The Addiction Podcast-Point of No Return

This episode is about the podcast. It features the host - Joanie Sigal - and the producer - Steve Sigal - talking about how and why the podcast was started and how it has progressed over the last 3 years plus. https://theaddictionpodcast.com/

Wes Geer is a rock star - literally and figuratively. He founded the band HedPE and was traveling guitarist for KORN. In 2003, Wes was addicted to methamphetamines, alcohol and pot. He got clean. In 2012 he founded Rock to Recovery, a non-profit organization that allows recovering addicts, victims of abuse and troubled teens to express themselves through song. Rock to Recovery also works with Woun...

In the last episode of the podcast, we talked to Dan about the death of his son Danny.  Danny didn't die of an overdose but rather was murdered while trying to buy drugs.  Dan found the murderer and saw him convicted.  Dan promised God that if he'd help him find Danny's murderer, that he would be on a mission for God.  What Dan did next is the subject of crime thrillers.  Noticing that one doctor...

In 1999, Dan Schneider - a Louisiana pharmacist - lost his only son to a drug related murder.  Unlike, perhaps, what most of us would do, Dan was relentless in pursuing his son's murderer and kept up an investigation for more than a year to bring the perpetrator to justice.  He finally saw the young man sentenced to 15 years after taking a plea bargain.  Dan's story of investigation and ultimately...

This interview is with Connor Miller, 26 years old. He was a heroin addict who got clean from drugs four years ago and since then, he has not looked back. He co-founded a 50 million dollar logistics business with his father and now he is in the process of teaching himself how to be a filmmaker. He's been a successful entrepreneur and has a great method for approaching sobriety - be on the offense,...

Robert is a successful entrepreneur and childhood sexual abuse survivor.  Straddling the line between poor and destitute, Robert was raised by a single mother in a failing steel town.  Robert wrote his book - Before I Leave You - as a final message, fully intending to end his life after writing it.  However, he's now married with a child and living life to it's fullest.  It can be done.

Mike Diamond, former reality TV star, motivational speaker/author, and celebrity interventionist.  Being 13+ years sober himself, Mike shares his knowledge in his new book "7 Steps to an Unbreakable Mindset," speaks in schools around the nation and keynotes national health conferences. In addition, he is currently in development on a TV Show (with a major network, soon to be announced!) showcasing...

Dr. Mohr strongly supports treatment and sustainable recovery. He is not an advocate for the delegalization of marijuana. In his capacity as epidemiologist for Drug Free America, he researches the effects of marijuana - especially on our youth. Dr. Mohr has recently written a timely article on the effects of the Coronavirus on drug addiction relapse: https://www.dfaf.org/coronavirus-and-stimulus-m...

We titled this podcast as Janet being a champion for newborns. This is because she worked as a neonatal nurse and had to treat newborns born addicted to drugs in an ever increasing number with the opioid addiction epidemic being in full swing. However, with the death of a friend's son due to overdose, her campaign became all about pill mills and legal distribution of deadly drugs. Her book and her...

Shelley Winner was introduced to alcohol by her dad at age 11.  Her drug and alcohol use grew from there to trafficking in drugs in her 30s.  She was arrested and received a 4 year sentence in a federal institution in California.  Believe it or not, it turned out to be one of the best things to happen to her.  She got clean, gave birth to a wonderful baby boy and now works for a high tech company....

What, you ask, is pharmacognosy?  It's the study of medicinal plants.  Pamela Seefeld is all about replacing drugs with natural remedies and it's not just about her opinion.  It's about science and she knows the science.  If you, or someone you know, has been prescribed any sort of pain killer, you need to listen to this episode and talk to Pamela BEFORE you continue.

A tenacious crusader in today's drug crisis, Allie Severino is no stranger to addiction–or to the stigma that comes with being an addict. Allie has devoted her life's work to breaking down the stigma associated with substance use disorders and increasing access to care for all who experience them. Allie speaks regularly with schools, drug court officials, judges,teachers, parents and those like he...

Nick Ferguson grew up in the inner city of Miami, known as the projects.  Within his neighborhood and even his own family, he was aware of the negative effects of addiction from an early age.  With the influence of two of his teachers and his mother, he went down a different path and decided to use his God given talent as an athlete to pursue professional sports.  After 10 years in the NFL, he is...

In his just released book "Pharma", a meticulously documented expose of decades of fraud, incompetence, conspiracy and avarice, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Gerald Posner traces the heroes and villains of the trillion-dollar-a-year pharmaceutical industry and uncovers how those once entrusted with improving life have often betrayed that ideal to corruption and rec...

James Brown has his own addiction story. It's not dissimilar to stories we've told about children starting on alcohol or marijuana. But James' story has so much tragedy - the loss of his siblings - that it's a wonder that he survived and has been clean and sober for more than a decade. Not only is he clean and sober but he's written three semi-autobiographical books in an effort to hell his story...

Running a rehab center might not be first and foremost on your list of professions you want to pursue. However, Fabian Padro - with a background of entrepreneurship and business - became the Executive Director of the most exclusive Narconon on the planet. He is dedicated to helping individuals get clean and sober and he's been doing a great job at it. His is a story about helping others with their...

Philip Markoff is an online influencer and thought leader on addiction education; he is known as his alias "CG Kid" and obtained a large audience primarily on YouTube as a vlogger and journalist. He has his own story of addiction and recovery and uses that to educate others, those in addiction or family and friends so that they can take steps to recovery.

Melissa's story is different than pretty much any other we've told on this podcast.  She was prescribed Ativan when she had her second child and couldn't sleep.  As the dosage was upped, she experienced seizures and when she tried to cut down on the medication, she had strokes.  After a year of decreasing the dosage, she finally was able to stop taking most of the drug but to this day is on a very...

From selling his first business at age 19 to building a multimillion-dollar A- list talent agency, Darren Prince has experienced what life is like in the celebrity world. He also saw the dark reality of addiction through his own personal struggle. After over 11 years of sobriety, Darren has become a sought-after speaker on addiction recovery and mental health. He specializes in helping high functi...

Michael is an ex-offender and former addict and gang member. After 12 years in prison he finally had his "point of no return", he became determined to ensure that no other child in America "turned out like me".  He has since presented drug education and prevention in all 50 states in over 700 schools throughout the US. Michael is on a mission to educate youth and parents on the dangers of drugs. I...

Marshall Faulk was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons, both for the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams. In 2011 , Marshall was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame , and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.   Now he is the National Spokesman for "The Foundation for a Drug Free World", a nonprofit public benefit corporation that empowers youth an...

Dr. Cali Estes has her own history with addiction involving food.  But dealing with that and studying the whole area of addiction made her much more able to deal with her rock musician husband - Tim - when he became addicted to heroin.  He's clean and sober with the help of his wife and both are giving back to people in need.

IIn 2002, Marianne Skolek Perez's daughter Jill died at the age of 29 after being prescribed OxyContin for back pain. As a nurse employed at a large medical center, Marianne wanted answers. Her research led her to Purdue Pharma and the FDA's involvement in a growing. Marianne has appeared in Federal Court on this matter and continues to work with government agencies and private attorneys in giving...

Kathleen left her husband due to his heavy drinking, thinking this would protect her children.  However, the cycle of alcohol abuse was repeated in her family.  Her message is one of hope and recovery.  Her book will be published shortly and hopefully will provide insight into addiction and how to deal with it in the family.  A mother's perspective.

Jonathan Goyer began his addiction journey with pot at age 7.  He, like so many others, worked his way up to pretty much all drugs - heroin, coke, meth - you name it.  He lost his dad to an overdose and then his brother to complications from a drug overdoes.  In 2013 he got clean and now he gives back via his nonprofit - https://www.atrecovery.org/   He recently was featured in the TV show " 60 Da...