This is a repeat of a conversation with sober bartender, musician and producer Ben. It also includes details of an upcoming Harm Reduction Victoria event - To commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day this year, we are having a big Community Feed, a Screening of the movie "Love, in a time of Fentanyl" and Naloxone training session with A naloxone kit for everyone at the end of it- ALL FOR FREE!!!! FRIDAY 30 August STARTING AT 12 Noon at 299- 305 Victoria Street Brunswick ( Train line- Upfield - Brunswick station, and Tram line - Sydney Rd / Victoria St stop ) CALL 9329 1500if you have any questions.

Alan began eating addictively in mid-childhood. Soon he found himself stealing, sneaking and bingeing food. As an overweight teenager Alan would eat in isolation and in his adult life spent years trying to manage his weight through diets and exercise. But he continued to eat addictively even as it resulted in obesity and ill-health. At one stage he was given some Food Addict in Recovery literature but dismissed it as another diet program that was bound to fail. Eventually, Alan walked into an FA meeting, came out of denial and began his recovery. He practises the 12 Steps of FA every day and has arrested his addictive behaviour.

Paul talks about how he drank normally for most of his life and didn’t really start serious drinking until he was in his forties, when he began using alcohol to stem a sudden bout of severe anxiety. It felt so good that it became a necessity to start the day with a drink and end the day with quite a few drinks.Drinking alone, Paul was able to hide his drinking from family, friends and co-workers but eventually felt very despondent that he couldn’t stop himself from drinking. Paul sought help, but only to control his drinking, not to stop altogether.  In rehab he was exposed to Alcoholics Anonymous and found hope and after about 6 months he lost the craving for alcohol. After about 10 years sober Paul got serious with the AA 12 steps and found that his life finally fell into place.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website www.aa.org.au.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.You can show your support to the Living Free show and keep us on air by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand/or donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@14:58 Mr Alford – Rules (https://amrap.org.au/release/mr-alford-rules-radio-edit)@37:10 Cassidy-Rae – Colorado (https://amrap.org.au/release/cassidy-rae-colorado)@57:32 Endless Refrain – Tomorrow (https://amrap.org.au/track/endless-refrain-tomorrow)

Robert shares his story of developing a gambling habit through underage gambling on poker machines with sports club teammates between training sessions. A country kid with a happy homelife growing up and a talent for sports, he had no family background in gambling or other addictions.  Gambling consolidated in his late teens and by his early twenties Robert realized that he had a gambling problem, expanding to horses as well and finding it harder to hide so he began isolating while gambling.Robert sought help from Gamblers Anonymous early on but was only there for others, not himself. He eventually got serious with GA but found it difficult initially to stay stopped. Robert had a long period of abstinence from gambling but drifted away from GA and spent some years gambling before it became untenable again.  Back to GA with enthusiasm and now he has had over 280 days without gambling.If you’re having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you are a partner, family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem you may find the help you need with a GAM-ANON group. The GA website has a link to their website and contact details: gaaustralia.org.au/gam-anonShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Cassidy-Rae - Good Vibes [https://amrap.org.au/track/cassidy-rae-good-vibes-1]Karen Law - Free Again [https://amrap.org.au/release/karen-law-free-again] Mat Brooker - Montaña Roja [https://amrap.org.au/track/mat-brooker-montana-roja]

Rhonda started life in Ontario, Canada, but as a young child moved with her alcoholic father and three siblings, without their mother, to another province, Alberta. Here she grew up with a father whose neglectful behaviour forced Rhonda and her siblings to fend for themselves. Rhonda took refuge in school and benefitted from the care of teachers who noticed her and gave her opportunities. As an adult, Rhonda was led to Al-Anon by a mentor who recognised her anger as a symptom of the family disease of alcoholism, and through her participation in the Al-Anon fellowship, Rhonda's anger dissipated. She now lives a more balanced and fulfilling life.This episode first aired on 24 November 2022. If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.Show your support by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #Recovery

Today on Living Free, our guest is Bill. Bill is an award winning photojournalist. Now retired from professional photography, Bill describes himself as a husband, father, photographer, songwriter, dog-lover, and author who is happily sober. You can hear three of Bill's songs in this episode, including the brand new Prodigal Daughter, based on the true story of a young woman who recovers from drug addiction. Prodigal Daughter Words and music - Bill McAuleyVocals - Jaron NatoliViolin - Matthew ArnoldHarmonica - Rick OzimoArrangement - Bryan Patterson Good Intentions Word and music - Bill McAuleyVocals - Tom McEwanGuitar - Mike DoyleArrangement - Mike Oliphant Let My Dreams Begin Word and music - Bill McAuleyVocals - Tom McEwanArrangement - Mike Oliphant  If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website www.aa.org.au.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.Please show your support for the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand/or donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate

Ben came on the show back in May 2022 when he was around 12 months sober in Alcoholics Anonymous.  https://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode/alcoholics-anonymous-ben-19may2022He’s returned to give us an update after another 2 years in his sobriety and to talk about how he lives now, without alcohol, and how his recovery has impacted his family, work and close relationships.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website www.aa.org.au.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.You can show your support to the Living Free show and keep us on air by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand/or donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@18:18 Cassidy-Rae – Good Vibes (https://amrap.org.au/track/cassidy-rae-good-vibes-1)@35:22 Imber – Let Go (https://amrap.org.au/track/imber-let-go)@54:55 Shaky Stills– Sunset Red (https://amrap.org.au/track/shaky-stills-sunset-red)Other items mentioned in the show:Melbourne Documentary Film Festival – D&A documentarieshttps://www.cinemanova.com.au/films/mdff-his-name-is-ray-fight-for-safety-my-nameNavy Seal – 10 rules of life: William H. McRaven – check him out on YouTube

Anthony's parents were a high-conflict couple and his father's behaviour changed when he drank. When his mother delivered Anthony, aged 4, his two siblings and their suitcases to an orphanage, he was suspicious that something wasn't right. His suspicions were confirmed when his mother did not return as promised. Soon foster carers were involved and when Anthony was reunited with his mother he felt angry. He carried this anger throughout his childhood, and eventually ran away from home at 12. This is when he was introduced to Al-Anon. The members of his Al-Anon group, mostly women in those days, gave him the love and consistency he needed and eventually he was able to receive it. For the next 5 decades Anthony built a life on his talents for public speaking, singing and entertaining. He is still a member of Al-Anon today, offering hope to others who have been heart-broken by their experiences in dysfunctional families. This episode contains discussion of child neglect that may distress some listeners. Anyone experiencing family violence or abuse should call 1800RESPECT.If you would like to contact Al-Anon go to https://al-anon.org.au/. Here you will find lots of helpful information, including literature and lists of on-line and face-to-face meetings.You can also call them on 1300 252 666

Dr Patrick Pheasant is an addiction and trauma therapist who incorporates drama and role play into his practice, working with clients to recover from trauma via its manifestation in the mind and body. As well as his private practice, Patrick engages with addiction through his facilitation of two SMART Recovery groups focusing on the additional challenges faced by people in the LGBTIQ+ community. SMART Recovery is a group approach to dealing with addictive behaviours through the techniques of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. There are no fees for participation.  If you're concerned about your own problematic behaviour or the problematic behaviour of a relative or friend and would like to find out more about SMART Recovery you can contact them at smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au or call them on (02) 9373 5100.

Today’s show covers an interview with Sally Kenyon, the senior lawyer of Homeless Law and Sam Horman, the lead designer of digital tools at Justice Connect.  We are talking about preventing homelessness and how the new self-help tool Home of Your Own can assist renters facing family violence.If you would like to find out more about Justice Connect and the work they do, then go online at:Justice Connect: Get legal help for your situation.  https://justiceconnect.org.au/Homeless law: Homelessness is a complex issue that requires systematic change.  https://justiceconnect.org.au/our-services/homeless-law/  Women’s Homelessness Prevention Project: Breaking the links between homelessness, poverty and family violence.  https://justiceconnect.org.au/our-services/homeless-law/womens-homelessness-prevention-project/Dear Landlord: New online tools to help Victorians avoid eviction. https://apps.justiceconnect.org.au/dear-landlord/Home of Your Own: Keeping more renters safely housed across Victoria.  https://justiceconnect.org.au/fairmatters/home-of-your-own/.Home of Your Own: is a free, online self-help tool, which empowers Victorian renters facing family violence to safely, and proactively avoid homelessness. It aims to particularly empower women and children who have rentals affected by family violence to understand their rights and options, and take early, proactive steps to stay safely housed.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):JC and the Tree - Water to the Flame [https://amrap.org.au/track/jc-and-the-tree-water-to-the-flame-water-to-the-flame]boi&eSKae - Feel it in my Bones [https://amrap.org.au/track/boieskae-feel-it-in-my-bones-feel-it-in-my-bones]Jay Atwill - Thrive [https://amrap.org.au/track/jay-atwill-thrive-thrive]