Recovery Is Possible
268 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago -Michael has seen first-hand the devastating effects of addiction on the public, his profession, and himself. Michael began his career as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy. After eight years, he became a Corrections Officer, Washington DC Police Officer, and then FBI Agent. In 2010, Michael became an instructor at the FBI Academy. In 2013, he created a course titled “Leading At-Risk Employees” geared toward Police Executives to help them understand alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, PTSD, suicide, and domestic violence as it relates to policies and procedures for their agencies worldwide. In 2019, Michael retired from the FBI but his passion for helping others continued. In August 2022, he graduated with a Master’s in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. He currently works full-time as a Behavioral Health Therapist at a large nonprofit hospital. Pulling from his personal and professional experience, Michael shares his thoughts on this sensitive, complex, and controversial subject.
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Episodes
Episode 13 - Back To Basics
August 27, 2020 04:49 - 16 minutes - 13.3 MBIt seems we are forgetting about the basics of recovery in meetings. I discuss my observations and thoughts on why the basics are so important.
Episode 12 - Quit Cold Turkey or Not
August 20, 2020 05:23 - 19 minutes - 16.6 MBMany people ask whether it is a good idea to quit a substance Cold Turkey. In this episode I discuss my thoughts on this subject.
Episode 11 - What Is a Bottom?
August 09, 2020 01:05 - 12 minutes - 10.5 MBI get asked about what the meaning of a "bottom" is frequently. Here is an explanation of the term.
Episode 10 - Addiction Stigma: Choice vs. Disease
August 05, 2020 17:44 - 20 minutes - 16.8 MBMany people struggle with whether addiction is a choice or a disease. I address my thoughts on this subject.
Episode 9 - Tips for the First Year of Sobriety
August 01, 2020 05:05 - 21 minutes - 17.9 MBDiscussion on tips for how to help yourself achieve the first year of sobriety.
Episode 9 - Tips For The First Year Of Sobriety
August 01, 2020 05:05 - 21 minutes - 17.9 MBDiscussion about tips for how to help yourself achieve the first year of sobriety.
Episode 8 - Non-Alcoholic Beer Is for Non-Alcoholics
July 30, 2020 03:09 - 12 minutes - 9.84 MBPeople in early recovery wonder if they can drink non-alcoholic beer. Here on my thoughts on that.
Episode 8 - Non-Alcoholic Beer Is For Non-Alcoholics
July 30, 2020 03:09 - 12 minutes - 9.84 MBPeople in early recovery wonder if they can drink non-alcoholic beer. Here on my thoughts on that.
Episode 7 - Staying Stopped Is The Key
July 30, 2020 02:37 - 13 minutes - 11.2 MBYou go to treatment to stop drinking safely. Once you stop, you have to be engaged in a program and lifestyle that keeps you from starting again.
Episode 7 - Staying Stopped Is the Key
July 30, 2020 02:37 - 13 minutes - 11.2 MBTreatment helps alcoholics to safely stop drinking. Once stopped, alcoholics need to be engaged in a program and lifestyle that keeps them from starting up again.
Episode 6 - The Alcohol Allergy
July 27, 2020 04:41 - 16 minutes - 13.9 MBI discuss the term "allergy" when it comes to the alcoholic. What is its origin and what does it mean?
Episode 5 - Structure
July 26, 2020 06:10 - 14 minutes - 11.9 MBStructure is vital to success in early recovery.
Episode 4 - Comparing In vs. Comparing Out
July 25, 2020 04:37 - 12 minutes - 10.1 MBPeople often attend 12-Step meetings and try to rationalize how different they are from others rather than looking at how they suffer from the same disease.
Episode 3 - The Five Year Cycle
July 24, 2020 19:28 - 22 minutes - 19.7 MBI describe the five year cycle of recovery and how to anticipate the changes you will experience.
Episode 2 - This Is not a High Speed Program
July 24, 2020 04:02 - 13 minutes - 11.2 MBRecovery takes time, and you need to be patient. Progress rather than perfection, but the one thing you must do perfectly is to not take that first drink or drug.
Episode 2 - This is not a High Speed Program
July 24, 2020 04:02 - 13 minutes - 11.2 MBWe are in this for the long haul. Recovery takes time, and you need to be patient. Progress rather than perfection, but the one thing you must do perfectly is not take a drink or drug.
Episode 1 - The role of Al-Anon in helping family members deal with addiction
July 24, 2020 00:43 - 19 minutes - 15.5 MBMichael's first guest discusses how Al-Anon helped her cope with her husband's drinking.
Episode 1 - The Role of Al-Anon in Helping Family Members Deal with Addiction
July 24, 2020 00:43 - 19 minutes - 15.5 MBMy first guest discusses how Al-Anon helped her cope with her husband's drinking. Find out more about Al-Anon at al-anon.org.