Lean On Me

In today’s episode I talk with Robert Rushford from 'Release My Super' who will provide you with some insights into gaining access to financial support through superannuation.

In our chat, you’ll learn about:

• What does compassionate access to your super actually mean
• What is the process we need to go through to get it
• How the company behind it, which coincidently is called ‘Release My Super’, removes the barriers to help you

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode I talk with Justin who shares with us the brother he had growing up, the party boy he turned into, making tough decisions, living with guilt, the importance of your own family and surrounding yourself with the right support.

In our chat, you’ll discover:

• The family bond growing up
• How enablers and image can change us
• The guilt behind not doing enough
• How tough decisions are hard to make
• Still coming to terms with acceptance 

Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains some content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on drug use and alcohol. 

If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode I talk with Steve who shares with us his journey in dealing with not only his son Nathan, but dealing with his blended family. 

In our chat, you’ll discover:

• The importance of focusing on your own health and wellbeing
• Building a support network around you
• Remaining strong and focused
• How (family) communication and working your way through it is so important

Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains some content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on drug use. 

If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode I chat with my old best mate Tony as we discuss for the first time my cocaine addiction and why he had to park me and the effect it had on his family.

It’s a bit of a different format compared to our normal podcast chats but worth a listen as I learn a bit more about what a dickhead I was towards those who cared about me during my own addiction and I hope that you also may take some learnings from a family & friends perspective in understanding the mindset of someone in an addictive state.

In our chat, you’ll discover:

• The importance of mates ‘finally’ actually talking about addiction 
• How family is No.1 
• The addicts survival traits and hiding the truth
• The long journey for the family & friends

Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers suicide and substance abuse. 

If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode we talk with Candice who shares with us her journey in dealing with and supporting her twin brother and why learning from your mistakes is so important.

In our chat, you’ll discover:

• The twin brother I had and the twin brother I now have
• The bond between twins
• How we put so much focus on hope vs helping ourselves
• Enabling or supporting an addict without realising the consequences 

Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on drug use and gambling. 

If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 and Gamblers Helpline on 1800 858 858

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we talk with David who shares with us his journey in dealing with his sisters alcoholism and her 15+ trips to rehabs

In our chat, you’ll discover:

• Blood is thicker than water
• The importance to look after yourself 
• The enablers
• And Hope

Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers alcohol, some substance abuse and depression.

If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we talk with Melissa who shares with us her journey in dealing with her brother's drug issues and the anxiety and trust issues within the family.

In our chat, you’ll discover:

• Blood is thicker than water
• Drawing the ‘line in the sand’ moment
• Feeling safe
• The importance of your own support group 

Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers alcohol and some substance abuse. 

If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode we talk with Sarah who shares with us her long journey in dealing from afar with a friend's significant ongoing battles with alcoholism. 

In our chat, you’ll discover:

• The effect that trauma causes us with addiction
• Supporting a friend 
• The importance of connection and educating yourself around the meaning of addiction
• Acceptance of someone’s addiction provides you with peace

Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on trauma and alcoholism.

If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14. For more information about support services available to you, visit our website https://www.podpage.com/lean-on-me/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode we have a chat with Katrina who shares with us her long journey in dealing with her son's mental health issues from a young age, with a combination of schizophrenia and drug use psychosis. 

In our chat you’ll discover:

• the effect it had on the family
• how they had to navigate the system to get help
• what it means to feel safe 
• planning ahead.

Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on trauma and drug use. 

If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 or Family Drug Support on 1300 368 186. For more information about support services available to you, visit our website https://www.podpage.com/lean-on-me/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lean on Me is purely focused at providing support to the family & friends who are supporting loved ones suffering an alcohol, drug or gambling addiction or a related mental illness.

As your host and someone who has over 20 years of ‘lived experience’ with cocaine addiction, multiple rehab visits, couch surfing, reaching absolute rock bottom, and even an attempt on ending my life, I was fortunate enough to survive those very dark days all thanks to some unique and special human beings: my family and friends, the carers or as we also call them, your tribe.

I’ve created this podcast series because I came to realise that my family and friends really had no understanding of an addicts’ mindset and especially the mindset around survival when in an addictive state of mind – they also had no education and information to support them in how to deal with me and the situation I was in and they didn’t know where to look or what to do for help.

So, I’ve made it my purpose to provide a platform where you can hear from others sharing their own real-life stories and experiences; the good, the bad, the ugly, where they made mistakes and where they had wins. The purpose of this podcast is that you get some learnings from others with lived experiences that can help you in your journey moving forward.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.