When does it stop being a party and start becoming a problem? Is there a way to steer clear of addiction?
Every Wednesday, Mike McGowan explores substance use disorders with expert guests.
Episodes
See Me, Hear Me, Help Me
Anna Bunker discusses the mental health crisis among young people in our country. A forty percent rise in emergency room visits for young women who have attempted suicide and a demand for mental health treatment that has not been met are indicators of a burgeoning mental health crisis for our youth. Anna Bunker is Prevention Education Manager and Youth/Teen Advocate at Reach Counseling Services in Neenah, Wisconsin, and a Youth and Teen Support Specialist at NAMI in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley. If you need help with substance use or mental health problems, help is available. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Kenosha County can be reached at 262-652-3606 or [email protected]. To contact the Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, call 262-658-8166, or email them at [email protected]. Learn more about the agency’s services at hopecouncil.org
My Cup is Full
Amanda began drinking at age twelve. At twenty she knew she had to stop so she could keep on living. She talks about navigating a path to sobriety using online meetings, sponsors, and a growing recovering community. Healthy, happy, and dedicated to her recovery program, Amanda keeps her cup of water close and her support system closer. 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://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Kids and Chemicals
When young people use substances, lots of things happen, all of them bad. Substance abuse adversely affects an adolescent’s physical, emotional, and social development. Dr. Michelle Maloney and Dr. Sean LeNoue discuss the impact substance use disorders have on adolescents and their families. Michelle Maloney, PhD, is Executive Director of Addiction Services for Rogers Behavioral Health system. Sean LeNoue, MD, is the Associate Medical Director for the Regional Division at Rogers Behavioral Health. They can be reached at https://rogersbh.org.
The Worst Nightmare
Cade Reddington, an eighteen-year-old college freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee passed away after taking a pill he didn’t know was one hundred percent fentanyl. His mother Michelle Kullmann talks about Cade’s life, his tragic passing, and her fight to make sure no other mother wakes up to this nightmare. If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, help is available. The documentary Michelle mentions is, dead on arrival, and can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJgPmrLjkuo. Locally, resources can be found at 211 Wisconsin: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Staying the Course
Over 100,000 Americans died from drug overdose in the past year. Paul Krupski talks about the ongoing epidemic of opiate use, the prevalence of fentanyl in street drugs, and what works to stem the tide. Mr. Krupski is the Director of Opioid Initiatives with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. He can be reached at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/people/krupski-paul. Resilient Wisconsin can be found at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/resilient/index.htm. If you or a loved one needs help with a substance use disorder, help is available. Locally, you can reach 211 Wisconsin at https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
It’s Never Too Late
Substance abuse wreaks havoc on the entire family, including, most tragically, the children. How do you reconnect with your family and repair the damage in recovery? James “Dimitri” Topitzes, PhD, talks about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact growing up in adversity has on our youth and families. Dr. Topitzes is on the faculty of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He teaches trauma counseling to master’s students and philosophy of science to doctoral students. If you would like to find out more about Adverse Childhood Experiences, go to, https://acestoohigh.com. You can reach Dr. Topitzes at [email protected].
It Was Worth the Wait
Relationships can be difficult. Relationships with someone in recovery can be challenging and wonderful at the same time. Stacy and Matthew met when Stacy was a couple of years into her recovery. They discuss their relationship and the importance of healthy communication, honesty, love, and trust. As Matthew says, “You can wait for a long time for a relationship that has all four of those components, but when you find it, it was worth the wait.” If you are in a relationship with someone with substance abuse issues you can learn more at https://al-anon.org. 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://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Covering All the Bases
A recent study found that half of all young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) also experience alcohol and other drug abuse. That is double the rate of the population in general. Dr. Nathan Valentine discusses the dynamics of working with ADHD and substance use disorders concurrently. Getting a better handle on substance abuse, effectively treating the ADHD, understanding the issues, and working together with the family and mental health professionals means covering all the bases in recovery. Nathan Valentine, MD, FAPA, is board-certified in addiction medicine and general psychiatry. Dr. Valentine serves as the medical director of the Herrington Center for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery at Rogers Behavioral Health in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He can be reached at https://rogersbh.org.
The Wow Factor
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. You can also find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/
Making It Safe to Be Me
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 talks about what families, schools, allies, and communities can do to help support the LGBTQ+ community in accessing treatment and support services. Dr Ballewske is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Coordinator of School-Based Services for Professional Services Group. Dana currently heads the school-based mental health clinic program for Kenosha Unified School District, and she can be reached at https://www.psgcip.com
