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
Treating Everyone Like They Can Succeed
It isn’t easy to ask for help to overcome opioid dependency or, for that matter, to offer that help. Amy Molinski, a Peer Support Specialist with Community Medical Services, talks about working with community partners to decrease overdoses. Battling the stigma of drug usage and reaching out to people where they live, teams of professionals have seen a 21% decrease in overdoses in the communities they work in. Amy and Community Medical Services can be reached at https://communitymedicalservices.org. To learn more about the Milwaukee Overdose Response Initiative (MORI) you can watch a short YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/qUZboqFsklY
Working to Make Things Better
Representative Tip McGuire, from Wisconsin Assembly District 64, discusses the proposed legislation allowing fourteen year olds to serve alcohol and other pertinent addiction and mental illness issues. While traveling the state as part of the Joint Finance Committee, Representative McGuire has seen and heard the people ask that government work together to help with the problems citizens and communities face. Representative McGuire believes a combination of education, treatment, and interdiction will make the difference in making our communities healthier places to live. Representative McGuire can be reached at [email protected]
Letter of Reckoning
Cletus was fishing when his father called about a letter in the mail. Cletus had sold drugs to an undercover police officer and was now facing numerous charges. His life changed in a heartbeat. He talks about what led to his using, his dealing, and the other mistakes he made along the way. More importantly, he discusses what he learned from those mistakes and how he found his way back. If you or a loved one needs help due to substance use disorder, help is available. There are online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every day at https://aa-intergroup.org/meetings/. A registry of Al-Anon meetings for friends and families of those who are afflicted with substance use disorders can be found at https://al-anon.org. In Southeastern Wisconsin you can find AA meetings here: https://mtg.area75.org/meetings.html?dist=7 and NA meetings here: https://namilwaukee.org/meetings/
Imagine What You Can Do
The old saying is, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Melvin Adams shares his recipe for lemonade. Melvin grew up in poverty, with an abusive father in Houston, Texas. He was challenged early on with extremely negative circumstances. Even though Melvin was only 5’8”, he became a two-time NCAA All-American basketball player and the team captain of the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. Melvin Adams knows firsthand how to achieve great things despite challenging circumstances. Now a globetrotting motivational speaker, Melvin can be reached at and booked through https://topyouthspeakers.com/speakers-topics/melvin-adams
Incurable Hope
Every family that experiences addiction and mental illness searches endlessly for answers to their pain and hopes to stumble upon a survival guide. Lisa Gennosa discusses her journey as she tried to cope with her son Tyler’s illness. Lisa is the author of Incurable Hope: A Memoir and Survival Guide for Coping with a Loved One’s Addiction. Lisa is a practicing Physician Assistant. She is a dedicated wife and mother who grew up the third child of a liquor and narcotics agent. She discusses how substance use disorder, mental illness, and trauma can collide with the legal, medical, and treatment systems. Lisa’s book, blog, and contact information can be found at www.lisagennosa.com.
The Monster and the Mirror
K.J. Aiello describes herself as a mentally ill writer. It is, she says, who she is. After being misdiagnosed in college, K.J. spent a decade and a half wondering who she was and where she fit in. She discusses that journey, her acceptance of her mental illness, and how her life has improved because she simply didn’t care to hide or defend herself anymore. K.J. is a Toronto-based mentally ill writer whose work includes essays, op-eds, and a soon-to-be-released non-fiction book titled The Monster and the Mirror, which explores the intersection of speculative fiction and mental illness. She also authored an article that appeared in the independent publication, The Walrus, titled “Who Gets to be Mentally Ill,” since, as she indicates, not everyone is served equally by the mental health and substance use disorder system equally. K.J. and her work can be accessed at https://www.kjaiello.ca
Understanding and Grace
When a loved one dies from alcohol or other drug use, everyone is devastated, but everyone copes differently. Melissa Largey talks about her brother Chris’s death from opiates, how she coped with his passing, and how that tragedy has affected her life and relationships moving forward. Professionally, Melissa is a Human Services Case Manager. She is also a wife, daughter, sister, and mom. If you or a loved one needs help due to substance abuse, help is available. There are online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every day at https://aa-intergroup.org/meetings/. A registry of Al-Anon meetings for friends and families of those who are afflicted with substance use disorders can be found at https://al-anon.org.
Project 180: Students Helping Students
When students are asked what issues they face, mental health problems and drug usage often top the list of concerns. In Door County, Wisconsin, four county high schools formed a coalition called Project 180 to allow students to make a positive difference on these issues in their schools and across their communities. Jody Nelson and Sara Paye are counselors at Southern Door High School in Brussels, Wisconsin. They discuss the success of Project 180, current concerns of the young people, and the empowerment of students. If you’d like more information about Project 180, contact Mike McGowan at [email protected].
Crushing Recovery
Many people follow very traditional routes towards recovery of substance use disorders; others, not so much. Patrick Ridge talks about his unique road to recovery and the way he uses his social media visibility to help others. Pat is a member of the Hip Hop group Hyper Crush, Owner of Graceland Ranch Sober Living, Co-Founder Of Ridge Production and the Brand Learning To Lose. Recovery is possible, whatever road you choose. Patrick can be reached at www.learningtolose.com, and links to his various platforms can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@PATRICKRIDGETV
No Means No
According to the Department of Justice, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. Kylene Spanbauer, Miss Wisconsin 2022, provides education and empowerment through her social impact initiative, No Means No: Sexual Assault Education. Kylene is a Certified Inclusion Ambassador and has received training for ACES, CPIS Crisis Intervention and De-escalation strategies, WCASA Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy School, and AMAZE for prevention educators. She discusses her initiative and work in communities to bring greater awareness to the issue of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Kylene can be reached for more information and bookings at https://www.misswisconsin.com/miss-wisconsin-2022-kylene-spanbauer/
