70. Danny Passafiume: From Cop to Recovery

Danny Passafiume has had an extensive career in law enforcement, moving from corrections, to the local Sheriff's Department, and then to a local municipality.  While his house looked in order from the outside, he successfully hid an alcohol addiction from family, friends and colleagues for decades. As his life slowly spiraled out of control, Danny expanded his addiction to opiate prescriptions and got involved in a healthcare fraud scheme to which he recently pleaded guilty and, as of the publication of this podcast, is awaiting sentencing that could include jail time.  

So why is Danny on this podcast  talking about it?  He wants to the set the record straight as to how - and why - he went from a successful police officer to pleading guilty to healthcare fraud.  Danny's path, including the success and the failures, have lead him where he is now.  He shares his story and explains why he is just the person to help others struggling with addiction to have hope.  

Included in this conversation: 

What it's really like to work in law enforcement
Getting his street smarts on the job
Working in corrections as a 21-year-old
Getting accustomed to working with inmates 
Learning prison culture 
Learning how to assert himself with the inmates 
Cops that go rogue
How the code of blue works
Prevalence of PTSS/PTSD on the job
The realities of police work 
Humor as a coping mechanism
Struggling in secret with addiction
Adjusting to police work with body cams
Back injury and opportunistic drug addiction
Looking back on being an alcoholic his whole adult life
Sneaking alcohol and hiding it from everyone
Evolution of his alcohol and drug addiction
Coming to terms with being an addict
Shifting from blame to personal responsibility 
Taking responsibility for his divorce and his life 
The damage of staying together for the kids
Is addiction the problem or a symptom?
Recognizing your pain
Addiction as the symptom of a larger problem
Danny's vision for the future 

Danny hopes his story will help others who are struggling with addiction, or their loved ones, understand the nature of addiction.  Danny welcomes your comments and questions. You can email him here: [email protected] 

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If you are interested in being on Wake Up Call or have a pitch, email me here: [email protected] 

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