Addiction: The Next Step

La adicción al juego acecha como una "enfermedad silenciosa" en nuestras comunidades, a menudo oculta bajo capas de vergüenza, secreto y aceptación cultural. Nuestros invitados expertos, Luis Lavoy de Acacia Network y Albert Aponte de Samaritan-Daytime Village, desentrañan la compleja naturaleza de la adicción al juego (ludopatía) y su dinámica particularmente desafiante dentro de las comunidades latinas. La conversación profundiza en la realidad neurológica de la adicción al juego: cómo las apuestas desencadenan potentes liberaciones de dopamina que crean dependencia similar a los trastornos por consumo de sustancias. Nuestros invitados describen elocuentemente la "línea invisible" donde el entretenimiento casual se transforma en una compulsión destructiva, que se manifiesta a través del engaño financiero, el deterioro de las relaciones y la incapacidad de parar a pesar de las crecientes consecuencias.

Únase a nosotros para una conversación esclarecedora con Zoraida Díaz, la apasionada Directora de la Oficina Regional en la Ciudad de Nueva York y Long Island, mientras desentraña el trabajo integral de la Oficina de Servicios y Apoyo a la Adicción (OASAS). Descubra cómo OASAS está revolucionando los servicios de tratamiento y recuperación de adicciones en Nueva York con un enfoque en la prevención, la reducción de daños y el apoyo para la adicción al juego. En nuestra discusión, también analizamos los caminos hacia la recuperación, explorando los enfoques personalizados que satisfacen las necesidades individuales, ya sea a través de programas residenciales o ambulatorios. Aprenderá cómo los centros de recuperación ofrecen un entorno comunitario enriquecedor, rebosante de recursos como ejercicio, educación y apoyo profesional, para empoderar a las personas en su camino hacia la recuperación. Estos centros no son solo lugares de curación; Son comunidades de apoyo para aquellos que están listos para cambiar, donde cada persona es vista, comprendida y animada. Sintonice para comprender cómo la recuperación es un viaje personal y alcanzable, con los recursos adecuados y la comunidad que lo respalda en cada paso del camino.

¿Qué se necesita para romper el estigma de la adicción en la comunidad latina? Acompáñanos en una conversación reveladora con la doctora Chinazo Cunningham, comisionada de la Oficina de Servicios y Apoyo a las Adicciones del Estado de Nueva York (OASAS), quien nos comparte sus conocimientos vitales sobre el alarmante aumento de sobredosis, especialmente por el fentanilo. Exploramos cómo la falta de información sigue siendo un reto crítico y discutimos el papel esencial de la educación y el diálogo abierto como herramientas para combatir la adicción y proteger a nuestras comunidades. Descubre los recursos valiosos que los centros de recuperación ofrecen a aquellos que han dado el valiente paso de superar las adicciones a las drogas y el alcohol. Desde actividades sociales hasta asistencia educativa y laboral, estos centros son un pilar en el camino hacia una vida libre de sustancias. Además, compartimos cómo puedes acceder a herramientas gratuitas como tiras reactivas y naloxona a través de OASAS, fomentando la protección y el acceso a recursos esenciales para enfrentar y superar esta problemática. No te pierdas esta edición que busca informar y fortalecer a nuestra comunidad, brindando el apoyo necesario para un futuro más saludable.

What if the road to recovery wasn't just about what you give up, but what you gain? This episode offers a deep dive into the transformative power of integrating fitness and recovery, featuring Jonathan Westfall from ROCovery Fitness in Rochester, New York. Discover how ROCovery redefines the healing journey, offering a vibrant community that combines physical activity with recovery support to foster mental and physical well-being. From hiking and running to art clubs, the inclusivity and comprehensive range of activities ensure everyone can find their path to empowerment and healing. https://www.rocoveryfitness.org/

Discover how a personal journey of overcoming addiction led Dr. Felecia Pullen to become a beacon of hope and change within her community. Raised amidst the challenges of a drug-impacted Harlem, Dr. Pullen shares her compelling story of transformation and her mission to spearhead prevention initiatives focused on youth. As our featured guest, she offers an illuminating perspective on how the collective trauma of a community can shape individual destinies and why prevention is paramount. Join us as we explore her inspiring path from personal struggle to becoming a leading advocate, using her rich experiences to fuel the vision of Safe in Harlem.

Imagine a world where the rhythm of music serves as a lifeline for those battling addiction. Join us as we sit down with Jack Bookbinder and Gene Bowen, the minds behind Road Recovery, a transformative program using the power of music to guide young people toward recovery. Through candid conversations, we uncover their journey from music industry veterans to nonprofit champions, illustrating how their connections with legends like Tony Bennett and Eric Clapton helped craft an environment where creativity flourishes without the need for prior musical prowess. Together with partners like OASAS, Road Recovery stands as a beacon of hope, offering a supportive space for youth to express themselves and find healing in shared stories. In an era where community support is crucial, Road Recovery carves out a niche where young people can rewrite their narratives through artistic expression, teaching them vital life skills along the way. With endorsements from industry icons and a network built on shared experiences, this initiative emphasizes the profound impact of mutual aid in the recovery process. Listen in for a special musical piece from Road Recovery, a testament to the power of hope and love in overcoming adversity. Whether you're drawn to music, recovery journeys, or simply the spirit of transformation, this episode promises to inspire and engage, encouraging everyone to take that first step toward change.

A mother's profound experience unfolds as Kristin Smith shares the heart-wrenching journey of her daughter, Summer Smith. This episode offers a deeply personal account of how a bright young girl's life was drastically changed by trauma, leading to early substance use. Kristin's story challenges us to discern the subtle differences between adolescent experimentation and signs of deeper struggles, providing invaluable guidance for parents who are navigating similar paths. Through Summer's story, we learn essential lessons about peer pressure and the unpredictability of addiction, underscoring the vital importance of open communication and awareness within families. https://www.summersmith5k.com/

Explore the complex world of problem gambling with us, where we promise to uncover the hidden nature of this addiction in the age of mobile sports wagering. Join me, Jerry Gretzinger, as I sit down with Stephen McLaughlin from McPike Addiction Treatment Center in Utica, to discuss why gambling often flies under the radar and how treatment strategies are evolving to meet this challenge. Discover how personalized care, akin to substance abuse treatment, is provided to those in need, and learn about the comprehensive approaches that include financial counseling and both inpatient and outpatient support.

Discover how Chautauqua County is turning the tide on the overdose crisis with remarkable success. Join me, Jerry Gretzinger, as I sit down with Steve Kilburn, the dedicated Substance Use and Addiction Services Coordinator for the Chautauqua County Health Department. This episode promises insights into the powerful impact of naloxone distribution, which has led to a dramatic drop in overdose fatalities in 2024, cutting the numbers by over half compared to last year. We share the inspiring progress being made towards achieving zero overdose deaths while acknowledging the essential ongoing efforts required to reach that goal.

What happens when a life marked by incarceration and addiction finds hope through the power of peer support? Rudy Fernandez's story is a testament to resilience and transformation, as he reveals his journey from early exposure to marijuana to heroin use in prison. Raised in the Dominican Republic after being born in the U.S., Rudy shares how gang affiliations and substances filled a void left by the lack of familial love. Now a certified peer advocate with Second Chance Opportunities, Rudy uses his experiences to guide others on the challenging path to recovery, highlighting how essential peer support can be. Join us as Rudy sheds light on the impact of supportive networks and second chances in fostering meaningful change. From job placement and housing support to the importance of personal growth and self-care, Rudy's insights emphasize the critical elements needed to build a stable life post-addiction. We also explore the adversity-driven creation of recovery centers tailored to community needs, showing how challenges like the COVID pandemic can lead to growth. With gratitude, we thank Rudy for sharing his powerful story and look forward to future discussions where his experiences can inspire others on their journey to recovery.

Could a single win at a casino change the course of your life? Scott Meyer joins us to recount his emotional journey from casual gambling with friends and family to an all-consuming addiction that started with a jackpot win at age 32. Scott paints a vivid picture of how offshore gambling sites turned his pastime into an obsession that threatened his relationships and career. His story is a stark illustration of the warning signs of problem gambling and the courage it takes to confront the issue both personally and with loved ones. We also shine a light on the transformative power of peer support in recovery, a path Scott himself has embraced. Alongside Brenda Harris-Collins from the Recovery Bureau at OASAS, we explore how Scott's role in peer support fosters a sense of community and hope for those affected by gambling harm. We discuss initiatives to expand access to trained peers and the development of a peer training curriculum, which aim to build a robust support network through community outreach centers. This episode promises insights not only into the struggles of gambling addiction but also the inspiring resilience found in recovery.