Christine shares her story of dealing with her teenage son turning to recreational drug use, then developing mental illness and how she responded.  Twenty years later she has a better perspective on the impact of this on herself, her son and her family. Dealing with the combination of drug addiction and mental illness had been challenging and learning to cope was just the first step. Christine also realized that her husband’s drinking was a serious problem and she found help and support in Al-Anon Family Groups.If you are family member or friend of someone with a drug problem, you may find the help you need with a SHARC Family Support Group. They provide an opportunity to connect with others who are having similar experiences. The SHARC website has information and group contact details: sharc-family-support-groups If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Alex D Smith - Crazy Raging Storm [https://amrap.org.au/release/alex-d-smith-crazy-raging-storm] @19:00Welter - Barely Holding On [https://amrap.org.au/release/welter-barely-holding-on-radio-edit-1] @35:27Kim O'Leary - Dust to Diamonds [https://amrap.org.au/release/kim-oleary-dust-to-diamonds] @54:11 

Angelo shares his story of developing a gambling habit through his family’s interest in betting on horse racing. Sitting with his dad on Saturday afternoons placing bets and listening to the races moved from a social pleasure into a full-blown obsession that led to compulsive gambling from his late teens. Gambling soaked up all of Angelo’s spare cash and meant that although he had a good income, he and his family just got by on the basics. Gambling eventually led Angelo into significant debt, and he realized that there was no way that he could work his way out of it. He was fortunate to initially contact with Gamblers Anonymous, and taking recovery seriously from the start he was able to break his dependence on gambling.If you’re having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you are a partner, family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem you may find the help you need with a GAM-ANON group. The GA website has a link to their website and contact details: gaaustralia.org.au/gam-anonShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Ray Ramon - Move Your Body [https://amrap.org.au/release/ray-ramon-move-your-body] @13:44Madison Daniel - NIRVANA [https://amrap.org.au/release/madison-daniel-nirvana] @34:44Mark Howard    - Scarlette [https://amrap.org.au/release/mark-howard-scarlette] @56:20

Natalie grow up with an alcoholic father and a religious mother who kept the peace by avoiding conflict with the alcoholic. Feeling overlooked in her family, Natalie looked forward to a life independent of it. When she moved away to study and begin a career, she found that she still had to reckon with her family relationships, finding difficulties with each of her parents at different times, reconciling with her father at one point and separating herself from her mother at another. At a low point in her early thirties, Natalie chanced upon a TV program that mentioned support for families of alcoholics and went to her first Al-Anon meeting.  If you think that Al-Anon or Alateen could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.au

The child of migrant parents who worked long hours, Amanda remembers feeling isolated as a child. She remembers bingeing on food at the age of 8 and has spent many years struggling with compulsive over-eating, using food to calm herself whever she feel restless, irritable, discontented or otherwise uncomfortable. Overeaters Anonymous has shown Amanda that she is not alone and that it is possible  to live at ease, without bingeing.

Dan grew up with normal parents but felt uncomfortable in the world. His insecurities and fears led to a nervous breakdown in his early teens. Dan discovered alcohol as a 16 yo and found that it relieved his overwhelming feeling of being different. Alcohol allowed him not to care about what others thought about him and, like many alcoholics, he continued to drink to blackout, even from his first drinking session.Dan didn’t realize that his feelings were the problem, but he knew that alcohol was the solution, and even though he couldn’t control his drinking, he couldn’t contemplate life without alcohol. After 27 years of drinking, including being homeless and through about 40 periods of rehab and detox, Dan found the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Understanding the disease concept of alcoholism and with the help of AA members Dan’s desire for alcohol quickly diminished and he was able to be himself and live life on life’s terms.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website www.aa.org.au.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.You can show your support to the Living Free show and keep us on air by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand/or donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@16:20 Hope River Road – Trouble (https://amrap.org.au/track/hope-river-road-trouble)@35:00 No Promises – Some Kind Of Wonderful (https://amrap.org.au/release/no-promises-some-kind-of-wonderful)@56:26 Cassidy-Rae – Fangirl (https://amrap.org.au/release/cassidy-rae-fangirl)

Alex talks about growing up with a dad who was dealing drugs and spent time in prison. He had a happy childhood but being without his father in his early teens he started drinking and the pain of losing him in his late teens sent him into a dependence on drugs. Alex managed to maintain his job initially but eventually the impact of drug use meant he couldn’t work. He first came to Galiamble Men’s Recovery Centre in 2019 but wasn’t serious about giving up the drugs. After a traumatic experience he decided it was time to try Galiamble again and this time it was different, bonding with the other residents and found personal insight through the therapy programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.James shared about the impact Galiamble had in his growth, enabling him to becoming confident and comfortable with himself. Galiamble provides a 16-week, 24-hour residential drug and alcohol healing centre and the recovery program is based on the Twelve Step abstinence model. It embraces a holistic treatment approach that recognises the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of Aboriginal people.For more information contact:Galiamble Men’s Recovery Centre on 03 9534 1602, email them on [email protected] or go online at ngwala.org.au.Alcoholics Anonymous on 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.au.Narcotics Anonymous on 1300 652 820 at any time, or go online at na.org.auShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@15:20 - Roller Coaster Ride by Dallas Atkins (https://amrap.org.au/release/dallas-atkins-roller-coaster-ride)@30:35 - I Got Mine by Ally Row (https://amrap.org.au/release/ally-row-i-got-mine)

Nadine grew up with a father who drank and a mother who suffered from depression. Her mother died when Nadine was 13 and after an unsettled few years in the care of an aunt and then a housekeeper, Nadine found herself married at 16 to a drinker. During the marriage she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital where she overheard her husband commenting to the staff that Nadine's behaviour was the reason he drank. Fortunately it was at this time that she was introduced to Al-Anon, which she credits with saving her life. Eventually, Nadine knew that she had to leave her marriage. She met a sober alcoholic and together they recovered in a fulfilling and loving relationship. Nadine has had many trials in the years since but with the support of others and by practising the Al-Anon program she has flourished, finding much to enjoy in life. If you think that Al-Anon or Alateen could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.au

Ellie has struggled with the texture and taste of certain foods her whole life. This has resulted in social anxiety and guilt over not being able to eat healthy food during school. Since graduating and moving out, Ellie's relationship with food has improved and she explains where she's at now with some perspective. 

Anthony grew up in an English village, enjoying much freedom as a child. As a young adult he developed a love of travel and, using his training in information technology, found himself teaching computing in a Kenyan school. In Kenya he met his first wife, and together they moved to Australia where they took up farming, while bringing up their two sons. It was when his marriage ended that Anthony began a relationship with an alcoholic and eventually, through his partner's temporary recovery, came into contact with Al-Anon. If you think that Al-Anon or Alateen could help you cope with someone else’s problem drinking then you can phone 1300 252 666 or go to their website al-anon.org.au

James talks about growing up as an Aboriginal in Western District of Victoria, how alcohol affected his family and how alcohol and drug abuse became part of his life as he dealt with early trauma and PTSD. Sport was a constant during James’ life, providing an opportunity for participation and enduring friendships. Inevitably, his alcohol and drug use led him to have extended periods of imprisonment, which enabled him to experience a quiet time away from alcohol and drugs.  James has used the Galiamble Men’s Recovery Centre twice in his recovery, and through them has accessed Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Galiamble provides a 16-week, 24-hour residential drug and alcohol healing centre and the recovery program is based on the Twelve Step abstinence model. It embraces a holistic treatment approach that recognises the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of Aboriginal people.For more information contact:Galiamble Men’s Recovery Centre on 03 9534 1602, email them on [email protected] or go online at ngwala.org.au.Alcoholics Anonymous on 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.au.Narcotics Anonymous on 1300 652 820 at any time, or go online at na.org.auShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@16:55 - Running for Days by Cars Have Faces (https://amrap.org.au/release/cars-have-faces-running-for-days)@35:18 - Journey of your Life by Hope River Road (https://amrap.org.au/track/hope-river-road-journey-of-your-life)@55:38 - Rare Phenomenon by Rare Phenomenon (https://amrap.org.au/track/rare-phenomenon-rare-phenomenon)

Jennie grew up with young parents and had a disadvantaged childhood. Eager to fit in she learnt early to not reveal much of herself and just reflect the values of others. Jennie found moving from the UK to Australia in her early teens quite traumatic and in her late teens left home and went to live with acquaintances in St Kilda. Her reasonably quiet life fairly quickly transformed to smoking dope and then hard drugs. She didn’t like the effects of alcohol and it was never an issue in the early days.Drugs led Jennie into prostitution, theft and eventually prison. She was able to go back to university, graduate and work in a profession but kept being drawn back into drug use and prostitution to pay for her habit. Eventually she stopped using amphetamines and picked up alcohol, which proved to have a much stronger hold on her. After a medical incident at 68 Jennie realized that she would have to give up alcohol to get well and approached Alcoholics Anonymous for help.  It took a few goes before she realized that AA and abstinence was the answer and now at 72 she has been sober for over 4 years.If you would like to find out a bit more about alcoholism for yourself or a friend, then you can give Alcoholics Anonymous a call on 1300 222 222 or check out their website www.aa.org.au.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem, then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups helpline on 1300 252 666 or go online at al-anon.org.au for more information.#Recovery #Alcoholism #Anonymous #LivingFree #SobrietyYou can show your support to the Living Free show and keep us on air by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand/or donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@15:05 Jess Locke – Uncomfortably Happy (https://amrap.org.au/track/jess-locke-uncomfortably-happy-uncomfortably-happy) @36:35 Hayden Coonan Music – Bury Me In The Ground (https://amrap.org.au/track/hayden-coonan-music-bury-me-in-the-ground-bury-me-in-the-ground)