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Living Free

The Living Free Crew

Talk on substance misuse, alcoholism and other addictions. Information on support groups is given.

news & politics

All Episodes

Alcoholics Anonymous - Jasmin

Living Free ·

2019/08/15

Warning - this program features a personal story that includes sexual assault and family abuse and may be triggering so please take care. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea right now you should skip of this podcast.Jasmin grew up in a very dysfunctional family, with a very young mum and an addict father. Her mum left after extreme family violence, leaving 4 year old Jasmin and her younger brother with her abusive drug addict dad. She was finally reunited with her mum a few years later but

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Gamblers Anonymous - Brad and James

Living Free ·

2019/08/08

Brad and James both grew up in normal families unaffected by drugs, alcohol or gambling and they both sought escape from life’s responsibilities through gambling.Brad chose TAB betting on horses, dogs and sport whereas James preferred the pokies but they both found that their gambling led to a second life, hidden from family and friends. Gambling wasn’t really about the money; it was about forgetting the responsibilities of life. Eventually they each had to admit it to their family, sought help

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Al-Anon Family Groups -Sue and Steve

Living Free ·

2019/08/01

Sue and Steve both grew up with an alcoholic mum and Sue also had an alcoholic dad. As children, they both tried to control the drinker(s) but realized that they were powerless over the alcoholism in their families and later realized that they too were profoundly affected. When they married and Sue’s mum moved in with them their problems got a lot worse. They soon discovered Al-Anon Family Groups which enabled them to see the part they played in the family disease of alcoholism. Even though the

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Gamblers Anonymous - Sharelle and Allan

Living Free ·

2019/07/25

Sharelle didn’t really like gambling but she was in an unhappy marriage and had recently lost her mum, and had enjoyed nights accompanying her mum to the pokies. Sharelle started fairly small stake gambling on the pokies where she felt close to her mum and could forget her found the he turned to the pokies as a way of feeling close to her mum and forget about her marriage. When she was arrested for stealing from her job, Sharelle sought the help through Gamblers Anonymous was able to quit and

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Alcoholics Anonymous - Max and Ben

Living Free ·

2019/07/18

Max grew up in a very religious family and was keen to break away from that constraint as well as competing with his twin brother. He started drinking and using drugs as a 13 to 14 year old and Max enjoyed this until he was 16 when he developed a severe physical disability that lasted for the next five years. Max left school, isolated, continued to drink and developed more health problems till his family got him into a succession of rehabs where he eventually found Alcoholics Anonymous and has

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Al-Anon Family Groups -Sylvia and Celeste

Living Free ·

2019/07/04

Sylvia and Celeste discuss how Al-Anon Family Groups enabled them to see the part they played in the family disease of alcoholism. Even though the drinker caused problems, their reactions often exacerbated the situation and Al-Anon helped them to realize that they could play a bigger part in ensuring their own happiness.After coming into Al-Anon as a result of her housemates drinking, Celeste realized that her father’s drinking also had a significant impact on her life.If someone else's drinking is

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Narcotics Anonymous - Kylie and David

Living Free ·

2019/06/27

Kylie grew up with an addict/alcoholic mum and suffered the trauma associated with her unpredictable behaviour. Moving a lot in her primary school years left Kylie as a bit of an outsider and she started drinking alcohol, then smoking dope and using drugs from around 13 years old. By 16, after 3 years, her friends were telling her she had a problem with drugs but she thought better. Kylie’s mum found Alcoholics Anonymous then Narcotics Anonymous and now their roles were reversed. After many rehabs

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Alcoholics Anonymous - Sara and Dale

Living Free ·

2019/06/20

Sara and Dale have only been in Alcoholics Anonymous for less than 6 months but their recovery shines through. Both were raised in families where alcohol and/or drug abuse had taken their toll and abuse was not uncommon.Sara tried AA on and off over 20 years but found she was happiest when drinking. Eventually Sara realized that she was being held back by drinking, being just average and not realizing her full potential. Getting an AA sponsor and starting the 12 Steps meant that she felt part of the

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2019 Living Free Radiothon

Living Free ·

2019/06/13

The Radiothon theme this year is Power Radical radio! That pretty much sums up LIVING FREE – by sharing recovery stories we’re talking about changing lives for alcoholics, gamblers and food and drug addicts, and their families. Remember, your support will keep our message of HOPE on the airwaves – Shared Stories Save LivesToday’s guest was Maya, a member of Al-Anon Family Groups.You can financially support LIVING FREE and keep 3CR on the air for another year. Donate on-line at www.3cr.org.au/donate

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Al-Anon Family Groups -Maree and Janel

Living Free ·

2019/06/06

Maree and Janel both spent time with their grandparents as very young children, forming a lifelong bond, both spent time looking after their younger siblings at home and both escaped from home in their early 20’s.Maree’s grandfather was the first drinker she encountered and she went on to marry an alcoholic. She finally reached rock bottom and was recommended to try Al-Anon Family Groups by a friend and found her people and has been in Al-Anon now for over 13 years.Janel’s dad, then step dad were

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Al-Anon Family Groups – Kathy

Living Free ·

2019/05/30

Kathy grew up with an alcoholic parent and went on to marry an alcoholic and also has children that have a drinking problem. She found that coping with her children’s drinking had the biggest impact on her life.Finding Al-Anon Family Groups exposed Kathy to the disease concept of alcoholism and helped her understand how someone else’s alcoholism affected the way she continued to live their life. Al-Anon has enabled Kathy to enjoy a life in spite of the problems caused by drinking.If someone else's

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Narcotics Anonymous - Melissa and Paul

Living Free ·

2019/05/23

Melissa and Paul both had parents that separated when they were young and started using alcohol and drugs in their early and mid-teens.Paul dropped out of secondary school but managed to stick at TAFE to start a career and became a father in his early 20’s. The family slowed down his drug and alcohol use but he became an opiate addict on prescription medication after a major surgery. Paul managed to get onto drug replacement therapy but eventually turned to Narcotics Anonymous for help and after 8

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Alcoholics Anonymous - Shane

Living Free ·

2019/05/16

Shane’s only been in Alcoholics Anonymous for 104 days but he already realizes that it has saved his life. Drinking for over 30 years, since he was in his early teens, Shane knows that his drinking is just a symptom of deeper problems. Losing his mum at a very early age increased his anxiety and alcohol was a convenient method to suppress his emotions. What he hadn’t realized is that it became the biggest problem in his life.If you think that alcohol may be a problem then Alcoholics Anonymous could

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Al-Anon Family Groups – Emma and Barry

Living Free ·

2019/05/02

Emma and Barry both grew up with an alcoholic parent and didn’t really realize the impact of that alcoholism on their family till they left home.Finding Al-Anon Family Groups exposed Emma and Barry to the disease concept of alcoholism and helped them understand how someone else’s alcoholism affected the way they continued to live their life. Al-Anon has enabled them to enjoy a life without anxiety.If someone else's drinking is causing you a problem then you can phone the Al-Anon Family Groups

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Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous - Alan and Alison

Living Free ·

2019/04/25

Alan and Alison have both been in Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) for over six years and are enjoying the benefits of being able to live with a normal attitude to food and eating.Married and with a young family Alan’s obsession with overeating got out of control and he modified his work and home life around access to food. After spending years with a personal trainer trying to exercise his way out he has realized his dream of a normal body size and healthy eating habits. Joining FA has

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Alcoholics Anonymous - Troy

Living Free ·

2019/04/18

Troy’s mum and dad weren’t drinkers themselves but he felt a bit different because he was adopted. He was bullied in school and found that although he didn’t like the taste alcohol it gave him confidence and helped him survive adolescence. Troy’s work took him into the party scene in Kings Cross and alcohol and drugs were freely available. He first came into Alcoholics Anonymous via a detox but his mental health issues meant that he couldn’t really see alcohol as the problem.Troy got back to AA

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Gamblers Anonymous - Michael

Living Free ·

2019/04/11

Michael is a compulsive gambler, once he started gambling he had no desire to stop, regardless of the consequences. Growing up in a migrant family there was plenty of social gatherings where the family played cards but no real gambling. Michael felt pressured to do well in life and learnt to hide his feelings and please people.Michael’s pokies addiction began after a relationship breakdown when he felt depressed. A win quickly consolidated his habit of escape and it wasn’t until his second wife

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Al-Anon Family Groups – John and Warren

Living Free ·

2019/04/04

John and Warren both grew up with an alcoholic parent, married an alcoholic and eventually separated. Similarly they both experienced psychological stress and their families suffered mental health challenges.Finding Al-Anon Family Groups exposed John and Warren to the disease concept of alcoholism and helped them understand the part they played in continuing the dysfunction of alcoholism in their family.With more than a decade in Al-Anon they both appreciate the freedom that recovery has enabled

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Narcotics Anonymous - Joey

Living Free ·

2019/03/28

Joey started drinking in year 6 and then and using marijuana after being bullied and weight shamed in year 7 at school. She came into NA with the help of her sister who was already in AA and found early meetings quite challenging. Joey has been clean in Narcotics Anonymous for about 2 years and 10 months but it took over 4 years and a series of breaks since encountering NA in rehab over 7 years ago. Now a committed member of NA in Geelong, life and relationships with family and friends are

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Alcoholics Anonymous - Brad and Dean

Living Free ·

2019/03/21

Brad grew up in an extended family that drank and discovered the joy of alcohol himself in his mid-teens. He realized that he drank differently than his friends and never tired where drink was involved. It wasn’t till his early thirties when he had a young family that Brad found himself prioritizing drinking ahead of the family. In his early forties he was given the choice between family and booze and decided to go to Alcoholics Anonymous. It took about 90 days before he felt at home in AA and

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