Accelerated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, online addiction treatment and recovery services have rapidly become more widely available. But how effective is virtual addiction care? Are patients showing up and staying connected? Are counselors seeing outcomes comparable to in-person care? Are health insurers covering online programs? Yes, yes and yes. Learn more as host William C. Moyers talks with Hazelden Betty Ford's Bob Poznanovich about promising new telehealth solutions for addiction....
Sep 16, 2020•20 min•Ep. 63
In the first chaotic days of the coronavirus pandemic, addiction treatment providers found themselves contending simultaneously with two potentially fatal illnesses: substance use disorders and COVID-19. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with Vic Vines, MD, a regional medical director at Hazelden Betty Ford, about pivots and precautionary measures taken to ensure patient and staff safety—and to keep the doors to lifesaving treatment open amid the pandemic.
Sep 02, 2020•15 min•Ep. 62
At age 12, Jennifer Storm was raped after drinking beer and passing out. Alcohol and drugs then became Storm's escape route from feelings of fear, shame and anger over the assault. She got sober at age 22 but recovery from sexual violence would be a longer haul. Storm's best-selling memoir, Blackout Girl , serves as a survivor's guide to healing from addiction and trauma. Listen in as she talks with host William C. Moyers about her recovery and how trauma-informed care can help other survivors....
Aug 26, 2020•24 min•Ep. 61
Known medically as "substance use disorder," addiction is a complex, chronic disease marked by compulsive alcohol/drug use that leads to actual changes in the brain. In other words, addiction involves more than the misuse of alcohol or other drugs. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with clinician Christopher Yadron about telltale signs of disease progression—physical, behavioral, social and spiritual indicators. His most important takeaway? Addiction is treatable and help is available....
Aug 19, 2020•18 min•Ep. 60
Former First Lady Betty Ford put a stunning new face on recovery in 1978 when she openly sought treatment for addiction. Four years later, she cofounded the Betty Ford Center to help other women, men and families find recovery. Daughter Susan Ford Bales tells host William C. Moyers about Betty Ford's healing work and advocacy—from providing top-quality patient care to establishing innovative services for children affected by addiction to educating medical students about substance use disorders....
Aug 05, 2020•19 min•Ep. 59
Far too many people who have addiction aren't getting the care they need and deserve. But advances in virtual services, outpatient care, targeted medicines and health care partnerships offer new paths forward in addiction treatment delivery and access. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with Mark Mishek, president of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Learn about telehealth solutions, clinical innovation counselor education and other efforts underway to reach and help more people.
Jul 15, 2020•14 min•Ep. 58
Nina O. knew all about addiction. As a child, she grew up in a family hurt by substance use. As a nurse, she recognized addiction as a chronic disease. And yet Nina thought she was somehow immune, even as she diverted narcotics from work to sustain her drug dependence. Listen in as Nina tells host William C. Moyers how shame and stigma kept her from admitting her truth and seeking help—and why other health care workers need to know treatment works and recovery is within reach.
Jul 01, 2020•13 min•Ep. 57
When a parent is in active addiction—no matter how they might try to hide the situation—a child can sense that something's wrong. Why is Mom sleeping all the time? Where has Dad gone? Without answers, kids tend to blame themselves for whatever's going on at home, says children's counselor Cynthia Galaviz-Olivas. Listen in as she talks with host William C. Moyers about self-care skills she teaches children who grow up with addiction in the family. Hint: Kids need to let out their feelings.
Jun 17, 2020•12 min•Ep. 56
What if a simple blood test indicated the most-effective treatment medication for individuals with alcohol or opioid addiction? "Biomarker" research underway by Mayo Clinic and Hazelden Betty Ford aims to provide that very insight. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with addiction psychiatrist Marvin D. Seppala, MD, about how these scientific investigations at the genetic and cellular level will inform precision treatment for patients and lead to development of new addiction medications....
Jun 03, 2020•12 min•Ep. 55
A self-described introvert thrust into an extrovert's job as the First Lady of North Dakota, Kathryn Burgum has clearly found her voice as a leading advocate for addiction recovery. Listen in as Burgum talks with host William C. Moyers about the intersection of her personal recovery experience and her public persona and platform. She explains why she's on a mission to eliminate stigma: every recovery story shared creates a pathway for others to find the help and support they need and deserve....
May 27, 2020•18 min•Ep. 54
As science further reveals the neurobiology of addiction, treatment providers are able to tailor increasingly customized care for patients. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with addiction psychiatrist Marvin D. Seppala, MD, about the most promising advancements in personalized treatment for substance use disorders. Learn how technology, genetics and predictive analytics can be used to help shape an individual's treatment course, from specific medicines to therapeutic approaches.
May 13, 2020•13 min•Ep. 53
Children who experience the trauma of parental addiction tend to blame themselves for what's happening. But caregivers and educators can help kids understand the truth: addiction is an illness that isn't caused by anything a child has done or not done. Listen in as host William C. Moyers asks children's therapist Jerry Moe about his work with Sesame Street in Communities to create developmentally appropriate messaging and resources to help kids everywhere who are impacted by parental addiction....
Apr 29, 2020•14 min•Ep. 52
Photojournalist, author, philanthropist and daughter of Former First Lady Betty Ford, Susan Ford Bales recounts the 1978 family intervention that led to her mother's treatment for addiction. Listen in as she tells host William C. Moyers the moving story behind the founding of the Betty Ford Center—her family's unconditional love, her mother's extraordinary courage, and the never-give-up legacy of healing and hope exemplified and endowed by Betty Ford.
Apr 08, 2020•17 min•Ep. 51
With her first sip of alcohol as a teen (tasted horrible, felt great), Holly S. discovered something she wasn't even looking for: a ready anesthetic for life. Listen in as Holly talks with host William C. Moyers about drinking away her college years while knowing, deep inside, she had a serious problem. Holly describes how her father's death gave her a second chance at life, why asking for help was the hardest part and what it's like when sobriety is your new normal at age 24 (hint: wonderful)....
Apr 01, 2020•13 min•Ep. 50
Tucker R. "crash-landed" into rehab at age 22. It was his fourth try at treatment, and this time, he was ready to do a few things differently. Like actually take suggestions. Listen in as Tucker talks with host William C. Moyers about what it's like to be a young man in recovery from alcohol and heroin addiction. He explains how he's found his people—as part a thriving collegiate recovery program—and why community and connection are so important in building his new, hope-powered life.
Mar 18, 2020•17 min•Ep. 49
For adolescents today, social media can amplify ordinary feelings of inadequacy or loneliness into fatalistic thinking and even an increased vulnerability to risky or harmful behaviors. What's a parent to do? Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with psychiatrist Joseph Lee, MD, about the convergence of cultural polarization, family stressors, technology and other influences on the health and well-being of youth, specifically in relation to mental health and substance use.
Mar 04, 2020•15 min•Ep. 48
Nearly one in three children in America grow up in homes impacted by addiction—and most have no idea that other kids wake up with the same worries every day. Sesame Street's newest Muppet, Karli, is helping millions of kids affected by parental addiction feel a little less alone. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with beloved children's advocate and clinician Jerry Moe, who collaborated on Karli's storyline and other resources to help kids and families heal from the hurt of addiction....
Feb 19, 2020•14 min•Ep. 47
While addiction is recognized as America's No. 1 public health problem, very few medical schools require or even offer education on substance use disorders. Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with three medical students who shadowed clinicians and patients during weeklong educational "residencies" at Hazelden Betty Ford treatment centers. The students share what they learned about the pervasive, complex and treatable disease of addiction—and how to best help future patients and their fami...
Feb 05, 2020•15 min•Ep. 46
Research reveals more every day about the complexities of addiction recovery, including the importance of sober support and relapse prevention strategies. Fortunately, new technologies put many of these game-changing recovery tools within reach for millions. Listen in as addiction clinician Janelle Wesloh talks with host William C. Moyers about the most promising innovations in recovery support—coaching, apps, tools and activities—and why daily encouragement is such a powerful motivator.
Jan 22, 2020•14 min•Ep. 45
Women are far less likely than men to access treatment for addiction, and women who do seek care are far more medically compromised by the time they enter rehab than their male counterparts. Addiction psychiatrist Kristen Schmidt, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about factors that influence the progression and treatment of substance use disorder among women. The doctor's advice for women in active addiction? Substance use disorder is a disease, and you are worthy of care and healing....
Jan 08, 2020•12 min•Ep. 44
The correlation between trauma and substance use disorders is off the charts. And it's a combination that complicates the addiction treatment and recovery process for many patients. Listen in as psychiatrist Kristen Schmidt, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about the use of trauma-informed practices in addiction treatment, approaches that take into account the different ways patients experience the symptoms of trauma. Concepts of safety, strength and worth are key to trauma-informed care....
Dec 18, 2019•15 min•Ep. 43
Treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction comes in many different varieties. So what are your best options when you or your loved one need help? Addiction recovery expert Christopher Yadron, PhD, joins host William C. Moyers to discuss today's most-effective addiction treatment programs, including: specific treatment modalities for opioid, alcohol and meth addiction, important mental health considerations, group therapy and other therapeutic approaches, relapse prevention and long-term reco...
Dec 04, 2019•18 min•Ep. 42
Emerging evidence shows a strong correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health issues—especially addiction—in adulthood. Psychiatrist Stephen Delisi, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about long-term effects of childhood trauma on health and resilience. Dr. Delisi explains why many clinicians now use a 10-question ACEs survey with patients to identify childhood risk factors including neglect, abuse and growing up in a family with addiction or mental illness....
Nov 27, 2019•12 min•Ep. 41
Job stress and emotional exhaustion among physicians, nurses, therapists, addiction counselors and other health care providers pose a major threat to quality care and patient safety. Listen in as educator and recovery advocate Joseph Skrajewski talks with host William C. Moyers about the prevalence of burnout syndrome in the health care field, including the increased risk of developing addiction. Learn the signs and symptoms of professional burnout as well as practical prevention strategies to e...
Nov 13, 2019•14 min•Ep. 40
Anyone who's watched as alcohol or other drugs take over a family member's life understands the dilemma: would an intervention help to turn things around, or might it make matters worse? Listen in as addiction clinician and intervention specialist Drew Horowitz talks with host William C. Moyers about the intervention process—what happens, who is typically involved, when to take action, how to prepare and what you need to know about treatment and recovery.
Oct 30, 2019•12 min•Ep. 39
Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with celebrated psychotherapist for the rich and famous, Paul Hokemeyer, PhD, about his book, Fragile Power: Why Having Everything Is Never Enough . Hokemeyer explains why insecurity, shame and emotional pain are part of the human condition, no matter the size of your fan base or bank account. More important, he shares that empathy (available to everyone) is the true super power because it fosters mutual understanding, connection and authenticity....
Oct 16, 2019•13 min•Ep. 38
When is a drinking problem actually addiction? What are the physical and psychological symptoms of alcohol dependence? Can genetics or family history predispose a person to alcohol addiction? Listen in as psychiatrist Stephen Delisi, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about the warning signs of alcohol use disorder (the term doctors now use for alcoholism), including physical and mental health symptoms, the process of withdrawal and effective treatment options.
Oct 02, 2019•16 min•Ep. 37
Listen in as host William C. Moyers talks with three young adults about the process of rebuilding their lives after struggling with the disease of addiction. Panelists describe how and why they made the turn away from addiction to seek help, and share the biggest lessons learned along the way—about shame, adversity, strength, perspective and gratitude. The best thing about getting clean and sober as a young adult? You can actually become the person you always wanted to be.
Sep 18, 2019•17 min•Ep. 36
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Johnny Solomon opens up with host William C. Moyers about the mix of self-doubt, addiction and undiagnosed bipolar disorder that led him further and further away from the person he wanted to be—and the healing he found (and continues to find) by reaching out for help and support. Now in long-term recovery, Solomon guides others along that healing path as an addiction and mental health counselor. An unexpected bonus of recovery: he's writing more music than ever....
Sep 04, 2019•21 min•Ep. 35
Listen in as three people in long-term recovery from addiction talk with host William C. Moyers about reclaiming their lives from alcohol and other drugs. With candor and humility, each describes the hope and healing they've experienced in Twelve Step recovery as well as the challenges they continue to navigate one day at a time. So what's the secret to staying sober? Hint: it has a lot to do with gratitude, giving back and being of service to others.
Aug 21, 2019•27 min•Ep. 34
