S2E12:  Do you think the societal stigma around addiction is increasing or decreasing?  The pandemic has tripled addiction and suicide rates, and addiction is still the most stigmatized condition on the planet.

On this episode of Red Roof Recovery, I have a conversation with Serenity Cates who now works in the addiction services sector, after overcoming homelessness and addiction.

S2E11:  On this episode of RRR, Serenity Cates and I have a conversation about her recovery from addiction, and what we can do to help eliminate the societal stigma. Serenity has experienced trauma, addiction, and homelessness, and is now a social work professional working with people who are facing the same struggles and barriers that she faced.

S2E10:  Communication has the power to polarize and the power to connect -- and how we choose to use communication can determine the quality of our life, the quality of our relationships, and the quality of our recovery from addictions!

S2E9:  My catalyst for change came in 2009 when I made the decision to check into a rehab facility to address my escalating addictions to drugs and alcohol.

Lance and I were married in 1991, so - at that time - he had lived with me for 18 years while my addictions progressed.

On this episode, I ask Lance to answer questions that I was always reluctant to hear the answers to... questions like:  What prevented you from leaving me during that time?  What was your catalyst for change when you decided that your next move was to leave our marriage?

S2E8:  There are recurring topics that come up for people who are challenged with mental health disorders like addiction -- guilt and shame.

We feel guilty about our loved ones having to live with us - because we feel unworthy.

We feel shame for being unable to change the fact that we're suffering from a chronic illness that feels beyond our control.

Tanya and Lance delve into another deep discussion and share some ideas about the best way to melt away unhelpful beliefs.

S2E7:  Deception.  It's something that family members of those who are challenged with mental health disorders like addiction come to accept.  People who are suffering with SUD (substance use disorder) lie about their addictions.  The lies contribute to the guilt and shame that we carry into our recovery.

On a previous episode, my husband shared his feelings about what it was like to live with the deception from someone he loved while, at the same time, watching me slowly kill myself every day with drug and alcohol addictions.

On this episode, he poses a few questions that he hoped would help him understand the thought process of someone with destructive addictive behaviours.

S2E6:  How does addiction affect our loved ones?

Tanya talks to her husband of 30 years about what it was like for him to watch her slowly killing herself everyday with her addictions to alcohol and other drugs.

S2E5:  Tanya's husband of 30 years shares how her addictions to drugs and alcohol affected his life and their relationship.  Lance becomes emotional when he explains why he had to make a decision to stop trying to help.

S2E4:  Mentorship and stoicism are the topics on this episode of the Red Roof Recovery show.

S2E3:  REBT is a distinct form of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).  Dr. Walter Matweychuk is a specialist in REBT (rational emotive behaviour therapy), and shares his insights on this problem-focused therapy that can be applied effectively to mental health disorders like addictions.