Breaking Free

Hello,

This week on Cracking Addiction I'm excited to share with you the inspiring story of our guest, Dr. Laura Petracek.
In this episode, Laura opens up about her struggles with addiction, mental health, and the path to her recovery. Her journey is filled with hope, resilience, and valuable insights that can benefit anyone going through a challenging time.

Why Listen:

If you're looking for motivation and guidance to overcome addiction, this episode is a must-listen. Throughout our conversation, Laura emphasised the importance of seeking help and taking things one day at a time. Her story not only sheds light on the complexities of addiction but also explores topics like mental illness, family dynamics, and finding a sense of belonging. By tuning in, you'll gain a deeper understanding of addiction and discover practical actions you can take to support yourself or someone you care about.

Key Points:

1. Seeking Support: Laura shares various avenues for seeking support, whether it's reaching out to a therapist, attending a meeting, or connecting with a community centre. She highlights the positive change in society's attitudes towards mental health and substance use, emphasizing that there are people who genuinely care and want to see you succeed.

2. The Importance of Mood Stabilizers: Laura candidly discusses her experience with bipolar disorder and the pivotal role mood stabilizers play in her recovery. She emphasises the significance of finding the right treatment and highlights the dangers of stopping medication without proper guidance.

3. Overcoming Isolation and Finding Belonging: Laura reflects on her struggles with isolation, both in terms of her sexual identity and within her family dynamics. She emphasises the importance of finding a sense of belonging and discusses the healing power of therapy, support groups, and self-acceptance.

4. The Impact of Childhood Bullying: Laura bravely shares her experiences of being bullied at home and school, which further contributed to her feelings of isolation and depression. She discusses how these challenging circumstances can lead individuals towards self-destructive behaviors, and the crucial role that school and therapy played in her recovery.

5. Taking the Next Right Step: Laura's journey is a reminder that progress often comes from taking the next right step, even amidst challenging circumstances. She illustrates this concept by sharing personal stories of hitting rock bottom, seeking help, and ultimately turning her life around.

Interesting Fact:
Did you know that Dr. Laura Petracek has written a bestseller on how to combine DBT with the 12-step program to help those with a dual diagnosis of alcohol use disorder and mental health problems? It is called "The DBT workbook for alcohol and drug addiction". Her expertise, together with her personal experiences, add depth and credibility to her story, making it a truly valuable listen for anyone struggling with addiction.

Call to Action:
If this episode resonated with you or if you know someone who could benefit from Laura's insightful journey to recovery, I encourage you to listen to the podcast episode.
Additionally, if you're interested in accredited courses on addiction, visit the Meducate website https://www.meducate.com.au/courses

Best Quote or Insight:
Laura beautifully sums up her journey by saying, "If you're going through hell, keep going." This quote reminds us that even in our darkest moments, progress is possible if we continue to take the next right step.

So what are you waiting for? Tune in to our latest episode and gain valuable insights from Laura's inspiring journey towards overcoming addiction.

Wishing you all the best,

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong
Host, Cracking Addiction