Recent from the blog
I am often asked if interventions really work. Facilitated properly, with family and friends who are completely dedicated to getting the individual who suffers help, 90% of the time we are successful. I couldn’t do intervention work if we only got people to go into treatment 4 or 5 times out of 10, it would be too heartbreaking.
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I am often asked if interventions really work. Facilitated properly, with family and friends who are completely dedicated to getting the individual who suffers help, 90% of the time we are successful. I couldn’t do intervention work if we only
This little piece is dedicated to everyone who is relatively new in recovery. Now, I think this is something that can be defined in a number of different ways: In twelve step recovery, which I am a proud member of (more…)
This little piece is dedicated to everyone who is relatively new in recovery. Now, I think this is something that can be defined in a number of different ways: In twelve step recovery, which I am a proud member of
I think I was about 13 or 14 months sober when I played my first sober gig with the band I’ve loved being a part of since 1996, Corn Doggy Dog & the Half Pound. I’ll give you a little (more…)
I think I was about 13 or 14 months sober when I played my first sober gig with the band I’ve loved being a part of since 1996, Corn Doggy Dog & the Half Pound. I’ll give you a little
For much of my life I found ways to cut corners, doing the absolute minimal to get the maximum result. In school, once I lost interest, which was around the 10th grade I really started looking for loopholes and the (more…)
For much of my life I found ways to cut corners, doing the absolute minimal to get the maximum result. In school, once I lost interest, which was around the 10th grade I really started looking for loopholes and the
Good old “HALT”, are you Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired? In recovery, one of these things is bad enough, but throwing in one or more is like an internal nuclear bomb, at least for me it is. Was throwing in (more…)
Good old “HALT”, are you Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired? In recovery, one of these things is bad enough, but throwing in one or more is like an internal nuclear bomb, at least for me it is. Was throwing in
Being of service to others inside the program of recovery and out is one of the greatest things we get to experience as sober people. For whatever reason, it seems the more we give of ourselves the more we “get” (more…)
Being of service to others inside the program of recovery and out is one of the greatest things we get to experience as sober people. For whatever reason, it seems the more we give of ourselves the more we “get”
When I was about 60 days sober and my bones were still vibrating like the Energizer Bunny I remember this long time sober guy telling me “Other than changing everything you don’t have to change a thing,” I didn’t say (more…)
When I was about 60 days sober and my bones were still vibrating like the Energizer Bunny I remember this long time sober guy telling me “Other than changing everything you don’t have to change a thing,” I didn’t say
When I learned of this statistic I sort of did an Exorcist type of thing with my head, for real. I was that twisted over it. Think about it for a second, we represent just under 4% of the world’s (more…)
When I learned of this statistic I sort of did an Exorcist type of thing with my head, for real. I was that twisted over it. Think about it for a second, we represent just under 4% of the world’s
So many things can block me off from God, my higher power or whatever you want to call it. And judging others is one of those defects of characters that, when turned on “high” is as ugly as it gets, (more…)
So many things can block me off from God, my higher power or whatever you want to call it. And judging others is one of those defects of characters that, when turned on “high” is as ugly as it gets,
The Z-Man Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Todd Zalkins featuring guest interviews with famous musicians, celebrities, and specialists in the field of addiction and recovery. Z-Man and his guests discuss the different aspects of addiction and recovery and share their experience, strength, and hope.
Contact me anytime if you would like to discuss getting help for a loved one:
t: 833-468-7863
e: info@toddzalkins.com
The Z-Man Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Todd Zalkins featuring guest interviews with famous musicians, celebrities, and specialists in the field of addiction and recovery. Z-Man and his guests discuss the different aspects of addiction and recovery and
I have a lot of sober friends on social media, I am also a part of a few groups that help people get into treatment who don’t have quality insurance or the resources to pay for a decent level of care. It has always been a thorn in my side when someone who wants to get help cannot find a place that will take them because of either a lack of money or no insurance. There should be equitable access to
treatment resources for all here in the U.S. and I hope that becomes a reality, it hasn’t happened yet. (more…)
I have a lot of sober friends on social media, I am also a part of a few groups that help people get into treatment who don’t have quality insurance or the resources to pay for a decent level of
Being newly sober is weird. I can vividly remember being in a state of discomfort on a constant basis. For several months during the detox period which for me seemed to last forever, that was the source of my discomfort. As time moved along and the pains of getting physically sober minimized, I found other things to get uncomfortable about. (more…)
Being newly sober is weird. I can vividly remember being in a state of discomfort on a constant basis. For several months during the detox period which for me seemed to last forever, that was the source of my discomfort.
In late 2006 I was experiencing loss of speech patterns, tremors, often not having the ability to speak in complete sentences. My primary care physician knew I was sick, and drug addicted, suggesting I go to rehab immediately. He also wanted me to get my brain scanned at a place called the Amen Clinic in Orange County. I went ahead and did it, not having a clue what the point was in getting such a thing done.
In late 2006 I was experiencing loss of speech patterns, tremors, often not having the ability to speak in complete sentences. My primary care physician knew I was sick, and drug addicted, suggesting I go to rehab immediately. He also
I am often asked, “Why did you not sleep for 44 days and how did you deal with that?” This requires a two-part answer and a great deal of elaboration. The “why” of it is not so much a mystery as it was a complete f’ing nightmare. I will illustrate the contributing factors, for one, I was addicted to opioid painkillers for about 17 years, many years addicted to the synthetic opioids Oxycontin and Fentanyl. Prior to checking into rehab on 2/16/07 I also snorted a truckload of cocaine, for a little over a hundred days straight all while taking the painkillers.
I am often asked, “Why did you not sleep for 44 days and how did you deal with that?” This requires a two-part answer and a great deal of elaboration. The “why” of it is not so much a mystery
Todd is more than an interventionist, public speaker, and author, he’s a storyteller and motivator, who inspires others as a thought-leader on recovery, to not only realize their potential, but live it.
