Hooked - An LGBTIQA+ Podcast on Addiction

Russ and David are back for week three of their exploration into musicians who have their own tales of addiction and recovery. If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Exploring music from artists who have experienced addiction – Part 3 appeared first on Hooked!.

Russ and David are back in their home studio, shine a light on more musicians who have their own tales of addiction and recovery. If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Enjoying more music from artists who have experienced addiction appeared first on Hooked!.

Russ and David shine a light on musicians who have their own tales of addiction and recovery. If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Enjoying music from artists who have experienced addiction appeared first on Hooked!.

Dr Jared dials in to share how the pandemic has affected psychiatrists and the people they support. Which of our emotional responses to this pandemic are normal and expected? How can we deal with them? What should we look out for in friends and family if we are worried about them? If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Acknowledging our normal stress and fear responses – Jared appeared first on Hooked!.

Joy94.9 alumni Dr Glen Hoskings dials in to discuss how the pandemic might be affecting our community from a mental health perspective. How can we get help? What factors might be contributing to our mental wellness? Should we limit our exposure to the news? Is there a benefit in counting our blessings? And David is keen to share the research from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) examining the alcohol industry’s response to the pandemic. If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Looking after our mental health – Glen appeared first on Hooked!.

Russ and David are back in the studio! Faye Lawrence joins them over the phone to talk about the Untoxicated group she founded when she decided she wanted to be able to socialise away from alcohol. How do you change the social norms about what it means to be sober? Can you enjoy dinner out without drinking? Why is laughter so important? What kinds of activities will Untoxicated be organising when COVID-19 restrictions are eased? And Big Daddy and Ade dial in to let us know how they have been managing in isolation. If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Finding your social identity without alcohol – Faye appeared first on Hooked!.

Now seemed like a good time to revisit this great interview we did in June 2019 with Dr Grant Blashki, the Lead Clinical Advisor for BeyondBlue. We hope you are keeping well, and that you enjoy this encore podcast. Grant joins us for a chat about the myriad ways that BeyondBlue provides support to all Australians, and shares his views on the value GPs can add to our mental health, and we identify the options available for engaging with BeyondBlue. Grant also explains that BeyondBlue advocates strongly for the LGBTIQ+ community because improving LGBTIQ+ outcomes improves mental health outcomes. Is there a connection between anxiety and addiction? What does it mean to develop a mental health or suicide prevention strategy? What might a visit to your GP about mental health issues look like? How can you support a friend as they deal with their anxiety or depression? BeyondBlue provides dedicated resources for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex, and bodily, gender and sexually diverse people. We recommend you explore them all. We learn about some powerful and effective online tools: BeyondNow App (for suicide safety planning), myCompass (online tool for managing depression and anxiety), and MindSpot Clinic (online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression). If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Encore: Strengthening mental health outcomes for LGBTIQ+ Australians – BeyondBlue appeared first on Hooked!.

To celebrate the JOY 94.9 Radiothon, David and Russ dial in three past guests to check in on how they are doing. They each reflect on how important independent community radio like JOY 94.9 means to them, as a place for sharing stories that might not otherwise be heard. Is Steve still in rehab? Why was sharing his story so important to Tosh? What are David and Russ’s favourite memories from their 5 years at JOY 94.9? If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Checking in on past guests – Steve, Ali and Tosh appeared first on Hooked!.

David and Russ are joined by Tosh who shares his story into, and out of, self-harm. This is a repeat episode from 2019 of which we are particularly proud. It’s also the first episode in which we were joined by Nurse Betty. If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Finding a way out of self-harm – Tosh appeared first on Hooked!.

David talks with Caterina Giorgi, from The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) at https://fare.org.au/ about the increase in online alcohol purchasing due to COVID-19. Later, Nadine (FARE Board Member). He’s then joined by FARE Board member, Associate Professor Nadine Ezard to discuss drug use factors that interest the research community at this time. Are people drinking more right now, or are they simply transferring their bar drinking to home? Does an extra glass a night matter? What are some of the steps we can take to address stress and anxiety without having a drink? How might this pandemic impact our drinking habits and consumption of other drugs of addiction? What signs can we look for that we might need to reach out for support? Which apps are available for research and support? If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Drug and alcohol consumption in a pandemic – Caterina and Nadine appeared first on Hooked!.

Russ and David are joined by the team behind QuitFlicks, and the competition winners. With addiction rates in our community double that of the general community, is smoking part of the queer identity? Does it need to be? How can Quit help? What happens when you call the quilting? If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Smoking and the LGBTIQ+ community – MQFF, Quit and QuitFlicks appeared first on Hooked!.

Tracey and Sebastian join Russ and David share the stories of their first steps into the frameworks provided by support groups. What might a first meeting look like? What support is provided? Why do long-timers stay around? If You Need Support: If you hear something on-air or in this podcast that may be causing you distress or may have raised uncomfortable feelings then visit https://joy.org.au/support/ where you can find a number of people and organisations you can turn to for support at a time like this. Looking for support is a healthy way of dealing with your feelings, and is a powerful way to help you get back on top of things. Everyone needs to talk sometimes! The post Taking the first steps – Tracey and Sebastian appeared first on Hooked!.

We check in on how feelings of isolation might be impacting people in addiction and recovery right now. Russ shares his story of finding his way into – and out of- addiction. What was his trauma? How bad did things get? When did he know he needed to seek help? The post Finding a way out of addiction – Russ appeared first on Hooked!.

There’s no guest tonight as David and Russ take the lead this episode, discussing things people might do if they are thinking of taking the first step towards addressing their addiction issues. Who can you talk to in person? What options are there for online support? How should family and friends approach the topic of addiction? The post Taking the first step – David and Russ appeared first on Hooked!.

Ali is a Victorian pharmacist, who was last on our show in February 2019. He joins us in the studio to update us on what it’s been liking working with the SafeScript program over this past year. He also provides insights into pharmacotherapy treatments, like methadone. How has SafeScript changed the way pharmacists and doctors work together? What can a good relationship with your pharmacist look like? When should you talk to your doctor about opioid addiction concerns? The post Managing addictive medications – Ali the Pharmacist appeared first on Hooked!.

Torrey Orton is a psychologist who practices psychotherapy. He joins David and Russ in the studio to share his perspective on the therapeutic treatment of addiction. How might you choose a psychotherapist? What could you expect if you went to see Torrey? Why do people struggle to talk to a therapist? The post Exploring underlying issues in therapy – Torrey appeared first on Hooked!.

Big Daddy, Maddie and David value the role that 12 step recovery programs have played in their recovery. They join us in the studio where Russ leads a simulation of a 12 step recovery meeting for alcoholics. It’s a great way to debunk the myths of recovery programs. What is a recovery meeting like? Who are they for? Why would you attend them? The post Finding support in recovery meetings – Big Daddy, Maddie and David appeared first on Hooked!.

Trent and Steve are currently in rehab, and have become good friends. They join us in the studio to share an insider view of what day-to-day life is like once you make the decision that rehab is right for you. What should you look for in a rehab program? Who is rehab for? And how many friends will you make along the way? The post Learning life skills in rehab – Trent and Steve appeared first on Hooked!.

We’re so glad to be back! In our first episode for 2020, we have a great chat with Jeremy and Daniel from Q Health, a free counselling and support service for people who would like to talk about the concerns or impacts of their alcohol and drug use in a confidential, non-judgmental and queer-affirmative space. It’s for LGBTIQA+ people, couples or families living in the Moreland, Brimbank, Darebin, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Wyndham or Yarra areas. Why is it important to have counsellors who are from our community? How does this service complement other addiction support programs? Is it really free and unlimited?! And we hear from a listener about the joys of marching ‘Clean and Sober’ in the Midsumma parade. The post Person-centred support – Jeremy and Daniel from Q Health appeared first on Hooked!.

Russ, Paul and David get together and reflect on the wonderful 16 episodes we’ve shared since April. What have we learnt? Which episodes should you go back and listen to again? And what do we think about the idea of beer-flavoured tea?! We’re taking a break for a few months. We look forward to sharing more stories about addiction in the LGBTIQ+ community when we return in December 2019. The post Looking back on another 16 episodes – we’ve learnt so much appeared first on Hooked!.

This week we interview two organisations established by alcohol producers to change the way we drink … for the better. Simon Strahan, CEO of DrinkWise, joins us to share how DrinkWise is working to develop a safer and healthier culture around drinking in Australia. DrinkWise is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded through voluntary industry contributions across the alcohol sector. How has Australia’s drinking culture changed over the past decade? Why are DrinkWise’s campaigns to improve the drinking habits of young people so effective? What messages resonate for different age groups as we learn to drink for quality, not quantity? Tim Watts joins us on the phone to discuss The Smashed Project, funded by Diageo (a British multinational alcoholic beverages company).  This project uses educational theatre to break the culture of underage drinking and reduce alcohol related harm amongst young people around the world. Tim is the head of Gibber, a drama-based education group delivering the training in Australia. They have trained in 268 schools in Australia as part of the aim of The Smashed Project to reach 500,000 students worldwide. In the news, we hear about a new app to help realistically gauge our drinking habits. We share details of a report that the rates of drug-induced deaths are on the rise in Australia. And we look at medicinal cannabis. A study suggests it can be used to treat cannabis addiction. New clinics are opening up in Australia for people to access medicinal cannabis. And we remember Olivia Newton-John’s conversation with Charlie Pickering about its medicinal benefits. The post Changing Australia’s drinking culture – DrinkWise and The Smashed Project appeared first on Hooked!.

In May, we interviewed Stu Fenton about the work he does at R12, a rehabilitation facility dedicated to LGBT+ clients. We now chat to Stu’s colleague – Casey Lucarelli – about the support she provides for lesbian women. We explore the struggles with addiction and shame that are specific to the lesbian community. What is the impact of internalised homophobia? In what areas are lesbian women most likely to develop addictions? How does R12 work with clients when in Thailand and then as alumni once they have returned home? In the news, we review an article that captures personal stories of those effected by gambling addiction. We look at the online advertising practices of opioid manufacturers, and a story describing one woman’s personal experience of opioid addiction driven by her GP relationships. And we review a further update coming out of the coronial inquest into music festival overdoses. The post Addressing the specific challenges for lesbian women in recovery – Casey Lucarelli and R12 appeared first on Hooked!.

Mitch Jones is the creator and performer of Autocannibal. It is an experimental new work of solo physical theatre that explores ideas of resource depletion, environmental exhaustion and social decay through the metaphor of the performer’s body. Mitch shares with us the show’s creation story, which had its genesis in Mitch’s reckoning with the death of a friend due to addiction. We explore the challenges of working in an industry where drug and alcohol consumption is common. Mitch shares his experiences of sobriety (it makes him funnier). And we learn about the importance of focusing on what you’d rather be doing with your life. How does physical expression support emotional exploration? What are the parallels between consumerism, addiction, and environmental destruction? What might we expect from Mitch’s show? In the news, we review a shocking report of a death from caffeine toxicity. We reflect that the news stories about Joe Biden’s son have kick-started the conversations we need to have about addiction, and demonstrate that addiction can affect anyone from any background. And we look at Callum Brosnan’s story from the NSW coronial investigation into drug-related deaths at festivals. The post Autocannibal – Exploring why do we do things that we know are bad for us appeared first on Hooked!.

Will Lanting, from The GLLO Show, joins us as guest and co-host to reflect on his 10 years of sobriety. Will shares his journey from drinking 12-18 cans a day to his first experience of rehab, the pain of withdrawal, and the ongoing struggle that is sobriety. Is 10 years of sobriety something to celebrate? How do you celebrate without alcohol? What are the tools that can help you stay sober? And why should you look for friends who are more like ambulance drivers and less like rock climbers? Will wants you to know that overcoming addiction is possible. In the news, we review community responses to the presence of safe-injecting rooms in Richmond, Victoria. We reflect that addiction can affect anyone, as demonstrated by Bomber Thompson’s confession that he is an ice addict. At a time of rising global opioid use, we note that June 26 is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. And we ponder about the effectiveness of a new treatment for video game addiction, an addiction only recently classified as a disorder by the World Health Organisation. The post 10 years sober – Will’s journey, and his suggested tools to support recovery appeared first on Hooked!.

Dr Grant Blashki, the Lead Clinical Advisor for BeyondBlue, joins us for a chat about the myriad ways that BeyondBlue provides support to all Australians. Grant shares his views on the value GPs can add to our mental health, and we identify the options available for engaging with BeyondBlue. Grant also explains that BeyondBlue advocates strongly for the LGBTIQ+ community because improving LGBTIQ+ outcomes improves mental health outcomes. Is there a connection between anxiety and addiction? What does it mean to develop a mental health or suicide prevention strategy? What might a visit to your GP about mental health issues look like? How can you support a friend as they deal with their anxiety or depression? BeyondBlue provides dedicated resources for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex, and bodily, gender and sexually diverse people. We recommend you explore them all. We learn about some powerful and effective online tools: BeyondNow App (for suicide safety planning), myCompass (online tool for managing depression and anxiety), and MindSpot Clinic (online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression). In the news, we share some ABC news stories about the link between the colour of your alcohol and your hangover, the semi-synthetic drug Krokodil appearing in Australia and the AFL’s alleged gambling problem. And we shine a light on the example provided by Faye Lawrence, who founded her own non-drinking social group to support her sobriety. The post Strengthening mental health outcomes for LGBTIQ+ Australians – BeyondBlue appeared first on Hooked!.

Simon Ruth, CEO of Thorne Harbour Health, is with us in the studio. Simon shares his history working in drug and alcohol support, and about the drug and alcohol support Thorne Habour Health provides for our community. What is behind the organisation’s name change (it was formerly the Victorian AIDS Council)? How do LGBTIQ+ specific drug and alcohol support programs improve ouroutcomes? What factors make it difficult for our community to use drugs and alcohol safely, or to abstain? And what drug and alcohol issues are specific to our older community members? There are so many free, wholistic offerings from Thorne Harbour Health to explore. We learn that Touchbase.org.au has resources available for understanding how alcohol and drugs might interact with hormones and anti-retroviral drugs. Dale.org.au is a new online space aimed at supporting men in heterosexual relationships who are experiencing anxiety and/or depression while exploring their same sex attraction. We revisit Rewired, a free eight week program we have spoken about before. It’s aimed at helping men who have sex with men learn skills and strategies to change their methamphetamine use and better manage their mental health. And Drink Limits is a free eight week therapeutic group looking at alcohol use and anxiety for cis and trans Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer women, gender diverse and non-binary people. We discuss the realistic portrayal of addiction in Rocketman, and we learn that a US state is going to review up to 2,700 court cases after allegations of a judge’s alcoholism. The post Working towards a healthy future for our sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities – Thorne Harbour Health appeared first on Hooked!.

Ade has been in recovery for 6 years. She joins us to discuss connecting to ‘a higher power’ – one of the steps integral to recovery. Ade shares her story of spiritual growth during recovery. What does it feel like to see yourself at the centre of the universe, with a need to control it all? Does this shift when you connect to a higher power? Does a higher power help address feelings of loneliness and worthlessness? Can you connect to a higher power if you aren’t religious? And what happens if you don’t listen to your higher power? For our addiction of the week, we discuss the signs of workaholism. In the news, we recommend the second Compass episode exploring eating disorders. We learn about women’s body image issues from a great ABC podcast. And we explore some of the articles at thefix.com, an online addiction and recovery resource. Is there a link between using tinder and suffering an eating disorder? Is the ‘opioid crisis’ in the U.S. exaggerated? The post Connecting with a higher power – when should you, and why? appeared first on Hooked!.

The gang’s all here this week! David, Paul and Nurse Betty are in the studio – and Russ is on the phone. We have a rich discussion about the impact of addiction on our health. Can addiction impact how we manage existing chronic illnesses, like Type I diabetes? Is there a link between chronic diseases and risky behaviour? How might PrEP help us work better with our GPs?  We touch again on why stigmatisation is a problem for those with chronic illnesses related to addiction. And rejoice that there is now a cure for Hepatitis C.  On the small screen, we recommend a great 2-part ABC Compass series on one person’s experience of having anorexia and a binge eating disorder. And suggest you see the Rocketman movie for a window into Elton John’s experience of addiction and recovery. We reflect on the importance of normalising mental illness after reading the personal experience of Catriona Bisset. New Zealand’s Like Minds program also aims to end mental illness discrimination. We muse on the origins of addiction and mental illness, and Nurse Betty explains the belief of addiction specialist Dr Gabor Maté that all addiction comes from a place of pain. We consider the impact of role models after reading an article discussing Australia’s worst suburbs for smoking rates. And we again discuss the opioid crisis in the US: the State of Oklahama is suing Johnson & Johnson alleging that deceptive marketing has contributed to the crisis. The post Chronic illness – when addiction overrides positive self-care habits appeared first on Hooked!.

We chat with Rachel Bowers about Lifeline’s vision for an Australia free of suicide. We learn how Lifeline provides connection, compassion and hope. How can a conversation change a life? Can Lifeline support us if we are concerned about the suicidality of someone else? Why is our community reluctant to call Lifeline … and should they be? We recommend listening to Jaz’s story of transition on Lifeline’s new podcast series: Holding on to Hope. As an extra item, we reflect on the mental health benefits of playing a team sport. And remind those in Melbourne that Team Melbourne can help you find an LGBTIQ+ club to join. In the news, we discuss Victoria’s new prescription monitoring system, Safescript, and an article discussing its impact. We relate it to our previous conversation with Ali about opioid addiction. A study discusses the prevalence of pre-drinking habits across age groups and population groups. We discuss difference between drinking norms in Australia and Europe. After some shocking news this week, we consider the call for new investment in social housing to support those who experience homelessness. Our addiction of the week is pornography. When does watching online adult content become an addiction? We recommend SLAA as a source of support. The post Lifeline – Providing space to think, to feel safe, and to be heard appeared first on Hooked!.

It’s the annual JOY 94.9 Radiothon! In this shorter-than-usual episode we reconnect with past guests Tracy, Big Daddy, Tosh, Chris and PDM and we check in on how they are doing. We reflect on the importance of storytelling through community radio. Do community connections support fulfilling lives in sobriety? What role does JOY 94.9 – and shows like Hooked – play in connecting us to the best of Melbourne’s LGBTI+ community? What has the recovery community given us? Does sobriety make life better? JOY 94.9 is a not-for-profit volunteer-based community radio station that relies on your support to survive and grow. If you love JOY 94.9 as much as we do, you don’t have to wait for our Radiothon to donate, become a member, sponsor or volunteer. You can show your love any time! The post Giving thanks for the recovery community … and for community radio appeared first on Hooked!.

We speak to Stu Fenton on the phone from R12 in Thailand. Stu is the principal counsellor at R12, a Cabin Group rehabilitation facility dedicated to LGBT+ clients. We learn about Stu’s extensive therapeutic experience. We also consider the benefits of receiving addiction support from LGBT+ identifying support staff. What topics could we expect to dive into when at R12? How does R12 support chemsex addicts so they value intimacy rather than intensity? When is drama a valuable therapeutic tool? What distinguishes R12 from a regular Thai resort? For our addiction of the week, we look at identifying Facebook or Instagram addiction, and the steps to take to overcome such addictions. In the news, we consider the issue of ‘portion distortion’ – something of interest after last week’s episode on Food Addiction. We reflect on proposed restrictions on the sale of household products containing alcohol in the Northern Territory. And we correct our assumptions about alcohol abuse in Aboriginal communities compared to non-Aboriginal communities. The post R12 – a Thai addiction treatment space exclusively for the LGBTI+ community appeared first on Hooked!.

Justin and Sarah are our guests on Hooked,  sharing stories about accessing support from Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. We learn about the burden of thinking about food all the time, and the journey towards taking the emotion out of food. How do you get honest with yourself about your food addiction? What does abstinence look like for recovering food addicts? Who can support you to confront the emotions underlying your food addiction? If you’d like to find out more, FA have two information sessions coming up on May 11 and May 13 2019 in St Kilda and Richmond. You can also contact the Australian branch at [email protected] and on 1800717446.  This week, we recommend the ABC TV series ‘You can’t ask that’. In particular, the episode about Alcoholics (airing at 9pm on Wednesday 8 May and also available on ABC iview). In the news, we discuss a high-profile case tied to the US opioid crisis. A pharmaceutical executive was convicted for his participation in a scheme bribing doctors to prescribe an addictive painkiller. We also share a link to an audio news story touching on fears of phone addiction in teens. We don’t have an ‘addiction of the week’ – we wanted to spend as much time with Justin and Sarah as possible. The post Food Addiction and getting honest with yourself appeared first on Hooked!.

Chris is our guest on Hooked , sharing his perspective on the experience of entering recovery at a young age. After 9 years of alcoholism, Chris chose sobriety at aged 24. He sought support from AA, and in particular specialist LGBT AA groups. What are the challenges of giving up alcohol and drugs when they are a regular part of your social scene? How do you identify the strong people who will support you? Chris believes becoming sober is the best thing he’s ever done – even though it didn’t always feel like that when he started. In the news, we review the latest update on the proposed poppers ban. We ponder how we feel about pill-testing at festivals after the success of the pill-testing trial at Canberra’s Groovin the Moove. And we acknowledge the ongoing campaign by Dubbo residents for a local drug rehab facility. Our addiction of the week is inhalants. Queerspace and Thorne Harbour Health are two good starting points if you are concerned that sniffing or huffing is becoming a problem for you. The post Young People in Recovery – Chris’s story appeared first on Hooked!.

David identifies as an alcoholic and a drug addict in active recovery. He joins us in the studio to share his story of running away from his life problems. We hear how David ‘did a geographical’ several times and used multiple ‘drugs of no choice’: alcohol, cocaine and crystal meth. David also shares his recovery journey. What can rock bottom look like for an ice addict? How can becoming clean and sober align with coming out about your sexuality? When discussing support options, we remind people of the first strategies we shared in an earlier episode. In the news, we consider the importance of engaging health professionals in your recovery journey. You may need support with the ‘burden of disease’ that can be associated with addiction. For our Addiction of the Week, we ask whether chocolate addiction is a real thing. What we can do about excessive chocolate consumption? The post Dual and Poly Addictions – Running away using multiple ‘Drugs of No Choice’ appeared first on Hooked!.

Nurse Betty and special guest Craig return to share more about Meth addiction and blow away some further myths with some methbusting on Hooked. What are the effects of meth? When does it become a problem? What is the best support for someone in a psychosis? Why is there so much stigma surrounding this subject? When might be the right time to talk to Thorne Harbour Health about getting involved in Rewired? Our addiction of the week is smart phone addiction, is it time to check your usage? The post REWIRED – Methamphetamine or Ice, Myths and Facts Part 2 appeared first on Hooked!.

Nurse Betty and special guest Craig tell us about Meth addiction and blow away some of the myths with some methbusting on Hooked. What are the effects of meth? When does it become a problem? Why is there so much stigma surrounding this subject? How does chemsex fit into the picture? What is Thorne Harbour Health doing for our community with alcohol and other drug services? Want to learn about Rewired? Our addiction of the week is about exercise addiction and catch up on the news. The post Methamphetamine or Ice, Myths and Facts appeared first on Hooked!.

On this our 17th show, we look back to the past 16 episodes of Hooked and find out what we have learnt on this journey and conversation about addiction in the LGBTI community. We thank everyone for their support and look forward to continuing this show and the conversations that we need to have. We also look at Obsessive Love addiction in our Addiction of the Week. If you’d like to support Hooked, we are currently fundraising through Pozible where you can donate any amount that you can afford, even $20 will help us continue what we feel is a vital work. The post 16 Episodes of Hooked in Review – Thanks for Your Support JOY94.9 appeared first on Hooked!.

Sam’s personal story is about dating another lesbian and finding out that she was involved with an alcoholic. What were the warning signs? How did her partner’s personality changes affect her? How did being taken hostage by an alcoholic feel and are there any clues that might help you in a similar situation? It appears to be a one way relationship when you get into a relationship with an alcoholic, find out in this revealing story. You can always look at resources such as Queerspace, Family Drug Helpline and Alanon if you find yourself in a similar situation. The addiction of the week is Caffeine (how Melbourne) so listen in and find out the facts. The post Sam’s Story – She Dated an Alcoholic, See how Things Turned Out appeared first on Hooked!.

queerspace – for community, by community. counselling. case management. advocacy. research. training. professional development. consultancy. On Hooked we talk to Mark Camilleri from Queerspace about their range of services available for those suffering in addiction. Q Health is the place to go, it’s the first ever queer drug and health service with assistance for our community. We also look at some of the news in the addiction space and our addiction of the week tackles the beast of nicotine. The post Queerspace – Our Health in our Hands appeared first on Hooked!.

The Cancer Council Victoria has a current campaign to make us aware that alcohol can cause cancer. We have a discussion with Jane Martin (Alcohol Policy Manager) from the Cancer Council to let us know about the risk factors involved. Chris Raine, founder of Hello Sunday Morning joins Hooked to tell us how this group was started and how it has grown to be the largest online movement for alcohol behaviour change in the world. Finally Dr Emmanuel Kuntsche (Phd, Director at the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research Latrobe University) talks about the research into the reasons why we drink. The post Alcohol – Drink Less, Live More appeared first on Hooked!.

Michelle Sheppard from Trans POV joins us on Hooked to talk about her personal story and addiction in the trans community. Don’t let our smiles fool you as we hear an important but candid story about Michelle’s experience and the hope she has for anyone else in a similar situation. We also look at further defining “Addiction”. The post Michelle Sheppard Unplugged – Addiction in the Trans Community appeared first on Hooked!.

Often it’s difficult to know where to start when dealing with Addiction or if you or a loved one might think that there is a problem. On this episode we look at some of the many strategies available to us as a 1st strategy, taking that first step is one of the most important things you might do on a journey. A doctor or a Mental Health Care Plan might be the way to go or Rehab and Detox or a 12 step program might work for you. Interventions or Meditation can work or there are a range of telephone or online resources to use, many designed for our LGBTIQ+ community. Thorne Harbour Health and Queerspace offer free services and we have talked about Headspace, Hello Sunday Morning, Real Drug Talk, Quit Victoria, the 100Day Challenge, SHARC and Smart Recovery on Hooked on previous shows. Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Switchboard and AA all have great phone services as well. We also take a look at pornography (not literally) as an Addiction of the Week and learn about NoFap and SLAA. The post 1st Strategies for those in Addiction or Sensing there May Be a Problem appeared first on Hooked!.

Leanne had it all, a husband, 3 beautiful children, family and a life in a country town but she had to walk away, leave it all behind. Leanne could no longer deny her sexuality and had to finally face up to her addiction. Listen to her personal and honest story of recovery on Hooked. We also look at Amyl on Addiction of the Week and discuss the difference between Habit vs. Addiction. And finally a look at Hello Sunday Morning, want to have a better one? The post Leanne – A Personal Story of Recovery from Addiction appeared first on Hooked!.

Studies have warned of an epidemic of people in their 50’s (Baby Boomers) who are addicted to painkillers. We talk to pharmacist Ali Mafi from Commercial Road Pharmacy about Opioids, their use, effects and addiction to these drugs. We have a chat with Quit Victoria Director Dr Sarah White about nicotine and how it is used by 2 to 3 times more people in the LGBTI community. We also talk about the partnership between Quit Victoria, Thorne Harbour Health, Minus 18 and MQFF about the Keep The Vibe Alive Competition. The post Opioids – The Epidemic of Baby Boomers Hooked on Painkillers appeared first on Hooked!.

On Hooked we talk to Tanya Fletcher from the  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation  about the 100 Day Challenge  and  Gamblers Help Line, resources available to all. There are an estimated 80000 people suffering severe financial stress due to gambling and many more with a desire to get their gambling under control, so listen in and find out what might work for you. We also chat with Nurse Betty about Hoarding to find out how it affects peoples lives. And lastly, we look at addiction rates around the world and find out which are the drugs of choice most used and where, some surprising results to be found! The post Is Gambling a Problem? Hooked Looks at a New Strategy appeared first on Hooked!.

On this episode of Hooked we talk to Sebastian about his marijuana addiction, how he became clean, his participation with Narcotics Anonymous, his work now as a drug and alcohol counselor and Smart Recovery. We also look at practical tips for those in recovery when travelling. The post Marijuana – Sebastian’s Story appeared first on Hooked!.

Jack Nagle went from a promising basketball career to the depths of Ice addiction, rehab and recovery, then to helping other sufferers of addiction with Real Drug Talk. His incredible story is on Hooked as we discuss his journey to recovery, find out why people are talking about this honest man’s story. The post Jack Nagle – Real Drug Talk appeared first on Hooked!.

Dr Jared joins us on Hooked to help us explore some of the reasons behind the higher rate of addiction in our LGBT community, find out the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist and we also buy in on the discussion about pill testing at festivals. Midsumma festivities are about to start and there will be many wonderful events to attend, be safe and listen to Dr Jared’s words of advice. The post The Doctor is IN on Hooked – Dr. Jared Psychiatrist appeared first on Hooked!.

Join us on Hooked as we tackle the difficult personal story of self harm and how it affects lives and a pathway to recovery. This personal story is both difficult and inspiring to listen to but a real story that needs to be told. We are also joined by Nurse Betty on her first appearance on Hooked. A total must listen. The post Self Harm – A Personal Story and Recovery appeared first on Hooked!.

It’s New Years Eve on Hooked so we decided to play music, artists that are in recovery, artists that never made it to recovery and some music to make you feel good. We hope that the New Year was safe and happy as we look forward to your company on Hooked in 2019 The post NYE 2019 on Hooked appeared first on Hooked!.