Mary Beth O'Connor is the author of the book "From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction." She began her recovery from methamphetamine use disorder, abuse, trauma, and anxiety in 1994. She never found traditional recovery spaces such as step-based recovery programs helpful to her, and found alternative recovery spaces early on.

Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended UC Berkeley School of Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class action suits for the federal government. In 2014, she was appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge, a position from which she retired early in 2020.

Mary Beth is now a Director for She Recovers Foundation and for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She also is on the Advisory Council for The Hyer Calling Foundation. She regularly speaks on behalf of these organizations and about multiple paths to recovery..

She develops relationships with other organizations, such as Women for Sobriety and trains attorneys, judges, and medical professionals. Mary Beth regularly writes opinion pieces which have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Recovery Today, and other publications. Her memoir writings have been published in Memoir Magazine, Awakenings, and Ravens Perch, among others. Website: https://junkietojudge.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-o-connor-8aaa4b121/

Bluesky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/marybethoconnor.bsky.social

Join us for a conversation with Patrick Doyle, LCSW on a conversation breaking down his own evolution in SUD treatment and his approach in coaching people who use drugs and their families to help improve their lives and address the problems that can be caused by substance use. As a licensed clinical social worker and Family Addiction Coach, Patrick Doyle has dedicated his life to helping families to navigate the challenging journey of addiction recovery. He is an expert guide with the latest approaches for families who refuse to give up on their loved one. The core of what Patrick can do for you is to teach people how to solve problems caused by substance use, helping to guide people through actionable steps to improve their situation and their relationships. Patrick Doyle’s family coaching works best for someone who wants to learn communication, problem-solving, safe and responsible boundary-setting, and self-care skills to improve their relationship with a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder. Check out his website at: https://familyaddictioncoach.com/ He also hosts a podcast called "Family Addiction Coaching Podcast" which you can check out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-addiction-coaching/id1483344454

Our co-hosts McCauley Sexton and Dr. Taylor Nichols talk about "Kratom" - both the plant and the extracts such as "7-OH" or 7-Hydroxymitragynine - as well as how the active alkaloids function in your body, including binding to opioid receptors, and how to be mindful about understanding and using unregulated substances.