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For decades, families have been told that "tough love" is the best way to help someone struggling with addiction. But what if that approach is making things worse? In this episode, Christina talks with Kathleen Cochran, founder of Moms for All Paths to Recovery, about what she learned after walking alongside her daughter through more than 20 years of opioid addiction. They discuss why compassion isn't the same as enabling, how medications for opioid use disorder can save lives, and why every person's path to recovery looks different. Whether you're supporting a loved one or simply want to better understand addiction, this conversation offers practical hope, evidence-based insights, and a fresh perspective on what it really means to help. Resources: - Moms for All Paths to Recovery: https://momsforallpaths.substack.com/ - Invitation to Change: https://motivationandchange.com/ - "Curious" by Christina Dent: https://a.co/d/0d0ERl3i Keywords: addiction, harm reduction, medication for opioid use disorder, family support, recovery, unconditional love, evidence-based treatment, overdose prevention

In this episode, Christina sits down with Kathie McKinney, a parent, SMART Family & Friends facilitator, and advocate for families impacted by addiction. Kathie shares her own journey of moving from fear, frustration, and trying to “fix” the problem to learning how trust, empathy, and communication can transform relationships. They discuss why families need support and skills of their own, how approaches like motivational interviewing and Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) can help loved ones respond differently, and why creating a safe space for honest conversations can make all the difference in recovery. If you love someone struggling with substance use, this conversation offers hope, practical tools, and a reminder that connection is often the starting point for change.   Resources: Allies in Recovery: https://alliesinrecovery.net/ Center for Motivation and Change: https://motivationandchange.com/ Helping Families Help: https://helpingfamilieshelp.com/ Hopestream Podcast: https://hopestreamcommunity.org Partnership to End Addiction: https://drugfree.org/ Heather Ross Podcast: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/podcast-3/ Put The Shovel Down: https://www.youtube.com/@PutTheShovelDown The School of Hard Talks: https://www.dremilykline.com/home/schoolofhardtalksonline SMART Recovery Family & Friends: https://smartrecovery.org/family

Ethan Nadelmann shares his insights from his four decades of experience in drug policy reform. The biggest wins, painful losses, and how we get to a healthier world.   Watch the TED Talk on ending the drug war by Ethan Nadelmann: https://www.ted.com/talks/ethan_nadelmann_why_we_need_to_end_the_war_on_drugs   Keywords: drug policy reform, marijuana legalization, harm reduction, criminal justice, psychedelics, tobacco harm reduction, public health, policy change, advocacy, Ethan Nadelmann

Christina Dent interviews Jon Seidl about his journey as a Christian who began struggling with alcohol addiction long after he became a Christian. They explore the power of storytelling, radical honesty, and practical steps for communities to support people on recovery journeys. Resources: Jon's Website: https://www.jonseidl.com/ Jon's Book: https://a.co/d/0bF1vCjY Veritas Recovery: https://www.veritasrecovery.org/ Keywords: faith, addiction, storytelling, recovery Christianity, mental health, sanctification, sobriety, church, vulnerability

Sam Chapman, founder of the Center for Psychedelic Policy and a driving force behind much of the psychedelic policy reform happening today, breaks down what it actually takes to move reform from idea to implementation. Drawing on Oregon’s first-in-the-nation psilocybin therapy program, he explains how the policy came together, what’s working so far, and where challenges remain. This conversation explores the intersection of mental health, regulation, and public perception—and what other states can learn before following Oregon’s lead. Keywords: Psychedelic policy, psilocybin therapy, Oregon Measure 109, drug policy reform, psychedelic legalization, mental health treatment alternatives, regulated psychedelics

Colonel Steven Maxwell is a seasoned and decorated law enforcement officer, spending more than 30 years in narcotics work, rising to Executive Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Maxwell shares his change of mind over the years as education and experience helped him understand addiction as a health crisis. He emphasizes the importance of listening to people and organizations that have differing viewpoints, because we can learn across differences in ways that strengthen both sides.

Esther Pilgrim is a nurse who has worked inside a prison as well as in crisis care for people with mental health challenges and those needing detox. But more importantly for this episode, she's a mother and an advocate shaped by her daughter’s struggle with addiction and incarceration. In this episode, she shares how her understanding of addiction transformed, and she and her daughter went from fighting against each other to becoming a team as they fought her addiction.   Links: About Invitation to Change: https://cmcffc.org/approach/invitation-to-change About CRAFT: https://motivationandchange.com/what-is-craft/

In this episode, State Representative Sam Creekmore from Mississippi, who is also the Chairman of the Public Health committee in the Mississippi House of Representatives, joins us to talk about new legislation he's proposing in order to open pathways for psychedelic treatment with ibogaine. Rep. Creekmore shares how he got interested in ibogaine, what he hopes this legislation will do, and why it's important in his home state of Mississippi.    Links:  The Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode with Bryan Hubbard and Rick Perry on ibogaine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcCKDDa3MzY In Waves and War - Netflix documentary on veterans seeking healing through ibogaine treatment: https://www.netflix.com/title/82047468 Mississippi Public Health Joint Committee Hearing on Ibogaine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M6cg9E9-Bk Keywords: Ibogaine, Addiction Treatment, Psychedelic Therapy, PTSD, SUD, Traumatic Brain Injury, mental health, recovery, veterans

In this conversation, Brittany Denson shares her personal journey of recovery and the significance of events like Recovery Day at the Capitol in Mississippi. The discussion highlights the importance of community support, advocacy for legislative changes, and the role of sober living environments in the recovery process. Brittany emphasizes the need for individuals to engage in advocacy and the impact of sharing personal stories to foster understanding and support for those struggling with addiction.   Recovery Day 2026: Join us January 22 at the Mississippi State Capitol for Recovery Day! More info: https://enditforgood.com/events   Keywords: Recovery Day, addiction, advocacy, sober living, community support, Mississippi, mental health, recovery journey, legislative change, peer support

In this celebratory 100th episode of the End It For Good podcast, hosts Christina Dent and Bryan Mauk reflect on their favorite podcast episodes and the milestones of the organization. They also share their vision for the future in the midst of realities that are rolling back progress, such as bombing boats of suspected traffickers. Listeners are invited to share their personal stories as we look towards the next 100 episodes and the people End It For Good exists to help. Keywords: End It For Good, addiction, recovery, milestones, outreach, community, advocacy, drug policy, personal stories, future goals, impact

In this conversation, Christina Dent and Stacey McKenna discuss the complexities of substance use, particularly in relation to motherhood and pregnancy. Stacey shares her personal journey with methamphetamine use and how it shaped her research as a medical anthropologist. They explore the impact of policies on substance use, the emotional context behind addiction, and the stigma surrounding mothers who use substances. The discussion emphasizes the importance of supportive environments and effective treatment options, particularly medications for opioid use disorder, to improve outcomes for both mothers and their children.   About Stacey: Stacey McKenna is a medical anthropologist and senior fellow in integrated harm reduction at the R Street Institute. She has conducted research on substance use and addiction in the United States and Malawi. In her work with R Street, she studies and writes about how policy affects people's abilities to protect their health.   Keywords: substance use, addiction, motherhood, prenatal care, harm reduction, policy, recovery, stigma, mental health, support systems

Juliana Mulligan shares her transformative journey with the psychedelic ibogaine as a treatment that finally worked for her substance use disorder. She discusses her personal experiences with addiction, the limitations of traditional treatment methods, and the profound impact of trauma on recovery. Juliana explains the unique experience of ibogaine treatment, its effects on brain chemistry, and the importance of post-treatment support. She addresses common misconceptions about ibogaine and emphasizes the need for thorough research when seeking treatment. The conversation highlights the potential of ibogaine as a powerful tool for healing and the promising future of its use in addiction treatment. Links:  Juliana's website: https://www.innervisionibogaine.com/ Finding a Clinic: https://www.innervisionibogaine.com/findingaclinic About Juliana:  Juliana Mulligan, LMSW, is a psychotherapist who is formerly opioid dependent, formerly incarcerated, and has been working in the ibogaine treatment community for thirteen years. In 2011, with the help of ibogaine treatment, Juliana left opioids behind and set off on a path to transform the way drug users and their treatment is approached. She has worked in multiple ibogaine clinics, was the Psychedelic Program Coordinator at the Center for Optimal Living, and was a consultant for the Kentucky Ibogaine Initiative. She currently runs Inner Vision Ibogaine, which supports clients in preparation and integration around ibogaine treatment and offers consulting services for those wishing to approach ibogaine through their projects. She is also the founder of Idryma, the first ibogaine treatment training and certification program. Juliana has presented at psychedelic and harm reduction conferences, is the author of the Guide to Finding a Safe Ibogaine Clinic, and co-author of Fireside’s Warning Signs When Selecting a Psychedelic Facilitator. She has taught about ibogaine at Charite University in Berlin and Southwestern College in New Mexico and has written for multiple publications about ibogaine, including Double Blind Magazine and Chacruna. Her quotes have been featured in the New York Times, Rolling Stone Magazine, National Geographic, and most recently she was mentioned on the Joe Rogan podcast. Her focus on abuse and ethics in the ibogaine treatment space has also led to her survivor advocacy and client support work with GITA and the Shine Collective. Keywords: Ibogaine, addiction treatment, substance use disorder, psychotherapy, trauma, recovery, psychedelic therapy, mental health, neurochemistry, harm reduction

Prenatal substance use is often misunderstood, oversimplified, and met with stigma instead of support. In this conversation, Christina Dent and Meghann Perry explore the complex realities facing mothers who use substances during pregnancy—from trauma and addiction to healthcare barriers and the fear of criminalization. Together, they reflect on the importance of compassionate care, the power of bonding and attachment, and what it looks like to invest in families so both moms and babies can thrive. This episode invites us to move beyond judgment and toward curiosity, connection, and systems that heal rather than harm. About Meghann: Meghann Perry, CARC, RCPF, is an award-winning keynote speaker, storyteller, theatre educator, curriculum developer, harm reductionist and addiction recovery coach. She creates innovative learning experiences blending Theatre, Storytelling, and Coaching and is an international educator of the behavioral health workforce. Meghann is the author of two groundbreaking programs, Recovery Storytelling and Embodied Storytelling, and a global keynote speaker and presenter on peer support, storytelling, and stigma for organizations like NIH, NAADAC, FAVOR, PRCoE, HRSA, Hazelden, and the recent Lisbon Addictions Conference. Meghann is a person who used drugs who passionately supports people in prevention, harm reduction and recovery and leads a team of dedicated facilitators redefining education and intervention in the substance and mental health field.  Links:  Meghann's paper in Health Affairs: www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.00647 Meghann Perry Group website: www.meghannperry.com   Keywords: prenatal substance use, maternal health, addiction, recovery, healthcare, bonding, criminalization, compassionate care, systemic issues, early childhood trauma.

In this episode of the End It For Good podcast, host Christina Dent shares inspiring stories of individuals who have taken the initiative to share knowledge about addiction recovery and drug policy reform. Through personal anecdotes, she emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the power of personal networks in spreading the movement.  Keywords End It For Good, addiction recovery, personal stories, community engagement, drug policy, sharing knowledge, transformative experiences, advocacy, personal networks, recovery stories

In this episode, Christina Dent and Bryan Mauk discuss the erosion of civil liberties due to drug policies, the implications of military actions against drug trafficking, and the ongoing debate surrounding substances like kratom and psychedelics. They explore how historical precedents in drug enforcement have led to current practices that compromise individual rights and question the effectiveness of aggressive interdiction strategies.  Topics The Erosion of Civil Liberties in Drug Policy Military Actions and Drug Interdiction The Impact of Drug Supply Disruption The Debate on Kratom and 7-OH Exploring the Potential of Ibogaine