Ray Lynch

Miracles in Recovery

Ray Lynch

  • Catherine Townsend-Lyons, Author of 'Addicted to Dimes, Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat'

Catherine Townsend-Lyons, Author of 'Addicted to Dimes, Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat'

Monday 10th July 2017

Catherine Townsend-Lyons shares her journey through gambling addiction and advocates for safe injection sites on 'Miracles in Recovery'.
56 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Hopeful
Encouraging
Supportive

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Miracles in Recovery
Author:
Ray Lynch
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery Reimagined
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Family Recovery from Addiction
Creative Recovery Journeys
Body & Mind
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Catherine Townsend-Lyons: Battling Gambling Addiction and Advocating for Safe Injection Sites

Until people realize that that it's the sickness and, as a parent of addicts, what they tell us is: love the person, don't love the disease.
What does it take to overcome a gambling addiction and become an advocate for safe injection sites? In this episode of 'Miracles in Recovery', Ray Lynch sits down with Catherine Townsend-Lyons, the author of 'Addicted to Dimes, Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat'. Catherine shares her gripping story of battling compulsive gambling and living with mental health challenges and childhood trauma.
With over a decade in recovery, she now dedicates her life to raising awareness and educating the public on these critical issues. Catherine's journey isn't just about her personal struggles; it's about changing how society views addiction. She passionately argues that addiction is a sickness, not a series of poor choices. This perspective is especially important for parents of addicts, who are often told to love the person and not the disease.
Catherine's message is clear: compassion and understanding are key. The episode also dives into the lifesaving role of Narcan, a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. While some might hesitate to carry Narcan, Catherine emphasizes its importance in combating the drug epidemic. She also advocates for safe injection sites, which have proven successful in reducing the spread of diseases like HIV. Countries like Spain and Iceland have seen remarkable results, and Catherine believes similar approaches could benefit other nations.
Ray and Catherine also touch on the emotional toll faced by first responders, who often deal with traumatic situations. Counseling and support for these individuals are crucial. Additionally, they discuss the effectiveness of drug courts as an alternative to incarceration, offering a more compassionate approach to addiction. One of the toughest challenges in recovery, according to Catherine, is detoxing from Suboxone and Methadone.
She shares her insights on why these detox processes can be more difficult than heroin detox and underscores the importance of positive interventions and support systems. If you're looking for a story of resilience and advocacy, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice. Tune in to 'Miracles in Recovery' to hear Catherine Townsend-Lyons' inspiring journey and learn about the importance of safe injection sites.