Avoiding the Addiction Affliction

Stress, anxiety, and depression are seemingly everywhere and ever-present. Kelli O'Rourke Wall started her mental health journey as a patient and is now a therapist. She talks about the journey from client to helper and discusses her approach to the challenges all of us face in getting the help we need for our mental health. Kelli is a California-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who wo...

Tony Dice's road to a doctorate was anything but straight. He discusses his addiction, recovery, and memoir, "After the Trident." Dr. Dice's Holistic Change Model is designed to heal the invisible wounds of those who serve. Dr. Dice and his many services can be reached at Bishop & Dice Defense . The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin . More in...

Trevor Shick was experiencing declining mental health and increasing problems with substance use. Seeking help, he and his family encountered numerous obstacles. Trevor talks about his recovery and his new venture, Kind Habit Labs, a software system designed to help facilities that help people with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Trevor is the Founder & CEO of Kind Habit Labs...

When more people are equipped with the tools to start a dialogue about mental health and substance use disorders, more people can get the help they need. Deacon Eric Paige discusses the National Council for Mental Wellbeing's Mental Health First Aid, a training that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental health or substance use challenge. Deacon Paige is t...

While most folks are aware of the sought-after effects of substances like alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and THC, they are less knowledgeable about what these substances really do to the body as a whole. Andrew Lokuta, an instructor in Human Physiology, discusses how the most commonly abused substances affect the body's systems. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality...

There is always a new drug, a new emerging crisis that affects families and communities. Pat Aussem talks about The Partnership to End Addiction and their work of preventing and addressing substance use disorders by providing families, communities, and professionals with practical knowledge they can trust to support young people at-risk or struggling with addiction. Pat is the Vice President, Cons...

The stigma around mental health and/or substance use disorders often stymie a person's willingness to talk about it and ask for help. Dr. Sarah Nasir talks about her holistic approach to addiction medicine and mental health and the obstacles people face, often from those who say they care the most about them. Dr. Nasir is a dual board-certified family medicine physician with a sub-specialty in add...

The adage "three strikes and you're out" too often is applied to getting help for substance use disorders and mental health. But not at The Bridge House/Grace House in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dennis Farmer was in and out of the program four times before he found long-term recovery. He talks about that recovery and his unique job at Bridge House/Grace House: he runs their used car lot. Dennis went...

Study after study has shown a drop in mental health. That is especially true of young people and women. Sheng Lee Yang discusses her work with underserved, marginalized populations and the need for culturally sensitive therapy. Sheng is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Perinatal Mental Health therapist. She is a former professor who taught social justice issues, mental health, and advocacy to...

The Bridge House/Grace House in New Orleans, Louisiana, has a wonderful mission. Simply stated, it is to help rebuild with dignity, honesty, and respect the lives of men and women, in order to help those who have literally lost everything. Kevin Gardere discusses that mission and the challenges, as well as opportunities, that treatment centers encounter. Kevin has been with Bridge House/Grace Hous...

Talent alone doesn't lead to success, not when that talent gets lost in an ocean of alcohol and lost opportunities. Michael Massey is an accomplished, award-winning musician, speaker, author, composer, and producer. He's also a recovering alcoholic, whose book, "More: A Memoir," chronicles his downward spiral into addiction and his climb out of it. Michael, his book, and all of his music can be re...

When people experience trauma, they often share that trauma and their reactions to it with those closest to them. Research has also shown that response to trauma and the resulting mental health issues that come with it can be passed down generationally. Dr. Ghazaleh Bailey discusses how trauma is passed down generationally and even epigenetically. Dr. Bailey is a certified therapist, couple's ther...

Creating healthy lifestyles and healing relationships and learning a new way to live are great goals for anyone in recovery from substance use disorders. It is also the mission of Imagine Recovery and Imagine House in New Orleans, Louisiana. Felicia Montiforte talks about those goals and her work with the recovering community. Felicia is a Co-Founder and CEO of Imagine Recovery and a Co-Founder of...

When federal funding is slashed for addiction treatment, education, and research, it affects millions of Americans struggling with substance use disorders and those who work with them. Libby Jones discusses the importance of working with and educating those who make policy and funding decisions. Ms. Jones is the Program Director at the Overdose Prevention Initiative (OPI). She has a Bachelor's of...

For many people in recovery, there is a specific moment in time they can point to when their lives turn around. At that moment, life one becomes life two. Dr. Robb Kelly discuss that moment in his life and how life two has led him to a career of helping people. Robb Kelly was born in Manchester, England, into a family that had a history of alcoholism. He obtained his Doctorate in Psychology from O...

Different cultures look at health in different ways. Sometimes we are enticed by quick fixes and marketing. Lis Schmelzer discusses the role genetics plays on our health and the effects on our health from the choices we make. What we consume affects all our bodies' systems. The only long-term solution is developing healthy habits and choices. Lis is a Clinical Nutritionist, Nutrition Sales Executi...

Good things happen when young people are informed and empowered. The students at Oregon High School in Wisconsin discuss their initiative to educate the community about the health and environmental risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Gavin Smith and Tim Grice are high school seniors and are joined in the discussion by Amy Miller, Community Education Director & Advanced Learning Coordinator...

Success requires a sound foundation. When the foundation of a child's life is built of bricks of shame and insults, it seems inevitable that the child feels unimportant and unwanted. Libby Wipperfurth grew up in a home of conflicting boundaries and messages. The turmoil led to deep depression, anxiety, and years of alcoholism. After several attempts to stay sober failed, she found herself at a tip...

Being the best we can be takes work, but we often look for shortcuts. Sean Casey discusses the pitfalls of looking for quick fixes from supplements that are not regulated. There is a safe and correct way to meet your goals. Sean Casey is a registered dietitian and physical preparation coach who works with everyone from weekend warriors looking to live healthier to middle/high school athletes and e...

The road to success is not lined with empty liquor bottles. Ian Fee shares his story of addiction and redemption. Ian is a successful author and entrepreneur and the creator of Make It Great (MIG). Proudly sober since 2017, he has dedicated himself to personal growth, family, and living a life of purpose and clarity. Ian is the author of a new book, "Wild Ride to Sobriety: A Transformation From Dr...

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...

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, Iris...

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 in...

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 wo...

"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 th...