Recovery Radio

As part of our series around the recovery process, we talked with Dr. Lynn Hankes. Dr. Hankes, a veteran and former flight surgeon, was among 100 pioneer physicians who passed the first certification exam in Addiction Medicine. He’s a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Hankes is a professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Hankes shares some of the science behind addiction and how it affects the brain. He also offers insight on the popular question, "is addiction a disease, or a choice?" --- Dr. Lynn Hankes is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University School of Medicine. Over 30 years ago, he was among the 100 pioneer physicians in the entire country who passed the first certification exam in Addiction Medicine, and he is also an honored Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Hankes is a Clinical Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine in the Depar

Greg Williams was 17 when he entered a residential treatment facility in Pennsylvania for addiction. Almost immediately, the program called his parents and said that the family’s insurance was going to cut their son off. Williams’ parents did what they needed to keep their son in treatment, even if it meant assuming the entire financial burden of the care. Six months later, with Greg in recovery, the family petitioned the insurance company for payment—and was rejected. A second appeal, a year later, was also turned down. Connecticut, where the family resided, allowed for a third appeal, this time to an outside party, which finally overturned the ruling and compelled the insurer to pay. Now, 20 years on, Williams is part of a movement to revolutionize the way addiction is both treated and paid for. A filmmaker and advocate, and managing partner at Third Horizon Strategies, Williams oversees The Alliance for Addiction Payment Reform, a national collaboration of healthcare stakeholders with the dual aim of impro

In this episode, host Michael Walsh talks to former pro football player Randy Grimes about his illustrious career playing football through college, his time with the Buccaneers, and finding recovery. Learn Randy's story and what he has to say about recovery as a pro athlete, maintaining the self in recovery, what it was like playing football when painkillers and benzos were a very common part of the sport experience, and exemplifying the hope of recovery to those who have a similar story. --- If you or a loved one is addicted to drugs, get in touch with a recovery specialist 24/7 at Landmark Recovery. Call 888-448-0302 and find a treatment center near you: https://landmarkrecovery.com/locations/find-a-landmark-near-you/ To find out more about Randy Grimes and his initiatives toward rescuing pro athletes from the jaws of addiction, check out his website here: https://randygrimesspeaks.com/ --- Show Notes: [0:54] Who is Randy Grimes? [5:50] I was willing to do whatever I could to stay out on the field. [10:00]

When trying to pick an addiction treatment center, have you considered whether proper nutrition is provided in their treatment plan? Discussing nutrition’s role in the healing process, Michael interviews Landmark Recovery’s Director of Dietary Services, Kayla Risteen, about how active addiction affects how much you eat as much as what you eat. They also talk malnourishment, practicing intuitive eating, and the interconnectedness of a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Kayla Risteen graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in dietetics from the University of Kentucky and has been a practicing Registered Dietitian for seven years. Risteen has a passion for nutrition education and helping those in recovery reach their fullest potential through proper nourishment. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Learn more about Landmark Recovery’s residential and outpatient addiction treatment facilities located around the U.S., as well as our Praxis (Medicaid) facilities: https://landmarkrecovery.com/locations/find-a-landmark-near-you/ Check

Does the thought of meditation, yoga, prayer, or spirituality feel foreign to you? It does for a lot of people, yet spirituality is a central talking point for those who are in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Michael interviews Sloane Spanierman, Director of Business Development for Crisis Case Management, about her own journey with addiction, alcoholism, loss and grief, as well as the numerous and unusually coincidental ways those very human struggles have allowed her to connect with and help others. Sloane also shares what meditation is for her and how you can’t “do it wrong,” her near-death experience that strengthened her faith, and why she chooses to practice gratitude. In addition to her role with CCM, Sloane is a spiritual life coach, registered yoga teacher, interventionist, recovery coach, mother, sponsor, and friend to many. Born out of a true passion to help others, Sloane has co-led therapeutic groups for adolescents with complex mental health struggles and addiction. She is an advocate for prema

To celebrate the 150th episode of the podcast, Zach and Michael interview the lovely, honest, and accomplished Dedee Pfeiffer of ABC’s BIG SKY about her journey to recovery. A successful actress on the big screen and in regular television roles, Dedee says that her addiction story was not unique: She was a high functioning alcoholic who continued to run from her fear of failure and untreated trauma before asking for help. Now in recovery and living as her most authentic self, Dedee is using her platform to bring awareness and the hope of endless possibilities to her fans and anyone who has wrestled with addiction. Television fans will know Dedee Pfeiffer from her series regular roles in FOR YOUR LOVE and from the award-winning comedy series CYBILL. Other notable guest roles include but are not limited to ELLEN, SEINFELD, CSI, CSI:NEW YORK, WANTED, FRIENDS and ER. She also had impressive roles in films RED SURF, FALLING DOWN, TUNE IN TOMORROW, INTO THE NIGHT, and VAMP. In addition, she has dozens of other stud

Today’s discussion topic: Repairing relationships – and letting go of toxic ones – in early recovery from your drug or alcohol addiction. Zach and Michael interview Lacey, who struggled with an addiction to alcohol and other drugs for 20 years, found recovery, and now serves as a peer coach for individuals who are working to build healthier lives and relationships, as well as their families. They talk about having a plan when leaving rehab, finding a person or support group you can confide in, giving relationships time, and repairing your own self-esteem. Lacey Durham is a peer coach for Face It TOGETHER, an addiction wellness nonprofit with locations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Face It TOGETHER is a disruptive social enterprise committed to solving our nation’s – and every community’s – greatest health challenge of chronic drug and alcohol addiction through peer coaching. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Seek Treatment at Landmark Recovery 888-448-0302 National Suicide Prevention Lifeli

Do you worry that, if your loved one relapses, it might be your fault? Do you have trouble setting boundaries with them about their substance use disorder? If so, you might be codependent. On today’s episode, Michael interviews Chico and Shannon West about codependency, boundaries, giving Al-Anon a try, pre-marital counseling for couples in early recovery, and more. Chico West is a licensed therapist through his private practice, West Counseling. He provides intervention services, consulting, and workshops in Dallas, Texas, and beyond. Previously he served as CEO and founder of both Gaston House Transitional Living and Casa Colina Treatment Center. Shannon has worked as Chico’s business manager for West Counseling and worked alongside him with Gaston House and Casa Colina. Together they host their podcast, “Filter Optional,” which is available on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. SHOW NOTES [7:16] Al-Anon, codependence, and boundaries. [10:42] The recovery language and lingo. [12:05] Are you minimizing your needs

Putting Zach in the hot seat, Michael interviews Zach and his wife, Emily, about their relationship, Zach’s recovery, and how they have successfully navigated addiction recovery in both their personal and professional lives. They talk about their support groups, sticking with therapy, and having the courage to talk about hard things as they build a life as a couple and growing family. Emily Schwartz Crouch is an Episcopal Priest and Marriage and Family Therapist based in Louisville, KY. She is married to Zach Crouch, and they have two children. Emily has worked as a parish priest, as well as a chaplain, before becoming licensed as an MFT. She enjoys working with families, couples, teens and adults. Her specialties include anxiety & depression, integration of spirituality into therapy, grief & loss, and complex trauma & loss. In particular, she works through a trauma-informed lens, using EMDR and other approaches to help families and individuals. Zach Crouch is the Strategic Account Liaison for Lan

A common misconception is that a woman's drug use makes her infertile, but this is not the case: 80% of women with a substance use disorder who seek prenatal care or are about to deliver report that they were not planning to get pregnant. Zach and Michael are joined by Dr. Jonathan Weeks of Norton Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specials Group to dispel the myth, discuss the importance of contraception, weigh the benefits of medication assisted treatment to treat patients and prevent neonatal abstinence syndrome, and more. Dr. Jonathan Weeks serves as Medical Director of the Norton Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specials Group and Medical Director of the Norton Maternal Opiate & Substance Treatment Program (MOST) Program, which has evaluated and treated over 1,000 women suffering from opioid, benzodiazepine, alcohol, and methamphetamine use disorders. Dr. Weeks has 30 years of private practice and academic medicine experience, during which he has been recognized for excellence in research, patient care, and teaching, an

One in 12 American adults has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, and there are many more who go undiagnosed. This reality is fueling the need for more individualized and diversified addiction care, including true dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and medication assisted treatment (MAT), in order to increase the likelihood of a successful recovery and ultimately survival. Today, Zach and Michael interview Michelle Dubey about Landmark Recovery's addiction treatment programs, from inpatient care to using MAT long-term. Explaining the importance of pairing dialectical behavior therapy with MAT to treat opioid use disorders, Michelle compares DBT to a gym membership – a commitment that can offer lasting results in the long run. They also discuss PTSD versus trauma disorders, measuring success after treatment, and how to determine if medication assisted treatment is right for you. Michelle has served as Chief Clinical Officer of Landmark since 2019, and she has been with the company since its beginning

Get to know the Landmark Recovery Podcast's hosts, Zach Crouch and Michael Walsh, in a candid conversation about their own recovery journeys, including Zach recently celebrating 15 years of sobriety. They also talk current events related to addiction and recovery, the gifts of recovery, and more. If you or a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, get in touch with a recovery specialist 24/7 at Landmark Recovery. Call 888-448-0302 and find a treatment center near you: https://landmarkrecovery.com/locations/find-a-landmark-near-you/

Discussing treating substance use with medication, Zach and Michael interview Dr. Jason Kirby, the Chief Medical Officer for Landmark Recovery and Praxis by Landmark Recovery. Because every psychoactive substance releases a certain amount of dopamine, it is to be expected that anyone who suffers from a substance use disorder will not feel good when they abstain from the drug, especially in the case of opioid addiction. The motivation to seek-out the dopamine high is as dangerous as Russian roulette. This is why timing is everything, and treating the craving with pharmacotherapy gives those who are addicted a chance at survival. Dr. Jason Kirby is an expert in population health policy and is dual board-certified in addiction medicine and family medicine. Growing up in a world of addiction, and experiencing addiction himself, Dr. Kirby speaks to listeners in both layman's and medical terms about how substances affect the limbic system, about recovery, and about the many options available for tackling a substanc

Zach and Michael interview Maureen Cavanagh, founder of Magnolia New Beginnings and author of If You Love Me: A Mother's Journey through her Daughter's Opioid Addiction, about finding herself on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic with her daughter. After recognizing her delusionally optimistic response We will get through this... wasn't helping, Maureen shares how she learned to get out of the way, set boundaries, find the right treatment center, and have a love-first approach. She also offers hope and resources to struggling families in need of support. Learn more about Maureen's organization of online support groups and educational tools for anyone struggling with a loved one’s addiction via http://magnolianewbeginnings.org/ and https://maureencavanagh.net/. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is hope for you! And we at Landmark Recovery would love to come alongside you in your recovery journey. Visit our website at LandmarkRecovery.com, or speak with a recovery ppecialist 24/7

Zach interviews Laura Hardy, also known as Regular Laura, the radio unicorn host of Louisville’s classic rock station 107.7 The Eagle. Laura talks music, Splitgate, mocktails, and about her work on “High Notes,” a podcast discussing addiction and recovery in the music industry. She also shares her story about finding recovery from alcohol abuse, as well as her passion to help others battling addiction to know that they are not alone. RESOURCES: If you or a loved one is struggling with an alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, take the first step and ask for help. Call Landmark Recovery’s hotline today at 888-448-0302 to speak with a recovery specialist 24/7. Or visit https://landmarkrecovery.com/locations/find-a-landmark-near-you/ to find a treatment center near you. If you are interested in mocktail recipes for the holiday season, visit https://landmarkrecovery.com/6-non-alcoholic-recipes-to-toast-the-holiday-season/ And check out the “High Notes” podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hig

What happens to your bright-eyed, passionate child when drugs or alcohol become part of the equation? How can you gauge how your children are really doing and make happy memories this holiday season? Michael interviews Bryan Fikes to answer these questions. Bryan is the co-founder and CEO of Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, a unique and personalized adolescent dual-diagnosis treatment program based in Oxford, Mississippi. Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy, purpose-focused programming, private school and a host of evidence based clinical approaches, Stonewater helps young men ages 12 to 18 struggling with substance use and mental health disorders identify their gifts, reconnect them with goals, address trauma and achieve new purpose. Bryan’s passion for helping other young men identify their substance use problems stems from his own recovery. At 16, Bryan began his own journey to recovery and experienced firsthand the challenges adolescents and their families face on this path. Listeners can check out t

Do you feel the need to drink during the holidays? How do you know when it is an unhealthy relationship with alcohol? In today's episode, Michael interviews speaker, life coach, and author Adam Jablin about how to examine our behaviors, vices, and intentional times of sobriety in order to learn more about ourselves. They also talk about the Bermuda Triangle of holiday drinking and the importance of health and wellness in recovery. Adam Jablin is a certified life coach, inspirational speaker and father, spiritual mentor, author, and business coach. Adam has an extensive resume as a health & wellness advocate and has personally been in recovery for over 15 years. He is the creator of The Hero Project, the #1 Best Selling 90-day transformational one-on-one coaching program. And his 2020 book, “Lotsaholic: From A Sick to Sober Superman,” is a #1 Amazon.com Best Seller. Adam has helped thousands of people thrive and find a joy for living, even with life’s pressures and difficulties. RESOURCES: Check out Adam o

For college-aged students, the stresses of end-of-semester projects, finals, and going home for winter break can be difficult. It can be especially distressing to students in recovery. To raise awareness around holiday parties, binge drinking, and how to make a gameplan with family, Michael interviews Dr. Jaime Garza at the University of Alabama, a powerhouse in the SEC athletic conference and in the world of collegiate recovery programs. Dr. Garza serves as the Coordinator of Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services (CRIS) at the university and has worked in substance use disorder treatment since 2005. He has been heavily involved in the creation and development of several nationally-recognized collegiate recovery programs and, along with his team, has successfully made higher education accessible to individuals with personal life struggles. To learn more, visit https://cris.sa.ua.edu/ or check out @bamarecovery on Facebook and Instagram. If you are concerned about a loved one drinking too much or who i

What is it about the holidays that causes us to feel emotional, anxious, and stressed? Zach and Michael interview Claire Fierman to kick-off a series of episodes with various guests that will help listeners prepare emotionally for the holidays. In this episode, Claire talks about everything from wearing family holiday pajamas to creating healthy boundaries. She shares about how her family found recovery after addiction and offers advice on codependency, how to set up healthy boundaries, and ways to be there for your kids when they have been impacted by trauma. Claire is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Birmingham, Alabama, holds a Master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in Marriage & Family Therapy from the University of Montevallo, and she specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. She has over 11 years of clinical experience, having worked in residential treatment as a primary therapist and clinical director, and starting her own private practi

Today on the podcast, Zach speaks with well-known interventionist, consultant, and recovery coach Michael Walsh about how he got started in the addiction space, steps to address your loved one's addiction, and more. Michael has been an advocate for patient and families’ rights, has developed recovery programs at various levels of care, and influenced policy at national and international levels. With more than 25 years of experience, he also is a sought-after speaker regarding behavioral health issues, treatment, and recovery issues.