Odyssey House Journals

THE ULTIMATE LOVE STORY INVOLVING ADDICTION AND RECOVERY

“Support, Inspire, Empower.” The goals of Warrior Strength, a nonprofit recovery group founded by Frank Young who is the focus of this week’s Odyssey House Journals. He grew up in an addictive family and his problems began with his first drink at age 14. One year later he met Shaunell, the love of his life, AND THEY ARE STILL TOGETHER.

RISING RAP STAR STAYS IN SALT LAKE TO STAY SOBER

Benjamin Bilderback did his rehab in Utah, but then left for greener pastures as his music career began to take off. That move spelled relapse as he graphically explains in this week’s Odyssey House Journals. So now he’s staying right here and surrounding himself with sober people as he climbs to the top of the music world. He’s sharing his talents at FTR, Utah’s sober gym.

SHE WENT FROM A HOME IN THE ‘BURBS’ TO HEROIN TO SEX WORK

Heather Coates has a wild story to tell in this week’s edition of Odyssey House Journals. Her descent from a home in Woods Cross to a sleazy motel on State Street shows just how powerful drug addiction can become.

THEY ACTUALLY GO INTO HOMELESS CAMPS AND WASH THEIR CLOTHES

The group Addict to Advocate wants the unsheltered homeless to know that someone cares about them and will keep coming back. Billie Oliver-Scott founded the group because she was homeless and knows what it feels like. They get to know the street people and they offer help with medical care, treatment, insurance, hot chocolate and they even take their clothes & blankets to wash them and return them clean and folded. This incredible group is the subject of this week’s ODYSSEY HOUSE JOURNALS.

THIS DOCTOR CAME UP WITH A NEW WAY TO SAVE THE LIVES OF ADDICTS

How do you take care of an IV drug user who needs a PICC line to deal with a deadly infection? Until recently that patient stayed in a hospital or a nursing home even though they wanted treatment for the substance use. Then along came Dr. Dean Mayer, the Medical Director at Riverton Hospital. He worked out a novel approach to get those patients into a substance use treatment program while they still had a PICC line inserted. His life saving idea is the topic in this week’s ODYSSEY HOUSE JOURNALS.

“3 OF MY FRIENDS WERE TIED UP AND SET ON FIRE BECAUSE THEY WERE TRANSGENDER”

In a riveting podcast Tisha Olsen talks about the horrible shame she felt growing up transgender and how that led to drugs and alcohol. She even joined the Marines to prove her manhood. In this week’s Odyssey House Journals she talks about her recovery and how she’s giving back to help others.

WHY SEX OFFENDERS CAN’T GET INTO RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS

All the experts agree that convicted sex offenders with addiction issues need treatment and would be less likely to reoffend if they stayed sober. So why can’t they get into residential care at mainstream treatment centers? It’s a huge and controversial problem!!! Tim Keffer is our guest this week on Odyssey House Journals. He’s a case manager with the Salt Lake City Police Department who tries to find help for convicted sex offenders.

Watch a clip of the podcast at the bottom as Tim talks about a highly structured housing program that includes sex offenders that seems to work. Tim can be reached at 385-222-5036.

WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT ODYSSEY HOUSE?

There have always been myths and rumors about the Odyssey House program, but what’s the truth? The New Odyssey House Journals went right to the source and asked that question to long time Odyssey CEO Adam Cohen. Host Randall Carlisle also put Adam on the spot asking for a raise. How did that turn out?

THE ROLLERCOASTER RIDE OF AN ALCOHOLIC

Kris lost everything when his addiction to alcohol took over. His marriage, kids, house, and a good job, and he ended up homeless on Rio Grande where he got beaten so severely he was in a coma for weeks. He went to rehab, stayed sober for a year, relapsed, went back to treatment, and has now been sober for 10 months.

We’ve teamed up with Comcast to produce a weekly podcast dealing with all issues relating to addiction and recovery.

“I WAS ASSAULTED, ROBBED AND BEATEN AND JUST DIDN’T CARE”

Jessie Hakala remembers her first day of being homeless on the street after sinking into the depths of heroin addiction. Now she’s worked through 17 federal felony charges and is a beautiful, healthy, loving mom. Her story of recovery is nothing short of miraculous. Not only that, she’s now sharing her knowledge with others to help them in recovery.

We’ve teamed up with Comcast to produce a weekly podcast dealing with all issues relating to addiction and recovery.