Addiction Talk

Hollywood director Mark Rosman has helped create some of the most beloved family films and television shows, including A Cinderella Story, Lizzie McGuire, and Even Stevens. But behind the cameras, he and his family were facing a battle they never expected—his teenage daughter's addiction. In this powerful episode of Addiction Talk, Mark shares the deeply personal journey that inspired his upc...

For years, April believed she could eventually drink like a "normal person." After surviving childhood trauma, family alcoholism, and decades of emotional pain, she spent 20 years abstinent from alcohol—but without addressing the deeper issues underneath. When she returned to drinking, everything spiraled. What followed was a journey through addiction, toxic relationships, relapse, and u...

Actress, entrepreneur, and survivor Luann Lee shares her powerful recovery story, revealing the childhood trauma, emotional pain, and addiction that nearly took everything from her. For years, Luann used alcohol to cope with wounds she didn't fully understand. What appeared to be a successful life on the outside was masking a deeper struggle within. In this candid conversation, she opens up a...

Kassandra’s story is one of resilience, faith, and the power of never giving up. After years of addiction, trauma, and being told recovery might not be possible, she made a life-changing decision—to fight for her sobriety and build a life worth living. Through unwavering determination, deep faith, and a commitment to healing, Kassandra not only got sober, but transformed her pain into purpose. In...

What does it really mean to earn your way back to yourself? For Madeline Smith, sober influencer and founder of Swole Sober, earned isn’t a hashtag. It’s hard work, dedication, and choosing again and again to make the next right decision. As a military wife surrounded by a “tough it out” culture and someone who prided herself on independence, she believed she should be figure out sobriety on her o...

Jamison’s recovery story is a raw, honest, and deeply inspiring look at what real healing can look like after addiction. After more than a decade of substance use, Jamison reached a breaking point that forced him to confront not just drugs—but the trauma beneath them. In this episode of Recovery Stories, Jamison shares how addiction treatment at Desert Hope Treatment Center became the turning poin...

Todd Marinovich’s life looked like a fairytale from the outside — a USC standout, first-round NFL draft pick, and the face of the L.A. Raiders. But behind the success was a lifetime of control, pressure, and unrealized identity that pushed him toward substance use at a young age. In this full episode of Addiction Talk, Todd shares the truth about his upbringing, the collapse of his football career...

Addiction Talk: My Recovery Story Madison shares her emotional journey from childhood trauma, to alcohol addiction, to nearly losing her ability to walk — to now almost 1,000 days sober. In this episode of My Recovery Story, Madison opens up about hitting rock bottom, facing the consequences of alcohol neuropathy, entering treatment at Greenhouse Treatment Center, experiencing healing physically a...

Actress Brandy Ledford, known for her roles in Baywatch Hawaii, Andromeda, and Modern Family, opens up about her powerful journey from Hollywood fame to addiction and recovery. Behind the spotlight, Brandy faced a decades-long battle with cocaine and alcohol that began at just 14 years old. Now celebrating 13 years of sobriety, she shares her story of resilience, faith, and redemption. In this epi...

Veteran crime reporter Beth McDonough built a career on relentless pursuit—until life hit hard. After her mother’s sudden passing, a breakup, and her father’s emergency heart surgery, alcohol became her coping mechanism. Two DUIs and a lost dream job later, Beth faced a choice: go home or go to treatment. She chose recovery. Now 16 years sober and the author of Standby, Beth shares a raw, unflinch...

Paramedic and author Peter Canning has witnessed the opioid epidemic from the frontlines, responding to over a thousand overdoses. In this episode of Addiction Talk, Canning—author of Killing Season: A Paramedic's Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Opioid Epidemic—returns with insights from his new book written for families and loved ones impacted by addiction. He shares his powerful pers...

Joseph Camera, Military and Veteran Liaison at American Addiction Centers, shares his powerful story of overcoming addiction, trauma, and incarceration to find healing through faith and service. Once facing 27 years in prison, Joseph opens up about the turning point in a jail cell that led him to recovery, redemption, and a new purpose—helping fellow veterans find the treatment they deserve. His r...

On this episode of Addiction Talk, we’re joined by author and former TV director, Art Dielhenn. In the 1980s and 90s, Art Dielhenn was at the top of his game, directing iconic sitcoms like Diff’rent Strokes, Punky Brewster, Head of the Class, and Sister, Sister. But behind the scenes, Art was fighting a private battle: his growing compulsion to drink.  After white-knuckling sobriety for 15 years,...

This episode of My Recovery Story features former patient Marissa. She shares about her journey to recovery and how her life has changed since seeking treatment at Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, NV.   Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addicti...

As marijuana legalization expands, many assume cannabis is safe—but is it really? In this episode of Addiction Talk: Expert Insights, Dr. Gary Mitrevolis, Medical Director at Laguna Treatment Center, discusses the growing concerns around cannabis use. Learn about the mental health impacts, risk of addiction, rising THC levels, and the dangers of adolescent use. Dr. Mitrevolis also addresses the my...

Far too many women are battling addiction behind closed doors, carrying the weight of silence, shame, and the fear of what asking for help might cost them. For mothers especially, the thought of leaving their children for treatment can feel impossible. On this episode of Addiction Talk: Expert Insights, Ari Chelli, Clinical Director at Desert Hope Treatment Center, gets personal about her journey...

On this episode of Addiction Talk: My Recovery Story, we sit down with Liz Varnado—a resilient, insightful woman whose powerful journey through addiction, cultural identity, and healing is as inspiring as it is raw.  As a Black, French, and Native American mother and professional, Liz opens up about the significance of cultural identity in treatment, the weight of generational trauma, and how she...

In this episode of Addiction Talk: My Recovery Story, Veteran and Oxford Treatment Center graduate Frank Pace shares his powerful addiction recovery journey. Now working in the VA’s PTSD unit, Frank discusses overcoming substance use, navigating treatment, and the importance of mental health support for Veterans. A must-watch for anyone impacted by addiction or PTSD.  Addiction Talk is brough...

Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications are widely known for managing diabetes and aiding weight loss—but could they also help treat addiction? Dr. Gary Malone, Medical Director at Greenhouse Treatment Center and a top addiction psychiatrist, joins us to discuss the potential of GLP-1s for substance use disorders. Don’t miss this expert insight into a groundbreaking development in addiction treatment!...

On this episode of Addiction Talk, My Recovery Story, we talk to Monte Twilley, a motivational speaker, Veteran in recovery, and alumni of our Texas facility, Greenhouse Treatment Center.  During his military service, Monte drank and experienced some blackouts, but it was after his service when he experimented with freebasing cocaine that his life began to spiral out of control.  Here's his s...

Rod Espudo is a U.S. Veteran who transformed his life after battling addiction and PTSD. After struggling for years, Rod turned his life around and experienced an inspiring evolution into a well-known interventionist. Today, Rod has nearly 36 years of experience and over 1,500 interventions to his credit. In this episode, Rod will give us a behind-the-scenes look into his real-life intervention ex...

Isaak Presley is the star of Disney’s “Stuck in the Middle,” the Netflix spinoff “Fuller House,” Amazon Prime’s “One Nation Under God,” for which he won several Best Actor Awards, and “Hubie Halloween” with Adam Sandler.  Isaak Presley is already an industry veteran at the age of 22. He has been in the entertainment industry since the age of 5, at which time he landed his first television role in...

Leah McSweeney is a former star of “Real Housewives of New York City,” a fashion-industry pioneer who established the streetwear line Married to the Mob, a podcast host, and the author of Chaos Theory: Finding Meaning in the Madness, One Bad Decision at a Time . As Leah shares in her book, she battled with addiction from an early age and became sober for many years. After a very public relapse on...

LaTavia Roberson is an American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known as an original member of the widely acclaimed R&B girl group, Destiny’s Child. Alongside Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and LeToya Luckett, she played a pivotal role in the group’s success, contributing to chart-topping hits such as “Say My Name,” “Survivor,” and “Bootylicious.” Despite the group’s phenomenal achievem...

Melissa Etheridge is a well-known American rock star, famous for her confessional lyrics and raspy vocals. She has won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards and a “Songwriter of the Year” honor. Melissa is also an activist for Marriage Equality and has advocated for the therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis as a cancer survivor. In May 2020, Melissa lost her son Beckett from causes rel...