79: Memoir of a Delinquent Girlhood with Maureen Stanton

79: Memoir of a Delinquent Girlhood with Maureen Stanton

Teenage years can be a whirlwind of emotions and confusion, and for Maureen Stanton, it was a time marked by deep anxiety and self-doubt. In this episode of 'The Addicted Mind Podcast', host Duane Osterlind chats with Maureen about her memoir, 'Body Leaping Backwards: Memoir of a Delinquent Girlhood'. This powerful book captures Maureen's struggles with drug use and addiction during her adolescence.

She opens up about the emotional turmoil that led her to self-medicate with Angel Dust, a dissociative anesthetic popular in the 1970s. The conversation reveals how Maureen's feelings of shame kept her from publishing her story for decades, only finding the courage to do so after her father's passing in 2014. Maureen believed that sharing her story was crucial, as it still resonates with today's teenagers despite the changing times.

This episode dives into the significant impact of shame on addiction, the nuances of adolescent brain development, and the cultural factors influencing teenage drug use. Maureen's candid recounting of her journey from addiction to recovery serves as a poignant reminder that addiction can affect anyone, and seeking help is essential. Her story underscores the power of sharing personal experiences to inspire and support others facing similar challenges.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of addiction and the resilience required to overcome it.