Today’s conversation features Jennifer Miller - a mom with two perspectives to her addiction story. As a professional therapist, she works with young adults and their families dealing with the issue of addiction on a daily basis. As a mom, she witnessed the devastating effects of addiction through her 27 year old son’s opioid addiction battle.

As more and more stories of children dying from addiction overdoses have been shared, Jennifer made a commitment to be more involved, engaged, and active. Her passion for this cause clearly resonates in our conversation. 

Listeners to this podcast will learn from her story about her son. How he went from a wildly popular, accomplished, scholarly student to a young man struggling with his addiction.

Plus, we discuss the impact that labeling people “addicts” has on their recovery, the perceptions it reinforces, and how we can change the addiction discussion simply by changing how we talk about it.

As Jennifer declares there is a battle out there; but, it is not the battle we think we have been fighting.  “It’s not a war on Drugs, It’s a war on People.” To fight this battle we must all be engaged, educated, and supporting each other. 

Reference Links:

Redemption House (Facebook Page)

Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (Website)

Chasing the Scream (Book)

Beyond Addiction (Book)

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Today’s podcast features an incredible, if not improbable story. At 22, Jack Kelly was homeless, living on the streets, and addicted to heroin. Having lost everything that was important to him – his family, his athletic prowess, his dreams – all he had left was his addiction.

Even though they don’t have to, too many stories end here. Fortunately, for us and for Jack this story demonstrates that recovery is possible. That hope is not wasted. And, those who find their recovery are capable of incredible, successful life outcomes.

When you listen to this podcast, you will hear how Jack found his recovery, turned his life around while living and celebrating an accomplished, exciting life – running for office in his hometown of Boston, working for and mingling with community leaders, and even developing an App to help those in recovery connect with others in the same situation. Never lose hope, never give up – it possible. Jack is proof amazing recovery stories can and do happen!

Links of Interest:

Twitter: @Jack Kelly111

Facebook: Jack Kelly

IRecoverApp

Jack’s Story

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When it comes to parenting and addiction, “sometimes you have to think out of the box.”  Today’s conversation features the story of a mom, Gerry Standard, who found herself at a point of desperation. She didn’t know what else to and decided to trust her instincts and her research and do something different. Her “different” was Ibogaine and her experience began over six years ago.

We talked about Ibogaine with the staff at Crossroads, Inc. on a previous conversation. The team shared wonderful insights and opportunities for the Ibogaine approach. 

It was quite interesting and compelling to hear the personal story of a family’s direct experience with Ibogaine*.  Since her daughter’s Ibogain treatment* six years ago, she has been clean the entire time and has made great progress in reclaiming her life. 

Those who listen to this podcast will again discover that Ibogaine is only part of the recovery process. Aftercare is also the other critical component; plus, a willingness to all members of the family in recognizing responsibility for making changes in their own life as part of the recovery process.

If you have not listened to the podcast on Ibogaine, I would encourage you to listen to it as part of the educational process.  Gerry shares and supports much of what is presented in the Ibogaine podcast; but, it is even more impactful when listened to in conjunction with the previous Ibogaine conversation.

Gerry also shares her 10 Rules for Dealing with Your Addicted Child. 

*Note: Please do not confuse Gerry’s experiences with Ibogaine as an endorsement of the work being conducted at Crossroads, Inc.These are separate conversations and are not to be construed as related or a direct endorsement of the program at Crossroads.

Links:

Addiction Conversation: The Ibogaine Process

Ten Rules for Dealing with Your Addicted Child

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What happens when a father’s recovery journey is not enough to protect his daughter from following her own addiction path? In today’s conversation we hear the story of father who spent a good part of his life fighting to find his recovery to be the dad he knew he could be. And, the subsequent story of his life in recovery as his daughter fought her own addiction battle until she nearly died from an overdose.

It has been a long journey, the lessons, experiences and outcomes of their choices have had lasting impact; but, love is the victor in this battle.

In this podcast you will hear about the journey of addiction, how guilt and hopelessness can trigger more abuse, and how recovery can be found in very unique and special ways. My thanks to Jeff Bertolet for sharing his incredible story and committing to using his story to inspire others.

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Today’s guest is a very special advocate for our children and loved ones. Judge Jodi Debbrecht Switalski, is a district court judge in Michigan.  More importantly, she is clearly leading the way to help change the way addiction is managed in the courts, in our criminal justice system, and in society.  She is a voice of education, awareness, and change.

As parents dealing with this adversity in our family, we can all be grateful for the presence of those who think forwardly and proactively. More importantly, we cannot stand by and have others fight our battles on our behalf. We must join in the fight for increased awareness, for improved education, and for the change that helps our children and loved ones in their battles with addiction.

Please listen to this podcast and learn more about the resources and programs that can help us in our battle.  Nothing changes until we stand tall and fight for change.  I promise, you will find hope and courage in this conversation! Peace!

Links of interest:

National Association of Drug Court Professionals

The Stutman Group

Dying to be Free

Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act

Judge Jodi’s Bio

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Everyone has that moment in their life when they realize something is wrong and change is required. Today’s guest had that moment, acknowledged his reality, made a commitment and changed his life. As we learn in this conversation, we don’t realize how serious our problem is until it shows up and gives us an unsolicited demonstration.

While many of our previous guests have been parents of those with addictions, today’s guest Jim Humphreys is a mature adult, a parent, a man with a successful professional career. He also is in recovery from his addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Those who take time to listen to this conversation will find inspiration in his journey, education in his perspectives, and wonderful nuggets of quotable, repeatable words of wisdom.

Listen how hope, servitude, and commitment have transformed a broken life into a man reborn, rejuvenated in recovery.

Links of Interest:

Jim on Twitter: @CyRecovery

Jim’s Blog: Cycle to Recovery

Positive Addiction (book)

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Today’s guest, Denise Mariano, shares the story of her family’s journey with her son’s addiction. While our conversation covered a wide range of topics like recovery, parenting, stigma, treatment, and community, the theme of our conversation centered around the power of communication as a tool to inspire, educate, coach, and encourage.  Everyone battling with an addiction or struggling with the addiction of a loved one.  While this fight may not yet be as successful as one would desire, the one certainty is that everyone involved is listening, learning, experiencing, and searching.

Listen to this podcast.  The perspectives shared about how we communicate with ourselves, our loved ones, with others in similar situations is very, very powerful.  Talking is healing, healing is listening, listening is understanding, and understanding is the gift you cannot live without or withhold from others.  Please take time to listen to this conversation and be prepared share the gift of better communication.

Links of interest:

CRAFT (about)

SMART Recovery (website)

Partnership for Drug Free Kids (website)

Partnership for Drug Free Kids (coaching helpline)

Check out this episode!