Fentanyl, which is an opioid, has quickly become one of the biggest problems the United States is facing. The potency of the drug coupled with the ease of getting it has made it the first choice for many people suffering from substance abuse disorder. The rise of eCommerce and social media has made it very difficult for law enforcement to stop its abuse. Information is power! Learning about the current drug crisis can help you protect and inform those that are close to you about Fentanyl. It can also help you understand how to help those who are already addicted to this dangerous drug. We all have a role to play for progress to be made in the fight against Fentanyl. Today, I’ll share with you a couple of things about Fentanyl and the impact that it is having on our society. I’ll also share with you why the current opioid crisis is scary. In This Episode You Will Learn:<ul><li>What Fentanyl is and what it is used for (02:21)</li><li>Some Fentanyl street names (04:06)</li><li>Effects of Fentanyl (04:51)</li><li>What law enforcement is losing in the battle against Fentanyl (06:46)</li></ul> Let’s Connect!<ul><li><a href="mailto:donnahughes5@outlook.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email</a></li></ul>

The Dangers of Fentanyl

One of the challenges of having a family member struggling with a substance abuse disorder is the feeling of alienation from your community. You feel that people are judging you negatively because of what your loved one is going through.&nbsp; That is why support groups for people who are in the same position are important. They help you feel supported and accepted despite what you are going through. Aid fellowship groups such as Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) allow those struggling with addiction to feel loved and supported without judgment. Their program is based on those struggling with addiction helping one another. This is effective because the people who are helping understand exactly where those struggling with addiction are. Today, I’ll share a little bit about AA and the progress I have made in reconnecting to myself since the last episode. In This Episode You Will Learn:<ul><li>The story behind the founding of the AA aid fellowship (11:52)</li><li>The first step of the 12 steps in AA (02:43)</li><li>The importance of finding groups with a common denominator (06:11)</li><li>Donna’s progress since the sixth episode (09:32)</li></ul> Let’s Connect!<ul><li><a href="mailto:donnahughes5@outlook.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email</a></li></ul>

The Power to Change

If you cannot take care of yourself first, you cannot take care of someone else! If you are taking care of someone with a substance abuse disorder, remember to create enough space for self-care. Give that person you are taking care of an opportunity to see you enjoy life and have fun without using any drugs. You are a role model and you need to paint the other side of addiction as a stable, fulfilling place. Sometimes, constantly worrying and taking of a person fighting addiction can make you forget about the things that brought you joy. However, you should work to reclaim that joy because you need it, and the world needs it too. Today, I’ll share with you the things I’m planning to do as part of reconnecting to myself. I’ll also share more about what triggered this important journey that I’m on.&nbsp; In This Episode You Will Learn:<ul><li>How addiction has impacted my life (0:51)</li><li>The unusual point my therapist pointed out (02:53)</li><li>How I plan to reclaim the things that brought me joy (06:05)</li></ul> Let’s Connect!<ul><li><a href="mailto:donnahughes5@outlook.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email</a></li></ul>

Reconnecting To Self

When is it okay to say enough is enough? Many people who have families or loved ones struggling with substance abuse disorder have asked themselves this question many times. That’s because it is very frustrating to watch an addict spiral when it feels like they are intentionally working against themselves and the hope you have for them. When love doesn’t seem to work and it starts to feel like enabling, most people opt for tough love. This involves setting boundaries and letting the addict face the consequences of their actions with the hope they’ll find redemption one way or the other. However, most counselors agree that while love and support are important for the addict, boundaries are also important for those who love them. Today, I’m joined by Rick Flanagan, a counselor within <a href="https://insynergystl.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">INSynergy Drug &amp; Alcohol Rehab Treatment Center</a> in St. Louis, Missouri. Having overcome a substance abuse disorder himself, he now helps people battling addiction. We’ll have an in-depth conversation about how to deal with loved ones struggling with substance abuse disorder.&nbsp; Tune in to this fifth episode of Zero Stigma and learn more about the challenges of loving someone with a substance use disorder. In This Episode You Will Learn:<ul><li>Rick shares his background and how he become a counselor (00:50)</li><li>Rick shares his thoughts on where to draw the line between enabling and loving (03:27)</li><li>His views on setting boundaries and using tough love (08:11)</li><li>How mental health issues complicate addiction (12:49)</li><li>Rick’s advice to families struggling with substance abuse disorders (18:03)</li></ul> Connect with Rick Flanagan<ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-flanagan-a0538565" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://insynergystl.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">INSynergy Drug &amp; Alcohol Rehab Treatment Center</a></li></ul> Let’s Connect!<ul><li><a href="mailto:donnahughes5@outlook.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email</a></li></ul>

Tough Love vs. Just Love with Rick Flanagan

Giving grace is going out of our way to show compassion and kindness to someone else even if they may not appreciate it. To friends and families of people who are fighting a substance abuse disorder, this is something they can’t do without. At times, the only thing better than yelling, cutting off financially, or kicking out someone, is just giving grace. None of us is perfect and yet God still gives us his grace without expecting anything in return. Even though it is difficult, I suggest you do the same to someone else too because everyone needs to feel loved. It'll lighten your load and let them know that they are not alone on their difficult journey. Today, I’ll share with you a recent experience that I had with my son and how showing him grace lightened my load. You’ll get to hear about the incidences that had taken place that weekend and how they had all pushed me to the edge. Additionally, I’ll share with you a self-care recommendation that will help you to keep on believing. In This Episode You Will Learn:<ul><li>Definition of ‘the point of no return’ (03:07)</li><li>My neighbor’s mailbox incidence (04:11)</li><li>How a Facebook post me re-evaluate my approach (09:05)</li><li>A self-care recommendation (14:26)</li></ul> Let’s Connect!<ul><li><a href="mailto:donnahughes5@outlook.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email</a></li></ul>

Easing your Burden by Giving Grace to Others

Being a caregiver to someone fighting a substance abuse disorder is very difficult and can sometimes be overwhelming. You need to find people who have experience in it and can offer you essential advice on how to approach that role. There is a thin line between being a helper and an enabler, and such people will teach you how to stay in your lane. You also have to practice self-care because your life is just as important - your mental and physical health matters.&nbsp; Keeping the conversation on substance abuse alive is important because it increases the support options for all those who are impacted. This is a problem that needs to be approached from all possible avenues so as to create maximum positive impact. Today, I’m joined by Rebecca Shea. She’ll share with us her son’s fight with addiction and how it impacted him. You'll also find out how it impacted her family and the role her support group played during that difficult period. Additionally, she’ll share with us her opinion on what more needs to be done to help those affected by substance abuse. Tune in to this third episode of Zero Stigma and learn more about the challenges of loving someone with a substance use disorder. In This Episode You Will Learn:<ul><li>Why Kyle started using prescription drugs (01:51)</li><li>His first experience in residential treatment (07:47)</li><li>How he started using Heroine (10:53)</li><li>Why he had to be taken to a mental hospital (30:02)</li><li>Why we need to keep the substance abuse conversation alive (39:34)</li></ul> Let’s Connect!<ul><li><a href="mailto:donnahughes5@outlook.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email</a></li></ul>

The Darkest Side of Addiction: A mother’s Perspective

Substance abuse is a complex problem that impacts the person with the disorder as well as those close to them. It is painful to watch a person you love deal with addiction knowing that the best you can do for them can’t save them. Yes, you can be there to offer support but ultimately, recovery is a process that only they can take and commit to. It is important to remember that, you can’t pour from an empty cup. You need to take care of yourself by being present, being in the moment, and having gratitude for each today.&nbsp; Do things that bring you joy and laughter because you deserve to also experience life to its fullest. Today, I’ll share with you some lessons I learnt from the book, “Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change.” I will also share some of my recent personal experiences with my son who has a substance abuse disorder. Additionally, you’ll hear about the importance of self-care even as you go through challenging times. Tune in to this second episode of Zero Stigma and learn more about the challenges of loving someone with a substance use disorder. In This Episode You Will Learn:<ul><li>Why substance abuse problems are complex (03:48)</li><li>A conversation between Donna and her son (05:10)</li><li>A situation that pushed her anger over the edge (06:59)</li><li>The importance of being present today (11:45)</li></ul> Let’s Connect!<ul><li><a href="mailto:donnahughes5@outlook.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email</a></li></ul>

The Importance of Setting Boundaries and Self-Care

Welcome to Zero Stigma! I am your host, Donna Hughes, and I am excited to connect with you and have no-judgment conversations about the difficulties and lessons that come with loving someone with a substance use disorder.&nbsp;&nbsp;In this first episode, I am sharing with you why I am incredibly passionate about creating an open conversation about loving someone who struggles with substance abuse. Substance use disorder does not discriminate; it has touched every single socio-economic class, race, gender, age – you name it. I hope that speaking about my journey will help others in a similar situation, educate more people about the nuances of substance use disorder, and initiate change.&nbsp;Throughout this episode, you will learn about the loved one in my life who struggles with substance use disorder. I am extremely transparent in describing the challenges that loving someone who abuses substances has had on my life and why I am compelled to share my experiences.&nbsp;Tune in to the first episode of Zero Stigma to hear how substance use disorder has impacted my family.&nbsp;In This Episode You Will Learn:<ul><li>Why I decided to start this podcast (1:00)</li><li>About my loved one with a substance abuse disorder (2:59)</li><li>Some statistics about substance use disorder (6:14)</li><li>What I have learned about self-care (8:47)</li></ul>

Zero Stigma

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