Avoiding the Addiction Affliction

Updated: 14 May 2025 • 247 episodes
ataapodcast.com

When does it stop being a party and start becoming a problem? Is there a way to steer clear of addiction? Every Wednesday, Mike McGowan, host of the podcast "Avoiding the Addiction Affliction," explores substance use disorders with expert guests.

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K.J. Aiello is a Canadian who describes herself as a mentally ill writer. It is, she says, who she is. K.J. discusses her fabulous new book, "The Monster and The Mirror." It's a unique blend of memoir, research, and cultural criticism in which K.J. tries to understand her own mental illness using "The Lord of the Rings

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The field of addiction medicine and mental health has seen incredible innovation over the past two decades. Dr. Mark Hrymoc discusses those innovations and where they may lead. Dr. Hrymoc is the Founder of the Mental Health Center in Los Angeles, California. He has extensive expertise in the psychopharmacology of addic

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Drugs don’t care where you grew up, went to school, or what you majored in. When you develop destructive habits, though, you have an opportunity to turn your life around by developing new, healthier habits. Dr. Jason Giles discusses the road to recovery from substance use disorders. Dr. Giles is a graduate of Universit

38 min
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It is not trite to say that some people see challenges as obstacles and others see them as opportunities. Katy Arvidson was ten years old when she was diagnosed with Pompe disease. In spite of that diagnosis, she kept going and eventually obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work. Katy is currently Ms. Wheelchair Ala

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Desilynn Smith lost her husband to drugs in 2021. Her husband, a Black man, belonged to one of the highest demographic groups in our country losing their lives to drugs: older Black men. Desilynn talks about her work with that community and her dedication to doing that work in her husband’s memory. Desilynn is the Exec

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Jessica Guerrieri is a writer and novelist who lives in Northern California with her husband and three daughters. With a background in special education, Jessica left the field to pursue a career in writing and raise her children. With over a decade of sobriety, she is a fierce advocate for addiction recovery. She disc

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