Avoiding the Addiction Affliction

Dottie and Dick are a married couple who have both been in recovery for a long time. They talk about their relationship and the importance of communicating, sharing feelings, trusting each other, and respecting each other's recovery journey. What makes the journey worth it, they tell us, are all the "wows" experienced along the way. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611 ....

Dr. Dana Ballewske discusses mental health and substance abuse challenges among the LGBTQ+ community. Recent studies have found that sexual minorities have higher rates of substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs) than people who identify as heterosexual. The population experiences more social stigma and discrimination, and rates of depression and anxiety are also high. Dr. Ballewske tal...

Miriam Falk discusses the devastating and sometimes deadly cycle of violence and substance abuse that victims of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence must overcome in order to get help. Empowering individuals, having available resources, and building a support network are critical to breaking the cycle. Ms. Falk is an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin; her e...

Substance abuse creates incredible stress for families. That is never more true than during the holidays. Mike McGowan, the host of this podcast, shares a holiday story from his past that serves as a reminder that the best gifts are the ones we never see coming. In addition to hosting the "Avoiding the Addiction Affliction" podcast, Mike is an insightful and engaging consultant, trainer and motiva...

Dr. Shilagh Mirgain discusses the roles that attitude and gratitude play in our mental and emotional health. While holidays and life in general can be stressful, there are ways we can improve our mood and control our emotions. Giving ourselves the gift of positivity is a great place to start. Dr. Mirgain is a Health and Sport Psychologist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Publi...

More than one out of every three adults grew up in a house where someone had a substance use disorder. Stacy was among them. As a child she became a doer, a people pleaser, and a protecter for her siblings. As an adult, she developed her own substance use disorder. After five years of recovery, she was introduced to ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) issues. Another deeper door into recovery opene...

Cami Peggar speaks about the staggering increase in mental health issues among young people. Cami is the Community Impact Coordinator with the United Way of Door County. She works with schools, agencies, and mental health providers to bridge the gap between the need and access for mental health assistance. Cami coordinates prevention and intervention programs that build a support network for adult...

When everyone around you is talking about family and "home for the holidays," what do you do if you're not in that place in your own life? Ryan Clevenger talks about forming recovery families, where support and gratitude can be found in abundance. Ryan is an Outreach Worker for Oxford Houses, Inc. Oxford Houses are long-term, self-managing, and self-supporting recovery houses. For further informat...

Shelly Becker began drinking at age eleven and using heroin at age seventeen. The journey that followed was predictably full of chaos and pain, but those challenges led her to a place of hope and recovery. Shelly shares her story of falling down and getting back up, again and again, each time learning from the last mistake. By surrounding herself with winners, Shelly has become a beacon of hope fo...

Tiffany used her stimulant medication as directed, until she didn't. Before long she was buying additional medication on the street and then began using methamphetamine. Legal trouble followed, and Tiffany faced a life-changing, fork in road, decision. She talks about choosing life and recovery. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611 . You can also find AA meetings here: h...

Val describes herself as a "chronic relapser." She found that drinking, even at an early age, was a quick fix for powerful emotions. In recovery now and feeling stronger than ever, Val shares her story of perseverance and hope. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https...

Cindy Czarnik-Neimeyer, M.S., talks about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact that growing up in adversity has on our youth. Nearly 1 in 6 adults report experiencing at least four types of ACEs while growing up. Cindy is a therapist and certified prevention specialist with Catalpa Health in Appleton, Wisconsin. She is contracted to the Appleton Area School District as the Alcohol,...

Stacy grew up surrounded by people with substance use disorders. She didn't know that not drinking was even possible. Finally, a series of events made her take note and stop drinking. In recovery now, Stacy shares how she manages her relationships and the many messages around us that encourage us to use substances. If you are concerned about your use, you can call: 262-564-6611. You can also find...

Kathy Reiley, an attorney and a person with an alcohol use disorder, talks about the omnipresent drinking messages In our everyday lives and how they can trigger those in recovery. An event, a sight, a sound, or a smell can all create a sudden, unexpected craving for those in recovery. Learning coping mechanisms and developing a non-judgmental support network are essential to long-term recovery. T...

Kelly Petrusky talks about celebrating each day as the person she has become in recovery. Moving from abusing substances and not knowing who she was to becoming the person she always knew was inside her meant letting go of shame and self judgement. Learning to tell the truth, noticing the beauty in her world, and forming healthy relationships took time and a commitment to her recovery. Recovery fr...

Dr. Robert Gruenberg talks about the sense of shame that is present within all of us and how we can resolve those feelings. Shame is us telling ourselves that we are flawed and not worthy. Those messages are old, destructive, and always right under the surface. Dr. Gruenberg is a clinical psychologist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and can be reached at (414) 352-1144.

Hope Wesley-Early discusses helping clients deal with past shame and life problems. Moving beyond "who I was" to "who I can be" takes time, commitment, and trust. Hope runs the Moral Reconation Therapy Program for the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse in Kenosha, Wisconsin. If you need help with substance use, help is available. To contact the Hope Council, call 262-658-8166 or explore th...

A returning panel of college women discuss their first year of college and the role alcohol and other substance use had on their experiences. Substance use rose significantly during the pandemic as coping strategies for anxiety and stress were taxed. Grace, Maya, Aiden, Haley, Jackie, and Viv share their observations on college, substance use, and mental health. Every college has a student health...

Dana Ballewske, PsyD, talks about how to help young people navigate their worlds during unpredictable times. Young people are not immune to the rise in substance use disorders, depression, and mental health concerns in our society. How parents, mentors, school staff, and counselors respond makes all the difference. Dr Ballewske is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Coordinator of School-Based Se...

Dana Emold discusses developing a healthy lifestyle in recovery as a way to cope with stress and anxiety and as a way to develop a healthy, non-using social network. Recovery means finding a lifestyle where addiction doesn't fit. Dana is a Clinical Therapist and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor with Cedar Lake Counseling. Dana can be reached at dana@cedarlakecounseling.net or 262-244-6177 ext...

Michael Graveley talks about the legal and life risks of opioid and other drug use. Mr. Graveley has seen first hand what works and doesn't work to keep someone drug free and well out of harm's way. Mr. Graveley is the elected District Attorney for Kenosha County. He is an advocate for treatment and diversion programs for first-time drug offenders. If you or a loved one needs help with substance u...

Ryan Clevenger shares his journey from addiction to sobriety, a journey that took him from a prison in Texas to a long-term recovery house in Wisconsin. Ryan is an Outreach Worker for Oxford Houses, Inc.. Oxford Houses are long-term, self-managing, and self-supporting recovery houses. For further information about Oxford Houses for sober living go to: https://www.oxfordhouse.org . Ryan can be reac...

Heroin, jail, sobriety, relapse, repeat. That is a cycle many families experience with opiate addiction. Lee is a mom whose daughter was enmeshed in that cycle. Today, her daughter is in-long term recovery, and Lee shares her journey towards joy and contentment. For family members concerned about loved ones' substance use, taking care of themselves is difficult but necessary. If you are concerned,...

After years of trying to control her addiction to opiates and the chaos drugs created, Katie decided that she wanted to live, and to live clean and sober. The cycle of arrests, prison, craving, and withdrawal left her with a choice to make. She chose life. She chose love. If you or a loved one needs help with substance use disorders, help is available. There are many places to start, including you...

Dr. David Galbis-Reig talks about the growing epidemic of opiate use and the infusion of fentanyl in street drugs. Fentanyl creates all sorts of challenges for treatment and medical professionals, from the medications used to withdraw from the drug to the increased possibility the person using will overdose and die. Dr. Galbis-Reig is the Medical Director of Addiction Services at Ascension Wiscons...