Straight From the Source - a podcast by APSU

Mark Eustice – or Wally, as he’s known to many – is a former AFL player who turned out for Essendon, Richmond and Sydney Swans. Like many professional athletes, his career was defined not only by remarkable achievements, but also the trauma of relentless competition in an unforgiving, high-pressure environment. He struggled to adapt to life after early retirement, filling the void with cocaine and alcohol, not yet ready to face up to the mental health issues that dogged him during his career.  Mark’s now more than 14 years’ sober, but the mental health challenges have persisted, and rarely more so than during the lockdowns of the past year and a half. He’s taking it upon himself to get out there once this is all over, raising awareness with his unflinching and passionate account of a personal struggle that’s anything but over.  Follow Mark at his personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mark.eustice.3Visit the website of Mark's Foundation: https://www.regainlifefocus.com.au/Check out the community group that Mark mentions: https://goodblokessociety.com.auThe show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

Our guest this time is David Higham, founder of The Well, a peer-run alcohol and other drug (AOD) service in the northwest of England.For more than 20 years, David was a habitual heroin user more accustomed to life in prison than the outside world. He joined a 12-step program during his final stay at Her Majesty’s pleasure, and his story since has been one of great achievement.After prison David embarked on a career in the AOD sector, where often he encountered services that offered solutions to problematic drug use but not necessarily its underlying causes, nor the question of what comes next.The Well sought to harness the power of lived experience and social solidarity to offer a community-based, self-sustaining alternative. The organisation now operates across the region, combining peer-led therapeutic programs and interventions with drug-free housing, employment schemes, social enterprise and community groups.Learn more about The Well here.And here's the BBC article mentioned in the intro. The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC).APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

Pharmacotherapy is a treatment for opioid dependence that plays a vital role in many Victorians' lives. In response to COVID-19, a number of changes were made to the way it is delivered. Some of these changes had profound effects on peoples' lives, and there is ongoing debate as to which, if any, should be kept beyond the pandemic period.  In part 2 we hear from Sarah Lord, who works at Pharmacotherapy Advocacy, Mediation & Support (PAMS), a service of Harm Reduction Victoria.Sarah gives an inside perspective on how some of the changes were designed and implemented, their effects from her point of view, and an overview of pharmacotherapy in general.If you are having difficulties accessing treatment, call PAMS on 1800 443 844 or visit hrvic.org.au/pams  Please also check out part 1 to hear the views of a group of consumers with firsthand experience of the changes.The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.

Pharmacotherapy is a treatment for opioid dependence that plays a vital role in many Victorians' lives. In response to COVID-19, a number of changes were made to the way it is delivered. Some of these changes had profound effects on peoples' lives, and there is ongoing debate as to which, if any, should be kept beyond the pandemic period.  For part 1 we get a firsthand view of the changes from a group of consumers.Please also check out part 2 for an interview with Sarah Lord, who works at Pharmacotherapy Advocacy, Mediation & Support, a service of Harm Reduction Victoria. Sarah provides both detail and overview, and this may be a good place to start if you're new to the topic. The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.

Our guest for this episode is Garry Rothman, a financial counsellor at Odyssey House.Many people are facing financial strife after the year we’ve just experienced, but drug dependency and its aftermath can certainly be a cause and complicating factor.Garry offers a fascinating insight into his work in the AOD sector, as well as some indispensable information and advice for dealing with crises.In the episode, Garry refers to the National Debt Helpline, whose number is 1800 007 007, and the Work and Development Program, which can assist vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Victoria to deal with fines.The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC).APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

For this episode we spoke to Lyle May, who among other things is an inmate on Death Row at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina, in the States.The occasion for the interview was the release of Crimson Letters, Voices from Death Row, a collection of essays that Lyle co-authored with journalist Tessie Castillo and three fellow prisoners. We weren’t able to discuss the specifics of Lyle’s case because it’s under appeal, but the bare details are that he was convicted and sentenced to death in 1999 for a double murder committed in 1997.Instead, we discussed his upbringing and struggles with addiction, and subsequent life in prison, where lately he has written extensively about his personal experiences and the American criminal justice system in general.The book can be purchased in Australia here.Read more of Lyle May's writing here.And the work of Tessie Castillo, who is also an international drug policy journalist, can be found here.The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

31 August is International Overdose Awareness Day. For Part 2 of this special episode to mark the occasion, we spoke to researchers Renae Fomiatti and Adrian Farrugia, from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at Latrobe University, about two of their recent projects, Overdose Lifesavers and Further Perspectives on Alcohol, which focus on Naloxone and heavy drinking, respectively.You can learn more about both projects at livesofsubstance.orgThis was a particularly relevant conversation given Naloxone's capacity to prevent opioid overdoses, and the often-overlooked role of alcohol as a significant contributor to overdose deaths. As you’ll hear, Adrian and Renae’s work also puts consumers centre-stage and considers their drug use in a broader context, helping to counteract stigma and resist reductive stereotypes.Be sure also to check out Part 1, which features remembrances by our listeners of loved ones lost to overdose.The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

31 August is International Overdose Awareness Day. Being unable to gather in person, we asked listeners for their personal remembrances of loved ones lost to overdose.The resulting tributes are equal parts sad and joyful. They also make an implicit case against stigma and for decisive action on this urgent and tragic issue.We thank everyone who contributed and offer best wishes and solidarity to anyone marking this occasion.Be sure also to check out Part 2, an interview with researchers from Latrobe Uni about take-home Naloxone, a key tool in the prevention of opiod overdoses, and heavy drinking, an often-overlooked contributor to deaths by overdose.The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences.Our guest in the final episode of this miniseries is a resident at Windana's therapeutic community.Much has changed at Maryknoll, where Windana's residential facility - often referred to as 'the farm' - is situated. By this account, the community is holding up well, with staff and residents alike proving highly adaptable – compensating for their physical distance and isolation from the outside world by deepening connections and finding new ways to support one another.Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from other experts and professionals. The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences.Our guest in this episode is Brian, a resident at SHARC's Oxford Houses. Oxford Houses provides accommodation and support to people in recovery. The program emphasises self-help and community, but the latter can be harder to access these days.While Brian has adapted well, thanks to his own resilience and the support of peers, his example points to the challenges of giving and receiving support in this new landscape.Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals. The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences.Our guest in this episode is Rhiannon, a dual diagnosis peer worker at a major health organisation in Melbourne.Rhiannon talks us through her experiences coming to terms with COVID-19 restrictions in a profession that relies on relationship-building and emotional connection, which she frames in a broader context of social justice and human well-being.  Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals. The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences.Our guest in this episode is the mother of a young man dealing with ice addiction and other related issues.After bringing us up to date with their story, she talks about her son's recent experiences, and the new challenges - and opportunities – they both are facing.Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals.The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery.The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

The world is changing fast due to COVID-19. As part of APSU's broader effort to understand the impact on people who use alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, Straight From the Source is inviting a range of consumers and peer workers to share their experiences.Our first guest in this series is Jane, a peer worker from Harm Reduction Victoria.Harm reduction services find themselves at the sharp end of many of the lockdown restrictions, with the advice they deliver and the way it is done having to be drastically adapted. Jane gives a fascinating insight into to the many challenges faced by harm reduction services and the drug-using community, and a few reasons to feel hopeful.  Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals. The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us. Thanks so much for listening.

Nutritionist Kate Borland offers an expert view on food and cooking, with special regard to AOD issues and the current historical moment. This episode is packed with practical advice and information on nutrition, which Kate passionately presents as foundational to well-being. Anyone interested in finding out more about Kate's work can reach her by email - kbnutrition@iinet.net.au - or at her FB page. 24/7 help for AOD users is provided by Directline at 1800 888 236, and for their loved ones by Family Drug Help at 1300 660 068. Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs, as well as relevant perspectives from experts and professionals. The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it here.And there’ll be more from us, once a month.

'Sometimes I suppose we can see our family member as the person who's having the experience, and we forget that we're having an experience as well.'Beginning with her earliest memories, Bree tells the story of growing up with a mother in active heroin use. She describes the emotional range and complexity of a loving relationship affected and tragically shortened by addiction, but not necessarily defined by it.This episode contains references to domestic violence and drug use that some listeners may find distressing. 24/7 help for AOD users is provided by Directline at 1800 888 236, and for their loved ones by Family Drug Help at 1300 660 068. Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by alcohol and other drugs. The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC. Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it at dbhguitar.bandcamp.comAnd there’ll be more from us, once a month.

At a young age, Frank left a violent family home to enter Melbourne's bikie scene, discovering along the way that heroin enabled him to thrive in a hostile environment. The criminal lifestyle offered a steady supply of his drug of choice but eventually wore him down, setting him on a 10-year path to recovery.Frank reflects on his past with honesty, humour and insight - qualities that shape his present life, which includes being a peer worker at Windana.The address that Frank gives at the end is for the Windana Therapeutic Community, located at 254 Snell Rd, Maryknoll. This episode contains swearing, as well as descriptions of violence and drug use that some listeners may find distressing. 24/7 help for alcohol and other drug (AOD) users is provided by Directline at 1800 888 236, and for their loved ones by Family Drug Help at 1300 660 068.Straight From the Source presents the real-life stories of people affected by these issues.The show is brought to you by the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), which is a service of the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer body that believes the voices of people with lived experience of AOD issues should be heard and incorporated into service design and delivery. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of APSU or SHARC.Names and identifying details may have been changed for privacy reasons.Music is by dbh. There’s plenty more of it at dbhguitar.bandcamp.comAnd there’ll be more from us, once a month.

Shame, sexuality and self-love. In this episode we speak to Jenny who is an APSU speaker’s bureau member and a multi-talented woman who has done a variety of work in the alcohol and other drug space. Jenny speaks to us about growing up experiencing family dysfunction in South Africa, about relationship addiction and about her path of coming to love and accept herself as a lesbian woman. This episode is a powerful exploration of shame, identity and self-love. ‘Straight from the Source’ looks at a range of different issues relevant to those impacted by drug and alcohol use from varying perspectives and talks real, honest stories, straight from the source. We will have more guests and more stories coming to you monthly. Straight from The Source is the voice of the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), a service of the Self-Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer representative body, which believes that the needs, strengths and expertise of people who use drugs and alcohol should drive the system and their voices should be heard. Podcast episodes and further information on APSU is accessible through APSU online, APSU Facebook and through major podcast apps. Just a reminder that the views expressed by our guests are not necessarily reflective of those of APSU and SHARC. *Warning- the podcast discusses challenging topics, which may be triggering for some individuals. If listening to the podcasts brought up any issues for you and you would like to speak to someone, In Australia you can call Directline 24/7 for drug and alcohol help on: 1800 888 236. You can call QLife for LGBTQI related counseling and referral on: 1800 184 527 from 3pm until 12am every night or chat online at https://qlife.org.au/ Podcast Music is from Jimmy Loops and can be found through Facebook at Big Jimmy Loops or YouTube at Mr Jimmy Loops *Names have been changed in this episode for privacy reasons. *The book mentioned in the episode by Claudia Black is called ‘Changing Course; healing from loss abandonment and fear’.

This episode of Straight from the Source is a little different, in this episode Emma, the Systemic Advocacy Lead at APSU and podcast host, talks about a little part of her story and her previous partner Dan’s story. The story is about young love, supporting a partner through addiction and the human impact of criminalisation and stigma. ‘Straight from the Source’  looks at a range of different issues relevant to those impacted by drug and alcohol use from varying perspectives and talks real, honest stories, straight from the source. We will have more guests and more stories coming to you monthly. Straight from The Source is the voice of the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), a service of the Self-Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC).  APSU is a Victorian consumer representative body, which believes that the needs, strengths and expertise of people who use drugs and alcohol should drive the system and their voices should be heard. Podcast episodes and further information on APSU is accessible through APSU online, APSU Facebook  and through major podcast apps. Just a reminder that the views expressed by our guests are not necessarily reflective of those of APSU and SHARC. *Warning- the podcast discusses challenging topics, which may be triggering for some individuals. If listening to the podcasts brought up any issues for you and you would like to speak to someone, In Australia you can call Directline 24/7 for drug and alcohol help on: 1800 888 236. You can call the Family Drug Helpline on 1300 660 068.  Podcast Music is from Jimmy Loops and can be found through Facebook at Big Jimmy Loops or YouTube at Mr Jimmy Loops

In this episode of 'Straight from the Source’, we speak to Matt Nettleton about his experience with trauma, addiction and his journey learning not to run away from himself. This episode is insightful and informative as we go deep discussing the nature of trauma. ‘Straight from the Source’ looks at a range of different issues relevant to those impacted by drug and alcohol use from varying perspectives and talks real, honest stories, straight from the source. We will have more guests and more stories coming to you monthly. Straight from The Source is the voice of the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), a service of the Self-Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer representative body, which believes that the needs, strengths and expertise of people who use drugs and alcohol should drive the system and their voices should be heard. Podcast episodes and further information on APSU is accessible through APSU online, APSU Facebook and through ITunes and other Podcast apps. Just a reminder that the views expressed by our guests are not necessarily reflective of those of APSU and SHARC. *Warning- the podcast discusses challenging topics, which may be triggering for some individuals. If listening to the podcasts brought up any issues for you and you would like to speak to someone, In Australia you can call Directline 24/7 for drug and alcohol help on: 1800 888 236 Podcast Music is from Jimmy Loops and can be found through Facebook at Big Jimmy Loops or YouTube at Mr Jimmy Loops Matt Nettleton now holds space and guides people through their own trauma healing using a range of holistic methods. You can get in touch with him at: https://www.facebook.com/reframetherapies/

In this episode of 'Straight from the Source’, we speak to Paul about his experience with gambling and substance addiction. Paul speaks about the role of his upbringing and cultural values and about using theatre to find himself. His story is fascinating and ruminates on the value in finding ones true identity. ‘Straight from the Source’ looks at a range of different issues relevant to those impacted by drug and alcohol use from varying perspectives and talks real, honest stories, straight from the source. We will have more guests and more stories coming to you monthly. Straight from The Source is the voice of the Association of Participating Service Users (APSU), a service of the Self-Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC). APSU is a Victorian consumer representative body, which believes that the needs, strengths and expertise of people who use drugs and alcohol should drive the system and their voices should be heard. Podcast episodes and further information on APSU is accessible through APSU online, APSU Facebook and through major podcast apps. Just a reminder that the views expressed by our guests are not necessarily reflective of those of APSU and SHARC. *Warning- the podcast discusses challenging topics, which may be triggering for some individuals. If listening to the podcasts brought up any issues for you and you would like to speak to someone, In Australia you can call Directline 24/7 for drug and alcohol help on: 1800 888 236 or the Gambling help line on: 1800 858 858 Podcast Music is from Jimmy Loops and can be found through Facebook at Big Jimmy Loops or YouTube at Mr Jimmy Loops