Let's Talk Addiction & Recovery

Latest Episodes:

What to Make of Ketamine: Dangerous Drug or Miracle Medicine? May 04, 2022

Show notes

Ketamine is the source of some controversy: it works wonders for depression, and fast. But it's also addictive and potentially triggering for people in recovery. It's proven to effectively treat severe depression that won't respond to other medications. But because it affects so many receptor sites in the brain, and because it causes hallucinations and other psychedelic effects, there's a lot to consider. Former Chief Medical Officer Marvin Seppala, MD, joins host William C. Moyers to discuss.

Life After Birth: What to Do About Postpartum Depression and How to Find Help Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

It's common for moms to feel a little "off" after giving birth—the hormonal changes can cause something called the "baby blues," where mom is a little sadder than usual. But another possibility is postpartum depression, which interrupts the mom's mood for an extended period of time, making it hard to get out of bed or care for herself and her newborn. How can she start to feel better without self-medicating? Host William C. Moyers invited Chief Medical Officer Alta DeRoo, MD, to weigh in.

Opioid Prevention: How to Help Teens Flourish and Make Healthier Decisions Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

How can we prevent opioid and drug use among teens? We can dispel the myths around alcohol and nicotine use. We can show them the data, and teach them about the countless effects to the mind and body. We can hold 60 one-minute conversations, rather than one 60-minute conversation, and encourage teens to choose their health and happiness above all else. Want to get started? Tune in for this conversation between prevention specialist Ian Groves and host William C. Moyers.

Youth Mental Health: How to Help Young People through the Lingering Pandemic Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

The pandemic has affected everyone, but young people have been particularly vulnerable to its mental health effects. Teens have been trapped at home and isolated from their friends during a life stage where they seek to express individuality. They've been cut off from academics, extracurriculars and hobbies like never before, and they feel bombarded by rules and regulations. How can adults help out? Dr. Sara Polley sits down with host William C. Moyers to discuss.

What Can You Expect to Happen during the Treatment Process? Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

The prospect of entering into addiction treatment can be wildly intimidating. Many don't know what to expect from their treatment experience, and they may delay or avoid the process if they can't picture what's to come. What do those early days in treatment look like? How is addiction treated, and how is a person made to feel comfortable? Those questions and more are answered by Vice President Tessa Voss and Clinical Director Cecelia Jayme. Tune in.

How to Choose the Right Treatment Program for You and Your Family Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

Searching for the right treatment program can be overwhelming. It's unfamiliar territory, and it's hard to know who to trust or which information to attend to. "How will we pay for treatment? Why do those mental health services matter? What will keep my loved one safe and sober?" The questions are endless. To simplify the process, Vice President Tessa Voss and Clinical Director Cecelia Jayme sit down with host William C. Moyers to answer those questions and more. Tune in.

How to Keep Kids Healthy: Honest Conversations and Modern Prevention Plans Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

Much has changed in the world of prevention since the days of "Just Say No." Now the conversation is nuanced and fact-based, and the methodologies are backed up by data. Kids are given the information, and then they're trusted to make the healthy decision. How else has prevention evolved? How do we empower kids to make the healthy choice? Tune in for this fascinating conversation between Deirdre Flynn, manager of Hazelden Betty Ford's Prevention Solutions, and host William C. Moyers.

The Chance to Be a Kid Again, and an Era of Wonderment, Healing and Love Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

The Children's Program is a delicate balancing act: it has to respect the gravity of addiction, but it also needs to be a safe space for healing—for having fun and being a kid again. That balancing act was perfected through the years by director Jerry Moe. And now that he's retiring, he reflects on the program's importance with host William C. Moyers, sharing some of his fondest memories that he and those children will cherish forever, and making room for the next generation of hope and healing.

Champions for Children: Jerry Moe's Legacy and Alliance with First Lady Betty Ford Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

After announcing his retirement, Jerry Moe, the national director of the Children's Program, revisits the incredible impact the program has made for countless children and families. He recounts Mrs. Betty Ford's vision and involvement, and her hopeful words to Jerry all those years ago: "This is really important. We have an opportunity to transform people's lives." And indeed they did. Tune in to hear the full story, the lasting legacy Jerry will leave and where the program is headed next.

The Family Grieving Process: How to Heal and Find Meaning within the Madness Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

Sara Polley, MD, watched her dad struggle with addiction for much of her life, and she had grown to expect bad news. When she learned of his death, some part of her felt relieved—his suffering was finally done, and he had found peace. Now she serves as a medical director for Hazelden Betty Ford, and she speaks with host William C. Moyers about the family grieving process: it's a storm of emotions, but it's also an opportunity to find empathy, meaning and grace.