction to sobriety, a journey that took him from a prison in Texas to a long-term recovery house in Wisconsin. Ryan is an Outreach Worker for Oxford Houses, Inc.. Oxford Houses are long-term, self-managing, and self-supporting recovery houses. For further information about Oxford Houses for sober living go to: https://www.oxfordhouse.org. Ryan can be reached for assistance at ryan.clevenger@oxfordhouse.org
Heroin, jail, sobriety, relapse, repeat. That is a cycle many families experience with opiate addiction. Lee is a mom whose daughter was enmeshed in that cycle. Today, her daughter is in-long term recovery, and Lee shares her journey towards joy and contentment. For family members concerned about loved ones' substance use, taking care of themselves is difficult but necessary. If you are concerned, Hope Council offers a Loved Ones Group (https://www.hopecouncil.org/programs-services/special-families-programming/loved-ones-group-craft/), and Al-Anon and Alateen meetings are free and available: https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting/
After years of trying to control her addiction to opiates and the chaos drugs created, Katie decided that she wanted to live, and to live clean and sober. The cycle of arrests, prison, craving, and withdrawal left her with a choice to make. She chose life. She chose love. If you or a loved one needs help with substance use disorders, help is available. There are many places to start, including your own doctor. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Dr. David Galbis-Reig talks about the growing epidemic of opiate use and the infusion of fentanyl in street drugs. Fentanyl creates all sorts of challenges for treatment and medical professionals, from the medications used to withdraw from the drug to the increased possibility the person using will overdose and die. Dr. Galbis-Reig is the Medical Director of Addiction Services at Ascension Wisconsin All Saints and the President of the Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine. He is passionate about providing education and treatment resources to decrease prescription drug abuse and the burden of addiction to opioids in Kenosha and Racine Counties in Wisconsin. He can be reached at Ascension All Saints-Addiction Medicine, 1320 Wisconsin Ave, #300, Racine, WI 53403, (262) 687-2222
Dr. Krista Lisdahl discusses the neurocognitive consequences of chronic cannabis and other drug use during adolescence and early adulthood. Her research examines the effects of marijuana, alcohol, nicotine, and ecstasy use on brain structure and function. Dr. Lisdahl is the Director of the University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee’s Brain Imaging and Neuropsychology (BraIN) Laboratory. Dr. Lisdahl and her teams research can be accessed at https://uwm.edu/psychology/people/lisdahl-krista-m/
Chris Wardlow talks about resiliency and the importance of having caring, nurturing people in the lives of young people living in families experiencing substance use disorders. Chris is a substance abuse prevention specialist with Catalpa Health in Appleton, Wisconsin. He works with communities, schools, agencies, and organizations that are seeking to incorporate evidence-based strategies and services to prevent and reduce substance abuse among young people. Chris can be reached at https://catalpahealth.org/profile/chris-wardlow/
Roy Bishop discusses the personality changes that take place when Substance Use Disorders are addressed. The transition from being guarded, self centered, and manipulative to honest, considerate, and thoughtful is a journey, but it’s a trip worth taking. A psychotherapist with Eastlake Counseling and Consulting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Program Director with Edge Counseling Solutions and can be reached at http://www.eastlakemke.com or 414-364-2264.
Helen Kobrin discusses the dynamics of codependency and how to break patterns of unhealthy behaviors that focus on others’ wants and needs at the expense of our own. Taking care of ourselves is not selfish; rather, it allows us to be a whole, healthy person in all our relationships. Helen holds a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Adler University as well as a Certificate in Addictions Counseling. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Program Director with Edge Counseling Solutions. Helen can be reached at http://edgecounselingsolutions.com/helen-kobrin/ or 224-676-2317.
Jessie Close talks about her diagnosis for bi-polar disorder and how she and her family have worked to eliminate the stigma around mental illness. By sharing her journey and through the additional commitment and dedication of her sister Glenn and the Bring Change 2 Mind organization, Jessie is working to “Change a mind and change a life.” Jessie’s gripping autobiography, Resilience:Two Sisters and a Story of Mental Illness can be purchased at https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jessie-close/resilience/9781455548828/biography, and “Bring Change 2 Mind” resources can be accessed at https://bringchange2mind.org.
Vanessa McGowan talks about the choices we make to cope with our challenges in life. Vanessa is a New Zealand-born musician, writer, and entrepreneur based in Nashville, Tennessee, and Door County, Wisconsin. She discusses the highs and lows of life on the road and the discoveries she made while researching and writing about the culture of alcohol while being stuck at home during the pandemic. Vanessa's music and her writings can be accessed at https://vanessamcgowan.com
Helen Kobrin discusses how individuals and couples can break patterns of unhealthy communication and behavior and establish a healthy, honest, and respectful relationship. If we have the courage and willingness to look in the mirror and address our own “stuff,” a relationship can transform from hurtful and raw to loving and beautiful. Helen holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Adler University as well as a Certificate in Addictions Counseling. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Program Director with Edge Counseling Solutions. Helen can be reached at http://edgecounselingsolutions.com/helen-kobrin/ or 224-676-2317
Guida Brown discusses the substance abuse increases Wisconsin has seen during the pandemic and how helping agencies are addressing the need for services. Guida is the Executive Director of the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse. If you need help due to substance abuse, help is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166 or email them at info@hopecouncil.org. Learn more about the agency's services at hopecouncil.org.
Dana Emold discusses working towards healthy relationships for recovering individuals, couples, and families. After years and sometimes generations of unhealthy communication and relationships, the transition from walking on eggshells to concrete and moving from deceit to honest, healthy communication in recovery involves time, work, and trust. Dana is a Clinical Therapist and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor with Cedar Lake Counseling. Dana can be reached at dana@cedarlakecounseling.net or 262-244-6177 ext.108.
Christine Ullstrup talks about the benefits of providing women a safe and secure environment to deal with their substance abuse. Christine is the Vice President of Clinical Services at Meta House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a treatment facility that has been dedicated to empowering women to overcome substance use disorder since 1963. Recovery for women from substance use disorders often entails a complex balancing of their substance use, life roles, concurrent disorders, and cultural expectations. For more information about Meta House and the programs they offer, contact Meta House at info@metahouse.org. or 414-962-1200.
Sharon is a mother whose story of perseverance and recovery from substance use and bipolar disorders are remarkable. Substance use disorders and mental illness often go hand in hand. Recovery means addressing all those concerns, a seemingly monumental task until tackled one step at a time. For millions of people struggling with substance use disorders and mental illness, Sharon’s story will seem familiar and her recovery inspiring. If you or a loved one needs help with substance use disorders or mental illness, help is available. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Kenosha County can be reached at 262-652-3606 or namikenoshacounty@gmail.com. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Kathy and Johnny are part of a powerful training team at Kimberly (Wisconsin) High School. They train student leaders to help their classmates cope with difficult life issues, including substance use, depression, and suicidal thoughts. One of the most powerful techniques they train the student leaders to use is showing compassion through the use of empathy. Breaking through the isolation and desperation by being present and available are key factors in getting people the help they need. If you need help with substance use or mental health issues, help is available. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Kenosha County can be reached at 262-652-3606 or namikenoshacounty@gmail.com. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166 or email them at info@hopecouncil.org. Learn more about the agency's services at hopecouncil.org.
Hope Wesley-Early used to spend her days immersed in the chaotic cycle that is substance abuse. Using drugs, recovering from their effects, and lying to those around her was the daily routine. The chaos took its toll; Hope persevered and turned her life around. Today she spends her days helping people get the information and the help they need to battle their own substance use disorders. If you need help due to substance abuse, help is available. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166 or email them at info@hopecouncil.org. Learn more about the agency's services at hopecouncil.org.
Amber and Chloe are a mother-daughter duo who persevered through the addictions of Chloe’s father to start a new life. When is it time to say enough is enough? Amber shares her story of walking on eggshells while trying to keep the peace at the same time that Chloe was navigating adolescence and trying to be Mom’s support. For millions of children and families, their journey is an all too familiar one. If you are concerned, Al-Anon and Alateen meetings are free and available: https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting/
Shane Urness describes January 18, 2004 as a day he doesn’t remember, but one he will never forget. That evening when he and his friends left a party, Shane drove drunk and struck another car. Three people were killed, including his best friend. Shane went to prison, is out now on extended supervision and chooses to tell his sobering story as a cautionary tale of reckless, poor decision making.
If you need help with substance use, help is available. It can start with a phone call: 262-554-6611; You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Adam Crivello shares his experiences growing up in a family where substance use took center stage. After several rounds of sobriety and relapse, Adam’s mother has been in recovery for over a decade. For millions of children and families, substance use disorder is one of the constants in their lives. All that is predictable is the chaos and feeling of helplessness. For family members concerned about loved ones' substance use, taking care of themselves is difficult but necessary. If you are concerned, Al-Anon and Alateen meetings are free and available: https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting/
Montee Ball, former University of Wisconsin and NFL running back talks candidly about his journey from alcoholism and depression to sobriety. Incredible success on the field did not insulate Montee from the devastating effects of substance use. Now five years into recovery, Montee works with Wisconsin Voices for Recovery helping build trust and provide resources for individuals and communities that need assistance.
Montee can be contacted through Wisconsin Voices for Recovery,
http://wisconsinvoicesforrecovery.org 608-262-9791
William C. Moyers talks about his road to recovery, which he says was full of "curves, potholes, dead ends, and sharp turns." He discusses the role of parents in their children’s journey and staying focused on being with them but also the need for parents to stay in their own lane. Mr. Moyers is the Vice President of Public Affairs and Community Relations for Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. He is a renowned speaker and author of several books, including the New York Times best seller Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption. He and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation can be reached at https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org.
Rose Blozinski discusses problem and compulsive gambling. Rose is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling. Sometimes referred to as a "hidden compulsion," problem gambling affects people of all ages and demographics, their family members, and their friends. There is help. If you have a concern about yourself or a loved one contact:
Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLE-5 or 1-800-426-2535
Chat Line: www.wi-problemgamblers.org
Text: 1-850-888-HOPE or 1-850-888-4673
Kelly and Stormie were in trouble with the law, their families and with substances. Both of them chose to enter and work through the Kenosha County Treatment Court program and are recent graduates. They discuss their expectations, experiences, hiccups and success with the program. Best of all, they discuss their new lease on life and becoming the people they never thought they could become.
Jodi Meier, Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge for the Kenosha County Drug Treatment Court, discusses the opportunities that court provides for those who are in legal trouble but who ask for help. Designed to help those high risk, high needs individuals who have substance use disorders and legal issues, the program offers a chance to create a different and better life.
Laura Baker, a Supervisor with the Drug Affected Infant and Unborn Child Abuse Program, discusses how substance abuse affects infants, children, and their families. More than 75% of infants exposed to drugs have major medical problems, and, in America, every twenty minutes an infant suffering from drug withdrawal is born. Ms. Baker talks about the department’s goal of giving mothers, infants, and families support and services so they can all move forward together.
Dr. Dana Ballewske discusses the dramatic rise in substance use disorders, depression, and mental health concerns among young people and how schools and service providers can help. Dr Ballewske is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Coordinator of School-Based Services for Professional Services Group. Dana also currently heads the school-based mental health clinic program for Kenosha Unified School District. She can be reached at https://www.psgcip.com
Singer and songwriting legend Dion DiMucci of "Dion and the Belmonts" fame discusses his decades-long sobriety and how recovery has impacted his life, relationships, and music. As he says in his classic song "Your Own Backyard," "I can do anything that I wanna do. I do it straight, I do it so much better, too." Dion’s website is https://diondimucci.com
Nanci Schiman discusses the life challenges facing people dealing with eating disorders. Nanci is a Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker with Cedar Lake Counseling. She works with families, couples, and individuals with all manner of mental health concerns including: addictions, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Nanci can be reached at (262)-244-6177 and NANCI@CEDARLAKECOUNSELING.NET For more information on eating disorders, visit National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Roland F. Williams, MA, discusses relapse, relapse prevention, and the work that needs to be done to stay in recovery. Long before the drug or drink enters the body of a person in recovery, relapse can already be occurring. Mr. Williams is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, an Advanced Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist, and Director of Training for the CENAPS Corporation. Roland works world-wide as a counselor, interventionist, lecturer, trainer, teacher, author, and consultant specializing in addiction-related issues. Roland and CENAPS can be reached for additional information at https://www.cenaps.com
Jessica is a young woman from Colorado who got into recovery at a young age after spiraling down quickly when she began to use in her teens. Jess shares her story of burned bridges, new hopes, and gratitude for a sober life. If you are concerned about your use, you can do what Jess did: reach out for help. It can start with a phone call: 262-554-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
Kenosha Circuit Court Judge Mary K. Wagner discusses the impact substance use has had on the individuals, families, and children she has seen come before her over her decades-long, storied career as a public servant. Judge Wagner has served for thirty years as a Circuit Court Judge and will be leaving the bench at the end of her current term.
Ross Bacon talks about his winding road towards recovery. Ross was a pastor turned salesperson who hid his use from everyone. Until one day he didn’t. Ross now works as a Treatment Advocate for the Recovery Centers of America in suburban Chicago. In his work he helps people get the help they need and want. Ross can be contacted through the Recovery Centers of America at https://recoverycentersofamerica.com/locations/st-charles-il/
Joshua Andrus discusses media addiction and the effects it has on young people and their families. Joshua is a Senior Addiction Counselor who works with active military personnel and veterans experiencing homelessness. He is also an author of a children's book series aimed at helping young people and their families overcome the obstacle of tech addiction and live healthier lives. Those books can be found on Amazon.
Ruth Donalds talks about the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse's "Loved Ones" program, a support group that focuses on education and practical strategies that concerned others can use to reclaim their lives and regain their own happiness while also working on getting their loved ones into treatment. For more information about the group, see https://www.hopecouncil.org/programs-services/special-families-programming/loved-ones-group-craft/ or call 262-658-8166. If you are interested in the book Ruth mentions, it is Baffled By Addiction? Successful Strategies to Help Your Addicted Loved One by Ed Hughes and Ronald Turner and is available at the Hope Council and on Amazon.
Andy Duran talks about parents’ and caregivers’ roles in helping their children avoid the pitfalls of substance use. The conversations and relationships parents have with their children are the primary reason young people stay away from drinking and other drug use. Andy is the chief executive of LEAD, an organization dedicated to the promotion of healthy family relationships, emotional wellness, and the prevention of alcohol, other drug use, and other risky behavior by youth. He can be contacted at info@golead.co
Marcy Hufendick, Program Director and Senior Counselor at the University of Wisconsin Parkside, discusses the role universities play in addressing substance use on campus. As universities attempt to keep instruction and campus life as normal as possible during the pandemic, substance use and partying have contributed to a change in how college students experience college life. The UW Parkside Counseling Center can be reached at 262-595-2366.
Robin Monson-Dupuis talks about surviving her immeasurable pain and her journey to heal and even grow after the traumatic loss of her son to heroin. Robin can be reached at rmmwellness.com, and her book, Spirit Son: A Mother's Journey to Reconnect with Her Son After His Death From Heroin Overdose, is available on Amazon and from other book retailers.
Dr. Shilagh Mirgain discusses the importance of gratitude for our physical, mental, and emotional health. Thanksgiving is a perfect time, even in difficult times, to shift our focus from our problems to our gifts. Dr. Mirgain is a Health and Sport Psychologist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and can be reached at https://www.uwhealth.org/findadoctor/profile/shilagh-a-mirgain-phd/6930
Felicia Labatore’s son Clay was a shining light to all who knew him. Then, at age sixteen he took his life. Felicia discusses surviving her incredible pain and her journey to heal and help others address depression and substance use head on. Felicia can be reached through The Clay Davison Legacy Scholarship Fund at http://www.kenoshafoundation.org/scholarship-information/the-clay-davison-legacy/. Felicia’s YouTube video, "Fighting It's in your DNA," can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiPebVybkf8&feature=emb_logo
Dr. Leah Featherstone talks about how to manage contentious conversations and feelings around a variety of issues, from the Election to the Pandemic to Substance Use. Healthy boundaries and clear communication are keys to positive mental health. Dr. Featherstone can be reached at PSG CIP, 6233 39th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53142. (262) 654-1004 info@psgcip.com
A panel of college freshman women discuss the impact that alcohol and other substance use had on the first weeks of their unique college experience in the midst of a pandemic . While there aren’t always answers to life’s questions, there are always opportunities for discussions.
Katie Oatsvall discusses her courageous journey to save her son and family from substance use disorder. What she has learned is that she has a journey of her own to travel and that the road is not always smooth. If you or anyone you know needs help with their journey, check out the Loved Ones Group at the Hope Council: https://www.hopecouncil.org/loved-ones-group/
Debbie Rueber, Health Services Coordinator for Kenosha County, talks about the upcoming Behavioral Health Resource Fair. In a time of increased substance use, depression, and stress, the Kenosha County Division of Aging and Disability Services is offering a Community Resource Fair on October 24th from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Holy Spirit Community Church, 5900 11th Avenue. See the event flyer at http://bit.ly/KCBHfair. If you just need someone to talk, to Text HOME to 741741 to reach a Crisis Counselor.
Tod Ohnstad and Crystal Miller discuss the state’s role in addressing substance use disorders. Mr. Ohnstad and Ms. Miller are candidates for Wisconsin’s 65th Legislative Assembly District. They discuss the role of the state in prevention, intervention, and treatment.
"Erin" shares her journey into recovery from opiates and alcohol. While reaching out for help was scary and difficult for her, continuing to use mood-altering substances was intolerable. If you or anyone you know needs help, it can start with a phone call: 262-554-6611; You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://www.sefana.net/meetings.php
David Galbis-Reig, MD, talks about treatment options and recovery from Substance Use Disorders. Dr. Galbis-Reig is the Medical Director of Addiction Services at Ascension Wisconsin All Saints and the President of the Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine. He is passionate about providing education and treatment resources to decrease prescription drug abuse and the burden of addiction to opioids in Racine and Kenosha Counties in Wisconsin.
Gianna Anderson and Ryan Deglow discuss medication for addiction treatment options for opiate abuse. Gianna is a Public Health Nurse with Kenosha County Division of Health, and Ryan is the Supervisor at Professional Services Group's Comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program/Opiate Diversion Program. Ryan can be contacted at 262-654-1004 or email, info@psgcip.com.
Dr. Michael McNett discusses the ongoing epidemic of prescription and opiate drug abuse in our country and what can be done to lead a healthy, fulfilled life. Dr. McNett is the Director for Aurora Hospital’s Department of Non-Interventional Pain Management.
Please go to https://www.saveliveskenosha.org/general-resources/ for local Kenosha resources.
Julia Sherman talks about the Wisconsin alcohol culture and what local communities can do about it. Julia is the Project Coordinator for the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project. Link to the Project’s website: http://law.wisc.edu/wapp/
Floyd Asonwha discusses families coping with substance use disorders. Floyd is a retired Kenosha Unified School District counselor and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Specialist.