Living Free The Living Free Crew

This week on the Living Free show, Ann reads from the Al-Anon pamphlet A Merry-Go-Round Named Denial which outlines unhelpful ways well-meaning people surrounding alcoholics, including those closest to them, fall into unhelpful roles that contribute to the perpetuation of the illness.The pamphlet is available here https://al-anon.org.au/shop/a-merry-go-round-named-denial/If you would like to contact Al-Anon go to https://al-anon.org.au/. Here you will find lots of helpful information, including literature and lists of on-line and face-to-face meetings.You can also call them on 1300 252 666 During the month of June 3CR raises the funds required to keep the radio station on air. Please support the Living Free show by going here https://www.3cr.org.au/  and clicking the Donate button. 

Mitch introduces a roundup of latest news and initiatives relating to Drug and Alcohol issues in Australia and discusses them with Bill.Aus Alcohol Industry is suffering from less consumption than ever.Driving Trials for Medical Marijuana.New data indicates that Australia is projected to generate a staggering $15 billion in online gambling revenue in 2024.The Victorian Statewide Action Plan - a $95 million investment in the health and wellbeing of Victorians that will save lives in the CBD, suburbs and regions – it builds on services available at the existing Medically Supervised Injecting Room.$360 million over four years to expand the range of free mental health services, so that Australians get the right level of care.Show your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR’s June 2024 RADIOTHON  https://www.givenow.com.au/cr/3cr-living-free-2024-radiothMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (amrap.org.au):Ben Walker        Railway Train [https://amrap.org.au/release/ben-walker-railway-train]Gusto Gusto       Gorgon [https://amrap.org.au/release/gusto-gusto-gorgon]Mr Alford            Bury Me On This Hill [https://amrap.org.au/track/mr-alford-bury-me-on-this-hill]

Shaun, a Mununjali and Goorenpul man living with his family on Yuggara country, found recovery from addiction through SMART Recovery during a recovery retreat several years ago. It was the first recovery program that had spoken to him, showing the way through the problems of substance abuse that he felt he had been looking for. Realising that although personal substance abuse was the immediate issue, underneath was the emotional pain of multiple losses, dispossession and intergenerational trauma, Shaun is now devoting himself to working with YarnSMART, a program for First Nations people facing the same challenges. YarnSMART honours culture, country, community and the need for connection, while recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait wellbeing and healing has many components. https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au/courses?eventtemplate=100-yarn-smart-online-first-nations Radiothon is coming! Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate    

Rao Morusupalli is a comedian and part time astrophysics fan. He called in from Sydney to discuss what substance and alcohol use is like in Melbourne's standup comedy scene. 

Margie shares her story of beginning a poker machine dependency when her child first went to school. It was a relief from the responsibilities of single parenting and allowed her to forget about life’s pressures. Although it didn’t interfere with her work or life, gambling on the pokies meant that instead of having a comfortable life she was always working longer, just scraping by, getting into debt and going without for herself and her family.Her recovery started when she admitted the extent of her gambling to her parents, sought help through a counsellor and found support from other gamblers in Gambler's Help. Stopping gambling wasn’t easy but with the help of others trying to quit made it easier. Margie went on to help establish a successful Gambling Harm Recovery Group in West Heidelberg that has been running for nearly 6 years.Gambling Harm Recovery Group: at Banyule Community Health, 21 Alamein Street, West Heidelberg.  Group meetings are online on Tuesdays at 6:30pm and in-person on Thursdays at 6:30pm.  Contact person for group is Zara - 0419 272 497.Gambler's Help assists Victorians with free and confidential advice for people with gambling problems as well as those close to them who are affected by their gambling.  Online at gamblershelp.com.au or talk to someone about your gambling, call 1800 858 858.Not a Dollar More: a series of podcasts about gambling addiction, harm and recovery: notadollarmore.org.auShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (amrap.org.au):Ash Morse - Night of The Darkest [https://amrap.org.au/release/ash-morse-night-of-the-darkest-1] @18:16Jess Locke - The Place [https://amrap.org.au/track/jess-locke-the-place] @37:18Kim O'Leary - Dust to Diamonds [https://amrap.org.au/release/kim-oleary-dust-to-diamonds] @56:22

In this episode, Ann and Mitch chat about how Al-Anon works as a world wide organisation in which people whose lives have been affected by another's drinking support each other to solve their common problems.