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Beyond Substance

Beyond Substance

Written by: Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller
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 Beyond Substance deepens the understanding of our listeners about substance use in Indiana, specifically the problems and solutions to address these issues and to highlight that there is hope and share what can be done to foster and support recovery in our community.Copyright Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Self-Help Social Sciences Success
Episodes
  • The Marijuana Conversation

    The Marijuana Conversation
    Feb 28 2026
    In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore the complex and often confusing conversation surrounding marijuana use.

    Joined first by psychiatrist and geriatric specialist Dr. John Wernert, the discussion examines the history of cannabis regulation, what current research tells us about safety and brain development, and why age and frequency of use matter.

    The episode then shifts to two lived-experience stories. "Miles" reflects on starting marijuana use in high school, moving to Colorado where it was legal, and later working in the cannabis industry before stepping away. "David," now substance-free for nearly sixteen years, shares how marijuana and alcohol functioned as self-medication and why recovery ultimately meant choosing clarity over intoxication.

    Together, these perspectives offer a balanced and thoughtful look at marijuana’s risks, realities, and impact across a lifetime.

    Segment 1: Professional Interview Summary
    Dean speaks with Dr. John Wernert, a psychiatrist and geriatrician with more than four decades of experience in clinical care and behavioral health integration. Dr. Wernert explains how cannabis has evolved from a historically criminalized substance to one that is now legal for medical or recreational use in many states, while still remaining federally classified as a Schedule I substance. The conversation addresses common misconceptions about marijuana safety, the differences between THC and CBD, and the importance of understanding the developing brain. Dr. Wernert highlights research showing that younger individuals may be more vulnerable to cognitive and psychiatric risks, particularly with frequent or high-potency use. He also discusses the growing use of cannabis among older adults seeking relief from chronic pain, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and mood symptoms, emphasizing the need for medical supervision, accurate labeling, and responsible use.

    Segment 2: Personal Story Summary
    Jodi interviews two guests who bring lived experience to the conversation. "Miles" shares how marijuana became part of his life in high school as a way to fit in and connect socially. After moving to Colorado for college, he experienced the cultural shift of legalization and eventually worked in the recreational cannabis industry. While he observed customers seeking both recreational and symptom relief benefits, he later recognized that habitual use had affected his motivation and stress response. In recovery, he reflects on the importance of moderation, brain development, and understanding why we use substances in the first place. "David" offers the perspective of long-term recovery. Beginning marijuana and alcohol use at a young age, he describes how both became tools for self-medication, particularly for anxiety and fear. He used daily for decades before eventually achieving sobriety. Now nearly sixteen years substance-free, David speaks candidly about motivation loss, lingering cognitive effects, and the clarity that came with recovery. He also addresses the concept of “California sober,” explaining why abstinence from all mood-altering substances is necessary for his own recovery.

    Takeaways
    • Age and brain development significantly influence the impact of marijuana use.
    • Legalization reduces stigma but does not eliminate cognitive, emotional, or motivational risks.
    • Marijuana may provide symptom relief, but self-medication can mask deeper issues.
    • High-potency products and inconsistent labeling increase safety concerns.
    • Recovery and moderation are deeply personal decisions rooted in self-awareness and clarity.

    Episode Hashtags
    #BeyondSubstance #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #MarijuanaConversation #CannabisEducation #SubstanceUseAwareness #RecoveryJourney #BrainHealth #YouthPrevention #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #CBDandTHC #SubstanceFree #ClarityInRecovery #PublicHealthConversation #EndTheStigma #ResponsibleUse #IntegratedCare

    Podcast Information:
    • Hosted by: Dean Babcock & Jodi Miller
    • Executive Producer: Shawn P Neal
    • Audio Engineer: Shawn P Neal
    • Mixed at: AdvoCast Studio236
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    53 mins
  • Medications in Adolescent Recovery

    Medications in Adolescent Recovery
    Jan 22 2026
    In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller focus on adolescence, substance use, and the role treatment and medications can play when young people struggle. Dean speaks with Dr. Alexander Thomas, an addiction psychiatrist and program director, about when medication should be considered for adolescents, why opioid use requires earlier medical intervention, and why integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions matters. Jodi interviews Spencer Medcalf, a person in long-term recovery who began using substances as a teenager, about early warning signs, stigma, gaps in adolescent services, and what helped him move from despair to a life he values. Together, these conversations offer clear guidance for families, clinicians, and communities, with compassion for what young people and caregivers carry.

    Segment 1: Professional Interview Summary (Dean + Dr. Alexander Thomas)
    Dean’s conversation with Dr. Alexander Thomas centers on the realities of treating adolescent substance use disorders with clinical precision and caution. Dr. Thomas explains that substance use often begins in the teen years, yet research, treatment systems, and public dialogue frequently focus on adults. He emphasizes that medication decisions depend first on the substance involved. For adolescents using opioids, he recommends bringing medication into treatment early because of overdose risk and the strength of evidence supporting medication for opioid use disorder. Dr. Thomas outlines a practical framework for decision-making. For many substances, especially when severity is mild or moderate, clinicians should start with therapy and psychosocial interventions, including individual therapy, family involvement, and environmental changes. Medication becomes more appropriate when risk and severity increase, when therapy alone has not been sufficient, and when a reliable system exists to support adherence. He also stresses that adolescents metabolize medications differently than adults, and many medications used in adults have limited evidence in youth, which increases the need for careful risk-benefit justification.

    Segment 2: Personal Story Summary (Jodi + Spencer Medcalf)
    Jodi’s interview with Spencer Medcalf reveals what adolescent substance use can look like from the inside, long before a young person has the language to describe what they are feeling. Spencer describes a childhood with an early sense of stability, followed by a sudden rupture when he discovered his mother intoxicated and later learned it was the day she filed for divorce. That moment marked a shift in his foundation, and by his mid-teens, he began using alcohol and marijuana, then escalated quickly into opioids and benzodiazepines.


    Takeaways
    • Adolescent substance use often begins earlier than adults expect, and treatment systems still lag behind that reality.
    • Medication for teens requires careful clinical judgment, limited youth-specific evidence means risk-benefit decisions must be individualized.
    • Opioid use disorder in adolescents warrants early medical involvement due to overdose risk and the effectiveness of medication-based treatment.
    • Integrated care matters, treating substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions together improves outcomes and reduces suffering.
    • Families can influence recovery by changing what they control, communication patterns, supervision systems, and the environments a teen moves through.
    Episode Hashtags
    #BeyondSubstance, #RecoveryIsPossible, #AdolescentSubstanceUse, #TeenMentalHealth, #YouthRecovery, #SubstanceUseDisorder, #AddictionRecovery, #MedicationAssistedTreatment, #OpioidUseDisorder, #Naltrexone, #Buprenorphine, #Methadone, #CoOccurringDisorders, #IntegratedCare, #FamilySupport, #TraumaInformedCare, #SuicidePrevention, #HarmReduction, #ShawnPNeal, #AdvoCast

    Podcast Information:
    • Hosted by: Dean Babcock & Jodi Miller
    • Executive Producer: Shawn P Neal
    • Audio Engineer: Shawn P Neal
    • Mixed at: AdvoCast Studio236
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Finding Recovery Through Employee Assistance Programs

    Finding Recovery Through Employee Assistance Programs
    Nov 30 2025
    Hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore the human side of public safety in this moving episode of Beyond Substance. Brandon Dreiman, a retired Indianapolis firefighter and wellness coach, shares how peer support and employee assistance programs are breaking barriers to care for first responders. Jerry Richard, a veteran firefighter, opens up about his decades-long struggle with alcohol use, the toll it took on his life, and how recovery helped him reclaim purpose and connection. Together, their stories illuminate the vital role of lived experience, trauma-informed care, and trust-based support systems in healing public servants on the front lines.

    Segment 1: Professional Interview Summary
    Dean speaks with Brandon Dreiman, a 23-year veteran of the Indianapolis Fire Department and former wellness coordinator, now a recovery coach at Pro Team Wellness. Brandon outlines how peer support systems and employee assistance programs (EAPs) work—especially those tailored to public safety. He emphasizes the unique challenges first responders face, including elevated rates of PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Brandon shares data showing one in three firefighters may have diagnosable AUD, yet stigma and job culture still keep many from seeking help. Through first-hand insights, Brandon breaks down how trust, confidentiality, and peer-led connections can help bridge the gap between suffering and recovery.

    Segment 2: Personal Story Summary
    Jodi introduces Jerry Richard, a firefighter whose passion for service masked a private battle with addiction. From early marijuana use to years of secretive alcohol dependency, Jerry reflects on the personal and professional consequences of his substance use—and the moment when he finally asked for help. With honesty and humility, he shares the losses that pushed him back into substance use after a period of sobriety, and how peer support and breathwork therapy helped him begin again. Today, Jerry leads with compassion, offering others the same safe space and support that saved his own life.

    Takeaways
    • First responders experience high rates of trauma-related conditions, including PTSD and substance use disorder.
    • Alcohol use remains the most common—and most overlooked—issue in public safety professions.
    • Peer support programs, when backed by confidentiality and lived experience, are powerful tools for early intervention.
    • Recovery is possible—even for those who once believed it was out of reach.
    • Changing the culture starts with telling the truth: you're not alone, and help exists.

    Hashtags
    #BeyondSubstance #RecoveryIsPossible #FirstResponderWellness #PeerSupportWorks #EmployeeAssistance #PublicSafetyMentalHealth #TraumaInformedCare #StigmaFree #AlcoholUseDisorder #SubstanceUseRecovery #FirefighterMentalHealth #JodiMiller #DeanBabcock #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #AddictionRecovery #EAPSupport #PTSDRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness

    Podcast Information:
    • Hosted by: Dean Babcock & Jodi Miller
    • Executive Producer: Shawn P Neal
    • Audio Engineer: Shawn P Neal
    • Mixed at: AdvoCast Studio236
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
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