Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick discuss the stress addiction places on families, sharing their personal battles and recovery experiences while offering tips for caregivers on self-care, recognizing addiction signs, and seeking support.

Joining the Show: Captain Brandon Dreiman

Background: Captain with 22 years at the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Roles: Coordinator of Firefighter Wellness & Support, IAFF Peer Support & Resilience Master Instructor, CBT-I clinician, Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach, and yoga teacher.

Founder of Naptown Yogawalla.

Key Discussions and Timestamps:

10:40 - 11:18 | Introduction to Captain Dreiman

Introducing Dreiman and his impressive background and achievements.

11:19 - 14:33 | Firefighter Wellness Program

Overview: This peer support program offers various firefighter services, focusing on intervention and prevention.

Proactive Approach: The program aims to address issues before they become serious.

15:03 - 17:25 | Dreiman’s Path to Sobriety

Personal Story: Dreiman talks about a turning point 12 years ago when a random drug and alcohol test led him to choose sobriety.

Lesson: The importance of giving back to maintain personal recovery.

17:39 - 20:16 | Recognizing Signs of Addiction

Advice for Caregivers: Look for behavior changes and patterns that might indicate addiction.

Communication Tips: Avoid using “I” statements instead of “you” statements to make the person feel attacked.

21:10 - 23:37 | Family and Recovery

Impact on Families: Addiction affects the whole family, but recovery can bring everyone together.

Positive Outcomes: Dreiman shares stories of successful recoveries and the comprehensive support his program offers, including counseling and relapse prevention.

24:15 - 27:00 | Importance of Communication and Dealing with Anger

Key Insights: Honest conversations and addressing anger are crucial in dealing with addiction.

Evaluating Decisions: It's important to weigh the pros and cons of addiction-related actions.

27:05 - 29:44 | Warning Signs and Support Programs

Identifying Issues: Discussing signs that might indicate a loved one is struggling with addiction.

Finding Help: Highlighting effective programs and resources available for support.

Resources:

Social X/Insta: @sobriety_pod.

Podcasts: Spotify, Apple, Please like, subscribe, and rate

Mettings: Al-Anon.org

aa.intergroup.org/meetings, Meetings (virtual-na.org)

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255 (24/7)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.