The McShin Foundation
The McShin Foundation
Get In The Herd with Alex Bond & Special Guests from Exodus.Life Paul Stevens & Casey Copeland
Get In The Herd with Alex Bond & Special Guests from Exodus.Life Paul Stevens & Casey Copeland
Get In The Herd with Alex Bond & Special Guests from Exodus.Life Paul Stevens & Casey Copeland
Thursday 6th August 2020
Paul Stevens & Casey Copeland share their personal stories of addiction, recovery, and the power of empathy on 'Get In The Herd'.
60 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
The McShin Foundation
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery Reimagined
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Family Recovery from Addiction
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Financial Health in Recovery
Links:
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Episodes:
310 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Turning Pain into Purpose: Paul Stevens and Casey Copeland on Recovery and Redemption
I think using our lived-in experience is a completely unmatched asset that we have.
Ever wondered how personal experience shapes the journey of addiction recovery? In this compelling episode of 'Get In The Herd', host Alex Bond chats with Paul Stevens and Casey Copeland from Exodus.Life. Both guests bring a wealth of lived experience to the table, offering a raw and honest look at the challenges and triumphs of overcoming addiction.
Paul Stevens, the Executive Director of the Exodus Project, has dedicated his life to community service, tackling issues from broken marriages to child welfare and addiction. Casey Copeland, diagnosed with clinical depression by age 27, shares his own descent into substance abuse and subsequent incarceration. Now a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Casey supervises all PRSS’s in Arkansas, helping others navigate their recovery paths. The episode dives deep into the power of empathy and understanding in recovery.
Stevens emphasizes that lived experience is an unmatched asset in helping others. Copeland echoes this sentiment, stressing the importance of role models who demonstrate that recovery is possible. Mental health is another key focus. Stevens and Copeland discuss how addressing mental health issues is crucial for effective addiction recovery, especially for those who have been incarcerated. They share personal stories about battling clinical depression and finding the right treatments. Entrepreneurship as a recovery tool also gets spotlighted.
Copeland talks about teaching entrepreneurship to those in recovery, boosting their confidence and self-esteem. Stevens highlights how finding purpose and meaning through entrepreneurship can provide direction and fulfillment. Employment challenges post-addiction are another hot topic. Copeland shares his struggles with being labeled a 'criminal' and finding work. Stevens points out the lingering stigma attached to addiction and incarceration, urging employers to be more open-minded. The discussion also covers medically-assisted treatment, noting its benefits and limitations.
Both guests agree it should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses root causes, not just symptoms. Recidivism and re-entry into society are addressed with personal anecdotes. Copeland stresses the importance of support systems and community building in recovery. Stevens advocates for evidence-based programs to tackle underlying issues that lead to addiction and incarceration. Finally, the episode underscores the importance of giving back.
Both guests share how using their lived experience to help others has positively impacted their own recovery journeys. Stevens notes that giving back provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment that's hard to find elsewhere. This episode is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration, highlighting the unique perspectives of those who have battled addiction and emerged stronger. Tune in for an enriching conversation that could spark hope and change in your own recovery journey.