The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return

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 addiction and being successful at it.

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 Atavan 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 low dose of Valium.  

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's seen the dark reality of addiction through his personal struggle. After 11 years of sobriety, Darren has become a sought-after speaker on addiction recovery. He specializes in helping high functioning addicts and at-risk executives to identity and avoid the pitfalls of addiction. His book "Aiming High" details his story.

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. In this interview he takes a deep look into the dangers of vaping.

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 and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live Drug-Free.

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 a voice for her daughter, as well as the voice for scores of victims of OxyContin.

An interview with Cannon Bonar, a recovered addict who took one path to sobriety at Narconon Ojai. Unfortunately that is not true for his brother, Adrian.  Adrian was tragically was killed in a drug related incident.  He was an Army veteran and deserved better.  Another sad warning to get help now and stick with it, no matter what.

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 Days in Narcoland".

Ed Kressy was bullied had many childhood issues. As a teen he became a meth addict for 11 years. Stealing, after being arrested, he was shown compassion by a caring police officer. But his addiction led to losing his job, he stole from his family and ended up rock bottom.  Spirituality brought him back. He persevered for years, got sober, and was later awarded the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for work he did helping people reintegrate into society after being released from prison

Branislav Jankic's story is not so much about his addiction as it is about him dealing with his mother's addiction to drugs and alcohol.  When his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he wanted to tell her everything that he had experienced as a result of her addiction but he found that the best way he could do that was through his documentary short film "Letter to My Mother".

Drew's addiction began before the 7th grade with prescription drugs for "ADHD".  Add an abusive father, anger issues and add pot, meth, coke, ecstasy, Atavan, Zoloft and more. Drew's story of recovery leaves no stone unturned. Now stably sober through the Narconon program, his whole family is closer together. He is now staff and knows there is hope for anybody that wants to achieve sobriety.

Jam Alker is a songwriter who spins his experiences into stories. These stories, told through music, often touch on life’s dark, gritty underbelly, without judgment or condemnation, but often with a message of hope. In his formative years on Chicago’s music scene, Jam played virtually every stage in the city, then toured the country. In the depths of misery and addiction, on the verge of losing everything, he reached out for help. See also here on YouTube - https://youtu.be/9cDf1vCD9ik