Straight From the Source

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences.

Our guest in this episode is Rhiannon, a dual diagnosis peer worker at a major health organisation in Melbourne.

Rhiannon talks us through her experiences coming to terms with COVID-19 restrictions in a profession that relies on relationship-building and emotional connection, which she frames in a broader context of social justice and human well-being.

Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals.

The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery.

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.

Music is by dbh. There's plenty more of it here.

And there'll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences.

Our guest in this episode is the mother of a young man dealing with ice addiction and other related issues.

After bringing us up to date with their story, she talks about her son's recent experiences, and the new challenges - and opportunities – they both are facing.

Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals.

The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery.

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.

Music is by dbh. There's plenty more of it here.

And there'll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences.

Our first guest in this series is Jane, a peer worker from Harm Reduction Victoria.

Harm reduction services find themselves at the sharp end of many of the lockdown restrictions, with the advice they deliver and the way it is done having to be drastically adapted.

Jane gives a fascinating insight into to the many challenges faced by harm reduction services and the drug-using community, and a few reasons to feel hopeful.

Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals.

The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery.

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.

Music is by dbh. There's plenty more of it here.

And there'll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

Nutritionist Kate Borland offers an expert view on food and cooking, with special regard to AOD issues and the current historical moment.

This episode is packed with practical advice and information on nutrition, which Kate passionately presents as foundational to well-being.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Kate's work can reach her by email - [email protected] - or at her FB page.

Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals.

The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery.

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.

Music is by dbh. There's plenty more of it here.

And there'll be more from us, once a month.

Bree tells the story of growing up with a mother whose drug use ultimately led to a fatal overdose. She describes the emotional range and complexity of a loving relationship affected and tragically shortened by addiction, but not necessarily defined by it.

This episode contains references to domestic violence and drug use that some listeners may find distressing. 24/7 help for AOD users is provided by Directline at 1800 888 236, and for their loved ones by Family Drug Help at 1300 660 068.

Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs.

The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery.

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.

Music is by dbh. There's plenty more of it here.

And there'll be more from us, once a month.

At a young age, Frank left a violent family home to enter Melbourne's bikie scene, discovering along the way that heroin enabled him to thrive in a hostile environment.

The criminal lifestyle offered a steady supply of his drug of choice but eventually wore him down, setting him on a 10-year path to recovery.

Frank reflects on his past with honesty, humour and insight - qualities that shape his present life, which includes being a peer worker at Windana.

The address that Frank gives at the end is for the Windana Therapeutic Community, located at 254 Snell Rd, Maryknoll.

This episode contains swearing, as well as descriptions of violence and drug use that some listeners may find distressing. 24/7 help for AOD users is provided by Directline at 1800 888 236, and for their loved ones by Family Drug Help at 1300 660 068.

Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs.

The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery.

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.

Music is by dbh. There's plenty more of it here.

And there'll be more from us, once a month.

Shame, sexuality and self-love. In this episode we speak to Jenny who is an APSU speaker's bureau member and a multi-talented woman who has done a variety of work in the alcohol and other drug space. Jenny speaks to us about growing up experiencing family dysfunction in South Africa, about relationship addiction and about her path of coming to love and accept herself as a lesbian woman. This episode is a powerful exploration of shame, identity and self-love.

*Names have been changed in this episode for privacy reasons. *The book mentioned in the episode by Claudia Black is called 'Changing Course; healing from loss abandonment and fear'.

'Straight from the Source' looks at a range of different issues relevant to those impacted by drug and alcohol use from varying perspectives and talks real, honest stories, straight from the source.

We will have more guests and more stories coming to you monthly.

Straight from The Source is the voice of the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), a service of the Self-Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer representative body, which believes that the needs, strengths and expertise of people who use drugs and alcohol should drive the system and their voices should be heard.

Podcast episodes and further information on APSU is accessible through APSU online, APSU Facebook and through major podcast apps.

Just a reminder that the views expressed by our guests are not necessarily reflective of those of APSU and SHARC.

*Warning- the podcast discusses challenging topics, which may be triggering for some individuals. If listening to the podcasts brought up any issues for you and you would like to speak to someone, In Australia you can call Directline 24/7 for drug and alcohol help on: 1800 888 236. You can call QLife for LGBTQI related counseling and referral on: 1800 184 527 from 3pm until 12am every night or chat online at https://qlife.org.au/

Podcast Music is from Jimmy Loops and can be found through Facebook at Big Jimmy Loops or YouTube at Mr Jimmy Loops

This episode of Straight from the Source is a little different, in this episode Emma, the Systemic Advocacy Lead at APSU and podcast host, talks about a little part of her story and her partner Dan's story. The story is about young love, supporting a partner through addiction and the human impact of criminalisation and stigma.

'Straight from the Source' looks at a range of different issues relevant to those impacted by drug and alcohol use from varying perspectives and talks real, honest stories, straight from the source.

We will have more guests and more stories coming to you monthly.

Straight from The Source is the voice of the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), a service of the Self-Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer representative body, which believes that the needs, strengths and expertise of people who use drugs and alcohol should drive the system and their voices should be heard.

Podcast episodes and further information on APSU is accessible through APSU online, APSU Facebook and through major podcast apps.

Just a reminder that the views expressed by our guests are not necessarily reflective of those of APSU and SHARC.

*Warning- the podcast discusses challenging topics, which may be triggering for some individuals. If listening to the podcasts brought up any issues for you and you would like to speak to someone, In Australia you can call Directline 24/7 for drug and alcohol help on: 1800 888 236. You can call the Family Drug Helpline on 1300 660 068.

Podcast Music is from Jimmy Loops and can be found through Facebook at Big Jimmy Loops or YouTube at Mr Jimmy Loops

In this episode of 'Straight from the Source', we speak to Matt Nettleton about his experience with trauma and addiction and his journey learning not to run away from himself. This episode is insightful and informative as we go deep discussing the nature of trauma.

'Straight from the Source' looks at a range of different issues relevant to those impacted by drug and alcohol use from varying perspectives and talks real, honest stories, straight from the source.

We will have more guests and more stories coming to you monthly.

Straight from The Source is the voice of the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), a service of the Self-Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer representative body, which believes that the needs, strengths and expertise of people who use drugs and alcohol should drive the system and their voices should be heard.

Podcast episodes and further information on APSU is accessible through APSU online, APSU Facebook and through ITunes and other Podcast apps.

Just a reminder that the views expressed by our guests are not necessarily reflective of those of APSU and SHARC.

*Warning- the podcast discusses challenging topics, which may be triggering for some individuals. If listening to the podcasts brought up any issues for you and you would like to speak to someone, In Australia you can call Directline 24/7 for drug and alcohol help on: 1800 888 236

Podcast Music is from Jimmy Loops and can be found through Facebook at Big Jimmy Loops or YouTube at Mr Jimmy Loops

Matt Nettleton now holds space and guides people through their own trauma healing using a range of holistic methods. You can get in touch with him at: https://www.facebook.com/reframetherapies/ or his website www.mattnettleton.com

In this episode of 'Straight from the Source', we speak to Paul about his experience with gambling and substance addiction. Paul speaks about the role of his upbringing and cultural values and about using theatre to find himself. His story is fascinating and ruminates on the value in finding ones true identity.

'Straight from the Source' looks at a range of different issues relevant to those impacted by drug and alcohol use from varying perspectives and talks real, honest stories, straight from the source.

We will have more guests and more stories coming to you monthly.

Straight from The Source is the voice of the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), a service of the Self-Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer representative body, which believes that the needs, strengths and expertise of people who use drugs and alcohol should drive the system and their voices should be heard.

Podcast episodes and further information on APSU is accessible through APSU online, APSU Facebook and through major podcast apps.

Just a reminder that the views expressed by our guests are not necessarily reflective of those of APSU and SHARC.

*Warning- the podcast discusses challenging topics, which may be triggering for some individuals. If listening to the podcasts brought up any issues for you and you would like to speak to someone, In Australia you can call Directline 24/7 for drug and alcohol help on: 1800 888 236 or the Gambling help line on: 1800 858 858

Podcast Music is from Jimmy Loops and can be found through Facebook at Big Jimmy Loops or YouTube at Mr Jimmy Loops