Treatment providers spend significant amounts of time having vulnerable conversations with people but rarely share their own stories. On this final episode of the first season of “Rethinking Rock Bottom”, hosts Dr. Carrie Wilkens and Reverend J

Race and Substance Use— One Harlem-Raised Black Woman’s Journey from Trauma Victim to Community Advocate

Feb 9th, 2024 36m 53s

“When we start attending to our wounds, our need to self-medicate the pain lessens, and the healing can finally begin.” On this episode, we talk with Dr. Felecia Pullen, the founder, President, and CEO of Pillars and Let’s Talk SAFETY, Inc. In

Hitting the Pause Button — Dave and Tina Learn How to Support Their Son Through a Mental Health Crisis

Jan 12th, 2024 42m 57s

This episode we speak with Dave and Tina, parents whose son, Craig, struggled with his mental health from a young age. As he got older, substances entered the picture as well. When Dave and Tina tried to help, they found themselves ping-ponging

Grief & Self Compassion —A Mother's Journey to Reconnecting with Her Daughter

Dec 8th, 2023 37m 29s

Warning: This episodes discusses the loss of a child due to a substance related death. When Becky’s daughter Katie began struggling with substances, Becky was repeatedly told by friends, family and professionals to disconnect and let her hit ro

Ambivalence Is Normal — Approaching Substance Use from the Sibling Perspective with Meg and Stephen

Nov 10th, 2023 39m 5s

Watching a loved one struggle with substances is always confusing and painful, but from the perspective of a sibling, it can be particularly hard to understand. Even though siblings often notice the substance use before the rest of the family,

Focusing on Self-Awareness — A Mother’s Transformation Alongside Her Son

Oct 13th, 2023 44m 32s

Far more effective than shaming and blaming, a willingness to remain open and supportive has the power to strengthen relationships with loved ones who are on the road to recovery from substances. But that is only possible when you are willing