This week on Wellbeing, we talk with Cheryl Canute, The Public Information Chairperson of Al-Anon Family Groups. Al-Anon Family Groups is a fellowship of people affected by the drinking of someone else such as mothers, children and friends of alcoholics. Many have heard of AA but as Cheryl highlights, not nearly as many have heard of Al-Anon. This episode is the first in a series we are doing in talking with members of Al-Anon Family Groups Australia. In this episode, Cheryl unpacks what the 12 steps in the Al-Anon programme are, who can join, how alcoholism affects families, and how people can get involved.

Tune in next week when we continue our series by talking to an Al-Anon member who is also the mother of an alcoholic.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins   
Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing, we talk with Toby Lawrence, CEO of Arrow Health, a family owned and operated substance abuse rehabilitation clinic based in Victoria. In this episode, Toby talks about relapse, the process of recovery, personal approaches to recovery, the challenges of recovery and the stigma towards those with drug addictions. This episode is the 7th and the last in our series on drug addiction.

Tune in next week when we begin a series talking to people from Al-Anon family groups.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins   
Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing, we talk with Graeme Alford, founder of addiction rehabilitation centre 21Renew. In the 1970’s Graeme was a very successful young barrister, until alcohol destroyed his legal career, ruined his marriage, and landed him in prison 3 times, the last for armed robbery. 21Renew was built upon Graeme’s own experience in recovery. In this episode, Graeme talks about when people usually seek help, the stigma stopping people from getting help earlier, the process of recovery, the challenges of recovery, and where the traditional recovery sector is failing.

Tune in next week for our last episode in our series on drug addiction when we speak with another drug recovery organisation.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins   
Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing we talk with Robert Stirling and Ben. Robert is the CEO of the Network of Alcohol & and other Drugs Agencies and Ben is recently recovered from a cocaine and opioid addiction. We first speak with Ben, who was first introduced to opioids after being wounded while serving in the defence force. He came into contact with cocaine while at parties. He talks of the drug culture in Australia, why he started taking drugs, and the effect it had on his finances and his life. In the second half, Robert talks about what the NADA is and what its role is in the drug and alcohol field. Tune in next week when speak with an expert in drug addiction recovery.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins  

Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing we continue talking with Grant who recently is recovered from a drug dependence. The first time Grant entered recovery he left with some sense of success with his drug addiction but decided he would be a “controlled drinker” now instead. His drinking became out of control to the point he ended up going to jail for a short time. This cost him the relationship with a long-time partner and impacted other relationships around him. In this episode, Grant tells us of his bumpy journey to recovery. Tune in next week when we speak with the CEO of the Network of Alcohol & and other Drugs Agencies and also someone who has recovered from a cocaine addiction.  

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins  
Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing we talk with Grant who has recently recovered from a drug addiction. We spoke with an academic expert last week about drug addiction and now it is time to see what it is like from first-hand experience of having an addiction. Grant started experimenting first with marijuana in his early adolescence before trying other drugs such as speed, alcohol and cocaine later. He went from smoking marijuana every so often then to every weekend then to when he was 15 years old smoking it every day. In this episode, Grant tells us his journey and relationship with drugs in his early life. Tune in next week when Grant tells us of the downfall with his relationship due to drugs and his subsequent recovery.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins 

Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing is our second episode in a 7-part series on drug addiction. Today we are talking again with Professor Paul Dietze from the Burnet Institute. Professor Dietze is one of Australia's leading alcohol and other drug epidemiologists. In this episode, Professor Dietze talks about the drug addiction recovery, safety of the common drugs being consumed, government drug policy, how education and drugs connect and how our mind sets effect the outcomes and direction of drug policy. Tune in next week when we talk with a person who has experienced a lifelong drug dependence as we continue our series into drug addiction.  

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins 
Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing we begin a 7-part series on drug addiction. Today we are talking with Professor Paul Dietze from the Burnet Institute. With more than two decades in this field and with ground breaking research findings, Professor Dietze is one of Australia's leading alcohol and other drug epidemiologists. In this episode, Professor Dietze talks about the history of drug use, drugs being used in medicine, their effect on the brain, how people are affected differently by them and how they change a person’s behaviour. Tune in next week when Professor Dietze goes even deeper into what drugs are and what it means to be addicted to them.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins

Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing, we talk with Dr Mark Merry, Principal of Yarra Valley Grammar. At the time of recording students had only recently gone back to school from a long lockdown. Many were both anxious and excited in being back. Dr Merry explains that it is now the teacher’s job to create a great and positive back to school learning environment. Dr Merry has over 40 years of experience in the educational field and became the principal of Yarra Valley Grammar in 2009. In the episode, Dr Merry highlights the importance of routine in schools, importance of student connection with friends and teachers, body image, mental health, and where academic studies and student wellbeing balance.

Tune in next week when we begin a 7-part series on drug addiction.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins
Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Wellbeing, we talk with George Patriki, Dual Diagnosis Consultant and Director of the Gold Coast Addiction and Treatment Centre. George touches on the damage that gambling can cause in a person’s life with some of his clients having lost literally everything. George has 27 years of clinical experience as a counsellor, educator and clinical supervisor. In this episode, George talks about gambling’s effect on the brain, people’s inability to stop gambling, the link between brain chemistry and addiction, the process of gambling recovery, and its effect on loved ones. This is our final episode in our 7-part series on gambling addiction.

Tune in next week when we talk to a school principal about student wellbeing.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on [email protected]

Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins
Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.