Lean on Me is purely focused at providing support to the family & friends who are supporting loved ones suffering an alcohol, drug or gambling addiction or a related mental illness.
As your host and someone who has over 20 years of ‘lived experience’ with cocaine addiction, multiple rehab visits, couch surfing, reaching absolute rock bottom, and even an attempt on ending my life, I was fortunate enough to survive those very dark days all thanks to some unique and special human beings: my family and friends, the carers or as we also call them, your tribe.
I’ve created this podcast series because I came to realise that my family and friends really had no understanding of an addicts’ mindset and especially the mindset around survival when in an addictive state of mind – they also had no education and information to support them in how to deal with me and the situation I was in and they didn’t know where to look or what to do for help.
So, I’ve made it my purpose to provide a platform where you can hear from others sharing their own real-life stories and experiences; the good, the bad, the ugly, where they made mistakes and where they had wins. The purpose of this podcast is that you get some learnings from others with lived experiences that can help you in your journey moving forward.
Resources available:
Family Drug and Gambling Help (Victoria) - 1300 660 068 or www.sharc.org.au/sharc-programs/family-drug-gambling-help (http://www.sharc.org.au/sharc-programs/family-drug-gambling-help)
Family Drug Support (National) - 1300 368 186 or www.fds.org.au (http://www.fds.org.au/) and www.fds.org.au/coping-tips/setting-boundaries/ (http://www.fds.org.au/coping-tips/setting-boundaries/)
Directline (Victoria) - 1800 888 236 or www.directline.org.au (http://www.directline.org.au/)
AOD pathways - www.directline.org.au/aod-pathways (http://www.directline.org.au/aod-pathways)
Counsellingonline - www.counsellingonline.org.au (http://www.counsellingonline.org.au/)
National Alcohol and Drug Hotline - 1800 250 015
1800 Ice Advice (Victoria) - 1800 423 238
Cracks in the Ice – www.cracksintheice.org.au/ (http://www.cracksintheice.org.au/)
1800 Respect (National) – 1800 737 732 or www.1800respect.org.au (http://www.1800respect.org.au/)
Youth Drugs and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) - https://yodaa.org.au (https://yodaa.org.au/)
Youth Support & Advocacy Service (YSAS) - https://ysas.org.au (https://ysas.org.au/)
Mental Health Support
Mental health care plans - www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mental-health-care-and-medicare?context=60092 (http://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mental-health-care-and-medicare?context=60092)
Mental Health First Aid: www.mhfa.com.au (http://www.mhfa.com.au/) and some factsheets/guidelines: www.mhfa.com.au/mental-health-first-aid-guidelines (http://www.mhfa.com.au/mental-health-first-aid-guidelines)
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au (http://www.beyondblue.org.au/)
Black Dog Institute: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au (http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/)
Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Sane: www.sane.org/ (http://www.sane.org/)
Headspace: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au (http://www.headspace.org.au/) 1
Alcohol and Drug Foundation (Drug Facts) www.adf.org.au/drug-facts/ (http://www.adf.org.au/drug-facts/)
In today’s episode I talk with Robert Rushford from 'Release My Super' who will provide you with some insights into gaining access to financial support through superannuation.
In our chat, you’ll learn about:
What does compassionate access to your super actually mean
What is the process we need to go through to get it
How the company behind it, which coincidently is called ‘Release My Super’, removes the barriers to help you
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
10 Sept 2023
Brotherhood, guilt and dealing with the loss of your big brother 15-years on
In today’s episode I talk with Justin who shares with us the brother he had growing up, the party boy he turned into, making tough decisions, living with guilt, the importance of your own family and surrounding yourself with the right support.
In our chat, you’ll discover:
The family bond growing up
How enablers and image can change us
The guilt behind not doing enough
How tough decisions are hard to make
Still coming to terms with acceptance
Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains some content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on drug use and alcohol.
If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
27 Aug 2023
The importance of family, communication and support
In today’s episode I talk with Steve who shares with us his journey in dealing with not only his son Nathan, but dealing with his blended family.
In our chat, you’ll discover:
The importance of focusing on your own health and wellbeing
Building a support network around you
Remaining strong and focused
How (family) communication and working your way through it is so important
Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains some content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on drug use.
If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
13 Aug 2023
‘Drawing a line in the sand with two mates finally breaking bread’
In this episode I chat with my old best mate Tony as we discuss for the first time my cocaine addiction and why he had to park me and the effect it had on his family.
It’s a bit of a different format compared to our normal podcast chats but worth a listen as I learn a bit more about what a dickhead I was towards those who cared about me during my own addiction and I hope that you also may take some learnings from a family & friends perspective in understanding the mindset of someone in an addictive state.
In our chat, you’ll discover:
The importance of mates ‘finally’ actually talking about addiction
How family is No.1
The addicts survival traits and hiding the truth
The long journey for the family & friends
Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers suicide and substance abuse.
If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
30 Jul 2023
The importance of educating yourself around drug and gambling addiction
In today’s episode we talk with Candice who shares with us her journey in dealing with and supporting her twin brother and why learning from your mistakes is so important.
In our chat, you’ll discover:
The twin brother I had and the twin brother I now have
The bond between twins
How we put so much focus on hope vs helping ourselves
Enabling or supporting an addict without realising the consequences
Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on drug use and gambling.
If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 and Gamblers Helpline on 1800 858 858
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
16 Jul 2023
How many times is enough
In this episode we talk with David who shares with us his journey in dealing with his sisters alcoholism and her 15+ trips to rehabs
In our chat, you’ll discover:
Blood is thicker than water
The importance to look after yourself
The enablers
And Hope
Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers alcohol, some substance abuse and depression.
If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
2 Jul 2023
The squeaky wheel gets the oil
In this episode we talk with Melissa who shares with us her journey in dealing with her brother's drug issues and the anxiety and trust issues within the family.
In our chat, you’ll discover:
Blood is thicker than water
Drawing the ‘line in the sand’ moment
Feeling safe
The importance of your own support group
Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers alcohol and some substance abuse.
If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
18 Jun 2023
You’re only as happy as your unhappiest Child?
In today’s episode we have a chat with Katrina who shares with us her long journey in dealing with her son's mental health issues from a young age, with a combination of schizophrenia and drug use psychosis.
In our chat you’ll discover:
the effect it had on the family
how they had to navigate the system to get help
what it means to feel safe
planning ahead.
Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on trauma and drug use.
If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 or Family Drug Support on 1300 368 186. For more information about support services available to you, visit our website https://www.podpage.com/lean-on-me/ (https://www.podpage.com/lean-on-me/)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
18 Jun 2023
‘Acceptance and letting go of something that you can’t control is OK’
In today’s episode we talk with Sarah who shares with us her long journey in dealing from afar with a friend's significant ongoing battles with alcoholism.
In our chat, you’ll discover:
The effect that trauma causes us with addiction
Supporting a friend
The importance of connection and educating yourself around the meaning of addiction
Acceptance of someone’s addiction provides you with peace
Just a heads-up and warning that this episode contains content which may be triggering for some of you as it covers discussions on trauma and alcoholism.
If you would like to speak to someone to get support you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14. For more information about support services available to you, visit our website https://www.podpage.com/lean-on-me/ (https://www.podpage.com/lean-on-me/)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
1 Jun 2023
Lean on Me: Introduction
Lean on Me is purely focused at providing support to the family & friends who are supporting loved ones suffering an alcohol, drug or gambling addiction or a related mental illness.
As your host and someone who has over 20 years of ‘lived experience’ with cocaine addiction, multiple rehab visits, couch surfing, reaching absolute rock bottom, and even an attempt on ending my life, I was fortunate enough to survive those very dark days all thanks to some unique and special human beings: my family and friends, the carers or as we also call them, your tribe.
I’ve created this podcast series because I came to realise that my family and friends really had no understanding of an addicts’ mindset and especially the mindset around survival when in an addictive state of mind – they also had no education and information to support them in how to deal with me and the situation I was in and they didn’t know where to look or what to do for help.
So, I’ve made it my purpose to provide a platform where you can hear from others sharing their own real-life stories and experiences; the good, the bad, the ugly, where they made mistakes and where they had wins. The purpose of this podcast is that you get some learnings from others with lived experiences that can help you in your journey moving forward.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
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