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“Addiction Talk” is a live online talk show dedicated to sharing the personal stories of celebrities, influencers and everyday people impacted by addiction. Through sharing our personal journeys, we break the stigma and shame of addiction, and provide hope and inspiration for the millions of Americans battling this disease every day – because we recover together.
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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...
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 ...
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 ove...
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 popu...
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, ...
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 bec...
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 ...
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 f...
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 ac...
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,...
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 a...
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...
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 Overd...
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 a...
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 drink...
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: “Vulnerab...
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 G...
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 he...
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 o...
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.
1Symone 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 Furste...
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 Awarene...
Vic Vela is an award-winning journalist and reporter at Colorado Public Radio where he covers government and politics throughout the state. Vela is also the host of “Back from Broken,”a recovery podcast that features inspirational stories from people who have overcome their addictions and learned from adversity; an effort very close to him as he has more than six years in recovery himself. During Vic’s episode of Addiction Talk, he’ll speak about his 15-year addiction to cocaine, his HIV diag...
Former Laker and two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom will join addiction talk to speak candidly about his public battle with addiction. He will also chat about his new documentary, “Reborn,” where he shares his personal healing journey and some of the most challenging and painful times in his life.
Kassi Underwood – spiritual teacher, author, founder of The Practice, host of the podcast Big Energy, and the first-ever resident Meditation Advisor at Harvard – joins Addiction Talk to speak about her personal journey to healing. By utilizing The Practice, the result of fourteen years of spiritual, social, and psychological study, she was able to heal her addictions, depression and anxiety.
In a special midday edition of Addiction Talk, Army veteran Annette Whittenberger, Army veteran Steven Kuhn and AAC’s Chief of Staff and former Navy SEAL Dan Cerrillo will speak about the stigma of mental health among service members and veterans. Annette Whittenberger is a retired, disabled Army veteran of 17 years, a military spouse and mother of two. Today, her work consists of coaching others through PTSD, anxiety, depression and helping other men and women who struggle with their mental...
Tawny Lara (she/her) is a bisexual NYC-based writer, public speaker, and podcaster [podcasts.apple.com] who’s passionate about smashing stigmas associated with both sexuality and sobriety. She’s recently been dubbed “The Sober Sexpert”. Tawny’s words have been published in Men’s Health, the Huffington Post, and more; she’s the founder of SobrieTea Party and the host of Recovery Rocks podcast.
This episode of Addiction Talk will feature a panel of past and present NFL players, including Matthew Slater, Patrick Venzke and Derek Price, and the CEO of the NFL Alumni Association, Beasley Reece, speaking about the stigma of addiction within sports in general and among professional athletes. Matthew Slater is a special teamer for the New England Patriots and a three-time Super Bowl champion. Slater is one of the team’s most active community participants and regularly takes part in the t...
Kirstin Walker is the creator of the blog SoberBrownGirls.com, a safe and supportive space for other sober brown girls that is now a safe place for all sober women. In honor of Black History Month, Kirstin will join Addiction Talk to chat about addiction and her sober journey as a woman of color.
Nick Santonastassso has been defying limitations his entire life. He is one of four people in the world currently living with Hanhart syndrome, a very rare birth defect that resulted in him being born without legs and his right arm. Nick joins Addiction Talk to discuss overcoming the adversity he’s experienced in his life, including his brother’s recent passing from a drug overdose.
Chad’s life before active recovery has run the gamut — going in and out of treatment, being put on probation for a felony and being a new father who exposed his child to the world of drug abuse. It became so bad that he would choose to spend last $20 on drugs instead of buying his daughter diapers. The moment he realized that he needed to get help came when his daughter saw him at a true low. Before going into treatment he received the news that his fiancé was pregnant. He knew he...
Lauren Sisler is a multi national award-winning sports broadcaster working with ESPN, the SEC Network, and AL.com. Her journey was not always full of victories and celebrations. In 2003 as a freshman at Rutgers University, tragedy struck Lauren’s world when she unexpectedly lost both of her parents to their concealed battle with addiction. Through her grief and despair, Lauren found the courage to continue moving forward and find success. Lauren now shares her story across the country in ho...
Michelle talks about the significance of connecting with women of recovery from all over the world and talking about stepping out of their shame to speak their truth.
Michele’s long journey with addiction began when she was introduced to benzodiazepines. She became so addicted to them that she began forging prescriptions until she was caught and charged with a misdemeanor. Today she is grateful that she didn’t die as a result of her enormous pill intake.
Former BMX champion Tony Hoffman connects with American Addiction Centers to share the story of his journey from opioid addiction, homelessness, and prison, to getting sober, coaching the Olympic BMX team, and traveling the country to spread his message of recovery from the disease of addiction.
For anyone who has experienced the trauma of a parent with an addiction, it can cause a lot of pain, anguish, and distrust within the entire family. And as a child, it’s extremely hard to understand why a parent won’t stop using drugs or alcohol. Even after a parent has gotten sober, the resentment and anger can easily become lifelong baggage and negatively influence your own life and relationships for years down the road. Kassie recently partnered with American Addiction Centers for a ...
Mason always told himself that he would never be a heroin addict. When he turned 18 he was kicked out of his house for cutting his hair because his parents didn’t approve of him being transgender. Moving in with his girlfriend, the two started doing Xanax together. About two weeks in, Mason was in a Xanax blackout and woke up smoking heroin. Forced into treatment, Mason’s only motivation to go was knowing that if he didn’t his car and other possessions would be taken from him. Mason kne...
During active addiction, Jordan did things that he wasn’t proud of in order to survive. He lost pieces of himself along the way, until he eventually got fed up. He was tired of the way that nothing in his life seemed worthwhile and wanted to feel the way he did back when he attended his first AA meeting. Going into treatment, Jordan felt powerless but soon became enthralled in meetings, making connections, and sharing secrets. Today Jordan is confident, and the future looks promising to him. ...
When Jordan looks back on life before addiction, he realizes there was not one huge event that led him into addiction. He was just a kid longing for a stable household while living out of bags and blankets. He had too much freedom and did whatever his friends did in order to feel accepted. On a daily basis, Jordan could be found carrying out his so called ‘rituals’ – rolling up weed, cutting up cocaine, and mixing whiskey. It was completely normal to him. However, this behavior turned destruc...
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 o...
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...
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 t...
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 fo...
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 o...
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 d...
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