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Sober Kids Canada Podcast: How to Talk about Drugs with Your Kids

by Geeks on the Beach | Mar 15, 2024 | news

Featuring Angie Hamilton, Executive Director of Families for Addiction Recovery

This podcast is for everyone who has a child or teen in their life. Whether your child is using drugs, or if you are worried about future drug use, Angie’s talk will have something for everyone. At the end of the seminar, participants will have an opportunity ask Angie questions and share any concerns they might have about their own family situations.

Angie Hamilton is a retired lawyer, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Families for Addiction Recovery (FAR) and the parent of a child who struggles with addiction. Angie is a member of the Policy Committee of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine and a Board Member of The Ontario Family Caregivers’ Advisory Network. She was a member of the National Board of MADD Canada from 2014 to 2020 and the Chair of their Public Policy Committee.

Sober Kids Canada Podcast: Teen Cannabis Use, Psychosis, and Schizophrenia

by Sober Kids | Nov 15, 2023 | news

Teen Cannabis Use, Psychosis, and Schizophrenia

by Sober Kids Canada

Featuring Linda Lane Devlin, Drug/Alcohol Counsellor and Certified Intervention Specialist

An insightful discussion of adolescent cannabis use, psychosis, and schizophrenia

In this talk, Linda Lane Devlin, an expert with over 25 years of clinical experience working with youth and families who are struggling with addiction issues, sheds light on the links between adolescent cannabis use, psychosis, and schizophrenia.

Ms. Devlin emphasizes that while cannabis is often perceived as a harmless drug, it can have serious consequences, especially for adolescents. She points out that the adolescent brain is still developing, and exposure to cannabis can disrupt this process, leading to long-term cognitive impairments.

Ms. Devlin also discusses the link between cannabis use and psychosis, a severe mental disorder characterized by a loss of touch with reality. Studies have found that cannabis use increases the risk of developing psychosis, particularly in individuals who are genetically predisposed to the disorder.

Furthermore, Ms. Devlin notes that cannabis use can also increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, a chronic and disabling mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. She stresses that early intervention is critical in treating schizophrenia, and that preventing cannabis use in adolescence may be one way to reduce the risk of developing this debilitating disorder.

For parents who are concerned about their own teens’ use or potential use of cannabis, Ms. Devlin’s insights are both enlightening and helpful. She provides practical advice on how to talk to teens about the risks of cannabis use and how to seek professional help if needed.

In conclusion, Ms. Devlin’s talk offers a valuable perspective on the dangers of adolescent cannabis use and its links to psychosis and schizophrenia. This is a free public event for any member of the public (parents, educators, and health care professionals all welcome)

Sober Kids Canada Podcast: Families, Teens, and Harmful Substance Abuse

by Sober Kids | May 11, 2023 | news

Families, Teens, and Harmful Substance Abuse

by Sober Kids Canada

Featuring Marsha Vanwynsberghe and hosted by Chris Bungay, President of Sober Kids Canada

When your kids struggle with harmful substance use – What can you do for them? What can you do for yourself?

Marsha Vanwynsberghe was a parent of two teens who struggled with harmful substance use for several years. In this talk, Marsha will offer her experience and strength to parents having the same struggle. She will also offer insights into prevention of teen drugs use, and how parents can take care of themselves when confronted with these issues.

Marsha is the author of the best-selling book “When She Stopped Asking Why”, which recounts her journey dealing with two children addicted to substances. Her most recent book, “Everybody Holds a Story” carries forward her mission to help women and men speak, share and publish their own life stories. Marsha has a total of 7 publications with 6 of these noted as best-sellers.

Through her tools, OUTSPOKEN NLP certification, programs, coaching, and podcast, Marsha teaches the power of Radical Responsibility and Owning Your Choices in your own life. She empowers people how to heal and own their stories, be conscious leaders and build platform businesses that create massive impact.

Sober Kids Canada Podcast: Education and Support For Youth Substance Abuse

by Sober Kids | Apr 20, 2023 | news

Featuring Chris Bungay, president of Sober Kids Canada, and hosted by Marsha Vanwynsberghe, best-selling author of “When She Stopped Asking Why”

A talk about how Sober Kids Canada is helping educate parents who want to prevent their teens from using alcohol and drugs.

In this episode we are speaking with the president of Sober Kids Canada, Chris Bungay. Chris was a lawyer for 20 years, through the first half of his career (and first half of his life since age 12. Chris had a substance use disorder, mainly relating to alcohol use. He comes from a community and to some extent a family with a history of addiction. He sold his law practice 3 years ago and wanted to give back to the community, so with the help of his wife, they started a charity known as Sober Kids Canada. This is a non-profit dedicated to educating families about youth substance abuse, and providing tools, speakers and courses to help parents who want to prevent their teens from using alcohol and drugs, but also to assist parents who have teens who are experiencing problems with using alcohol/drugs.

In this episode we discuss teen cannabis use in Canada and share some very relevant stats about addiction, teen substance abuse and how we can support families trapped in this cycle.

Sober Kids Canada offers educational resources through their website: www.soberkids.ca

Connect with Chris: info@soberkids.ca

Marsha Vanwynsberghe is a Storytelling NLP Trainer, Speaker, Publisher & Author, 2xs Podcaster

Marsha is the 6-time Bestselling Author of “When She Stopped Asking Why”. She shares her lessons as a parent who dealt with teen substance abuse that tore her family unit apart. Marsha has been published 7xs, most recently with her co-platform, Every Body Holds A Story, and she is on a mission to continue to help women and men to speak, share and publish their stories.