Veronica Valli & Chip Somers
Veronica Valli & Chip Somers
314: What Comes First Addiction or Mental Health With Stephanie Marquesano
314: What Comes First Addiction or Mental Health With Stephanie Marquesano
314: What Comes First Addiction or Mental Health With Stephanie Marquesano
Wednesday 7th May 2025
Explore addiction and mental health with Stephanie Marquesano as she shares insights on co-occurring disorders and prevention strategies.
Explicit
40 minutes
informative
empathetic
challenging
inspirational
About this podcast
Author:
Veronica Valli & Chip Somers
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Financial Health in Recovery
Creative Recovery Journeys
Links:
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Episodes:
388 (View all)
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Episode Overview
- Co-occurring disorders affect over 21 million people in the U.S.
- The Harris Project is the only nonprofit dedicated to these disorders.
- Importance of educating young people about mental health and substance use.
- Community support is crucial for families facing addiction and mental health challenges.
- Empathy and connection can change family experiences and support recovery.
You can't prevent something you've never heard of. You can't demand access to better care if you don't know what's missing.
In this compelling episode of the Soberful podcast, host Veronica Valli engages in a meaningful conversation with Stephanie Marquesano, the founder and president of The Harris Project. Stephanie shares the tragic story of her son Harris, who died of an accidental overdose at 19, and her subsequent journey to address co-occurring disorders—mental health challenges combined with substance use issues—that affect over 21 million people in the United States.
Stephanie highlights the need for integrated treatment approaches, as her experience showed the inadequacy of existing residential programs that claimed to treat co-occurring disorders but failed to prevent her son's untimely death. She emphasizes the importance of prevention and education, noting that awareness is the first step in demanding better care and access to treatment. Through The Harris Project, Stephanie works tirelessly to transform systems, raise awareness, and advocate for prevention strategies, especially among young people.
She believes that understanding the root causes of substance use is more important than focusing on the substance itself. Stephanie's efforts in Westchester County, New York, have led to the creation of a comprehensive continuum of care, from prevention to recovery, with support from the Department of Community Mental Health. Her advocacy extends to building safety nets for vulnerable groups, such as injured student athletes who might face addiction due to pain management.
Throughout the episode, Veronica and Stephanie discuss the role of community support in empowering families and individuals affected by addiction and mental health issues. They stress the importance of empathy and human connection in recovery, highlighting the power of collective action to reduce isolation and create supportive environments. Stephanie’s work serves as a beacon of hope, showing that through education, awareness, and community engagement, families can alter their experiences and foster recovery.
She encourages listeners to reach out and connect, underscoring that no one should feel alone in their struggle. The episode closes with a heartfelt call to action, inviting listeners to support The Harris Project and engage in conversations that can change lives.