EP 84 – Self-Empowered Recovery with Mary Beth O’Connor

Kaleidoscope of Possibilities

To watch the video of this episode, please go to: https://youtu.be/mvDBBFVS5vI

What is the link between trauma and addiction?

How do you find a recovery program that will work for you?

What is the joy of recovery?

Discover the many paths to recovery, inspiration, and hope in the latest episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities: Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health, in which Dr. Adriana Popescu talks with Director of She Recovers Foundation and LifeRing Secular Recovery, author of From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, and retired judge Mary Beth O’Connor.

You will hear about the power of doing trauma work and how it contributes to the recovery process, the contribution of support groups and how you can create a self-empowered recovery program that works for you.

In this episode:

• Mary Beth’s experience of trauma and abuse growing up
• Trauma and substance abuse
• Self-empowered recovery
• Group therapy
• Alternatives to 12-Step programs
• Online versus in-person groups and sessions
• Relapse in the recovery process
• Relapse triggers
• Isolation, depression, and shame
• Fellowship
• Getting away from day zero
• The joy of recovery
• Drug courts and drug laws
• The future of addiction treatment
• Reducing substance abuse rates

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mary Beth’s book: From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction: https://junkietojudge.com/

Twitter: @MaryBethO_

LifeRing: https://lifering.org/

She Recovers: https://sherecovers.org/

Women For Sobriety: https://womenforsobriety.org/

About Mary Beth:

Mary Beth O’Connor describes her journey in her new memoir From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law and was appointed a federal administrative law judge in 2014, from which she retired in 2020. Mary Beth is on the board of directors for She Recovers Foundation and for LifeRing Secular Recovery.

“There is a way out and there is a way forward.” – Mary Beth

Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/)

About your host:

Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the new book, What If You're Not As F***d Up As You Think You Are?

For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/

To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/

To learn about her new trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/

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Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions.

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