Addiction Talk

Provisional data indicates that there were approximately 107,000 drug overdose deaths last year, a 15% increase from the previous year and the highest number on record. Though overdose deaths from other substances, such as methamphetamine and cocaine also saw significant increases, fentanyl has been the primary driver of overdose deaths: last year, it was responsible for more than 88% of all opioid overdose deaths and more than 66% of total overdose deaths.

On this special International Overdose Awareness Day edition of “Addiction Talk,” we’ll hear from panelists who have had varying experiences with overdoses, and Dr. Mark Calarco will provide instruction on the use of the opioid overdose antidote, naloxone.

Cammie Wolf Rice is an activist, speaker and author of the upcoming book, “The Flight: My Opioid Journey,” which details the loss of her 32-year-old son Christopher to an opioid overdose. As a result of losing her child, she created the nonprofit CWC, the Christopher Wolf Crusade, that provides preventative solutions and education about the opioid epidemic. The goal of the organization is to raise awareness about the potential dangers of prescription pain medication and alternative methods of pain management.

Philip Van Guilder, also known as the “Narcan Man,” is the director of community affairs at Greenhouse Treatment Center in Grand Prairie, TX. For years, Philip has been an advocate for the widespread use of naloxone due to the prevalence of opioid overdoses throughout the country, and his cause became personal when he had to revive his own son from an overdose due to fentanyl. Now, with that experience, as well as someone approaching 20 years in recovery, Philip has devoted himself to the cause of addiction education and overdose prevention.

Dr. Mark Calarco is the national medical director for clinical diagnostics. In this position, he works closely with Addiction Labs to conduct medical and laboratory research as well as develop innovative products and services that will improve patient outcomes. Calarco brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, including a background in family and emergency medicine.

Carla Sloke is a client support specialist at American Addiction Centers and an overdose survivor. Now nearing six years in recovery, Carla shares her story of addiction and recovery to give hope to others and help them realize that there is a way out of the darkest places. As a survivor, she feels it is her purpose to help others that are struggling and show them that there is life waiting for them on the other side of despair.

Jake Arther is an AAC Outreach Coordinator based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Prior to joining AAC, Jake endured his own battle with addiction. After a car accident, he became addicted to opioids. At one point during his active addiction, Jake fabricated symptoms of gallbladder issues and subsequently had the organ removed so he could obtain pain medication. Now, more than eight years in recovery, he works in his hometown guiding those with the disease of addiction to treatment and raising awareness in OKC about the need for access to these services.

Joining “Addiction Talk” is five-time Olympic medalist Greg Louganis. Before becoming who many consider the most remarkable American diver, Louganis turned to alcohol and drugs in his early years for several reasons: his feeling of not fitting in due to being adopted at nine months, having a darker complexion due to his Samoan heritage, and when on the U.S. National Team, bullied for being gay. His addiction to pills and alcohol and depression led to multiple suicide attempts, including one after winning the silver medal in the 1976 Olympic Games.

After realizing drinking and smoking began interfering with his diving, he attended rehab and therapy. He stopped drinking entirely in 1983, one year before the 1984 Olympics, where he became the third man in the sport's history to win gold medals in both springboard and platform. In this episode, Louganis will discuss his journey and post-Olympic life in recovery.

This “Addiction Talk” episode will feature Gill Tietz, a biochemist and the host of the podcast Sober Powered. At 18, Gill had her first drink, but it wasn’t until four years later, in grad school, that drinking became a regular occurrence. Drinking was normalized in her workplace culture, so she believed drinking with her lab colleagues was normal. Within a year, she began to drink daily, blackouts happened multiple times per week, and she was going to work hungover. In 2019, Gill quit drinking and became dedicated to learning about alcohol’s effect on the brain and how it causes addiction. Now, with her experience and knowledge, she educates others through her podcast, Instagram, and YouTube channel and encourages people to assess their own relationship with alcohol.

Christy Carlson Romano, former star of Disney’s “Even Stevens,” “Kim Possible,” and “Cadet Kelly,” joins Addiction Talk to speak about her struggles with alcohol, which began during her teens. At 16, Christy began binge drinking to cope with shyness, which later advanced to the point that she couldn’t stop drinking as it was so embedded in her daily life.

Now, nearing her sixth year in sobriety, she is a mother of two, has two YouTube cooking series, and is the host of two podcasts: “Vulnerable,” where she chats with other celebrities, friends, and special guests about navigating life’s ups and downs, and “I Hear Voices” with Kim Possible co-star Will Friedle, where they interview people who voiced characters in video games, animated shows, film and more. She also writing a memoir based on her YouTube cooking show, “Christy’s Throwback Kitchen.”

This edition of “Addiction Talk” will feature stand-up comedian, actress and podcast host, Nikki Glaser.

Over the last decade, Nikki Glaser has become one of the funniest female comics today. She has traveled and performed at clubs across the country, hosted three hit podcasts, including The Nikki Glaser Podcast, released two Netflix comedy specials, and has had a number of memorable film and television roles.

Currently, she is in the middle of a nationwide comedy tour, One Night with Nikki Glaser, host of the HBO Max reality dating series “FBoy Island” and is the star of the new E! reality series, “Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?”

Nikki has previously been very open about her struggles with anorexia, depression, anxiety and drinking. On this episode, she will share more about her experience with alcohol, what prompted her to stop drinking and the book that led her to quit both alcohol and cigarettes.

Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby joins “Addiction Talk” to discuss his addiction to alcohol. Crosby recalls drinking heavily during his high school and college years, but as someone with a family history of alcohol use, he knew he had a problem. During the 2020 offseason, Crosby checked himself into rehab and transitioned to a sober living facility until training camp began that summer. After recently celebrating 18 months sober, Crosby will detail his new life in recovery.

In this midday episode of “Addiction Talk,” we will hear from Deborah Taranto, Nadia Davis and Anita Lee in a panel discussion on how addiction affects families.

Deborah Taranto is a mother, writer, teacher and professor who has taught writing and literature for the past 20 years. She is in the process of publishing her latest book, “The Beginning, The Middle, No End” that tells the story of her family’s addiction through her daughter’s diary (who passed away from an overdose in 2016), and her two sons’ viewpoints, both of whom have suffered with addiction since adolescence.

Nadia Davis is the mother of three sons, a yoga teacher and a high-profile lawyer who is in recovery herself. She also was also diagnosed with depression, PTSD and chronic pain. Her memoir, “Home is Within You,” addresses her sons with honesty, hope and strength revealing both her childhood and adult trauma that lead to issues with addiction and dysfunctional relationships.

Anita Lee has more than 10 years in recovery from alcohol. She has a YouTube channel called Anita Lee – Candidly that offers support for those suffering from alcoholism and their loved ones.

Brian Cuban, younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, is an attorney, best-selling author, activist and recovery advocate.

Brian has a storied history with drug and alcohol addiction stemming from bullying and fat-shaming during his youth. He became addicted to alcohol while he was a freshman at Penn State, and by the time he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, he was also addicted to cocaine. At one point, he was routinely using cocaine at work and even once at the federal courthouse in Dallas.

For nearly 15 years, Brian has been in recovery from alcohol, cocaine and bulimia. He has chronicled these issues in two best-selling books, “Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body Dysmorphic Disorder” and “The Addicted Lawyer, Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow & Redemption.”

Brian joins Addiction Talk to further discuss his experiences with addiction, mental health conditions and helping others throughout his recovery journey.

Joining Addiction Talk is Real Housewives of Orange County alum and mom of seven, Braunwyn Windham-Burke. Braunwyn will discuss her past struggles with alcohol – something she was very open about during her time on the show – navigating sobriety and finally living her truth.

Joining “Addiction Talk” is actress and singer Rumer Willis, the eldest daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. On this upcoming special episode, which will be broadcast live on Instagram, Rumer will discuss her struggle with alcohol use, the impact of addiction on her family and expand upon how she has chosen to focus on herself in her recovery journey.