My name is Casey Arrillaga. I am a social worker and addiction counselor, but just as importantly, I am a family member like so many of you. My wife Kira and I both come from families with addiction, we were in our addictions together for over 10 years, and we have been in recovery together for almost 20 years. We now both work in the recovery field to try to pay forward what was so generously given to us.
Casey Arrillaga has hosted 59 Episodes.
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Episode 59: The Difficulties of Parenting an Adult Child with Addiction, featuring Dr. Judith Smith
November 22nd, 2024 | 43 mins 44 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
We talk with Dr. Judith Smith, who has researched and written about the difficulties of parenting adult children with addiction and other mental health challenges. We talk about what she has learned, how this interfaces with what we know about addiction in families, and how to find your way through these challenges.
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Episode 58: What to Expect After Treatment
October 25th, 2024 | 42 mins 50 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
We look at what to expect when you or someone you love leaves treatment. We talk about what you should do to prepare before discharge, what to do immediately after, and how to prepare for long term recovery.
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Episode 57: Amanda and Marissa: From Homeless to Homeowners
September 27th, 2024 | 36 mins 46 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Amanda and Marissa share their story of going from people suffering from addiction and homelessness to people living the gifts of recovery, including buying their first house as a place to raise their kids.
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Episode 56: Forgiveness
August 23rd, 2024 | 36 mins
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
We look at many aspects of forgiveness: what it is, how it connects to recovery, and how to do it. We include a guided forgiveness meditation.
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Episode 55: Layers of Recovery with Matt F
July 26th, 2024 | 42 mins 42 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Matt F explores his family history, which includes generational patterns of addiction and the distress it creates, tracing this back through as far as he can find in his family tree. He talks about his recovery from multiple addictions and how recovery is positively impacting his kids.
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Episode 54: Embracing Family Recovery with Margaret Swift Thompson
June 21st, 2024 | 54 mins 4 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Margaret shares her courageous story of a life impacted by addiction, first through her marriage and then in uncovering her own addiction. We explore the recovery journey she lives today and the work she does to help families navigate addiction in a loved one.
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Episode 53: Why We All Need to HALT
May 24th, 2024 | 29 mins 28 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
We examine the recovery acronym "HALT" to see if its guidance to not let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired holds up to scientific scrutiny. We look at how each of these factors affects your brain and your recovery.
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Episode 52: From a Life of Addiction to a Life of Service
April 26th, 2024 | 38 mins
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Mellissa talks about seeing family patterns of addiction play out in her parents, siblings, and herself throughout childhood, adolescence, and much of her adult life. She looks at the transformations that have happened through recovery, leading her to a life of service.
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Episode 51: A Therapist Finds Recovery
March 22nd, 2024 | 44 mins 20 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Mia Tracy is a therapist who found recovery while working in the field. She shares the ups and downs of her journey and how she found the strength a humility to claim her seat at the recovery table.
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Episode 50: Eating Disorders and Addiction
February 23rd, 2024 | 43 mins 4 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Research is increasingly showing that eating disorders are a form of addictive/compulsive behavior. We explore this idea, what it implies, and what we can do. Along the way, we interview Dr. Heather Ingram to get further insight and perspective.
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Episode 49: Ashely and Tom: A Couple's Life Before and After Treatment
January 26th, 2024 | 34 mins 9 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Ashely and Tom reflect on what it was like for them as a couple and for their kids before Ashley found recovery at Windmill Wellness Ranch in 2022, what it was like while she was at the treatment center, and what it is like now.
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Episode 48: The Year in Recovery
December 29th, 2023 | 42 mins 54 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
In this retrospective episode, we look back at the year in recovery as we interview several people who have been on the program in 2023. Each one talks about their year in recovery and what they hope for in 2024.
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Episode 47: What You Need to Know About NARCAN
November 24th, 2023 | 29 mins 6 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Now that NARCAN is approved as an OTC drug, we look at how this life-saving medication works, how to use it, how to recognize opiate OD, controversy around it, and where to get it (sometimes for free).
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Episode 46: Transforming Trauma Into Triumph with Tonja Myles
October 27th, 2023 | 56 mins 44 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Tonja Myles talks about her rise from family and personal trauma into the triumph of her amazing and accomplished life in recovery today. We discuss intergenerational trauma and how healing can happen for anyone.
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Episode 45: Healing from Our Scars, with Christopher Morris
September 29th, 2023 | 42 mins 52 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
Christopher Morris, author of "We Are All Made of Scars", talks about growing up with a mother who struggled with alcohol. He talks about what he learned along the way and finding his own recovery.
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Episode 44: How to Talk to Kids About Addiction
August 25th, 2023 | 34 mins 8 secs
12 step, acoa, addiction, adult children of alcoholics uplifting, al-anon, alanon, alcoholics anonymous, alcoholism, coda, families anonymous, family, hope, nar-anon, naranon, narcotics anonymous, recovery, self-help, smart recovery, uplifting
In their new children's book, Casey and illustrator Skye Hilton worked together to help kids find hope and healing around a parent's addiction. Skye and Casey discuss why they wrote it and how to talk to kids about these issues.