Addiction Talk

Far too many women are battling addiction behind closed doors, carrying the weight of silence, shame, and the fear of what asking for help might cost them. For mothers especially, the thought of leaving their children for treatment can feel impossible.On this episode of Addiction Talk: Expert Insights, Ari Chelli, Clinical Director at Desert Hope Treatment Center, gets personal about her journey from addiction to advocacy. She discusses the barriers that keep women stuck and what can be done to help more women get the support they deserve. Expert Insights starts now. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

On this episode of Addiction Talk: My Recovery Story, we sit down with Liz Varnado—a resilient, insightful woman whose powerful journey through addiction, cultural identity, and healing is as inspiring as it is raw. As a Black, French, and Native American mother and professional, Liz opens up about the significance of cultural identity in treatment, the weight of generational trauma, and how she found strength through spiritual reconnection through Laguna Treatment Center's Tribal Track and community. Her path from rock bottom to rebuilding her life with purpose is one you won't want to miss.  Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

In this episode of Addiction Talk: My Recovery Story, Veteran and Oxford Treatment Center graduate Frank Pace shares his powerful addiction recovery journey. Now working in the VA's PTSD unit, Frank discusses overcoming substance use, navigating treatment, and the importance of mental health support for Veterans. A must-watch for anyone impacted by addiction or PTSD. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications are widely known for managing diabetes and aiding weight loss—but could they also help treat addiction? Dr. Gary Malone, Medical Director at Greenhouse Treatment Center and a top addiction psychiatrist, joins us to discuss the potential of GLP-1s for substance use disorders. Don't miss this expert insight into a groundbreaking development in addiction treatment! Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

On this episode of Addiction Talk, My Recovery Story, we talk to Monte Twilley, a motivational speaker, Veteran in recovery, and alumni of our Texas facility, Greenhouse Treatment Center. During his military service, Monte drank and experienced some blackouts, but it was after his service when he experimented with freebasing cocaine that his life began to spiral out of control. Here's his story.  Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services. Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

Rod Espudo is a U.S. Veteran who transformed his life after battling addiction and PTSD. After struggling for years, Rod turned his life around and experienced an inspiring evolution into a well-known interventionist. Today, Rod has nearly 36 years of experience and over 1,500 interventions to his credit. In this episode, Rod will give us a behind-the-scenes look into his real-life intervention experiences and his time on the TV show “Intervention.” Rod's story is one of resilience, showing that even after relapsing following 15 years of sobriety, it's possible to rise again.

Isaak Presley is the star of Disney's “Stuck in the Middle,” the Netflix spinoff “Fuller House,” Amazon Prime's “One Nation Under God,” for which he won several Best Actor Awards, and “Hubie Halloween” with Adam Sandler. Isaak Presley is already an industry veteran at the age of 22. He has been in the entertainment industry since the age of 5, at which time he landed his first television role in Nickelodeon's Yo Gabba Gabba. Forced into adulthood at an early age to help provide for his family and having grown up in an environment where men didn't share their feelings, Presley turned to drugs and alcohol to cope in his early teens. His substance use escalated during the pandemic, when he was isolated and with all the time in the world to drink and use as he pleased. Presley's use spiraled until early 2023 an arrest on a small charge made him finally understand that he needed to make a change. On this episode of Addiction Talk, Presley gets real about child stardom, trauma, addiction, and how he's turned his life around today.

Leah McSweeney is a former star of “Real Housewives of New York City,” a fashion-industry pioneer who established the streetwear line Married to the Mob, a podcast host, and the author of Chaos Theory: Finding Meaning in the Madness, One Bad Decision at a Time. As Leah shares in her book, she battled with addiction from an early age and became sober for many years. After a very public relapse on national television, she worked to become sober again. Throughout it all, Leah has been a beacon of candor and compassion for people craving a more authentic conversation about what it means to face challenges, make mistakes, and find support for your mental well-being to live your best life.

LaTavia Roberson is an American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known as an original member of the widely acclaimed R&B girl group, Destiny's Child. Alongside Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and LeToya Luckett, she played a pivotal role in the group's success, contributing to chart-topping hits such as “Say My Name,” “Survivor,” and “Bootylicious.” Despite the group's phenomenal achievements, LaTavia faced personal struggles with drugs, experienced jail time, and navigated through dark times in her life.Following her departure from Destiny's Child in 2000, LaTavia embarked on a solo music career and explored opportunities in acting. Despite the challenges she faced, LaTavia remained resilient and committed to her passion for music and performance. Beyond her artistic pursuits, she dedicated herself to philanthropic endeavors, championing causes like breast cancer awareness and youth empowerment, showcasing her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Melissa Etheridge is a well-known American rock star, famous for her confessional lyrics and raspy vocals. She has won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards and a “Songwriter of the Year” honor. Melissa is also an activist for Marriage Equality and has advocated for the therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis as a cancer survivor. In May 2020, Melissa lost her son Beckett from causes related to opioid addiction. In his memory, she founded the Etheridge Foundation to advance transformative plant medicine treatment resources for people struggling with opioid use disorder. Through the foundation, Melissa continues her activism and public education to help people heal through the transformative power of plant medicines.

The latest episode of “Addiction Talk” promises to be a thought-provoking conversation between three guests who are at the forefront of addiction recovery research and advocacy. Cure Addiction Now Founder Nancy Davis, Director of Drug Discovery Institute Paul J. Kenny, and MTV's Laguna Beach and The Hills star Jason Wahler will be discussing the latest breakthroughs in addiction recovery, including the usage of the widely popular medications Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) to combat addiction cravings.

Peter White is a true warrior of the Yaqan Nukiy tribe, which is a part of the Ktunaxa Nation. His journey of triumph over homelessness, addiction and a cancer diagnosis is nothing short of inspiring. After his cancer diagnosis in May of 2016, Peter knew that he needed to make a change in his life. He had always wanted to start powwow dancing, but kept pushing it off for the “right time.” Little did he know that his cancer diagnosis was the sign he had been waiting for. Today, Peter is a Men's traditional dancer, and this dance has brought out the inner warrior in him. As someone who has battled addiction and depression in the past, Peter's story is a testament to the power of resilience and hope.

Adam Paul Hicks is an American actor, rapper, singer, and songwriter, best known for his leading role in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Lemonade Mouth” and his music projects. However, behind closed doors, Adam was struggling with addiction, mental illness, and family tragedies that ultimately led to his arrest and incarceration. At the age of 17, Adam's mother was diagnosed with MS and began to have severe episodes that impacted his family's wellbeing. As his career was taking off, Adam turned to alcohol and Xanax to cope with the stress. Then, his younger brother was in a car crash, killing his girlfriend, and Adam's mother died two months before his brother was sentenced to ten years in prison. These tragic events, and the accidental drowning of his best friend, pushed Adam into a state of psychosis.In January 2018, Adam and his girlfriend were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery. Adam spent time in a mental facility and ultimately prison, serving 1,460 days before being released on parole in 2022. Since then, Adam has been sober for over five years and focused on his health and wellbeing. Adam's journey to recovery from addiction and mental illness is ongoing, and he credits therapy, medication, and a clean diet for his progress. Despite the challenges he faced, Adam is back into the Hollywood game, feeling more mentally and physically healthy than ever before. 

On this episode of “Addiction Talk,” the topic of alcohol addiction will be discussed by way of cutting edge research helmed by Bryant University Assistant Professor Kristin Scaplen, Ph.D.Professor Scaplen, who obtained a B.S. in biology and psychology from the University of Connecticut, and Ph.D in neuroscience from Brown University, has spent years studying neural circuits and the persistence of memory in the context of alcohol use. This work was done in preparation for her current body of work in which she is conducting alcohol addiction research by investigating the neural circuits of fruit flies.Fruit flies share 75% of the genes that cause human diseases and have previously aided researchers in learning more about biological processes that affect human health.When it comes to alcohol addiction research, Dr. Scaplan in a pioneer in terms of the use of fruit flies, and there is much to learn from her work. Join us for this special episode where we learn more about the findings and the deeper understanding that can be gleaned from her research.

Jason Yamas is a queer writer, producer, director, and actor. Having released his courageous memoir, Tweakerworld, he joins us on Addiction Talk sharing a bright light on the worsening epidemic of crystal meth in the LGBTQ+ community.

Many know Leigh Steinberg as one of the most prolific sports agents, having represented more than 300 professional athletes in his 40+ year career, and as the real-life inspiration for Jerry Maguire. Steinberg's clients include former San Francisco 49ers QB Steve Young, former Dallas Cowboys QB Troy Aikman and current QB for the Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes.Leigh's reputation stemming from his decades of success precedes him, but what many may not know is that he endured a public battle with addiction to alcohol. For nearly 10 years, Steinberg struggled with alcohol, which was spurred by financial issues.Now, with more than 13 years in recovery, Steinberg is continuing his success in the sports industry. Steinberg Sports and Entertainment recently negotiated the largest deal in NFL history and will be expanding beyond its football roots; professional athletes from the MLB, NBA and BMX are all on the agency's roster.

To kick off National Recovery Month, on this episode of “Addiction Talk,” we will be speaking with three experts in recovery who have utilized their collective experiences to aid others in beginning their own journey.Each guest will speak about the importance of mindfulness in recovery: tactics that may work best, essential self-care strategies necessary for sobriety, and offer advice for those wanting to live a life without alcohol and substancesFeaturing: Lane Kennedy is a precision health nutritionist, certified mindfulness teacher, hypnotherapist and co-host of the podcast Laughing without Liquor. She has also been in recovery for more than 26 years.Fausto Castellanos is a substance abuse/mental health counselor and motivational speaker who has worked with thousands of people around the world to help find purpose in pain.Erica Spiegelman is an author, addiction counselor, wellness specialist and motivational speaker who works with individuals, couples and families on personal growth and overall wellness. Her holistic approach to helping those with addiction has given many people the tools they need to create healthy lives.

VH1's Mob Wives star Renee Graziano's tumultuous journey from a mob-tied upbringing to overcoming addiction is a testament to resilience and redemption. Shaped by childhood trauma, seeking love and acceptance, she spiraled into drug misuse and abusive relationships, but through reality TV fame, multiple rehab attempts, and a life-altering car accident, she found strength in therapy, support networks, and self-discovery, ultimately emerging as a survivor who reclaimed her identity and purpose.

Josh Eppard, drummer for rock band Coheed and Cambria, will be joining “Addiction Talk.” For more than two decades, Josh has been a seasoned musician, but in the early 2000s, it almost came to an end.In 2002, Coheed and Cambria released their first studio album, first single and first music video, and by 2005, the band released their first major-label album, “Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness.” While his band was receiving international acclaim, unbeknownst to many, Josh's substance use became unmanageable. In 2006, just after the release of his band's most commercially successful album to date, he left.During his time away, Josh continued to abuse substances: he release his second Weerd Science album, which was a personal account of his addiction, and began drumming for the supergroup Terrible Things.Josh's substance use continued after his resignation from the band until one day he decided to seek treatment. He left his hometown of Kingston, New York, moved to Albany and joined the supergroup Terrible Things.Attempting to reestablish his relationship with his former bandmates, Josh began to reach out, and after seeing the changes he made in his life since his 2009 exit, nearly five years to the day of the announcement of his departure, it was announced he had rejoined.Today, Josh has more 14 years in recovery and is thriving. Coheed and Cambria released their 10th album in 2022 and will be touring in Fall 2023. Josh has recently established Drum Set Confessional, an endeavor he uses to tell his story and inspire others.

Joining “Addiction Talk” is actress, recovery advocate and former Miss USA, Tara Conner. Many remember the controversy surrounding Tara back in 2006: months after being crowned Miss USA and participating in the Miss Universe pageant, she tested positive for cocaine.Publicly, this was a surprise, but for Tara, it was a long time coming. In her early teens, after the death of her grandfather and her parents' divorce, Tara had her first drink. Not long after, Tara began experimenting with other substances, like Percocet, Xanax and other opioids. It was also during this time that Tara experienced a sexual assault, which exacerbated the pain she was already feeling.By the time the Miss USA pageant came around, Tara's substance use was well underway. In fact, she was under the influence during the competition.Tara's substance use was widely reported on in 2006, but she was able to finish her reign after seeking treatment.Today, Tara has been in recovery for more than 16 years and continues to raise awareness around the country that addiction is a disease and that a healthy, productive and sober life is possible.

Sharing her story on “Addiction Talk” is Melissa Urban, the co-founder and CEO of Whole30. Whole30 is the popular food plan designed to help its users learn more about food sensitivities and how food affects them. Urban is also a seven-time “New York Times” best-selling author, including the instant best-seller “The Book of Boundaries.”Many are aware of Melissa's dedication to health and wellness, but it was the tribulations early in her life that led her to where she is today.According to Melissa, she appeared to have everything going for her, but at 16, she experienced a sexual assault that understandably devastated her. Feeling alone, hopeless and broken, at age 18, she tried drugs for the first time. Soon, her substance use escalated and she was using heroin, cocaine, psychedelics and pills to numb her pain.At 26, after being urged to seek help by her partner, Melissa entered treatment. Though she experienced a relapse after a year, Melissa entered treatment again and has been in recovery for more than 20 years.

Many already know of Nic's story: the Golden Globe and SAG nominated-film “Beautiful Boy” was based on his New York Times best-selling memoir, “Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines” and his father, David's, bestseller of the same name.In this episode Nic shares his incredible recovery story. 

In honor of Fentanyl Awareness Day, Addiction Talk will host Mae Van Der Weide, a talented fashion model who began using cannabis at age 16, and later progressed to using fentanyl due to the high pressures of the modeling industry. Today, Mae celebrates three years in recovery and uses her platform to share her experience with others who are also struggling with addiction.

Cameron Douglas, actor and son of Hollywood legend Michael Douglas, fought against heroin and liquid cocaine addiction, numerous rehabs and interventions, and even resorted to drug dealing to support his habit. Join us on Addiction Talk as he shares his inspiring story of finding his way back home.

On this episode of “Addiction Talk,” we will hear from a panel of experts who have all been personally affected by Narcan and the overdose crisis. Nathan “Narcan Nate” Smiddy, Robin Vang Bigelow and Philip Van Guilder will share their harrowing experiences and illustrate the importance of accessibility to Narcan.

Joining “Addiction Talk” is actor, activist and model, Kevin Kreider, who is best known as one of the stars of the Netflix series, “Bling Empire.”Though he comes from a loving and kind family, Kreider struggled with his identity beginning at a young age. Kevin was born in Seoul, Korea, and at age three, was adopted and grew up in Philadelphia. It wasn't long after this that the bullying and beatings began due to his ethnicity.Because of what he experienced in his youth, Kevin threw himself into fitness and had success as a personal trainer. Though he changed himself physically, he relied upon alcohol to shape his personality. After a short while, he signed with one of the most prestigious modeling agencies in New York City. Years of non-stop work, stress, an alopecia areata diagnosis and alcohol consumption proved to be too much and Kevin sought help.Just a few years into his recovery, Kevin delivered a TED talk called “Redefining Asian Masculinity” that went viral. His other videos on Asian masculinity began to garner attention and were responsible for his participation in “Bling Empire.”Today, Kevin has been sober for more than eight years and is the founder and CEO of Sans by Taejin Beverage, a nonalcoholic drink and mixer. His mission with his company is to empower and destigmatize sobriety.

On this International Women's Day episode of Addiction Talk, we celebrate the achievements of three women who, through recovery from addiction, have overcome adversity and have made it their mission to empower other women.

Irene Rollins is a pastor, certified emotional health coach, recovery activist and the author of “Reframe Your Shame: Experience Freedom from What Holds You Back.”As a pastor, mother and wife, Irene looked like she had it all: a successful church that she led with her husband, Jimmy, and three amazing children. After not drinking for more than a decade, Irene introduced alcohol back into her life and quickly fell into the grips of addiction.Irene never believed she drank problematically and believed that she only drank to alleviate her stress, but she became increasingly dependent on the substance. Turmoil within her marriage and family followed until a close circle of friends and family intervened and she accepted help.It was during treatment that Irene began to address the root causes of her drinking and understand that the unresolved childhood trauma that she never attended to affected her greater than she imagined.Today, Irene has been sober for a number of years and leads a ministry with her husband called Two Equals One.

In honor of Black History Month, joining “Addiction Talk” are Khadi A. Oluwatoyin and J. Nicole Jones from the Sober Black Girls Club, a collective that provides resources and support for Black girls, women, femmes and non-binary folks who are in recovery or considering sobriety.Khadi founded Sober Black Girls Club in 2018 after addressing her own struggles with alcohol. It was during college that she discovered alcohol quelled the depression she's experienced since childhood, but it wasn't until after graduating from law school that she began drinking excessively. She sought help for her alcohol use in 2018, and noticing the lack of culturally adequate support for sober Black women, she created Sober Black Girls Club.Sober Black Girls Club also has an accompanying podcast of which J. Nicole is the co-host. J. Nicole's experience with alcohol began during her freshman year of high school, where heavy drinking was common among her friend group and the basketball team she was a member of. Her basketball career extended into college where the drinking was also commonplace. Though people expressed their concerns over her drinking, she ultimately wanted to better herself and became sober at age 23 during her senior year of college.In this episode, they both share their respective journeys, why cultural support is critical for those seeking sobriety and the importance of community and growth in recovery.

Cara Santana is an actress, activist, designer and digital influencer known for her starring role in the Starz series “Vida” and her upcoming role in the film “Daughter of the Bride” out Feb. 3.Cara's experience with addiction took place in her teens, when she left her hometown of El Paso, TX, to pursue a career in acting in Los Angeles. It wasn't long after her arrival that she encountered cocaine for the first time and it quickly turned into an addiction. At age 18, Cara experienced an overdose, and it was this event that led her to sobriety – a journey that not many people were aware of because she kept it under wraps; Cara's parents had no knowledge until she informed them years later.Today, Cara has been sober for 18 years and her career is thriving: she's currently working on a film about the lives of New Yorkers with addiction and will be appearing in the upcoming comedy, “Daughter of the Bride.” She joins Addiction Talk to discuss her unique path to recovery that began early in her life and career, and the advice she has for others who may be facing a similar situation.

Actor and comedian, Tom Arnold, has had a well-publicized journey with addiction. Arnold's drinking and substance use began years prior to him leaving the Midwest, where he was born and raised, and where his sister became one of the most prominent drug dealers.In the late ‘80s, Arnold arrived in LA – with his substance use under wraps – to pursue a career in comedy and soon after was brought on as a writer for the sitcom “Roseanne.” After marrying the show's star and gaining significant popularity and success, he decided he needed treatment.Throughout the ‘90s, Arnold maintained his sobriety, his career flourished, and he even served as sponsor to late comedian Chris Farley. But in 2008, Arnold was involved in a motorcycle accident. The crash resulted in him breaking his scapula and he was prescribed pain medication for the injury. Despite his years in recovery, Arnold again experienced addiction.In 2010, a health scare and close call was the catalyst for seeking treatment once again. Due to his continued substance use, Arnold's colon ruptured, he became septic and spent three weeks in a coma. Since that time, he has experienced a few relapses, but has now been sober for more than five years.

Danny Trejo is one of the most recognized character actors known for roles in films such as “Desperado,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Machete,” and the sequel “Machete Kills.” But, what many may not know is that he has been in recovery for more than 54 years.Trejo's history with substances and encounters with law enforcement began at a very early age: When he was seven, he participated in his first drug deal, at 10, was arrested for the first time, began using substances at age eight and by 14, he was addicted to and selling heroin. He had many stints in jail throughout his adolescence, and by 22, he was a prisoner at San Quentin.It was in 1968, while in solitary confinement, that he found faith, became a member of the prison's 12-step program and began a life in sobriety. He was released from custody for the last time in 1969.Trejo began his unique path to acting in 1985. He was working as a substance use counselor and his assistance was needed by someone on the set of the film “Runaway Train.” While on the set, he was recognized by the screenwriter, who served time at San Quentin with Trejo. Knowing his history and expertise in boxing, this connection led him to become the personal trainer and boxing advisor to actor Eric Roberts.In the decades since, Trejo has appeared in more than 300 films and television shows, is the owner of eight restaurants, and is a New York Times best-selling author with his memoir, “Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption and Hollywood.” Danny Trejo joins “Addiction Talk” to speak about his inspirational 50+ year journey in recovery.

Joining "Addiction Talk" is TikTok influencer Ariana Ruiz. Ariana has gained a massive following on the platform primarily because of her relatability - the cooking content she's known for is simple and straightforward, she's a young parent of two daughters, and like many people across the country, stressors during the pandemic caused her to relapse. Ariana's marijuana use began at 11 and at 14, she was drinking and experimenting with other drugs. By 16, she was addicted to cocaine. After becoming pregnant with her first child at 19, she was able to stop her use, but an event during the pandemic changed everything. In 2020, her daughter suddenly developed a neurological problem and could no longer speak. Her child's condition in addition to abuse she was experiencing in a relationship at the time led her to turn to cocaine once again. It wasn't until she overdosed in 2021 that she decided to seek help. In November 2021, Ariana removed cocaine from her life and her work has flourished. In just over a year, she's gained nearly three million followers. Now, her daughter has fully recovered and is often featured in her videos.

Army Capt. Ryan Griffis is a TikTok influencer who has amassed more than a million followers on the platform due to his transparency about his struggles with addiction and mental health. Alcohol use was something very familiar to Griffis. He and his younger brother were exposed to its use through their father's alcohol use disorder. This experience later influenced both of their drinking habits. It wasn't until returning home in 2020 after a deployment to Iraq that he began to take a look at his relationship with alcohol and came to the realization that his drinking was problematic. As a result, he made sobriety his New Year's Resolution. He was fortunately able to influence his brother as well, and both are nearing their second year in recovery and will be celebrating the accomplishment just 10 days apart. Ryan joins this episode “Addiction Talk” to speak about life in recovery as an active duty Army Captain and how he maintains his journey through trying times.

Jillian Barberie is an artist, actress, host and radio personality who is best remembered for her time as the co-host of Good Day LA and its national counterpart Good Day Live. For nearly two decades, Jillian was a Los Angeles morning news staple and her popularity eventually led to roles in TV shows like Clueless and Melrose Place, Fox NFL Sunday, where she presented the national weather segment, and a few stints in reality TV. But behind the scenes, Jillian battled an addiction to alcohol for many years. In 2018, Jillian was diagnosed with breast cancer, but it wasn't until three years later when she decided to get her life and health back. Today, she is a proud mother of two and an artist who recently celebrated her first year of sobriety.

Wes Geer's substance use as a teen ended up getting him kicked out of both high school and his home; by 18, he was living in his car and working at Domino's. Eventually, he was able to get a better job and continue playing in local bands, which led to the creation of Hed PE at the age of 21. For eight years, the band toured the world, but Geer's feelings of loneliness made him turn back to alcohol. He began to drink excessively and progressed to harder substances like meth: at the time, he accredited the high from the substance as the reason for his songwriting success. The severity of Geer's addiction intensified, and after nine years with the band, he quit. After leaving the band, he reached the point where he felt his life was imploding and he decided to seek help.Though he relapsed after three years of sobriety, Geer immediately went back to working his steps, and after 10 days of prayer and meditation, he received an offer to be the touring guitarist of the band Korn.It was after touring with the band that he formulated a way to give back and to do so through music, and in 2012, he founded Rock to Recovery – a music therapy program that helps people heal and transform their lives through the powerful experience of writing, playing and performing as a group.Now, more than 15 years sober and with Rock to Recovery in its 10th year, he is the host of the top-rated Rock to Recovery Radio show, and a highly sought-after speaker on the topics of personal growth, spirituality, addiction, mental health, harm reduction and music therapy.

Joining “Addiction Talk” to wrap up Recovery Month is “Below Deck Mediterranean” star Captain Sandy Yawn, where she'll be speaking about her history with addiction. Alcohol and addiction have been present in Yawn's life for quite some time. Her mother was addicted to alcohol and addiction issues run in her family; she lost a niece in 2020 due to addiction. Her drinking began at a young age in what she believes as a form of self-medication while struggling with her sexuality. By the age of 17, her drinking resulted in a court-ordered detox after an arrest for drinking and driving, a charge that has sent her to jail multiple times. Alcohol routinely led to unpredictability and dangerous scenarios, and seeing friends pursue careers, get married, have children and reach other milestones encouraged her to change. One morning, Yawn decided that she wanted her life to be different. That day was August 29, 1989, and soon after, she began her career in yachting.Yawn recently celebrated her 33rd year in recovery and regularly speaks about continuing to take her sobriety one day at a time. She also encourages other to live their truth – former “Real Housewives” star and “Addiction Talk” guest Braunwyn Windham-Burke credits Yawn with helper her in her sobriety journey and encouraging her to open up about her own addiction. In the years since she's eliminated alcohol, Yawn is living her dreams and “Below Deck Mediterranean” is currently airing its seventh season on Bravo.

Many may remember Chef Chris Scott as a finalist on the show “Top Chef,” a platform that showcased is unique take on Southern cuisine. As he excelled through the competition, Chef Scott also used this newfound platform to raise awareness about substance use in the restaurant industry and addiction.Alcohol and substances were freely available and often given to those in the kitchen, according to Chef Scott, and use was rampant. Alcohol and drug use were so commonplace, there was a mix known as the ‘trinity': alcohol to get intoxicated, cocaine to balance it out, and marijuana to ‘deflate' while working. Eventually, his drinking increased, and when he experienced the death of his mother, combined with a difficult workload and his own mental demons, he became a recluse and was reliant on alcohol. After finally getting serious about recovery, he found that his cooking improved because he was now able to focus and cook with a clean spirit. Now, approaching a decade in recovery, he's recently opened Butterfunk Biscuit Co. in New York City and will soon release his book Homage: Recipes and Stories from an Amish Soul Food Kitchen.

This episode of “Addiction Talk” will feature former child actor Shaun Weiss, who many may remember as goalie Greg Goldberg from “The Mighty Ducks.” Shaun initially began drinking heavily after the death of his mother in 2008. Over the next decade, after experiencing unsteady work, growing frustration about his career, failed friendships and the death of his father, Shaun became homeless and addicted to heroin and methamphetamine.In 2020, after a story about Shaun's situation went viral, and with some encouragement from another former child actor, Shaun sought treatment. Now, he's more than two years sober and has landed his first role in a film in 14 years. On this first episode during Recovery Month, Shaun will discuss his early career, what led to his addiction, and his passion to inspire others after all he's been through.

Provisional data indicates that there were approximately 107,000 drug overdose deaths last year, a 15% increase from the previous year and the highest number on record. Though overdose deaths from other substances, such as methamphetamine and cocaine also saw significant increases, fentanyl has been the primary driver of overdose deaths: last year, it was responsible for more than 88% of all opioid overdose deaths and more than 66% of total overdose deaths.On this special International Overdose Awareness Day edition of “Addiction Talk,” we'll hear from panelists who have had varying experiences with overdoses, and Dr. Mark Calarco will provide instruction on the use of the opioid overdose antidote, naloxone.Cammie Wolf Rice is an activist, speaker and author of the upcoming book, “The Flight: My Opioid Journey,” which details the loss of her 32-year-old son Christopher to an opioid overdose. As a result of losing her child, she created the nonprofit CWC, the Christopher Wolf Crusade, that provides preventative solutions and education about the opioid epidemic. The goal of the organization is to raise awareness about the potential dangers of prescription pain medication and alternative methods of pain management.Philip Van Guilder, also known as the “Narcan Man,” is the director of community affairs at Greenhouse Treatment Center in Grand Prairie, TX. For years, Philip has been an advocate for the widespread use of naloxone due to the prevalence of opioid overdoses throughout the country, and his cause became personal when he had to revive his own son from an overdose due to fentanyl. Now, with that experience, as well as someone approaching 20 years in recovery, Philip has devoted himself to the cause of addiction education and overdose prevention.Dr. Mark Calarco is the national medical director for clinical diagnostics. In this position, he works closely with Addiction Labs to conduct medical and laboratory research as well as develop innovative products and services that will improve patient outcomes. Calarco brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, including a background in family and emergency medicine.Carla Sloke is a client support specialist at American Addiction Centers and an overdose survivor. Now nearing six years in recovery, Carla shares her story of addiction and recovery to give hope to others and help them realize that there is a way out of the darkest places. As a survivor, she feels it is her purpose to help others that are struggling and show them that there is life waiting for them on the other side of despair.Jake Arther is an AAC Outreach Coordinator based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Prior to joining AAC, Jake endured his own battle with addiction. After a car accident, he became addicted to opioids. At one point during his active addiction, Jake fabricated symptoms of gallbladder issues and subsequently had the organ removed so he could obtain pain medication. Now, more than eight years in recovery, he works in his hometown guiding those with the disease of addiction to treatment and raising awareness in OKC about the need for access to these services.

Joining “Addiction Talk” is five-time Olympic medalist Greg Louganis. Before becoming who many consider the most remarkable American diver, Louganis turned to alcohol and drugs in his early years for several reasons: his feeling of not fitting in due to being adopted at nine months, having a darker complexion due to his Samoan heritage, and when on the U.S. National Team, bullied for being gay. His addiction to pills and alcohol and depression led to multiple suicide attempts, including one after winning the silver medal in the 1976 Olympic Games.After realizing drinking and smoking began interfering with his diving, he attended rehab and therapy. He stopped drinking entirely in 1983, one year before the 1984 Olympics, where he became the third man in the sport's history to win gold medals in both springboard and platform. In this episode, Louganis will discuss his journey and post-Olympic life in recovery.

This “Addiction Talk” episode will feature Gill Tietz, a biochemist and the host of the podcast Sober Powered. At 18, Gill had her first drink, but it wasn't until four years later, in grad school, that drinking became a regular occurrence. Drinking was normalized in her workplace culture, so she believed drinking with her lab colleagues was normal. Within a year, she began to drink daily, blackouts happened multiple times per week, and she was going to work hungover. In 2019, Gill quit drinking and became dedicated to learning about alcohol's effect on the brain and how it causes addiction. Now, with her experience and knowledge, she educates others through her podcast, Instagram, and YouTube channel and encourages people to assess their own relationship with alcohol.

Christy Carlson Romano, former star of Disney's “Even Stevens,” “Kim Possible,” and “Cadet Kelly,” joins Addiction Talk to speak about her struggles with alcohol, which began during her teens. At 16, Christy began binge drinking to cope with shyness, which later advanced to the point that she couldn't stop drinking as it was so embedded in her daily life.Now, nearing her sixth year in sobriety, she is a mother of two, has two YouTube cooking series, and is the host of two podcasts: “Vulnerable,” where she chats with other celebrities, friends, and special guests about navigating life's ups and downs, and “I Hear Voices” with Kim Possible co-star Will Friedle, where they interview people who voiced characters in video games, animated shows, film and more. She also writing a memoir based on her YouTube cooking show, “Christy's Throwback Kitchen.”

This edition of “Addiction Talk” will feature stand-up comedian, actress and podcast host, Nikki Glaser.Over the last decade, Nikki Glaser has become one of the funniest female comics today. She has traveled and performed at clubs across the country, hosted three hit podcasts, including The Nikki Glaser Podcast, released two Netflix comedy specials, and has had a number of memorable film and television roles.Currently, she is in the middle of a nationwide comedy tour, One Night with Nikki Glaser, host of the HBO Max reality dating series “FBoy Island” and is the star of the new E! reality series, “Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?”Nikki has previously been very open about her struggles with anorexia, depression, anxiety and drinking. On this episode, she will share more about her experience with alcohol, what prompted her to stop drinking and the book that led her to quit both alcohol and cigarettes.

Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby joins “Addiction Talk” to discuss his addiction to alcohol. Crosby recalls drinking heavily during his high school and college years, but as someone with a family history of alcohol use, he knew he had a problem. During the 2020 offseason, Crosby checked himself into rehab and transitioned to a sober living facility until training camp began that summer. After recently celebrating 18 months sober, Crosby will detail his new life in recovery.

In this midday episode of “Addiction Talk,” we will hear from Deborah Taranto, Nadia Davis and Anita Lee in a panel discussion on how addiction affects families.Deborah Taranto is a mother, writer, teacher and professor who has taught writing and literature for the past 20 years. She is in the process of publishing her latest book, “The Beginning, The Middle, No End” that tells the story of her family's addiction through her daughter's diary (who passed away from an overdose in 2016), and her two sons' viewpoints, both of whom have suffered with addiction since adolescence.Nadia Davis is the mother of three sons, a yoga teacher and a high-profile lawyer who is in recovery herself. She also was also diagnosed with depression, PTSD and chronic pain. Her memoir, “Home is Within You,” addresses her sons with honesty, hope and strength revealing both her childhood and adult trauma that lead to issues with addiction and dysfunctional relationships.Anita Lee has more than 10 years in recovery from alcohol. She has a YouTube channel called Anita Lee – Candidly that offers support for those suffering from alcoholism and their loved ones.

Brian Cuban, younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, is an attorney, best-selling author, activist and recovery advocate.Brian has a storied history with drug and alcohol addiction stemming from bullying and fat-shaming during his youth. He became addicted to alcohol while he was a freshman at Penn State, and by the time he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, he was also addicted to cocaine. At one point, he was routinely using cocaine at work and even once at the federal courthouse in Dallas.For nearly 15 years, Brian has been in recovery from alcohol, cocaine and bulimia. He has chronicled these issues in two best-selling books, “Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body Dysmorphic Disorder” and “The Addicted Lawyer, Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow & Redemption.”Brian joins Addiction Talk to further discuss his experiences with addiction, mental health conditions and helping others throughout his recovery journey.

Joining Addiction Talk is Real Housewives of Orange County alum and mom of seven, Braunwyn Windham-Burke. Braunwyn will discuss her past struggles with alcohol – something she was very open about during her time on the show – navigating sobriety and finally living her truth.

Joining “Addiction Talk” is actress and singer Rumer Willis, the eldest daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. On this upcoming special episode, which will be broadcast live on Instagram, Rumer will discuss her struggle with alcohol use, the impact of addiction on her family and expand upon how she has chosen to focus on herself in her recovery journey.

Symone Redwine is a lawyer, owner of The Redwine Law Firm, PLLC, host of the podcasts “Is That Legal?” and “Ages and Stages.” She is also a recent cast member of OWN TV's reality dating show “Ready to Love.”Professionally, Symone has seen much success in her law career having practiced fashion and trademark law in New York City. In addition to handling high-profile cases that have received national attention, some of her clients include Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton and Diane von Furstenberg.Symone joins “Addiction Talk” to speak about a topic very personal to her: her addiction to Adderall. Symone will talk about her addiction, how it started and the treatment she received at American Addiction Centers facility River Oaks that set her on her path to recovery.

Steve Kuhn is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, Bronze Star Medal recipient,  speaker, author, entrepreneur and owner of QOL Enterprises, where he helps leaders improve their lives and business.After his experiences during the Gulf War in 1991, Kuhn developed Combat PTSD. His trauma, in addition to the depression, loss of identity and lack of purpose that veterans sometimes experience after the end of their service, led Kuhn to attempt suicide.In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, tonight he joins “Addiction Talk” to detail how he turned his life around after that fateful night in 2008 and how he currently manages his PTSD. If you know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)