Recovery Nuggets Podcast

smartrecovery.org

Pete Rubinas has been a SMART Recovery participant, facilitator, and Regional Coordinator. He comes to his current position with a diverse set of experiences that he plans to use to help SMART Recovery USA thrive. Pete’s last position saw him lead a local Montessori non-profit from a one-room private preschool into a thriving private preschool and public charter school serving children through 8th grade. In that role, he did extensive work creating an effective governance structure across three separate non-profit organizations to keep the community focused on its mission while complying with the requirements of being a public school. Prior to that, Pete spent 10 years as an internal control auditor and consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Pete believes that SMART Recovery should be available in every community and to individuals from all walks of life. He has studied how power is held in organizations, and how to shift that power so that more voices are included in the decision-making that occurs. He passionately believes that empowerment is the ultimate goal in supporting those with addictive behaviors and those who love them. If we collectively stay focused on empowering one another at all levels of this organization, someday soon SMART Recovery will be a household name and the demographics of those we serve will have expanded dramatically from where we started.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Pete has worked hard to build a balanced life that includes time for his family, birding, native pollinator gardening, and running. He continues to facilitate a local SMART Recovery meeting and an online Family & Friends meeting in Chapel Hill, NC on a volunteer basis. His mantra is “You are enough.”

rickysretreat.com

mission22.com

https://www.facebook.com/donate/911394723863480/10161626647608185/

thrivealcoholrecovery.com

https://www.youtube.com/@thrivealcoholrecovery/videos

drdallasbragg.com

All of his social media handles are listed there as well. Enjoy the show!

gigilanger.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999122053?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_7MXWBVWJHM6EB34WDV7W

https://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/0757324568/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XI3KL9

She is on Twitter as well:

https://twitter.com/MaryBethO_

From a junkie addicted to methamphetamines to a federal judge, Mary Beth O’Connor’s memoir shares her inspiring journey from rock bottom to resilience as she forged a personal path to recovery from trauma and addiction.
Silver Award, 2023 Nonfiction Book Awards
Searing, unsettling, and ultimately triumphant, Judge O'Connor's debut memoir takes readers on a wild ride through the rock-bottom underbelly of intravenous drug addiction to the hallowed halls of justice where she rose to the pinnacle of success as a federal judge.
With wit and unabashed honesty, O’Connor shares her remarkable three-phase journey: the abuse and trauma that drove her to teenage drug use, the chaos that ensued from her addiction; and how she developed a personalized secular recovery plan that led to twenty-nine years of sobriety. Her story proves any addict can recover and anyone can build a productive and happy life, no matter how low the bottom or how deep the pain.
Within a week of being born, O’Connor was dropped off at a convent. When she was brought into her home, her mother focused on her own needs and desires, ignoring her young child. When she was nine, her stepfather kicked her in the stomach for spilling milk, beat her when she didn’t clean a plate to his satisfaction, and molested her when she was twelve. A few months later, with her first sip of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill wine, her life changed. She felt euphoric and relaxed. So she got drunk as often as possible, adding pot, then pills, then acid. At sixteen, she found her drug of choice--methamphetamine. With her first snort, she experienced true joy for the first time. When this high was no longer sufficient, she turned to the needle and shot up.
During the next sixteen years, she descended into a severe meth addiction, working her way down the corporate ladder, destroying relationships, and shattering her physical and emotional well-being.
At thirty-two, she entered rehab, where she was ordered to submit to the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. As an atheist, turning her will and her life over to a higher power was not an option, and she refused to agree she was powerless. Told to comply or fail, she bravely created a new path that combined ideas from multiple programs and even incorporated some AA concepts.
Clean and sober now for more nearly three decades, she is proof that anyone can find their sober self, their best self, no matter how far they have fallen. Along with her inspiring story, she offers a comprehensive checklist of questions for readers to ask themselves as they take the brave steps toward recovery, offering a powerful blueprint for personal change.

westsidetherapist.com

Grateful to welcome back Andrew Susskind on the show to discuss his new workbook "It's Not about the Sex, Moving from Isolation to Intimacy After Sexual Compulsivity"

This is another insightful chat with Andrew Susskind. The discussion covers lots of topics in the area of recovery from Sexual Compulsivity. Thanks again Andrew!

The workbook is available on Amazon 2/22/2024

https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-About-Sex-Workbook/dp/103265046X

alcoholdrughelp.org

If you are struggling in North Carolina and need help

Please call: 1-800-688-4232

or 919-256-5864

michelewmiller.com

The Lower Power is Michele W. Miller’s fourth published novel. She has lived most of her life in Upper Manhattan—Harlem and Washington Heights—where her novels often take place and where she currently resides with her husband, 20-year-old twin sons, two cats, and a large dog. Former chief government ethics prosecutor for NYC, she currently serves as General Counsel for a non-profit agency that provides re-entry services to the formerly incarcerated.  She has herself overcome addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. She has a black belt in the Jaribu system of Karate and worked her way through law school dancing on roller skates.

kathymou.com

instagram.com/cognitive_restructuring_

doctorhiggins.com

You can find a link to her Ted talk, Bio, Consulatation, Books on Amazon, and lots of other great info.

Dr. Evelyn Higgins is a recognized international expert in the epidemiology of substance use disorders, process addictions, and mental health conditions.  She is a graduate of the State University of New York with postgraduate studies at Harvard Medical School in Body, Mind, and Spirit medicine with an emphasis on resiliency.  A Diplomate of the American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders, she is also a member of the Pharmacogene Variation Consortium, is a Certified Addictionologist, Certified Addiction Professional, Doctor of Chiropractic, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Disability Analysts specializing in pain management. Dr. Higgins’ work with addictions and primary mental health conditions led her to invent the patent-pending custom panel utilized exclusively by her companies Wired For Addiction®  and the Neurotransmitter Reset Program®.  

drjamiemarich.com

drdansiger.com

Dr. Jamie Marich (she/they) describes herself as a facilitator of transformative experiences. A clinical trauma specialist, expressive artist, writer, yogini, performer, short filmmaker, Reiki master, TEDx speaker, and recovery advocate, she unites all of these elements in her mission to inspire healing in others. She began her career as a humanitarian aid worker in Bosnia-Hercegovina from 2000-2003, primarily teaching English and music while freelancing with other projects. Jamie travels internationally teaching on topics related to trauma, EMDR therapy, expressive arts, mindfulness, and yoga, while maintaining a private practice and online education operations in her home base of Northeast Ohio. Jamie is the author of numerous books on trauma recovery and healing, with many more projects in the works. Marich is the founder of The Institute for Creative Mindfulness.

Dr. Steve played CBGB and Max’s Kansas City in the late 70s; drank, played in a toy rock band and then got sober in the 80s; became an international social justice/diversity educator and rocker again in the 90s; and is now a sought after consultant, trainer, clinician, writer and meditation teacher. Dr. Steve has attempted to cure Marc Maron on WTF, become a master EMDR therapist and provider of EMDR Training as Senior Faculty with the Institute for Creative Mindfulness, and has become a pioneer in the Buddhist recovery field. He is the CEO of StartAgain Associates, where he develops trauma-focused mindfulness based mental health training and technology solutions. He created the MET(T)A Protocol (Mindfulness and EMDR Treatment Template for Agencies), a design for mental health agency treatment using Buddhist mindfulness and EMDR Therapy, currently being utilized in trauma and addiction treatment centers across the country and internationally.

Link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Yogi-Grief-Post-Traumatic-Growth/dp/B0C9RWW3LX

*******Mike's Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPs9Et43rB0&t=7s

⁠www.awakenyouressence.net⁠

Tara jumps on the podcast to share her story of overcoming addiction and turning into quite the artist, hustler, and entreprenuer. She has pivoted into a new direction in her business and now is a reiki practicioner as well as a health and wellness retreat host. Her and her husband Shannon have had a show on HGTV called Rehabbed. https://www.tdn.tv/rehabbed

Tara's bio:

My name is Tara Gilmore and I live in Wilmington, NC. I live with my husband Shannon and our dog Hank. I am fortunate and grateful to be surrounded by friends, loved ones, and a community of amazing support! I believe in the power of healing and transformation through connection and whole hearted authentic living! I am a certified integrative health and wellness coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, a 200 RYT, certified Reiki Practitioner through the Usui Method of Natural Healing, and a certified sound healer in Divine Resonance with Hudson Mind Body Spirit. Because of my past struggles with addiction and my commitment to recovery for over 23 years, I have been afforded the opportunity to dive deep into my search for external resources to fix my internal problems. I understand the darkness of this exhausting search for external fulfillment and I also know the light of recovery and limitless possibilities.

Traveling and experiencing different cultures, spending quality time with my husband, dog, and loved ones, and entertaining with delicious ayurvedically inspired meals for my tribe of favorite people are among some of my favorite things to do! I also shamelessly love late night insomnia cookies and ice cream with my husband. Life is about balance!

As adults, sometimes we are disillusioned by the idea that asking for support is a sign that we are somehow “broken” Allow yourself to see that imperfection is truly a gift and is the vehicle to greater connection with yourself and others. Not having all the answers all the time is a great relief. It allows the beauty of having a beginners or childs mind to open to new possibilities and the beauty learning and growing together.

I understand that making changes to your lifestyle may seem scary and overwhelming. I want to make this process exciting, enjoyable, and sustainable! I am here to support you on your journey and would love to be a witness to your success!

You can find out more about Tara's offerings, retreats, and reiki here:

www.awakenyouressence.net

One of the founders of neveralonerecovery.com jumps on the podcast to share his story as well as discuss the non profit never alone recovery. 

Created by addicts for addicts, Never Alone Recovery is a free resource that aims to provide treatment program matching, drug rehab placement, intervention assistance, and recovery-related education to those struggling with active addiction as well as their loved ones who suffer with them.

At Never Alone Recovery, we believe the highest quality, evidence-based drug and alcohol treatment is necessary if you hope to start a new chapter in your life. Having witnessed the horrors of addiction both personally and professionally, we recognize that you are likely experiencing one of the darkest and most difficult periods in your life.

We pride ourselves on purpose, passion, and efficiency as we aid individuals and their families through the process of finding the right addiction treatment program at the best drug rehab for their addicted loved one.

Dealing with addiction is hard whether you’re the one who’s addicted or you’re that individual’s loved one. For that reason, our goal is to make this entire journey as simple and painless as possible.

Lori and Dean join the show to discuss their son's life and legacy. They are the founders of djswish.org

This is a topic that is quite common in today's society. We welcome these parents to discuss this topic so others are aware of what is happening and offer some solutions. Thank you for listening. 

From their website:

On July 16, 2021, our lives took a drastic turn. That was the day we lost our only child to illicit fentanyl poisoning.

Life wasn’t perfect before that day, but we were happy and hoped that DJ would find a way to beat the demons that dragged him back into active SUD time after time. God had a plan for DJ and Dean and me. It wasn’t the plan we prayed for and dreamt of. We had a choice to make, live in our sorrow or find a way to keep DJ’s memory alive and help others.

Like many families we watched our son change before our eyes. The real DJ was there at times, but SUD is a wicked disease without an easy remedy. Dean and I felt so very isolated. Few in our circle of family and friends were familiar with SUD. The stigma that surrounds it leads you to believe that you must hide the truth. It tells you that your loved one is weak and if they were just more determined they could beat it. The stigma tells you that you have failed. The stigma is WRONG. We quickly found there are hundreds of thousands of families like ours that don’t know what to do or where to turn.

We helped DJ get into recovery programs and while there we had hope for a bright future. Our son was back, he was healthy and working hard to free himself of the disease. He completed the programs and came home to re-build his life but found so many roadblocks that none of us were prepared to get around. The disease was active again and we helplessly watched the changes in our son once again.

We did all the things traditional “therapy” suggests… set hard boundaries, cut him off, brought him home and so much more. We took him to detox centers and were turned away. For us the traditional efforts were not working. Finally in the summer of 2021 we tried once more to bring DJ home and set strong boundaries in place and thought we were helping him make good decisions. He found a job he enjoyed, stayed away from the people and places that triggered his addiction and we thought we were on the right path. It wasn’t perfect, but we had time – or so we thought. That day in July seemed so normal. We had no idea what the morning would bring.

Losing our son forced us to decide how life would look without him. The first few days and weeks nearly destroyed us both. The grief was suffocating. The anger was fierce. A giant hole made breathing a task. Something had to be done. We had to make a stand and we had to give our son a voice again. He told a friend that if he didn’t survive, he hoped others would be saved because of his death.

In October, DJ’s Wish-Freedom From Fentanyl was launched as a Facebook page to help us spread information and news on the illicit fentanyl crisis our country is facing. While we are still a small group our reach grows daily. We are giving a voice to many, and God has provided many opportunities that we didn’t dream were possible.

DJ’s Wish strives to be a resource for those who feel isolated.

Check him out at clenapparel.com

You can see his designs on instagram as well instagram.com/clen_lifestyle_gear

Founder of @shootyou
Animation / Video Production 🎥
Mental Health Advocate 🧠
Psychotherapist (UKCP / BPS / APA)

www.shootyou.com/understanding

instagram.com/quintboa

https://twitter.com/_BLShelton

•Author: 'Discovering Beautiful' •15 years #sober  •Complex Childhood Trauma Advocate •Generational Freedom •COA •CSA •DV •Breaking Cycles •Art = My therapy.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1981006036/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_T6-aGbNKK15DZ

You can find Martin at martinlockett.com

ingridclayton.com

https://www.amazon.com/Joanna-NicciTina-Free/e/B09NY3QK4J/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

“Make your mess your message,” they said. Amen to that!  But first she had to clean up the mess.

Joanna NicciTina Free was Joanna Cummings: a dedicated (and, frankly, messy) smoker with no hope whatsoever of stopping smoking, ever. She lit up before getting out of bed in the morning and smoked until she was ready to turn out the lights. “I would have bet against myself kicking - the odds were that bad.”  Later, with credentials in both mental health and in the treatment of addiction, she still found herself unable to kick the one drug that was still kicking her backside daily.

The author of Kick Butts Take Names and Buttkickers: Twenty Ways to Leave Tobacco (now in its tenth anniversary edition), her work in smoking cessation has been praised by addiction professionals, fellow buttkickers, and even a former US Surgeon General as life-changing, innovative, transformative. She loves buttkickers, even the ones who are just kick-curious to start. As one buttkicker said, “She meets you right where you are” and joins with you on your individual path to freedom.