Addiction Talk

Even the strongest can ask for help.  Former SEAL Dan Cerillo shares his story of overcoming the stigma of addiction and asking for help.

Chad’s life before active recovery has run the gamut — going in and out of treatment, being put on probation for a felony and being a new father who exposed  his child to the world of drug abuse. It became so bad that he would choose to spend last $20 on drugs instead of buying his daughter diapers. The moment he realized that he needed to get help came when his daughter saw him at a true low.  Before going into treatment he received the news that his fiancé was pregnant. He knew he had made mistakes with his daughter. He had the opportunity for a do-over.

Michele’s long journey with addiction began when she was introduced to benzodiazepines. She became so addicted to them that she began forging prescriptions until she was caught and charged with a misdemeanor.  Today she is grateful that she didn’t die as a result of her enormous pill intake.

 Michelle talks about the significance of connecting with women of recovery from all over the world and talking about stepping out of their shame to speak their truth.

Lauren Sisler is a multi national award-winning sports broadcaster working with ESPN, the SEC Network, and AL.com.

Her journey was not always full of victories and celebrations. In 2003 as a freshman at Rutgers University, tragedy struck Lauren’s world when she unexpectedly lost both of her parents to their concealed battle with addiction. Through her grief and despair, Lauren found the courage to continue moving forward and find success.

Lauren now shares her story across the country in hopes of spreading awareness about the dangers of addiction and the devastation it can cause for those who abuse substances, their loved ones, and the community. 

 For anyone who has experienced the trauma of a parent with an addiction, it can cause a lot of pain, anguish, and distrust within the entire family. And as a child, it’s extremely hard to understand why a parent won’t stop using drugs or alcohol.

Even after a parent has gotten sober, the resentment and anger can easily become lifelong baggage and negatively influence your own life and relationships for years down the road.

Kassie recently partnered with American Addiction Centers for a special series – Recovery is Relative. In the series, she shares insight from her family’s journey from addiction to recovery.