In this podcast, we discuss the idea that surrender can mean personal victory in the struggle with a loved one&apos;s addiction.We learn that:Surrender feels wrong when we believe we need to fight in order to win.Families will try to outfox the disease by controlling their loved one&apos;s behaviour and access to money and drugs, but to no avail.When the responsible party finally reaches out for help, they are told that the first thing that needs to change is their attitude. They need to shake off the illusion of control.It is only when they surrender their old way of thinking that they can begin to see that their powerlessness is the key to personal freedom.

Busting Addiction and Its Myths

Surrender to Win

In this podcast, Sarah tells the story of her struggle with her son&apos;s addiction, and how she found freedom.We learn that:No family is immune from the infiltration of addiction into the family through one or more of the children.What appears normal slowly starts to change. Where a child was outgoing, now the child withdraws from healthy, active pursuits and grades start to fall.Discovery of a serious addiction to a powerful drug does little to change things, but it can have the parents cast about for answers far and wide. Some of the answers are costly.The one dominant emotion after shame is fear. Fear of the unknown and of harm coming to a child can be all-consuming. Fear permeates the entire family day and night.It isn&apos;t until the family admits its powerlessness over their child&apos;s addiction that they can begin to free themselves from its grip and accept the help they deserve.

What Do We Fear Most?

In this podcast, we share a story from Tom M. He tells us of his early life as a child of privilege, his rise to the top of his game, his descent into desperation, and his redemption at long last.We learn that:A fine pedigree and all the material advantages one could possibly want does not make anyone immune to the lure of addiction.Getting caught up in the high life creates an artificial sense that it could never end when the end is closer than it appears.Even getting fired from one of the greatest jobs in the world wasn&apos;t enough to wake Tom up. The addiction had overpowered him, clouding his judgment as to the reality of his condition.It took him almost freezing to death behind a dumpster to finally get him to admit complete defeat.Guided by spiritual principles as taught by Alcoholics Anonymous restored Tom to sanity, allowing him to live a happy, sober, and productive life.

From the Playboy Mansion to the Dumpster

In this podcast, we discuss how isolation can be deadly for those with or vulnerable to addictive disorders.We learn that:Isolation is a key characteristic of addiction, as addicts and alcoholics suffer from shame and from the fear of being found out.The pandemic exacerbated the addiction problem due to the need for social distancing and rising unemployment among vulnerable populations.We are taught in recovery that ending our isolation is critical to our healing, and that we are only as sick as the secrets that we as addicts keep, which caused our isolation to begin with.We are also taught that a sense of belonging will come from attending 12-step meetings, sharing our secrets with a sponsor, and being of service to our fellow men and women in recovery, to our families and to society at large.

Isolation Kills

This podcast is all about marijuana, we discuss its effect on society and the perils it still presents.We learn that:Marijuana is ubiquitous and is a greater danger than most people realise.Its image and use are becoming normalised. Young people find ways to incorporate smoking it into their "routine” with new technologies such as vaping, previously reserved for "less toxic" chemicals such as nicotine.Its long-haul health effects are not understood as well as they should be, especially as to its effects on brain development among children.Help to overcome addiction to marijuana is available as with other addictions: professional counselling along with NA - Narcotics Anonymous in person and/or online meetings.The family is advised to seek help for themselves by reaching out to counsellors and attending Al-Anon in person and/or online meetings.

There's No Stopping the Marijuana Wave

In this podcast, we discuss the evolution of heroin, one of the most prevalent opioids worldwide, its long-term health hazards, and the prospects of recovery.We learn that:Heroin has evolved from its original form as opium to the current state of heroin in its basic powder or black tar form and is now readily available everywhere in the world.Heroin is more often than not cheaper than prescription drugs, and that helps explain why more addicts report heroin as the first opioid they tried.The health effects of long-term heroin use are frightening. The disorders caused by long-term use include major damage to the heart, liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system.Help is always available for those who care to look. Families should turn to professional addiction counsellors, point their loved one to Narcotics Anonymous, and get help for themselves by connecting to Al-Anon.

Heroin: A True Global Menace

In this podcast, we discuss the perils of methamphetamine, also known as ‘meth’, or ‘speed’.We learn that:It is one of the most destructive drugs due to its unique ability to get users high almost instantaneously. As quickly as it gets users high, it causes a quick crash which has users craving for more immediately.It is widely available, cheap, and pure, especially when it comes from Mexico, where most of it is produced.Its main destructive effect lies in its ability to trigger paranoid psychosis which gives rise to violence and other forms of unpredictable, harmful behaviour. It also causes anxiety, fatigue, and extreme depression, along with weight loss and bad teeth.Help is available for addiction to meth as with any other drug. The two key paths to recovery are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and 12-Step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Keeping in mind that a recovery program should have elements of both for recovery to take hold and flourish.

The Quickest High - The Steepest Fall

In this podcast, we discuss the threat that fentanyl represents as the tip of the spear in the invasion of a new class of synthetic drugs.We learn that:Fentanyl has found its way into virtually every class of drug, especially into opiates like heroin.It is cheap, highly concentrated, and easily distributed due to its potency versus weight. It boosts the effects of many drugs, including marijuana and cocaine.It is the tip of the spear of a new class of synthetic drugs, primarily from China, known as New Psychoactive Substances, or NPS which experts believe will ultimately replace ‘traditional’ drugs like marijuana and cocaine.Fentanyl is just one of many synthetics that threaten the health of the community due to its ubiquity, variety, and low cost.It is our hope that awareness of the threat of fentanyl (and its synthetic cousins) will spur action sooner rather than later by those who care for an addicted loved one, for help is available.

Fentanyl: The Point of the Spear

In this podcast, we elaborate on what makes crack cocaine so dangerous.We learn that:It is extremely addictive, far more than cocaine alone. For some users, one hit of crack gets them hopelessly addicted.Crack addiction destroys the judgment of individual users very quickly and can destroy a life in a matter of a few months. Crack addicts are dominated by their craving for the drug to the point of selling everything of value.Crack is closer than you think, as it is more easily available outside the typical poor parts of town and now has made its way to the middle-class schools in nicer parts of your hometown.Denial of the existence of addiction in the family is common. It&apos;s incumbent on caring family members to be alert to the signs of its invasion into the home. Symptoms include unusual agitation, aggressiveness and paranoia.Recovery from crack is a special challenge due to the intense craving for it; recovery is only possible with embrace of the truth and a genuine desire to get well.

What's So Bad About Crack?

In this podcast, we discuss the main characteristics of compulsive gambling disorder and the approaches available to help sick gamblers out of the despair they find themselves in.We learn that:It&apos;s an addiction just like any other in that it meets the criteria of uncontrolled, repetitive behaviour that causes serious harm to the gambler and to the family.Compulsive gambling is a progressive illness which means that it will only make life worse for all affected unless arrested.It is as destructive as is a drug or alcohol addiction. A "bad" bet can lead to fraud, theft and other dishonesties just to get the money for more of the same. Some report the loss of a home just to cover a bet.Compulsive gamblers are not morally weak or inherently "bad" people. They are, however, very sick people who deserve our compassion and help.Admitting defeat and getting help from GA and/or getting professional help is the first step out of the darkness, shame and despair that comes with the disorder.

Gambling: More Destructive Than We Realise

In this podcast, entitled ‘Getting Sucked In’ which deals with the insidious effect of co-dependency in dysfunctional, addict-dominated families.We learn that:Even if a family member may start out responding to life somewhat normally, the presence of addiction in the home amplifies the worst aspects of one&apos;s personality.Co-dependents do not feel worthy as people and are continually looking outside themselves for validation. They feel profoundly incomplete and need another person to fill the void.Co-dependents are dominated by what others think of them and are only OK if the other person is OK with them. They lose touch with their own feelings out of fear that expressing them will threaten the relationship they are hanging on to.They abandon themselves out of fear of abandonment by others, especially by their beloved addict whom they try to "fix". They sacrifice everything, sabotage their very identity, and get nothing in return.The cruel fact is that life will only get worse unless the co-dependent awakens to their powerlessness over addiction or alcoholism and gets the help they need. It is there for the asking upon their awakening.

Getting Sucked In

In this podcast, entitled &apos;How an Addict Thinks&apos;, we cover the major cause of the disease and learn that:Addiction is classified by scientists as a brain disorder, a change in the structure of the brain itself, caused by consistent, prolonged use of drugs and/or alcohol.The addiction causes the addict (or alcoholic) to crave, seek and use the drug regardless of devastating life consequences. The addict has lost any semblance of self-control by this stage.The addict will relapse even after long periods of sobriety unless he is part of a recovery support program, such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous (AA or NA).He will undergo profound personality changes such as sociopathic-like thinking, attacking loved ones to defend his use of drugs, seeing the loved one as the problem, and putting more weight on how he appears to others because of his own shame and low self-esteem.

How an Addict Thinks

In this podcast, which is part two of Rebecca&apos;s Journey from Down Under, Rebecca recalls what she learned in treatment and how she applies that experience to her daily life today.We learn that:It takes surrender to gain victory over addiction, a thought that simply does not occur to us until we experience it ourselves.Treatment transforms the way we think, from warped dishonesty to clear-headed and rational decision-making.Treatment, however, is just the beginning of a journey that has the potential to last a lifetime if the addict fully embraces and practices the principles of recovery, one day at a time, every day.Rebecca&apos;s dedication to her recovery should serve as inspiration to families that a happy recovery is entirely within reach regardless of any circumstance.

Rebecca's Journey from Down Under - Part 2 of 2

In this podcast, which is part one of Rebecca&apos;s Journey from Down Under, we learn about Rebecca&apos;s fall from grace as a high achiever and her courageous journey back from Down Under.We learn that:Material wealth does not protect one from addictive disease; it is an equal opportunity predator.The chase for high social status brings with it a life of pretence which causes a family to place appearances above all else. It normalises dishonesty.High expectations come with high pressure to succeed at all costs. Children of these families will turn to drugs and alcohol when the pressure becomes intolerable.Rebecca is a courageous woman who paid a high price for her success in a man&apos;s world. She found the courage to try and try again. She made the right decision to get the help she needed at the turning point in her life.

Rebecca's Journey from Down Under - Part 1 of 2

In this podcast, an interview of Bruno J. by Tony, his fellow traveller on the AA highway, Bruno J. shares the wisdom he has acquired over 27 years of his journey in sobriety.We learn that:A common dynamic in recovery is the presence of co-dependency which has one partner trying to control the behaviour of the other, a fruitless venture.Bruno J. advises his fellow alcoholics to seek help from a professional and/or from Al-Anon to help protect them from needless suffering and to ease the threat to sobriety.Surrender of his old ways of thinking puts the alcoholic in a position to win when his higher power enters the scene. He is no longer alone in his struggle.Liberation from the slavery of alcohol also unleashes the mind to be truly creative and to imagine solutions never before thought possible.Becoming a compassionate, selfless and honest human being who helps others achieve sobriety is a most worthy and achievable goal."A design for living that really works" is the best way to describe the rewards we get for thoroughly following the path laid out by the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Bruno J. 27 years of sobriety - Part 2 of 2

The purpose of our podcast is to help families learn the truth about addiction and alcoholism so that they can take the right action to help the addict they love and to help themselves at this critical time in their lives. Exposing the truth about addiction and alcoholism also requires that we bust the myths surrounding both addiction/alcoholism and the recovery process.

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Busting Addiction and Its Myths

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