Coming Up For Air - Families Speak To Families About Addiction

In this week's episode Annie and Laurie discuss what it means to be authentic, yet "fake it" until the feelings come organically -- regarding getting better, feeling positive, being friendly and making wise choices in difficult situations when everything in us wants to do something different (act out). Annie poses the question "Is it fake to have manners around someone who has treated you terribly?" Laurie gives scientific proof that we can actually elevate our moods and outlook by smiling, keeping a record of what we are grateful for and starting the day with a positive mind. Both agree being real is as necessary as "winging it" can sometimes be, to get better at handling very difficult situations, tune in for this very relatable episode! A membership at Allies in Recovery brings you into contact with experts in the fields of recovery and treatment for drug and alcohol issues. Our learning platform introduces you to CRAFT and guides you through the best techniques for unblocking the situation. Together we w

PODCAST #27 Codependency & Denial by Allies in Recovery

Mike Duggan from the State Without Stigma campaign and Wicked Sober, tells his personal story of addiction and speaks about his work and his passion. Mike is in long-term recovery himself and opens up about his own story. He expresses great hope for recovery and treatment for those who are ready to check out of the miserable life of addiction and into treatment. Tune in to this week's episode for a great insider view of what it's like in the depths of dependency, as well as the mindset of those who are prepared to find freedom and recovery from it! Allies in Recovery offers affordable memberships to our exclusive member-only website. On our site, you will learn the CRAFT method which is an alternative to the conventional "intervention" so often seen on TV, and which simply fails to motivate our addicted loved ones, most of the time. Visit alliesinrecovery.net/ for more information, to sign up for Module 1 for free, or to join today!

In this week's episode, Annie and Laurie recall times they have experienced "hit-the-ceiling" stress and crisis resulting from issues that surge out of a family member's addiction. Some of these crises were even life and death situations. Both reveal how they pulled themselves down in the moment, who helped, what helped, and what didn't help - including the "10 types of distorted thinking" that can arise in the midst of madness. Both have learned how to quickly come to a place of peace and to make smart decisions. Lots of information in this week's podcast for those times of Level 10 of stress, conflict and crisis! Allies in Recovery has made these podcasts available to the public in the hopes that you will relate to the experiences described by Laurie and Annie, that you will learn from them and be reminded that you are not alone. http://alliesinrecovery.net/ is the online home for families dealing with a loved one's addiction. We teach the CRAFT method of intervention, based on communication techniques, s

In this week's show, Laurie and Annie respond to a Listener's message about life after SUD. When your Loved One goes off to treatment and recovery, life changes for everyone. The dynamics of an empty nest and absence of activity can have unexpected effects. Allowing ourselves time to process the changes and pursue new interests takes time, practice and sometimes therapy! For the full member package (eLearning for the family, specialized blogs, private journal, treatment resources...) join Allies in Recovery today! Learn more at http://alliesinrecovery.net/

We all need tools for repairing, tweaking or rebuilding. In this episode Laurie and Annie discuss power tools for trying times, tools for moments of crisis and chaos and tools for triumphant, peaceful lives. Having a toolbox is important for "calming down our crazy" and finding gratitude in the good that comes from lives changed by the turmoil of SUD and difficult times in general. Allies in Recovery offers affordable memberships to our exclusive member-only website. On our site, you will learn the CRAFT method which is an alternative to the conventional "intervention" so often seen on TV, and which simply fails to motivate our addicted loved ones, most of the time. Visit http://alliesinrecovery.net/ for more information, to sign up for Module 1 for free, or to join today!

In this episode of Coming Up for Air, Annie and Laurie cover the topic of grief and disappointment and elaborate on finding a new normal. Laurie covers the 5 stages of grief and introduces the concept of grieving someone still living. Both moms give examples of how they are making peace with how life was, versus what it has become after loss, change and having a Loved One struggles with SUD. Allies in Recovery offers affordable memberships to our exclusive member-only website. On our site, you will learn the CRAFT method which is an alternative to the conventional "intervention" so often seen on TV, and which simply fails to motivate our addicted loved ones, most of the time. Visit alliesinrecovery.net/ for more information, to sign up for Module 1 for free, or to join today!

We've all heard of enabling use, but what about enabling non-use? In this week's podcast, Laurie and Annie discuss the positive power we have to influence our loved ones suffering from SUD, by enabling moments of non-use. Annie introduces 6 real life scenarios submitted from family members with examples of current family crisis or issues. Laurie gives the suggested CRAFT response to each. Modifying the behavior around a struggling loved one begins the process of moving the family forward. Listen in to hear real life situations you might relate to, with helpful ways to approach and respond! For the full member package (eLearning for the family, specialized blogs, private journal, treatment resources...) join Allies in Recovery today! Learn more at http://alliesinrecovery.net/

This week on Coming Up for Air, Laurie and Annie welcome Lee Weber of the Addiction Blog. With a readership of 2.5 million per month, contributors from all over the world with expert knowledge of addiction, alcoholism, SUD and recovery (including our own Dominique Simon-Levine, Founder of Allies in Recovery), Lee's work is affecting the lives of many. She brilliantly delivers her personal story, along with her years of knowledge and research for our audience in this episode packed full of hope, information and encouragement. We hope you will get as much out of it as we did! Allies in Recovery has made these podcasts available to the public in the hopes that you will relate to the experiences described by Laurie and Annie, that you will learn from them and be reminded that you are not alone. http://alliesinrecovery.net/ is the online home for families dealing with a loved one's addiction. We teach the CRAFT method of intervention, based on communication techniques, self-awareness and bridge-building with your

This week's episode of Coming up for Air may have had some technical difficulty, but Laurie and Annie powered through it to welcome their guest The Alicia Cook! Alicia Cook is an established writer and award-winning activist from New Jersey. Her work has appeared on the Huffington Post, CNN, USA Today, Teen Vogue, and many more. She gained international attention with the publication of her essay “The Other Side of Addiction“, which explores how the family is affected by addiction. Cook is extremely active in her efforts to combat the heroin epidemic, including writing, podcast appearances, and speaking to students and their parents. PBS Executive Producer, Steve Rogers, created an episode of his Emmy-nominated documentary series, “Here’s the Story” around Cook and her efforts entitled “A Family Disease.” The episode was dedicated to Cook’s cousin, Jessica, who passed away from a drug overdose in 2006. The episode was officially selected in the New Jersey Recovery Film Festival in 2017. Become a member of Al

On this week's Coming up for Air, Laurie and Annie welcome guest Rob Koebel to discuss his past experiences with alcoholism and where he is in his recovery today. Koebel is an award-winning journalist, actor, writer, host and voice-over artist. His journalism work has been recognized by Emmy awards, Associated Press and an Edward R Murrow award. After experiencing a very public embarrassment, Rob has been making the climb upward and onward to help others see what is behind the face of the "Good Time Charlie" drinkers and the effects they may have on their Loved Ones. Great episode for those who know and love or might be someone who is known as the life of the party! Allies in Recovery offers affordable memberships to our exclusive member-only website. On our site, you will learn the CRAFT method which is an alternative to the conventional "intervention" so often seen on TV, and which simply fails to motivate our addicted loved ones, most of the time. Visit alliesinrecovery.net/ for more information, to sign

In today's episode, Laurie's son Tommy opens up about his experience with SUD. Listen to his moving account of surviving a terrifying overdose and his thoughts for teens and young adults. Tommy also elaborates on what he feels parents new to this situation ought to know... This is a strong, raw, realistic conversation that gives much insight and HOPE! Allies in Recovery offers affordable memberships to our exclusive member-only website. On our site, you will learn the CRAFT method which is an alternative to the conventional "intervention" so often seen on TV, and which simply fails to motivate our addicted loved ones, most of the time. Visit http://alliesinrecovery.net/ for more information, to sign up for Module 1 for free, or to join today!

On this week's Coming Up for Air podcast, Annie and Laurie talk with Annie's son Elliot, whose opiate dependency and recovery is detailed in Annie's book "Unhooked." Elliot opens up with an honest, raw perspective of where a son or daughter's mind might be while in active addiction, what would have helped from his point of view, what to not take personally as the parent of someone struggling deep in SUD. He also tells us what life looks like for someone in their 20's pursuing sobriety yet wanting a fun, active lifestyle. We hope you will gain lots of insight from this week's episode through the eyes of one who went to the depths of darkness in his addiction and found his way to treatment and recovery.• Become a member of Allies in Recovery today and learn a proven method for how to unblock the situation and guide your addicted loved one towards treatment: http://alliesinrecovery.net/

Can good possibly come in the midst of terrible crisis, chaos and despair? While Annie and Laurie agree that they wouldn't wish a loved one's struggling with SUD on any family, they also agree that it can prompt positive growth, pruning and weeding, purging and healthy family development. Strength can emerge from the depths of this adversity. This week's discussion revolves around personal growth that has come from facing the affliction of their sons' addiction. Both give examples of how their sons have matured into men and how society as a whole is being called to health, truth and compassion. Join in and send us your thoughts about this week's Coming Up for Air! For the full member package (eLearning for the family, specialized blogs, private journal, treatment resources...) join Allies in Recovery today! Learn more at http://alliesinrecovery.net/

Can good possibly come in the midst of terrible crisis, chaos and despair? While Annie and Laurie agree that they would wish a Loved One's struggling with SUD on no family, they also agree that it can prompt positive growth,pruning and weeding, purging and healthy family development. Strength can emerge from the depths of this adversity. This week's discussion revolves around personal growth that has come from facing the affliction of their sons' addiction. Both give examples of how their sons have matured into men and how society as a whole is being called to health, truth and compassion. Join in and send us your thoughts about this week's Coming Up for Air! Join us today to take advantage of the numerous benefits of being an Allies in Recovery member. Learn more at http://alliesinrecovery.net/

This week Annie and Laurie invite Laurie's husband Trevor and Annie's ex-husband Elliot Sr. to the podcast to discuss being on the same page during crisis and decisions. The conversation touches on blended families, exposing siblings to potentially dangerous behaviors, intrusions from others, being in agreement and being divorced-yet-not-divided. They all agree that division opens the door for manipulation.   Coming Up for Air brings together two inspiring moms, for thoughtful discussion of topics pertaining to addiction in the family. Both Annie Highwater and Laurie MacDougall have adult sons in recovery from opiate addiction. They also consider themselves to be in recovery, and have made self-care a central goal of their lives. Both use the CRAFT approach for addiction in the family. Allies in Recovery has made these podcasts available to the public in the hopes that you will relate to the experiences described by Laurie and Annie, that you will learn from them and be reminded that you are not alone. Alli

Laurie and Annie explore what it means to be triggered. Annie takes to the public to poll people about being triggered. Both give examples and explanations of how they perceive heated situations and how they are best dealt with. Laurie speaks, for example, about driving through a neighborhood that sparks the memory of her son's drug use, and how this can still produce anxiety for her. The episode ends with the topic of drinking reactivating the disease of addiction, and whether it's a trigger to drink around loved ones who have struggled with SUD. Join Allies in Recovery today and become part of a growing community of families learning how to become an ally to their addicted loved one. http://alliesinrecovery.net/

Annie and Laurie compare experiences of enabling use. They offer a short quiz on signs of enabling and discuss better ways of managing situations that might require lending a hand. To learn more about Allies in Recovery, the sponsor of Coming Up for Air, or to join our member site, visit AlliesinRecovery.net today. http://alliesinrecovery.net/ #enabling #addiction

Laurie and Annie elaborate on the effects and responses to surging emotions that are common when dealing with SUD and in other areas of human interaction. Why do we have feelings? And how much weight to we give them? To become a member of Allies in Recovery and learn CRAFT for the Family Member, visit AlliesinRecovery.net today! http://alliesinrecovery.net/ #emotions #SUD #feelings #addiction #opioids

This week, Annie and Laurie analyze the meaning of drama with examples from people asked in an entertaining poll in the public. Both discuss issues of drama within family, friendships, not getting sucked in and who at times can actually be drama!*** Coming Up for Air brings together two inspiring moms, for thoughtful discussion of topics pertaining to addiction in the family. Both Annie Highwater and Laurie MacDougall have adult sons in recovery from opiate addiction. They also consider themselves to be in recovery, and have made self-care a central goal of their lives. Both use the CRAFT approach for addiction in the family. Allies in Recovery offers affordable memberships to our exclusive member-only website. On our site, you will learn the CRAFT method which is an alternative to the conventional "intervention" so often seen on TV, and which simply fails to motivate our addicted loved ones, most of the time. Visit alliesinrecovery.net/ for more information, to sign up for Module 1 for free, or to join today