Airing Addiction

Join us to hear Eric's story and the unique challenges with recovery during the holiday season. Only on Airing Addiction!

Sarah Cloud, Author of “Mama Paca” a children’s book for kids who have lost parents and are living with grandparents due to Addiction. Theresa Harmon, founder of “To the Moon and Back” (2themoonandback.org) an organization dedicated to children born with in utero substance exposure and their families. She will speak on “Sam the superhero and His Super Life” – a child born to substance exposure, a book sponsored by “TTMAB” Join us with Lisa and Cathy on Airing Addiction!

Joanne Peterson is the Founder and Executive Director of Learn to Cope (LTC). Her journey started when she was a young girl, as her siblings experienced issues with mental illness and addiction. Years later, when Ms. Peterson discovered that her own son’s experimentation with prescription drugs had led to an opioid addiction, she was motivated and empowered to use her voice to bring about change.

Cathy and Lisa discuss recovery with Maureen Cavanagh, president of Magnolia New Beginnings and Magnolia Recovery and Consulting Services. Hear her story on Airing Addiction!

Tyler Forte, co-founder of the family-centric recovery service provider Saha Collective and a trained life coach dedicated to helping young men transform their lives. Cathy and Lisa will be discussing his own story of personal transformation.

Join us as we discuss Jesse's road to recovery who now works as a family engagement specialist at Spectrum Health Systems.

Join us with our guest, Richard J. Dyer. An attorney at law who overcame addiction himself and is a large advocate for those in recovery. Lisa and Cathy will hear and discuss his story with you on Airing Addiction.

Beck Gee-Cohen Speaks On LGBTQ Recovery by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Are you or a loved one battling the road to recovery? You are not alone. Airing Addiction with your host Dr. Romas Buivydas talk about addiction, recovery, substance abuse, treatment, and seeks to bring to the light the success stories of those who have dealt with substance addiction themselves that we hope will encourage you. -Join us for scheduled LIVE video on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewEnglandRecoveryCenter -Airing Addiction is also available on Soundcloud and iTunes Sponsored and hosted by the New England Recovery Center. www.newenglandrecoverycenter.org

Introducing Self-Help Author Charlie Smith by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Insurance Companies and Recovery with David Nefussy by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Speaking With Norah Lasorsa by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Celebrating 50 Years Of Spectrum by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Airing Addiction speaking with Yenjoo Son by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas speaking on Medical Marijuana by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with Author Donnie Steiger by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with Ronald Burgess by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with Michael Earielo by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with Thomas Gould by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with Dr. Jeffrey Baxter by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with Dan Ripley by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with Earl Warren by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with Daylene Marshall, clinical program director for the Faris Recovery Center.

On Airing Addiction, we talked to Mark Brown, Executive Director of the Adolescent Division at Spectrum Health Systems, Inc.

Dr. Romas Buivydas speaking with guest Rob Grenier, who talked about his journey as a person in recovery.

As Jodi Tarantino steps down as host, she’s introducing Dr. Romas Buivydas as the new host of Airing Addiction!

In this show, Jodi has a discussion with Reverend Andrew Marshall about Spirituality—not Religion—one of four important components of recovery. Jodi and Andrew will also discuss the other 3 “legs” of the recovery “chair” in this informative show.

Kim Robles, LMHC joined me by telephone for this show focused on a different addiction—food addiction. Listen to why I decided to focus on this topic during the Holiday season and how closely related all addictions are. I also share a big announcement at the end of the show that you won’t want to miss!

Julie Maida found herself in the throes of post-partum depression and agoraphobia, unable to get out to meetings, when she decided that she needed to work her recovery in a new way. Julie founded sobermommies.com, an online forum for moms in recovery to give and get support through blogs and online posts. Hear Julie talk about her journey thus far and how her recent appearance on The Doctors fueled her passion for spreading the message of hope for the possibilities of moms in recovery.

Sam is a 6-time All Star and 15-year veteran of Major League Baseball (MLB). Sam’s tumultuous journey with alcohol ended his pitching career early and significantly impacted his personal life. Hear Sam talk about this journey and how he was able to bring his recovery to MLB and change how addiction is addressed.

On this episode, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis talks about the great initiatives going on in Worcester County to address addiction and the opioid epidemic. Listen to our ideas for ending this crisis and so much more!

Shane first came on Airing Addiction 8 months ago to share his story after completing the Charles J. Faris Recovery Center residential treatment program. In today’s show Shane shares his 1-year follow-up story! It is a story of resilience, humility and recovery.

Rich's Story by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

Jesse started using drugs at the age of 13 and tells his story of addiction and recovery in this informative, fast-paced show. A single father who calls himself “a punk rock recovering addict”, Jesse was open and candid about his thoughts on recovery in this show.

On this episode of Airing Addiction, Jodi talks with Hillary Dumas: Woman in recovery, mother, full-time Senior Recovery Specialist and student for her LADC. Hillary's work ethic and drive are amazing. Listen as Hillary shares her thoughts on being a woman, mother and professional in recovery.

Maureen from Spectrum’s Peer Recovery Center New Beginnings located in Lawrence shares her story on this week’s Airing Addiction. Maureen talks about her experience, strength and hope while explaining the role the Peer Recovery Center played in her becoming a strong, independent woman.

This week listen to Jodi answer your questions about addiction and recovery in her first solo LIVE show since becoming host of Airing Addiction. How is Addiction different from a bad habit? What do grief and loss have to do with Addiction? Grief and loss are common experiences of folks in treatment and Jodi explores various aspects of the grieving process.

On this show Jodi spoke with Gail and Steve from NM Cares to discuss how they are working to destigmatize addiction by sharing education and personal stories. Listen as the three discuss everything from addiction as a brain disease to the role of relapse in recovery and how the stigma associated with addiction is contributing to a public health crisis.

This week I was joined by Ronald Burgess, Family Engagement Specialist at the Faris Recovery Center. Listen as we talk about the various roles we all play in our lives, how those roles may help or hinder the treatment process and how we learn the important skills of prioritizing and compartmentalizing.

Kurt was deemed “Incorrigible” and was told he would never change. After being convinced that he would be a career criminal and would spend his life behind bars, Kurt maintained a glimmer of hope and openly received the gift of desperation while incarcerated. He participated in Spectrum’s Correctional Recovery Academy (CRA) for 3 years while at Shirley Massachusetts Correctional Institute (MCI) then was released to Spectrum’s Charles J. Faris Recovery Center where he continued to work on himself and completed in November 2016. Listen to Kurt talk about his life, how he viewed his future before entering treatment and how he sees his future now. Kurt will tell you that recovery is possible, treatment works and change is real!

I was in studio this week with Christina Rossi, LICSW, Regional Director of Spectrum's Haverhill and Saugus Outpatient Treatment Centers. Hear me talk about why I think we are living in a traumatized nation and listen to Christina break down the relationship between trauma and substance use. What is trauma, what is a traumatic response and how do we use Trauma Informed Care to support folks in Substance Use treatment.

My Family in Recovery: A Tribute To My Sister Tammy by Romas Buivydas, Ph.D., LMHC

What is the relationship between food and substance recovery? How can food be a tool to support healthy decision-making and nourishment in all aspects of our lives? Why do we crave sugar and carbohydrates in early recovery or when we are feeling down? Kim Robles is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Board Certified Dance Movement Therapist with over 20 years of experience in the field of behavioral healthcare. In today’s show, Kim will help us answer these questions and more!

Why is it a vital part of recovery to learn how to just BE? How can we turn “boredom” into purposeful serenity-seeking time? There is a movement afoot to recognize the importance of downtime, a time for purposeful reflection. How do we help people learn these skills in treatment? Join me as I talk about these topics and more with Day Marshall, LMHC, Clinical Director of the Charles J. Faris Recovery Center!

What does substance use have to do with the military? What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day? What do servicemen and women need when they return home after deployment? How do combat and non-combat experiences impact a person’s daily functioning? In honor of Memorial Day I sat with Anthony Pettiquoi, Recovery Specialist at the Charles J. Faris Recovery Center and Retired Army Sergeant to talk about his and others’ experiences with the military, trauma and substance use.

What we KNOW about addiction treatment and what we DO aren't always the same. Often times the research and knowledge gets adulterated in practice. Dr. Roger Peters, Spectrum Health Systems Senior Research Adviser, Professor in the Department of Mental health Law and Policy at the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), University of Southern Florida (USF) since 1986, and has served as lead on a number of research grants in the area of substance use treatment shares his insight in our candid interview. Interested in what to look for in treatment? What works vs. what looks good? Why is the stigma of substance use treatment still a battle vs. other chronic relapsing diseases like diabetes and hypertension? Listen to this segment of Airing Addiction, hosted by Donna Pellegrino in her last host episode. Stay tuned to your new host, Jodi Tarantino, next week.

It's a funny thing, getting to know someone. At first you think you have them figured out, but not so fast; that's called a first impression or judgement, informed by lifes' experiences or simply the kind of day you're having. Then you meet that person again and you learn more, opinions evolve, intrigue builds. Well, that's what you get with Jay Carey; layers of intrigue with each and every encounter. Jay is a licensed /certified drug and alcohol counselor, anger management counselor, employee assistance professional to union workers, person in long term recovery, brilliant man, song writer and musician. Jay has a vocabulary that would give Webster's a run for its money and espouses words of wisdom that will leave anyone transfixed...He is someone that will appeal to the masses- talking to recently released inmates, to legislatures, to folks in the entertainment business to the listeners of Airing Addiction. Not to mention, Jay is just wild enough to agree to bring his acoustic guitar on air and sing for us, LIVE! What a great show this was and Jay, you are someone special! Oh, and what does the "Disease of Choice" mean? Hear how Jay marries these two opposing concepts with such simplicity. Want a visual? Check out the Airing Addiction FB page to see videos of Jay playing on air (Neil Young, Needle and the Damage Done) and heart crushing originals detailing the wrath of addiction. (lyrics provided).

Recovery and fitness is a theme we just can't seem to get away from on Airing Addiction. A week ago, Henry Ward, ran 24 hours straight on the Belmont High School track. Why? Well to raise awareness for addiction and recovery. When Henry got sober 9 years ago he felt good, for awhile, but knew he needed something more; sobriety alone wasn't enough. He started walking and then running. Along the way, a community formed and Henry found himself. Miracles upon miracles kept showing up in his life. Put on the headphones, tie up the laces and hit the ground running. Run Henry Run...one man's inspiring journey touches countless lives.

Karyn reached out to me on February 10, 2017 via Facebook message after hearing an Airing Addiction podcast. The messages we shared for months were fast and furious, over wrought with desperate pleas for direction, many in the moment of the actual crisis. We read the raw messages on air and learn what took Karyn from crisis to being able to breathe again, and where is her son today? An hour of radio that played out like a movie, only real life.

WBFF pro and NV Fitness owner, Jen Dicandia shares the tragic story of her brother Matt's overdose death. She and Janelle Nicolo Monteiro from Body Ambition in Mass. (episode: Fitness and Recovery 1) had been great friends, competitors, gym owners, and both lost a sibling to an overdose. After Jen heard Janelle's show, Jen knew she knew she needed to share to and make a difference. Together they partnered and embarked on a movement that is spreading like wild fire. Make sure you listen to both parts and be sure to join the Recovery Through Fitness Facebook page.

Fitness icon, Janelle Nicolo Monteiro of Body Ambition in Middleton Ma. shares her tragic story of her sister April's heroin overdose and death. This is the story her heart needed to share, but what has come out selfless sharing is mind blowing, changing lives today. Make sure you also listen to Fitness and Recovery Part 2 with Jen Dicandia of NV Fitness. make sure to also join the Recovery Through Fitness Facebook page.