Avoiding the Addiction Affliction

William Person is a former nine-year Team USA Bobsled athlete whose career left him battling the devastating effects of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). At his lowest point, he could barely get up off the floor, lost in confusion, depression, intense headaches, and a deteriorating brain. Hope came when he discovered Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which restored clarity in his thinking, color to...

John Plageman wondered how, as a newly recovering person, he would navigate social events he enjoyed. Concerts, ballgames, and just going out were cause for anxiety. He discovered, however, that at every event there were folks who, like himself, wanted to enjoy themselves without alcohol and other drugs. A while later, he helped establish a welcoming non-using presence at Lambeau Field, home of th...

People don't have substance use disorders in isolation. Their family, friends, and colleagues all experience, as Lisa Katona Smith, M.Ed., says, "feelings of anger, fear, and shame that fracture relationships with loved ones at a time when they are needed most." Lisa is a certified Peer Recovery Specialist, family consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of the book, "Parallel Recovery: A Guide for Th...

When people find themselves without shelter, warmth, or food, having angels on the streets helps. Eva Welch is a Co-Founder and Director of Street Angels in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Eva is a fierce advocate, action activator, and self-described fun instigator. She studied psychology and earned her BA from Ottawa University. Together with Shelly Sarasin, Eva co-founded Street Angels and expande...

After thirty years on television, Beth McDonough's life unraveled in the harshest spotlight: two DUIs, a public firing, and national headlines. What the world saw was her mugshot. She talks about her fight to get sober, the years of shame and silence, and the strength it took to rebuild her life. Beth is an author and former TV crime reporter who chronicles her addiction and recovery in her memoir...

There are some parenting challenges that don't show up in the guidebooks we all consume when we have children. Chrisa Hickey ran into that head on when her son Timothy was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of eleven. She talks about the challenges of raising children with special needs, finding a healthy rest-of-life balance, and the complexities of finding quality mental healthcare in Rural...

Veterans encounter physical, mental health, and substance use challenges at a greater rate than the general population. Rebekka Cary discusses helping them access the benefits and assistance they are rightfully due. Rebekka is a County Veterans Service Officer for Columbia County in Portage, Wisconsin. She was a First Sergeant in the Illinois Air National Guard and is a member of the National Asso...

When good leaders use powerful, positive attitudes and actions to promote healthy community building, that "vibe" is contagious and spreads. Peggy Eserkaln talks about how, as an educator and improvisational performer, she helps establish a school or workplace culture that encourages creativity, respect, and positive mental health. Peggy is a Founder of Educational Improvisation, an award-winning...

Being a kid today has its challenges, and being a kid who has learning disabilities, ADHD, NLD ( Nonverbal Learning Disorder ), ASD ( Autism Spectrum Disorder ), or anxiety related to academic performance certainly adds an element of complexity to navigating one's academic career and life. Hannah Bookbinder discusses her work with neurodivergent clients, the challenges and the successes. Hannah is...

The mental health and substance use disorders that challenge veterans are not unusual, and they occasionally lead to homelessness. Recently in Wisconsin, funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) was removed from the two-year state budget, and, as a result, two transitional homes for veterans were closed. Wisconsin State Senator Jeff Smith has introduced legislation to reopen —...

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...