More than a few years ago a small group of parents began to meet in a therapists office.  They talked about their struggles to stay sane while living with the insanity of their behaviorally or addictively challenged kids.  They shared their fears, their shame, their struggles with difficult decisions and their small victories over staying out of the destructive vortex.  Some of these folks started their own self-directed support group for parents and it has grown exponentially.  Meet Marcia, Jeff and Beth to talk about the desperate need for parent support and recovery.

You could call our show this week a love story of sorts.  Mary and her husband adopted a beautiful baby girl they named Kellen at 8 days and although her childhood was in some ways idyllic she started “cutting” by 6th grade.  By college there were serious alcohol and relationship problems that resulted in the early termination of her college career and a stint in rehab.  A medical evaluation revealed that Kellen had been a a crack baby before there was such a designation.  A relapse and a near-fatal car accident resulted in her sobriety since 06.   Her Mom would say she been from elation to hell and back.

Ibogaine is an extract from an African plant.  It produces a number of effects that we’ll find out about tonight but among them is the elimination, for most clients, of cravings and even desire for addictive substances.  Ibogaine came into mainstream view in the last decade  through its use as an alternative to largely unsuccessful attempts to help heroin addicts.  The drug and its use are banned in the US but unscheduled in other countries including Mexico and Canada.  We’ll talk tonight to Dr. Martin Polanco the founder of Crossroads Clinic Treatment Center and colleague, Recovery Coach, Deanne Adamson.

Meet one of the most alive and articulate guys around.  Father Jerome is a well-known and well-loved Catholic Priest.  He’s full of contradictions; gregarious, gentle, caring, opinionated, humble and strong.  Join us as we cover his own struggle with addiction; his recovery process and how he blends his religion with his recovery.

She went to church, got good grades, was popular and funny but…her Mom was a “full blown alcoholic” and her Dad had an anger management problem.  Ann would say her family lived lives of “quiet desperation”.  She was always the first to start drinking and the last to stop.  She had her first “honest” drunk at 14.  Her management of her drinking during her first pregnancy brought up feelings that funneled her into Adult Children of Alcoholics groups.  They helped her but the drinking caught up some years later and she found AA.  After a lengthy AA vacation and an emotional nosedive she found her way back to serenity.

Tonight’s show is an unusual opportunity to look inside the world of young people; a glimpse into how kids experience life.  Our panel will be composed of high school aged people who are not actively involved with the drug culture.  They may be able to give us some perspective on what parents should be concerned with and what is hype.  They may be able to give us some perspective on today’s “normal.  Our goal is to confront the “everybody does it” myth with a real view of teen life and to honor those kids who value healthy, “normal” living.

He grew up in the City.  It wasn’t easy.  His first run at sobriety was at the Northwest Edge Alano club but between not being ready and the “marijuana maintenance program” it didn’t last long.  His second run was after the fateful “three point turn DUI” in Champaign Illinois.  With tragic losses in and out of sobriety Johnny is a miracle.  Join us this week for a story of tragedy and transformation.

The U.S. has been a leader in medicine, the humane treatment of mental health and more recently addiction however we approach treatment from the perspective of our own particular needs.  Other countries approach their mental health and addiction issues with their own needs and cultural parameters.  Join us this week as we speak to Dr. Elizabeth Nyang  Ed.D LCPC about her practice here in the U.S. and her recent experiences with mental health and addiction treatment in India.

Rachael was drinking shots at thirteen.  In high school she could drink most of the boys under the table and was proud to be a party girl…it was her identity.  Empty and scared inside but able to tell no one her secrets she marched off to therapy for years but skipped the alcohol part.  After some years of hard drinking she met a sober friend and the journey to recovery began.  Rachael's happiness and gratitude is infectious.  Join us this week to catch it.

Pot wasn’t much of an issue; neither were pills. Boyfriends were largely to blame, she thought.  When he started selling and later using heroin she joined him blaming him for her use.  Later when he started using heroin IV she angrily felt like he was leaving her out and joined him….for years.  He died of an overdose and she began the journey to get well.  Multiple treatments and many bumps in the road later she’s sober and happy.