The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return

When friends and family members find out that a loved one is addicted, often - especially with parents - the first reaction is:  What did I do wrong?  Parents feel like they somehow failed their child or a wife thinks she failed her husband.  That's guilt and all it does is slow the process of getting help for the addict.  There's a difference between guilt and responsibility and it needs to be understood. 

Dr. Faye Jamali was a very successful anesthesiologist until she broke her wrist and was prescribed a large bottle of Vicodin to handle the pain. She soon learned that the drug would numb her to anything going on in her life and cause severe addiction problems, stealing and injecting the hospital's drugs, and medical license put on probation. She has been clean and sober for 8 years and has made it her mission to reach out to other doctors who might be addicted and urge them to get treatment.

After much research, some experts now disagree that addiction should be labeled as an actual "disease", but rather is a false assertion prompted and pushed by pharmaceutical companies to sell more product. Mostly resulting in substitution one drug for another in rehab. This episode is an interview with Nick Heather, Emeritus Professor of Alcohol and other Drug Studies in the Dept of Psychology at Northumbria University in the U.K. He is a Ph.D and has close to 450 publications mainly devoted to alcoholism.

Morphine was supposed to handle opium. Heroin was supposed to handle morphine. Meth was supposed to handle heroin. Each 'cure' turned into their own addiction.There is a 150 year history including marketing heroin for 'fussy' babies. We interview David Aden, the managing editor of Center for the Study of Drug Addiction Policy who addresses many misconceptions and what national policies are being formulated currently.

Nicole Donofrio heard our podcast and wanted to tell her story.She grew up with an alcoholic father and then later in a relationship with an alcoholic. She experienced abuse and at first made excuses, but finally realized she had to do something. Now she has a Facebook Group with more than 2400 members and through the group, she offers support to those affected by addiction through friends and family.

Austin's story starts in Georgia at the age of 12, smoking pot. Soon graduated to a life on meth. Burglaries and prison and eventually losing his wife and infant. Austin will shortly complete the Narconon program and asked to tell his story in the hope of helping others. His story will move you.

We have talked about how marijuana is a gateway drug.  This podcast discusses a study in Florida about how alcohol may be a worse gateway drug but in the end - does it really matter?  If someone gets onto heavy drugs from either alcohol or marijuana - the problem of addiction results.

Jim Meskimen is an incredibly talented - Hollywood film maker, actor, artist, impressionist and comedian. Jim recently wrote and starred in a short film called "Son to Son" which address the subject of addiction from a very different perspective, a father and son, one an addict and one a dealer. Currently "Son to Son" is making the rounds of film festivals. Hear this intriguing story in our interview with Jim.

One of the hardest things the loved ones of an addict must face is how to get their addicted family member or friend to agree to treatment. The addict must agree on his/her own choice, but how do you get that to happen? This is very difficult but can be done. Bobby Newman is a professional interventionist and has a great record of getting addicts into treatment and on their way to a sober and happy life.

This is the second time we've had Amy on the podcast.  She is the Deputy Director of Drug Free America and Save our Society from Drugs.  She is one of the foremost experts on marijuana and the legalization thereof.  She has a very educated perspective of what it is like now in Florida - now that we have medical marijuana.  There are attempts to normalize marijuana without taking into account the perils and pitfalls of the "new" high octane weed.

We've been getting some heat lately from people who love methadone and suboxone.  What can we say?  We want you to live a drug free life, not dependent on any addictive substance - and yes, methadone and suboxone are addictive.  We hope that you will live a drug free life and if you disagree with that - oh well.  Why would we want anything less for you?  We know it's possible, so that's what we wish for you. 

Craig DeRoche was the youngest Speaker of the House in the state of Michigan. When his alcohol addiction became public and out of control, his life totally fell apart. Now fully recovered, he has his life and family back and is making huge strides in helping people with addiction and in the criminal justice system. This is Craig's story.

On-site at the 6th Annual Drug Prevention Summit. Thom Browne about what is added to drugs to make them more potent and lethal. He has a master's degree in criminal justice, is the President and CEO of the global criminal justice and demand reduction consulting firm Rubicon Global Enterprises. He created treatment systems and prevention programs in over 70 countries on five continents during his 25-year career at the U.S. Department of State/Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Today we spoke more about marijuana.  Lynn Posyton works for a company and her main job description is to educate children and other groups on the truth about drugs.  She uses materials available for free from www.drugfreeworld.org.  The point is that her employer is a businessman helping to fight the drug addiction epidemic.  Bonni Snider works for Bay Care and also talks to people about drugs and the dangers but also tells her personal story.

Today's podcast is an interview with Garth.  Garth is 26 years old and began his addiction history when he was 12 years old and smoked his first joint.  He then moved on to heavier drugs, tried a 12 step program and ultimately attempted to get himself off heroin with methadone and suboxone.  Neither of these worked because all he was doing was substituting one drug for another.  His wife got him to Narconon and he is a new man.  Take hope from his story.