Avoiding the Addiction Affliction

Westwords Consulting, LLC

When does it stop being a party and start becoming a problem? Is there a way to steer clear of addiction? Every Wednesday, Mike McGowan explores substance use disorders with expert guests.

  1. Sep 2

    "Recovery Requires All of Us" with Guida Brown

    This September is National Recovery Month. What better way to celebrate six years of this podcast than to discuss why recovery—real recovery—requires the individual's, the family's, and the community's efforts. Guida Brown initiated this podcast six years ago and today joins us as the Principal for Guided by Guida. She serves as a Community Relations Consultant for US Drug Testing Laboratories in Des Plaines, Illinois. She also serves as President of the board of Orchids FASD Services Wisconsin, the Wisconsin affiliate for FASD United. Guida is certified by the State of Wisconsin as a Substance Abuse Counselor and a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder trainer. She is also a Kenosha, Wisconsin, County Board Supervisor. She can be reached at https://guidedbyguida.guide/. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin. More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at One Pill Can Kill. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!

  2. Aug 19

    "Impairment to Imprisonment" with Joe Peterangelo and Liam Farin

    Joe Peterangelo and Liam Farin discuss a Wisconsin Policy Forum report about the rise in Wisconsin's Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) offense incarcerations. Joe has been a part of the Wisconsin Policy Forum's research team since 2011 and has served as its research director since July 2024. He has authored many impactful reports on economic, transportation, and housing issues in metro Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin, including several that have received awards from the national Governmental Research Association. Liam has a Master's Degree in Urban Planning from UW-Milwaukee and recently completed a Norman Gill Research Fellowship at Wisconsin Policy Forum. The Wisconsin Policy Forum and the report can be reached at: https://wispolicyforum.org/. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin. More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at One Pill Can Kill. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!

  3. Aug 5

    "Strong Fathers Making Healthy Homes" with Joshua Legg

    Joshua Legg says his goal is always the same: to equip men with tools that strengthen families and lighten the load for the professionals who serve them. Joshua Legg is the proprietor of Joshua Legg Coaching. He provides pastoral care and mental health coaching and serves as Chair of The Papillion Center for FASD in Tennessee. He is focused on helping men grow into their full potential through a supportive yet challenging approach. With a strong understanding of FASDs and early life adversity, he is committed to fostering healing in men and their families. Joshua can be reached at https://joshualeggcoaching.com/. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin. More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at One Pill Can Kill. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!

  4. Jul 22

    "GLP-1 Drugs, Promise and Performance" with Dr. Kim Dennis

    GLP-1 drug ads for weight loss are everywhere. The drugs, also, are now being studied for use in substance use disorder treatment and mental health disorders. Dr. Kim Dennis discusses GLP-1 receptor agonists and her work with treating eating disorders, addiction, trauma, and multi-occurring disorders. Dr. Dennis is the co-founder, CEO, and Chief Medical Officer at SunCloud Health. A board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in treating eating disorders, addiction, trauma, and multi-occurring disorders, she believes in and maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry, incorporating biological, psycho-social, and spiritual approaches into nuanced, individualized treatment plans. A renowned expert in her field, Dr. Dennis is published in the areas of food addiction, the use of medication with family-based therapy for young people with anorexia nervosa, co-occurring eating disorders and self-injury, and gender differences in the development of psychopathology. She also contributes regularly to news networks, such as ABC News and CNN; other national press, including "The Huffington Post" and "Chicago Tribune"; and online health communities, such as Web MD, dailystrength.org, expertbeacon.com, and her personal blog titled "Abundant Living by Dr. Kim." SunCloud Health and Dr. Dennis can be contacted at https://suncloudhealth.com/. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin. More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at One Pill Can Kill. The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Subscribe to Our Email List to get new episodes in your inbox every week!

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

When does it stop being a party and start becoming a problem? Is there a way to steer clear of addiction? Every Wednesday, Mike McGowan explores substance use disorders with expert guests.