For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance decided to have a one-on-one conversation about a variety of addiction-related and substance abuse topics.  They share some of their perspectives on harm reduction, celebrities sharing their addiction and recovery stories, legislation for recovering addicts, and the mental health and homeless crisis' we are facing in America. As well they tackle the controversial topic of stopping the foreign illegal drug manufacturers by force or if there is even a point in going after them.  

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Erin Khar. We discussed differing perspectives on Harm Reduction, The War On Drugs, her recent article in Cosmopolitan on Matthew Perry's autobiography as well as the lack of government funding and policies to combat the alarming rate of overdose deaths in the United States. 

Erin Khar is an author and advocate known for her writing on addiction, recovery, mental health, parenting, and relationships. Erin knows first-hand the challenges of addiction recovery and has established herself as a respected voice in the national conversation about the overdose epidemic.

Strung Out, Erin's debut memoir, appeared on most anticipated lists from Apple Books, Goodreads, SELF, The Rumpus, Bitch Media, and others. Of the book, The New York Times writes, "Khar’s buoyant writing doesn’t get mired in her dark subject matter. There is an honesty here that can only come from, to put it in the language of 12-step programs, a 'searching and fearless moral inventory.' This is a story she needed to tell; and the rest of the country needs to listen.”

Erin’s essay, “Guilty,” was published in Burn it Down: Women Writing About Anger. She was the recipient of a 2012 Eric Hoffer Editor's Choice Prize for her story, "Last House at the End of the Street," which was published in the Best New Writing 2012 anthology.

She writes the weekly advice column, Ask Erin on Substack, and her personal essays have appeared in SELF, Marie Claire, Salon, The Times of London Sunday Magazine, HuffPost, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, and others.

Erin lives in New York City. When she’s not writing, she’s probably watching Beverly Hills, 90210.

For more on Erin Khar and her book 

https://www.erinkhar.com/ 

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit 

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Brock Bevell. Brock and former Arizona Cardinal Max Hall have the podcast, Agents of Recovery and then they opened Victory Recovery, a counseling center for recovering addicts.   

Bevell’s story is much different than most, yet much the same. Run over while on duty as a Mesa police officer, he went to see a doctor for his injuries and pain. Bevell says “The day I walked in on my first visit, he looks at me and goes, ‘hey, you’re a cop, you’ll never get hooked on these things,’” Bevell said.  

But the painkillers led to a 10-year addiction until one day. “I took a pill, drank it took it down and shut the mirror. The mirror shined into my room and when I looked into my room in my brain I’m like, ‘Brock, you live in a crack house, this is who you’ve become,’” he said.  

Bevell didn’t go to rehab. Instead, he spent a week in the bathroom detoxing on his own. He says “I didn’t have a support team. I had alienated everyone in my life. I’m like, ‘I’m in it, I have to stay here and I’m not walking out of the bathroom until I’m over this,’” he said.  

He’s turned everything around.  He’s been sober for many years now and has helped hundreds of others get clean and stay clean as well.    

We discuss the alarming trends in drug culture, the fentanyl crisis, youth addition, what happens after a substance user is Narcaned, as well as educating parents and the youth on the deadly consequences of experimentation.  As well as the meaning behind his Chase the Vase Challenge.  

For more on Brock Bevell and Victory Recovery Arizona 

https://www.instagram.com/brockbevell 

https://www.instagram.com/victoryrecoveryaz

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Kim Bellas the founder of Sober Is The New Cool. We discuss how in 2013, her 15 -year-old son started having seizures. Like most teenagers, he enjoyed going to parties and socializing. A significant aspect of these parties was the consumption of alcohol, and her son was unable to drink due to his seizures.

As a mother, she found it was instinctive to make him happy by assuring him that alcohol wasn't necessary for him to enjoy himself. It IMMEDIATELY dawned on Kim how hypocritical she was being as she found herself frequently drinking wine.

To prove a point to her son, she stopped drinking for 3 months. The time went by quicker than she'd anticipated, and Kim decided to remain sober for another 3 months. Following 6 months of sobriety, Kim found herself happier than she had been in a while. What started as an example to her son became something she decided to commit to for her son and myself.

Now 2022, and Kim is proud to announce that she's been sober for almost 10 years as of our conversation. Sobriety has changed her outlook on life for the better and has improved both her physical and mental well-being.

Sober Is The New Cool is committed to bettering communities while raising awareness around the benefits of sobriety. Kim has become a support of PAIN: Parents And Addict In Need and refers people to our Wednesday support group meeting for those in recovery, family memebers of those in recovery as well as those who have lost a loved one to addiction.   

A portion of the proceeds from Sober Is The New Cool merchandise will be donated to the Douglas Foundation.

Kim's goal is to demonstrate that a SOBER LIFE is an exhilarating one, and anyone can reap the benefits.

For more on Sober Is The New Cool & Kim Bellas please visit https://soberisthenewcool.org/ 

Social Media 

https://www.facebook.com/soberisthenewcool.ca/ 

https://www.instagram.com/sober.is.the.new.cool/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_tmHjBMjRmRj-HECQ3_Feg 

https://twitter.com/Soberitnc 

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Tony Hoffman. In part  2-part  of our conversation with Tony, we discuss how Tony is upset by the irresponsible ways that the mental health and drug crisis are being handled.  As well as how important vulnerability is for everyone, especially men who desire to create true connections with others. Also, we talked about the moral responsibilities as they relate to ham reduction and helping addicts in need. We talk about how these issues directly relate to a rise in substance abuse and what Tony thinks can be done to prevent losing any more lives to the disease of addiction and substance abuse. 

On December 13th, 2008, Tony Hoffman was paroled by the California Department of Corrections after serving a two-year sentence for a drug-related robbery. While incarcerated, Tony set four goals: Race BMX professionally, go to the Olympics, start a non-profit called the Freewheel Project, and become a professional mental health and substance abuse speaker.

During his senior year at Clovis High School, he was featured on the cover of BMXer Magazine and was sponsored by Fox Racing, Spy Sunglasses, and Airwalk Shoes. On the surface, Tony's path seemed destined for stardom. However, in reality, Tony experienced crippling anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideations. Tony's substance use began during his senior year, leading to the deterioration of his mental health and opioid addiction soon followed. Due to his misuse of Oxycontin, & other drugs, a life of addiction, crime, homelessness, and incarceration became his reality.

Since paroling prison, Tony has tirelessly worked towards achieving his goals and the dreams he’d set out for while incarcerated. He raced BMX professionally for several years and continued on to coach Brooke Crain to a 4th place finish at the Rio Olympic Games, accomplishing his dream of going to the Olympics. The Freewheel Project was very successful for many years helping thousands of youth through action sports before moving on to pursuing a very demanding national speaking career. Today Tony is an author, an owner of pH Wellness drug and alcohol treatment facility, and one of the world's most requested mental health and substance use speakers.

For more on Tony Hoffman please visit https://www.tonyhoffmanspeaking.com/

Social Media https://www.instagram.com/tonymhoffman/

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Tony Hoffman. In part 1 of our 2-part conversation with Tony, we discuss how Tony is greatly concerned for the mental health of our youth in this country following the Covid lockdowns.  Tony speaks at high schools and directly sees the state of struggle that so many young individuals are going through. Experiencing different levels of trauma and the lack of coping skills is leading many down a dark path.  We talk about how these issues directly relate to a rise in substance abuse and what Tony thinks can be done to prevent losing any more lives.  

On December 13th, 2008, Tony Hoffman was paroled by the California Department of Corrections after serving a two-year sentence for a drug-related robbery. While incarcerated, Tony set four goals: Race BMX professionally, go to the Olympics, start a non-profit called the Freewheel Project, and become a professional mental health and substance abuse speaker.

During his senior year at Clovis High School, he was featured on the cover of BMXer Magazine and was sponsored by Fox Racing, Spy Sunglasses, and Airwalk Shoes. On the surface, Tony's path seemed destined for stardom. However, in reality, Tony experienced crippling anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideations. Tony's substance use began during his senior year, leading to the deterioration of his mental health and opioid addiction soon followed. Due to his misuse of Oxycontin, & other drugs, a life of addiction, crime, homelessness, and incarceration became his reality.

Since paroling prison, Tony has tirelessly worked towards achieving his goals and the dreams he’d set out for while incarcerated. He raced BMX professionally for several years and continued on to coach Brooke Crain to a 4th place finish at the Rio Olympic Games, accomplishing his dream of going to the Olympics. The Freewheel Project was very successful for many years helping thousands of youth through action sports before moving on to pursuing a very demanding national speaking career. Today Tony is an author, an owner of pH Wellness drug and alcohol treatment facility, and one of the world's most requested mental health and substance use speakers.

For more on Tony Hoffman please visit https://www.tonyhoffmanspeaking.com/

Social Media https://www.instagram.com/tonymhoffman/

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Tim Ryan, known for his autobiography "From Dope To Hope, A Man In Recovery" and the A&E Series Dope Man. We discuss getting through to the youth on the dangers of experimentation now, speaking with parents and community leaders, and law enforcement. Tim and his wife actress and model Jennifer Gimenez have traveled the country many times over not only speaking with those in need, more importantly providing tools for growth and resources to heal. 

Tim Ryan has dedicated his life to helping others find recovery. Tim’s moving motivational speech, From Dope to Hope (TM), chronicles his harrowing experience as a troubled addict who did drugs with his own son and his son’s friends, his incarceration, and his life today that includes his own journey in recovery and his work in serving others. As Tim so convincingly says, “We’re taking one addict at a time from dope to hope!” Tim also provides the community at large with valuable information about opiates and their devastating effects. Tim’s speech informs on the current landscape of heroin addiction nationwide, the surprising effects of heroin on the brain and body, and how to recognize and handle those who struggle with addiction to opiates and other substances. Tim Ryan has shared his story and knowledge countless times with a variety of audiences, including students, educators, parents, treatment centers, 12-step programs, halfway houses, and prisons.

For more on Tim Ryan  please visit https://dopetohope.com/  

Social Media  

https://www.facebook.com/tim.ryan.37  

https://www.instagram.com/timryandopetohope/ 

https://twitter.com/AManInRecovery

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Robin “Higgy” Higginbotham. We discuss frightening facts of drug culture, the lack of government support funding for true education on the Fentanyl crisis, reaching the youth and families as well as being of service to others.

Higgy struggled with addiction for 35 years of his life. His addiction found him homeless and pushing a shopping cart in the streets of Phoenix Arizona, numerous incarceration’s, imprisonment, multiple overdoses and treatment centers.

Higgy has made it his mission to use his experiences to help him in reaching out to the struggling masses in the addicted population around the country through his social media presence and work in the community. He advocates for those struggling with addictions of all kinds and seeks to help those willing to put in the work.

As a former host of a recovery based music radio show, Redemption Road Recovery Music, he has made many connections throughout the recovery music scene and hopes to help artists get their message of HOPE out to help those battling addiction.

Higgy is the founder of NoMoreHeroin.org a 501 3(C) Non-Profit and creator of the “Survivor Series”, which showcases success stories of people in Recovery.

Higgy is a Recovery Coach, National Interventionist, Persian Gulf era Military Veteran and owner of “A Vision For Veterans Inc.”. His company only employs Military Veterans with substance abuse issues.

Everything Higgy does is his attempt at smashing the stigma of addiction, provide resources, education, awareness, and inspiration to the Recovery Community.

He believes, “No matter how far you have traveled the wrong road, you can always turn around!”.

One of our main goals at No More Heroin is to help prevent others from losing their loved ones and to create a legacy of healing and hope for all those loved and lost to this wretched disease called addiction.

For more on Higgy please visit https://nomoreheroin.org/

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit  

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Dai Manuel. We discuss integrity and its value in mastery of self, communicating with you children about the dangers of substance use with the fentanyl crisis, steps he took for personal change in his sober journey to establish trust and connectivity with his family. As well as lots of laughs.   

Dai speaks openly about early on in his adult life, Dai started to mask his insecurities and anxieties with alcohol, and this led to dramatic mood swings and personality traits that he didn't like.  It went from a socially fun thing to actually try to escape his emotions that he couldn't deal with sober.  This started a destructive path that eventually started to get out of hand.  

One of the lowest points in his life was coming home after drinking way too much, waking up late and his wife asked him "Are you being the kind of man your daughters want to marry?"  That was the turning point for Dai, and since that day, he hasn't had a drink.  Now, Dai is living his best life.  He's found clarity, faith, and purpose in his life that he didn't have before.  He hasn't had a drink in over 11 years.  He quit his oppressive job of 17 years and now travels the world with his wife and kids.  He does his work online now and finds it makes more time for his family as well as his sanity.  

For more on Dai please visit https://www.daimanuel.com/

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit

Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Love and Light Founder Sandra Lee RN. Sandra went through a hard time in her life struggling with PTSD, leading to an addiction. When she stepped out of that dark time and began recovery, she found a life coaching challenge that changed her life. Sandra joined the coaching group and gained a supportive family. When Sandra regained HOPE again her love for helping people and saving lives was reignited.

Sandra shared her dream of founding a non-profit organization. Her coaching family was inspired by her journey and joined her as supporters, volunteers, co-founders, and directors of her board. They cheered Sandra on every step of the way supporting her recovery journey as well as the journey of building the organization.

Sandra began making shirts in her friend’s garage and sending them out to people that supported her. Recovery is a harrowing journey; every time Sandra wanted to quit or give up on herself, she saw a yellow shirt or her hashtag on social media. That visible support is what kept Sandra going.

That became the birth of the Light it up project which has saved multiple lives. It took Sandra around two years to build everything and put everything together for the non-profit as she was also healing and growing in her recovery journey. Sandra gained many supporters along the way, gathered partners, and kept building because she believed in the dream, and had hope and faith that one day Love and Light to the World would help people and save lives.

For more on Sandra Lee

https://www.loveandlighttotheworld.org/

https://www.sandraleespeaks.com/