Ep66 Heather Anderson 
Heather is proof that addicts do recover. Addiction is in her heritage, experiences with marijuana, alcohol, meth, abusive relationships, attempted suicide and drug dealing led to three prison incarcerations. Then a moment on her knees forever changed her direction and her focus of recovery over addiction. Heather is now gainfully employed in the recovery field and is continuing to rebuild relationships. She is now living above her past and celebrating life. 

Helpful links:
https://www.turningpointmadisoncounty.org/

Ep66 Heather Anderson

As a single mom to her only child, Barbara Legere journeyed alongside her son through his mental health issues and addiction. She wrote a memoir about her son’s suicide, called “Keven’s Choice: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Son’s Mental Illness, Addiction and Suicide.” And, she’s just written a second book, "Talk to Me I'm Grieving - Supportive Ways to Help Someone Through Grief.”  

We have Barbara with us today to hear her story.

Keven Legere had spent half his life struggling with substance use disorder while Barbara, his single mom, battled courts, healthcare companies, rehab facilities and mental health professionals trying to protect him.

As their relationship strained Keven’s drug use progressed, and Legere was forced to accept and love Keven as he was … until he took his own life.

In Keven’s Choice, Legere tells the story of trying to navigate her son’s dark world while also addressing her own complicated guilt and regret over how she handled it. She shines a light on the hidden anguish of countless parents who are taking care of children that society tells them to abandon.

For parents who have borne witness to overdoses, arrests, treatment, incarceration and even death, Keven’s Choice is a raw and intimate memoir that shows it’s possible and necessary to go on, even amidst the unimaginable. 

"We have a saying. It says, as long as they're breathing, there is hope," Barbara says during the interview. "So never give up on your child. Let them know that you're there for them, that you're willing to support them in getting treatment, in, getting mental health care, whatever it is that they need. And you make sure that they know how much you love them. Keven understood how much I loved him. He didn't love himself."

Today, Barbara is an advocate for harm reduction for addicts and an active member of groups for parents of addicts and parents surviving the loss of their child through suicide.  She hopes to keep her son’s memory alive through her writing as a way of helping others who suffer from similar afflictions.

Barbara, thanks for sharing your story with us today.

Q. Can you begin by sharing with us what happened to Keven and why?

Q. I’ve read that you suffered from guilt. Why, and how did that manifest itself?

Q. What led you to write your first book, "Keven's Choice"?

Q. Let’s talk about your latest book, “Talk to Me, I’m Grieving.” Why did you do that one, and what’s its focus.

Q. Why is it important for parents to teach their kids about drugs and watch for warning signs.  

Q. What advice would you offer to parents who face a similar situation with a child who’s in trouble?

Q. How about parents who are suffering, grieving a loss? Q. What can others do to support grieving parents?

Q. You wrote a blog called “Tapping Into Grief.” Tell us about that.

Q. Looks like from your Facebook page you’re big into hockey. Was that part of Keven’s life?

A Son's Suicide: A Mom Tells Her Story

Calling all Girls, Gays and Theys - A message from Gerry about this episode: 
Two of my favorite things in this world are smart comedy and great music. In my birthday month ("Virgo Season!") we're celebrating with 2 legit pioneers who've achieved ICON status in both worlds: the incredible Margaret Cho and the amazing DJ Larry Tee! 
Margaret tells Gerry how she remains grounded and shares her view on self-love, growth and awareness. 
*Fun Fact: Gerry appears in the beginning of Margaret's groundbreaking film, I'M THE ONE THAT I WANT, released 25 years ago this month. Catch Margaret Cho on her CHOLIGARCHY National Tour, coming soon to your city. margaretcho.com
A world class musician, producer and promoter who's worked with everyone from Charli XCX to Santigold to Scissor Sisters, DJ Larry Tee spills all the... well, tea about young life with RuPaul (and cowriting The Song), Michael Stipe and Lahoma Van Zandt, curating the Electroclash scene, Amanda Lepore's rap skills, and finding a new invigorating life via the 12 Step Recovery process. 
Larry also knows what *really* went down during those Party Monster years. (Ryan Murphy, please hit him up. Tell him Gerry sent you.) https://www.discogs.com/artist/60567-Larry-Tee
If you literally wanna hear Gerry gag, press play.

SHB EP 2.3: The Icon Episode with Margaret Cho and DJ Larry Tee

Misti Johnston, Drop in Center Director at the Butte, MT Rescue Mission sits down with Jim to discuss recovery and more.

Misti Johnston

Erin Olson, CBHPSS at St. Peter's in Helena, MT joins Jim for a discussion of leadership and recovery month activities. He is also the president of NAMI Helena, Vice chair of Lewis and Clark County Local Advisory Council, NAMI Montana Board Member, and CIT trainer.

Erin Olson

I am Randy Davis, the founder and the Executive Director of ABLBH. Early on in my life, I recognized my desire to help those who might be struggling. I have been blessed with experiences that have fed my hunger. I believe in encouraging others before they believe in themselves. Thus, ABLBH believes in you.

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It was June of 2014 when God first burdened my heart with the needs of those battling addiction. God used Brianna's experiences, story, and life to touch me in a way unlike He never has. Then He began opening doors and creating opportunities that showed me together we would make a difference. So here we are changing lives and saving lives. For certain God gets the glory but without so many feet and hands moving for Him we would not have the impact that we have!

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Join us and believe with us!

Randy Davis

STILL HERE BITCH: Mature LGBTQ+ Dating & Relationships is the first podcast about the unique relationship issues of LGBTQ+ people ages 40 and older. Watch on YouTube and Instagram @stillherebitchpodcast.

Montana’s Peer Network is a statewide peer run 501c3 non-profit recovery organization with a mission to lead the development of the peer support workforce and create pathways for wellness and recovery in communities throughout Montana.  We are a network of 1800+ individuals across Montana in recovery from mental health, substance abuse and or addiction struggles. We provide information, education, training, peer support and resources across the state using our own “lived experience” in long term recovery. This is the recovery movement. A national shift from a maintenance model of behavioral health to a recovery model, where every individual has access to care, choices, and the message that “recovery is possible.

Journalist, blogger at https://notfakenews.biz. Author: Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Political writer. Just a little lean to the left.

New tracks tagged #recoveryispossible