Talking Addiction & Recovery

Ever wonder what a road trip for recovery would look like?  In Recovery Road Trip: A Journal for Your Journey, author Patti Clark authors a unique, interactive guide designed to support individuals on their personal path to recovery. We explore how journaling can be a powerful tool for reflection, healing, and self-discovery, and how this book offers encouragement, structure, and inspiration for anyone working through addiction or supporting someone who is. Whether you're in recovery, a professional in the field, or simply curious about the role creativity plays in healing, this conversation offers practical insights and heartfelt stories from the road to recovery.

About the Guest:

Patti Clark is the award-winning author of This Way Up: Seven Tools for Unleashing Your Creative Self and Transforming Your Life.   She has been featured on TVNZ’s Breakfast Show, and her work has been featured in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Mindful Word, and Thrive Global.  Her own experience as a middle-aged woman in recovery is deeply reflected in her new book, Recovery Road Trip:  Finding Purpose and Connection on the Journey Home. 

Links:

Website: https://www.patticlark.org/ 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

In this episode, we welcome Cindy Brinker Simmons, author of "Restored: Reconnecting Life's Broken Pieces." Cindy shares her insights on overcoming personal loss and the importance of choosing joy and trusting God, regardless of circumstances. Join us as we explore practical tools and biblical truths to help navigate life's hardships and find hope and peace.

Guest Information:

Cindy Brinker Simmons is a best-selling author, businesswoman, and philanthropist who cares deeply about helping people in the midst of life’s challenges. She is a living, breathing champion of joy. Cindy's victory in overcoming the sorrow of multiple personal losses provides comfort and hope to those struggling through life’s most difficult trials. For years, she has walked alongside hurting people to encourage and help them confidently press forward, choose joy, and trust God no matter the circumstances. Cindy lost her beautiful mother, the late great tennis champion Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly Brinker, to cancer in 1969 when she was twelve and thirty-six years later, lost her beloved husband, Bob, to cancer. She has an adult son, William. All net proceeds from the sale of her Amazon best-selling book, Restored: Reconnecting Life’s Broken Pieces, will be donated to Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation. 

Links:

• https://brinkersimmons.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/cindybrinkersimmons.author 
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRkrePBJWcAnV4e9GC16IGQ 
• https://www.facebook.com/cindybrinkersimmons.author/ 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Summers Jr., author of "Hide and Seek: A Dad's Journey From Soulless Addiction to Sole Custody." Paul shares his raw and inspiring story of battling addiction, the transformative path to recovery, and his fight to regain custody of his daughter. Join us as we delve into the depths of addiction, the challenges of the recovery process and other systems, and the profound love of a father determined to rebuild his life and family.

Guest Information:

Committed to increasing understanding and connection by dismantling the stigmas toward parents afflicted with substance abuse disorder and their children, Paul has written Hide and Seek: A Dad’s Journey From Soulless Addiction to Sole Custody. His experience-based knowledge offers a frightening glimpse into that which lies at the core of the overdose epidemic – the guiding thoughts within the mind of the addict/alcoholic.

Continuously seeking ways to give back, Paul is a certified sound healer. He creates soundscapes proven by modern neuroscience to ease and heal the damaging effects of withdrawals. One of his guitars is on display at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, NV.

Links:

Website:  paulsummersjr.com

Instagram: @paul_summers_jr

Facebook:  paulsummers777

YouTube: YouTube Chronicles

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Gambling Disorder is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, often dismissed as a lack of control rather than a serious disorder. In this special episode for Problem Gambling Awareness Month 2025, we explore the theme “Seeking Understanding” by shedding light on the realities of problem gambling, breaking down myths, and sharing real numbers behind the problem. Through interactive questions, eye-opening statistics, and actionable insights, we’ll challenge assumptions and provide the knowledge needed to foster empathy and support for those affected by gambling-related harm.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Harm reduction vending machines are a polarizing topic, often criticized as enabling risky behaviors.  When a news article announced that a local community has a harm reduction vending machine now available it sparked uproar in the comments section.  This becomes an opportunity to break the stigma as it hits closer to home. In this episode, we dive into the debate, separating myths from facts with evidence-based statistics. Join us as we explore how these machines are saving lives, reducing overdoses, and fostering healthier communities. We'll address common criticisms, highlight the science behind harm reduction strategies, and discuss their real-world impact on public health.

https://www.fox6now.com/news/south-milwaukee-harm-reduction-vending-machine-public?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A%20Trending%20Content&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1zqmnzHLI7QYdgdwoAEa0iphJaCo86_jGQqupxljs_J7qaB3X-DSRliyI_aem_m3zIb9-9Gi76wGiaSaiMQw#a8n0hx2ylhwkdyo4j2cpn4fpnswwhyob 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

In this episode, we dive into the complexities of the opioid crisis with Dr. Elizabeth Chiarello, associate professor of sociology and author of Policing Patients: Treatment and Surveillance on the Frontlines of the Opioid Crisis. Drawing from hundreds of interviews with physicians, pharmacists, and law enforcement agents, Dr. Chiarello explores how prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are reshaping the boundaries between healthcare and criminal justice.

We discuss the challenges faced by medical providers navigating between treatment and surveillance, the unintended consequences of PDMPs, and how these tools are both a resource and a "Trojan horse" for patient care. Dr. Chiarello offers critical insights on harm reduction, balancing care with safety, and the policies needed to improve outcomes for those impacted by opioid use disorder.

About the Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Chiarello

Elizabeth Chiarello’s POLICING PATIENTS: Treatment and Surveillance on the Frontlines of the Opioid Crisis

Elizabeth Chiarello is an associate professor of sociology at Saint Louis University, a former fellow at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, and a frequent public commentator on opioid-related topics. She and her work have been featured in The New York Times, USA Today and on Bloomberg News, among other leading media outlets.

In Policing Patients, Chiarello draws on hundreds of in-depth interviews with physicians, pharmacists, and enforcement agents across the United States to take readers to the frontlines of the opioid crisis, where medical providers must make difficult choices between treating and punishing the people in their care. States now employ prescription drug monitoring programs capable of tracking all controlled substances within a state and across state lines. Chiarello describes how the reliance on these databases blurs the line between medicine and criminal justice and pits pain sufferers against people with substance-use disorders in a zero-sum game.

Shedding critical light on this brave new world of healthcare, Policing Patients urges medical providers to reaffirm their roles as healers and proposes invaluable policy solutions centered on treatment, prevention, and harm reduction.

Contact Information:

www.lizchiarello.com

Twitter: @Liz_Chiarello

Bluesky: @lizchiarello.bsky.social

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

In this episode, Saul Malek shares his compelling story of transitioning from a casual love of fantasy sports to the dangerous world of sports betting. Saul opens up about how he shares his personal story of the rapid decline he experienced during his college years that ultimately led to life-changing consequences and his path to recovery. He discusses his mission to educate youth, adolescents, and college audiences about the risks of modern gambling. Saul reflects on respecting autonomy, spreading his message across various platforms, and the challenges of speaking truth in spaces that may not want to hear it. Join us for an insightful conversation about the realities of gambling and the hope of recovery.

About the Guest: Saul Malek

Biography: I grew up in Houston, Texas, to a loving family. I was blessed to attend the prestigious St John's School from sixth grade through high school, learning many things and discovering a variety of interests.  Hobbies like choir and French competitions kept me busy, but I found I was most passionate about fantasy sports. The St John's fantasy baseball league was a way to enjoy baseball and connect with friends, remaining a staple of my life through my freshman year of college at Trinity University. Everything changed my sophomore year when an acquaintance introduced me to sports betting through his local bookmaker. Suddenly the slow paced season long fantasy league was too tame for me... I needed action. In just under 2 years, from September 2017 to July 2019, I lost sleep, money, time, relationships, and almost my life. I knew I needed help. Now more than 5 years abstinent of gambling, I have made it my mission to educate others so that they can avoid the same mistakes I made. I have been invited to speak to schools, podcasts, news outlets, and other organizations as the trusted source on modern gambling.

Contact: 

Website: https://www.saulmalek.com/ 

E-mail: [email protected] 

Social Media:

Instagram: Saul Malek (@saulmalekspeaking) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulmalek/ 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

In this episode we dive into the Gift Responsibly Campaign, an initiative dedicated to educating communities about the risks of gifting lottery tickets to children and raising awareness about youth gambling. We explore the harm of early exposure to gambling, the psychology behind gifting gambling-related items, and provide alternative gift ideas for loved ones. Join us as we share resources for responsible gambling, discuss eye-opening statistics on youth gambling, and reaffirm our podcast’s commitment to the campaign. Let’s protect our youth and foster a culture of informed, responsible choices.

To learn more about the #giftresponsibly campaign visit: Gift Responsibly Campaign. https://www.ncpgambling.org/responsible-gambling/gift-responsibly-campaign/ 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

What does it take to advocate on behalf of others who are impacted by substance use?  Sarah Laurel, Executive Director of Savage Sisters, begins where it matters most: the community.  She joins this episode to share about her own journey and how it led to developing services related to housing, harm reduction, developing the first Xylazine training, and addressing public health issues that go unnoticed.  Listen as she talks about her motivation to continue advocating for people who use substances, harm reduction, public health, and social justice and her vision as her team continues to knock down barriers to provide crucial services to their communities. 

About the Guest:

Sarah Laurel (Executive Director of Savage Sisters)

After recovering from substance use disorder, Sarah sought to offer resources to women like herself. What began organically grew into a program providing housing, street-based outreach and nationwide training. Sarah uses her lived experiences to serve others and stay relatable to those still struggling. She leverages her corporate background to lead the Savage team thoughtfully, productively, and sustainably. Sarah is the recipient of several awards, including a Congressional Medal of Honor. She was featured on two Emmy award-winning episodes of Vice News and CBS News. Additionally, she created the first Xylazine training, delivering it both locally and nationally. Her advocacy for people who use substances, harm reduction, public health, and social justice has been consistent and groundbreaking.

Links:

Website: https://savagesisters.org/

Social Media Links:

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.laurel.517/

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.laurel.90

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-laurel-7314631b6/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Episode 113: On a Mission to Raise Problem Gambling Awareness (featuring Dave Yeager) Read More »

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com 

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.