Casey Scott and Dr. Matt are joined by Michael Birkeland (actor and producer, known for Phobic [2020], The Singles Ward [2002], and Everything You Want [2005]) to talk about his experience working in the film industry and his work with LDS comedies. We also dive into his experience with using cocaine to stay focused in the 90s and how abusing drugs caused him to spiral into addiction.
Then we talk about how early childhood trauma caused Michael to repress those memories that shaped his perception of women, trying to detox from his addiction in a hotel by himself, and how the entire experience changed his life.
Lastly, Michael recalls how he met his wife at a gas station on his road to recovery and how it helped him during his sobriety.
To learn more about Michael Birkeland, you can visit his website here:
http://www.themichaelb.com/
 

(REPLAY) Finding success as an actor but drowning in addiction with Michael Birkeland

TV personality Casey Scott has taken the first step. He is confronting his addiction. Now what? Join Casey on his journey to become a better person, one day at a time, new from KSL Podcasts. With the expert help of licensed psychologist, Dr. Matt Woolley, Casey's struggle may remind you of your own. Whether you're addicted to alcohol, drugs, social media or pornography- this podcast won't make you stop. That's up to you. But if you want help, or you want to help someone you love, subscribe for free to Project Recovery wherever you get your podcasts.

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Dr. Bryce Herrera (Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW & Psychiatric Program Specialist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about his inspiration behind pursuing social justice, why working in addiction recovery can be so fulfilling, and his past work with treating veterans who suffer from substance abuse.
Then we talk about the process of being admitted to Huntsman for detoxing, the most difficult and rewarding aspects of working in addiction recovery, and some of the amazing services that HMHI offers.
To learn more about Huntsman Mental Health Institute, you can visit their website or call them at 801-583-2500.
You can also reach out to Bryce directly at 801-558-9456 or at bryceherreralcsw@gmail.com

[RERUN] Dr. Bryce Herrera on normalizing addiction as a human experience

Mark Pepper (Clinical Director at Steps Recovery Center) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to open up about struggling to find his place in life growing up and how turning to weed and alcohol early in life helped him fit in during high school.
Mark also talks about falling in love with being addicted to depression during his freshman year of college in Eugene, OR, his decision to transfer to Boulder, CO for the sole purpose of partying, and how a cocaine addiction would plague his thirties.
Then we dive into Mark’s time trying to get sober while hiding his addiction, what finally pushed him over the edge to start living a life of sobriety, and how he’s helping give back to others who are battling addiction.
Related Links
Steps Recovery Center: https://www.stepsrc.com/
Live On: https://liveonutah.org/

From Battling A Cocaine Addiction To Changing Lives Through Service with Mark Pepper

Matthew Jackson joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley again to talk about how his life has changed after his time on the podcast three years ago, the ways his recovery has shifted, and his decision to pursue being a Substance Use Disorder / Addiction Counselor for the youth.
We also dive into how substance abuse has evolved among the youth, modalities that Matthew uses to help the youth overcome substance abuse and addiction, as well as how dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help introduce emotional skills to the youth that can be used to combat addictive tendencies.

What Life and Recovery Looks Like Three Years Later with Matthew Jackson

In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Matthew Jackson, a former BYU professor, to talk about Matthew's experimentation with substances growing up in a small town, the shame he felt after his addiction became more well-known, and how a spiritual awakening led him to experience recovery for the first time.
Then Matthew talks about his life without substance abuse, how pursuing his Ph.D. led to a reliance on caffeine, and his decision to begin abusing energy drinks and pain pills to stay focused on his goals.
Matthew also talks about the "Holy Trinity" of addiction, the events that led to his rock bottom, and what his recovery looks like now.

[REPLAY] Matthew Jackson recalls how years of substance abuse impacted his teaching throughout the years

Scott Devine joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about his family’s experience moving to America from Ireland to be more active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, why he found comfort in pursuing rebellious behavior throughout high school, and his decision to attend BYU-Idaho, despite continuously disobeying the Honor Code.
Scott also talks about going off the rails and having to spend Christmas and New Year’s Day in a residential facility, his experience with relapsing, and the work he put toward his sobriety that would eventually help him climb out of the hole of addiction.
 

(REPLAY) Finding success as an actor but drowning in addiction with Michael Birkeland

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