Addiction Talk

Actress Brandy Ledford, known for her roles in Baywatch Hawaii, Andromeda, and Modern Family, opens up about her powerful journey from Hollywood fame to addiction and recovery. Behind the spotlight, Brandy faced a decades-long battle with cocaine and alcohol that began at just 14 years old. Now celebrating 13 years of sobriety, she shares her story of resilience, faith, and redemption. In this episode of Addiction Talk, Brandy offers an inspiring message of hope for anyone struggling with addiction or supporting a loved one in recovery.

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

Veteran crime reporter Beth McDonough built a career on relentless pursuit—until life hit hard. After her mother’s sudden passing, a breakup, and her father’s emergency heart surgery, alcohol became her coping mechanism. Two DUIs and a lost dream job later, Beth faced a choice: go home or go to treatment. She chose recovery.

Now 16 years sober and the author of Standby, Beth shares a raw, unflinching conversation about losing everything—and rebuilding with honesty, humility, and hope. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol, this story offers practical insight and proof that long-term recovery is possible.

In this interview, Beth discusses:

How high-achiever “grit” can hide a growing alcohol problem

The breaking point that led her to treatment

Early sobriety: shame, repair, and rebuilding trust

Tools that sustain long-term recovery (community, routine, service)

Writing Standby and turning pain into purpose

About Beth:
Beth McDonough is a former crime reporter and the author of Standby, a memoir about addiction, loss, and the everyday work of recovery.

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

Paramedic and author Peter Canning has witnessed the opioid epidemic from the frontlines, responding to over a thousand overdoses. In this episode of Addiction Talk, Canning—author of Killing Season: A Paramedic's Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Opioid Epidemic—returns with insights from his new book written for families and loved ones impacted by addiction. He shares his powerful perspective on the overdose crisis, why addiction is not a character flaw, and what every parent, friend, and family member should know to help save a life.

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

Joseph Camera, Military and Veteran Liaison at American Addiction Centers, shares his powerful story of overcoming addiction, trauma, and incarceration to find healing through faith and service. Once facing 27 years in prison, Joseph opens up about the turning point in a jail cell that led him to recovery, redemption, and a new purpose—helping fellow veterans find the treatment they deserve. His raw, emotional testimony shows that no one is too far gone for hope, healing, and peace.

You can reach Joe at 858-419-9800
If you or a loved one is struggling, call 866-244-1070

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

On this episode of Addiction Talk, we’re joined by author and former TV director, Art Dielhenn. In the 1980s and 90s, Art Dielhenn was at the top of his game, directing iconic sitcoms like Diff’rent Strokes, Punky Brewster, Head of the Class, and Sister, Sister. But behind the scenes, Art was fighting a private battle: his growing compulsion to drink. 

After white-knuckling sobriety for 15 years, Art entered a recovery program after hitting what he calls his rock bottom. Today, he’s sober and using his voice to help others. 

Author of "Get Out of Your Head, It’s a Mess in There" and "Addiction Is a Family Disease," Art Dielhenn is pulling back the curtain on what addiction really looks like inside a family, and how families can navigate this disease. 

If you have a loved one who has been impacted by addiction, you won’t want to miss this. Join us as Art takes us through his powerful journey—from the director’s chair to a mission of recovery, redemption, and real change.

If you or a loved one is struggling, call 866-244-1070

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

This episode of My Recovery Story features former patient Marissa. She shares about her journey to recovery and how her life has changed since seeking treatment at Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, NV. 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

As marijuana legalization expands, many assume cannabis is safe—but is it really? In this episode of Addiction Talk: Expert Insights, Dr. Gary Mitrevolis, Medical Director at Laguna Treatment Center, discusses the growing concerns around cannabis use. Learn about the mental health impacts, risk of addiction, rising THC levels, and the dangers of adolescent use. Dr. Mitrevolis also addresses the myth of "safe" edibles, potential laced products, withdrawal symptoms, and what treatment looks like for cannabis use disorder. Don't miss this essential conversation about one of today’s most misunderstood substances.

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

Far too many women are battling addiction behind closed doors, carrying the weight of silence, shame, and the fear of what asking for help might cost them. For mothers especially, the thought of leaving their children for treatment can feel impossible.

On this episode of Addiction Talk: Expert Insights, Ari Chelli, Clinical Director at Desert Hope Treatment Center, gets personal about her journey from addiction to advocacy. She discusses the barriers that keep women stuck and what can be done to help more women get the support they deserve. Expert Insights starts now.

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org

On this episode of Addiction Talk: My Recovery Story, we sit down with Liz Varnado—a resilient, insightful woman whose powerful journey through addiction, cultural identity, and healing is as inspiring as it is raw. 

As a Black, French, and Native American mother and professional, Liz opens up about the significance of cultural identity in treatment, the weight of generational trauma, and how she found strength through spiritual reconnection through Laguna Treatment Center’s Tribal Track and community. 

Her path from rock bottom to rebuilding her life with purpose is one you won’t want to miss. 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by  American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction and mental health services.

Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers. Looking for more addiction-related content? Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @americanaddictioncenters! 

 Addiction Talk is brought to you by American Addiction Centers, if you or someone know needs help, call 866-244-1070 or visit our website at americanaddictioncenters.org