The Addict and the Counselor

This episode the pair invites Chris R as a guest to share his story of addiction, recovery, resilience and hope. He empowers the audience to have an underdog mentality and find the proper addiction and mental health help to come out on top.

On this episode Adam shares intimate writings as he works through the 12 Steps of recovery. Step 1 is a doozy!!!

In this episode the co-hosts over indulge in their experience of hearing Chris Herren speak. Chris Herren in their eyes is the epitome of a great human being and amazing story teller. Listen to them share the parallel of a signed Chris Herren basketball over the last 20 years.

On this episode, Adam shares his experience in self help meetings and what works for him and his suggestion to others who are struggling with addiction. A brief conversation about Boston sports seeps into this episode but back to regular programming with managing July 4th celebration and maintaining one’s recovery.

Adam and Barbaros take the audience on a journey to discuss the familial, cultural and social pressures to keep certain secrets from others. This conversation is to promote help seeking behavior for all persons directly and indirectly impacted by mental health or addiction.

Adam makes his return to co-hosting duties after a relapse. Adam shares this experience openly. The team is reunited and Barbaros and Adam are back in the saddle again.

Barbaros invites Mandy as the 1st co-host of this podcast while Adam is focused on his recovery in a treatment program. Mandy shares her experience of both Adam and Barbaros and what made that dynamic impactful to her. This podcast identifies traits of a good worker in the addiction field and what potential clients should consider when seeking an addiction program.

Adam relapsed and couldn’t be present for this podcast but gave his consent. Barbaros(the counselor) takes the listener through what happened from his perspective and shares how we as society are responsible for helping break the silence and stigma from addiction and recovery. We all know someone who is struggling.

In this episode Barbaros and Adam discuss the recent trend of ayahuasca. Can this substance increase a recovering persons recovery and deepen spirituality? They discuss the use of LSD, Ketamine as a newer form of medication assisted treatments.

This episode is about Adam’s engagement and use of aftercare resources from a treatment provider. Their first guest Lindsay shares her personal and work experience emphasizing aftercare. She shares her interactions with Adam in and out of treatment.

This episode Adam shares how making connections friends with others in recovery allowed him to have a foundation of support which allows him to live a sober life.

This episode takes a look at how Adam’s previous experience with medication impacted his decision to try medication to help his mental health issues which in turns allows him to strengthen his sobriety.

Adam and Barbaros discuss the myth that cannabis use will lead to using other substances. Both share their perspective on this topic and provide personal insight into this topic.

Adam shares his recent experience admitting himself to an inpatient psychiatric hospital. He provides insight into his decision and awareness of unhealthy thoughts leading to seek professional help. By doing so Adam choses life and sobriety over his demons.

Adam takes the audience on a journey into his mind when sanity and insanity converge. His honest take on his experience in early recovery and identification of early warning signs of a relapse. Barbaros provides clinical interventions to have Adam make therapeutic connections to gain further insight into his relapsing behaviors.

Episode #3 was dedicated to Barbaros (the counselor) sharing his story about falling in love with Psychology. As an 18 year old he knew he wanted to be a therapist and help people. He didn't know this would land him with a job in the addiction field which would turn into a life long career and commitment to improving the lives of the people seeking help.

Adam (addict) shares his gripping experience with early childhood exposure with wine and Sprite at his grandmother's house.  His first intoxication came at age 15 at a keg party when alcohol felt like a missing piece of the puzzle.  This experience would open Pandora's box of addiction, legal issues and admission into treatment facilities.  At 21, he would accept recovery as a lifes...

The first episode shared how Adam(addict) and Barbaros(counselor) met working at a drug treatment program.  This episode gives insight into how their relationship blossomed and connected in and out of that treatment program.   The episode ends with the segment called "The 5 controversies" which shows both of them sharing personal opinions on everyday items.