Every Brain Matters

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting
2024-04-05 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Online Zoom Meeting
In this new era of industrialized THC, families need support and hope. Please join us on the first Friday of every month for messages of healing from the impacts of marijuana and the expanding drug crisis. There will be a Q&A at the end of each meeting. This meeting may be recorded at the presenter’s discretion.
This month, we hear from Michael D’Onfro.
Hi, I’m Michael. I started using marijuana because I thought it was a safe alternative to alcohol. Unfortunately, marijuana became my crutch, and over time, I began to enter into a psychosis. I posted his entire life unfiltered on social media while having visual and audible hallucinations. I thought I was in the Illuminati and that I was running for president of the US. My life spiraled out of control. I’ve been to five detox centers and a psyche ward, and spent three months in an Adult Teen challenge program. Today, I am one year clean from marijuana and 90 days clean from alcohol. Medication is helping to a point, but I am struggling with depression and getting a job. I hope that with medication and God’s help, I can once again be a contributing member of society.
Register for this meeting at this link. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. You will not be required to register again if you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.
This meeting is free, but donations are welcome to increase our effort to support and advocate for families impacted by industrialized marijuana.
Link To Register
Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Helping a Loved One with Cannabis-Induced Psychosis (CIP)
2024-04-16 19:00 - 20:00
In this presentation, Aubree Adams and Amber Moore will educate about cannabis-induced psychosis and provide personal stories, family resources, and practical tools to respond to a teen or loved one with CIP and pathways to recovery.
REGISTER HERE
Objectives: Participants will learn:
The signs and symptoms of cannabis-induced psychosis
How to provide a healthy environment.
Resources to take appropriate steps for support and recovery pathways.
Parenting tools to clearly and kindly respond to any negative or destructive behaviors.

Aubree Adams is the director of Every Brain Matters. She lived at ground zero of the marijuana expansion movement. Still, she found refuge in Houston, Texas, where she and her two sons joined a dynamic, enthusiastic recovery community where she became a host parent for youth in recovery. Aubree states that families and communities are unprepared for this era of industrialized marijuana that targets youth with flavored candies and vapes that provide a rapid and potent chemical assault to the brain. She is passionate about providing families with resources to prevent, manage, or recover from a child or young adult addicted or psychotic from cannabis.
Amber Moore is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and assistant director of Every Brain Matters. After experiencing first-hand the harmful mental and physical effects of cannabis, Amber became passionate about sharing scientific-based education with teens and families. She believes everyone has the right to be informed and know the truth about the harmful side effects of marijuana and industrialized THC products.
Amber’s mission is to spread both education and hope to individuals and families affected by marijuana.

REGISTER HERE

Climbers Family Support Group
2024-04-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-04-24 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-22 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-29 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-19 19:00 - 20:30 and 9 more dates
A professional counselor leads this weekly online support group for families affected by a loved one’s marijuana use. Participants learn recovery tools that empower them to take the next step while navigating through marijuana addiction, psychosis, hyperemesis, self-harm, or other destructive behaviors. Whether families decide to take small steps or hike the mountain, each step counts and can positively impact their families’ relationships and health.
In the world of recovery, families learn the 3 C’s about the disease of addiction.
We didn’t cause it.
We can’t control it.
And we can’t cure it.
In the Every Brain Matters Climbers meeting, we talk about a 4th C. How do we contribute to it positively or negatively? It’s difficult for families to know what that means, so by discussing these situations, we gain clarity on the best response for our families.
We encourage each family member to work on their own recovery program. We allow cross-talking to share ideas, experiences, strength, and hope. Every family makes their own decisions and heals at their own pace. We respect the feelings and privacy of those attending our meetings.
We ask for a donation to compensate for the professional expertise and time we provide, but this is not a requirement to attend. The suggested donation is $20.00 per person or $35.00 per family. Join us every Wednesday at 7 pm central time zone.
LINK TO REGISTER
Meeting ID: 827 4437 2483
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Vaping: Is History Repeating Itself? - Dr. Crystal Collier
2024-04-18 19:00
In this presentation, Dr. Crystal Collier will discuss capitalistic patterns of public health problems, why nicotine is so addictive, how vaping marijuana exacerbates the problem, and what parents and clinicians can do if young people start vaping.

REGISTER HERE

Objectives:
Participants will learn the historical patterns that influence public health disasters.
Participants will learn the effect of nicotine and marijuana on the brain.
Participants will learn coping mechanisms and behavior modification techniques to use with youth who vape.

Crystal Collier, PhD, herself a person in long-term recovery, is a therapist and educator whose comprehensive prevention model, which teaches the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to students, school staff, and families, was selected for the Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Dr. Collier received the Torch Bearer Award from the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, Outstanding Research Award from the Association of Alternative Peer Groups, and voted Counselor of the Year by the Houston Counseling Association.
The Hope and Healing Center and Institute in Houston, TX, granted Dr. Collier a research fellowship to support the completion of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide published in 2020. Her FOO Mapping workbook published in 2023, is designed for people who want to map the family-of-origin patterns that no longer serve them.
Since 1991, her clinical work focuses on adolescents and adults suffering from mental illness, behavioral problems and substance use disorders Her area of expertise includes adolescent neurodevelopment, prevention programming, parent coaching, addiction, family-of-origin work, and training new clinicians.
www.drcrystalcollier.com www.knowyourneuro.org

REGISTER HERE

Every Brain Matters Speakers Meeting - Pamela
2024-05-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Online Zoom Meeting
In this new era of industrialized THC, families need support and hope. Please join us on the first Friday of every month for messages of healing from the impacts of marijuana and the expanding drug crisis. There will be a Q&A at the end of each meeting. This meeting may be recorded at the presenter’s discretion.
This month, we feature Pamela.
Pamela will share how THC impacted her son’s health and changed her son into someone she no longer recognized. Learn how she responded to her son’s cannabis use disorder which led to cannabis-induced psychosis that led to unmotived and violent behaviors and extreme paranoia where he thought Nazis were all over Colorado. Pamela says it was a difficult journey, but “There is hope on the other side.”
Register for this meeting at this link. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. You will not be required to register again if you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.
This meeting is free, but donations are welcome to increase our effort to support and advocate for families impacted by industrialized marijuana.
Link To Register
Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting - We Have Our Son Back From Cannabis Psychosis
2024-06-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Online Zoom Meeting
In this new era of industrialized cannabis, families need support and hope.
This month, we learned from Mom and Dad O.
We are 60-something parents who came of age during the 1970s when cannabis use was no big deal. When our son began to use cannabis in his late teens during his early college years, we weren’t particularly concerned. But then we witnessed our kind-hearted, bright, outgoing, athletic son begin to develop odd behaviors that ultimately escalated into full-blown psychosis. This was around 2017, and there was very little information or support available for families struggling with a loved one suffering from Cannabis-Induced Psychosis (CIP). Frankly, we weren’t really sure if his psychotic behavior was entirely from cannabis, another drug use, or some organic disorder.
Over the years, our son has been involuntarily hospitalized twice and admitted to multiple rehab facilities. Every facility claimed to have a means to treat CIP but really, they were at a loss as to what to do with him, especially the earlier ones. We witnessed our son spiral further and further into his delusional mindset. We mourned for him as we watched him turn into someone we didn’t recognize.
During this time, we became involved with a 12-step support group, Families Anonymous (FA). Our involvement with FA provided us with the tools and mindset to cope with this unpredictable emotional roller coaster. It also connected us with wonderful resources and even more wonderful people, many of whom are now dear friends. We still attend our meetings.
It has been two years since our son returned home from his last inpatient treatment program. At that time, he was the most clear-headed we had seen in years. His mental clarity has continued, and he is once again thoroughly engaged in society, our family, and his future. He is on no medication. His clarity is from simply NOT USING CANNABIS. We have our son back.
This meeting will be recorded but not available to the public. The family will share this recording at their discretion for educational purposes and to maintain anonymity.
Register for this meeting at this link. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. You will not be required to register again if you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting. There will be a Q&A at the end of each meeting. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.
This meeting is free, but donations are welcome to increase our effort to support and advocate for families impacted by industrialized marijuana.
Link To Register Brain
Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please join us on the second Wednesday of every month for messages of healing from the impacts of cannabis and the expanding drug crisis.

Wayfinders - A Empowering Workshop for Friends and Families Who Love Someone Living with Addiction
2024-06-15 10:00 - 13:00
Join us for an empowering workshop designed for friends and family who love someone living with addiction.
Gain valuable insights into the disease of addiction and equip yourself with practical skills for support and self-care. This workshop will delve into topics such as empathy, setting healthy boundaries, and fostering effective communication. Discover the power of emotional regulation and mindfulness, and explore how these practices can be integrated into daily life. Walk away with a deeper understanding, newfound knowledge, and tangible skills to navigate the challenges of loving someone with addiction.
Instructor:
Rachel Evans is a licensed clinical social worker and family therapist at the Center for Recovering Families at The Council on Recovery. Rachel supports people with substance use disorders and their families as they walk the road of recovery together. Varieties of services are used on this journey, including family sessions, groups, and workshops. Connection and security are two of her top values, and Rachel aims to bring that to her work. Rachel graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Houston and continues to call Houston home.
REGISTER HERE

Wayfinders – A Empowering Workshop For Friends and Families Who Love someone Living with Addiction
2024-06-22 10:00 - 13:00

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting -Raquel Watkins-Jones-Rockstar Parenting
2024-07-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Online Zoom Meeting
In this new era of industrialized THC, families need support and hope.
Raquel Watkins-Jones is a dedicated professional coach specializing in family dynamics, parental support, adolescent development, and addiction recovery. She founded Rockstar Parenting™, Rockstar Teens™, and the “Lovin’ The Skin You’re In” Youth Empowerment Workshop™.
Raquel is devoted to equipping parents with the essential tools and strategies needed to serve as effective role models. She aims to cultivate a family legacy that will be honored by future generations. She is also passionate about aiding teens in their self-discovery and personal development, enhancing their self-esteem and self-worth. Raquel draws inspiration from her three remarkably resilient daughters and her beloved role as ‘Mama Roc’ to five grandchildren.
For additional information, please visit: www.rockstarparenting.com
Please join us on the second Wednesday of every month for messages of healing from the impacts of marijuana and the expanding drug crisis. There will be a Q&A at the end of each meeting. This meeting may be recorded at the presenter’s discretion.
Register for this meeting at this link. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. You will not be required to register again if you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.
This meeting is free, but donations are welcome to increase our effort to support and advocate for families impacted by industrialized marijuana.
Link To Register
Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Young Adults’ Cannabis Recovery Support Meeting
2024-08-14 17:00 - 18:30
This support meeting is for individuals, ages 18 – 35, who have struggled with a cannabis use disorder (CUD), cannabis-induced psychosis (CIP), or cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This is a closed meeting for people who have struggled with these conditions. Attendees must be sober. We welcome newly sober newcomers seeking practical steps to stay sober and pursue a healthier life. We will not glorify the past; we will only look to learn from it. Our primary goal is to maintain sobriety, heal from the negative, long-lasting effects of using cannabis products, and help others achieve sobriety. These meetings will focus on abstinence. We do not support and will not discuss any form of marijuana maintenance plan.

The primary formula that we follow in our discussions is P.S.A. = Problem. Solution. Action.

This meeting will be held online on the 2nd Wednesday of the month starting August 14, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm Central Time. For more information, contact Doug Dolan at dougdolan@recoveryinthepines.com

Doug Dolan will be the moderator for these sessions. He is in recovery, sobriety date is April 19, 1997. Doug works extensively in substance abuse, mental health, and personal life transformation. He sits on multiple committees focused on these issues, as well as those focused on reducing overdose fatalities, suicide prevention, helping families in crisis, and various aspects of brain health.
REGISTER HERE

Every Brain Matters Speakers Meeting- Kobi Russell - recovery cannabis psychosis
2024-08-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Online Zoom Meeting
In this new era of industrialized THC, families need support and hope. Please join us on the second Wednesday of every month for messages of healing from the impacts of marijuana and the expanding drug crisis. There will be a Q&A at the end of each meeting. This meeting may be recorded at the presenter’s discretion.
Kobi Russell is a recent graduate of Brandeis University who currently works in the fields of conflict resolution and accessibility. In late 2018, due to a “perfect storm” of triggers, including stress, lack of sleep, medication, and, most importantly, daily high-potency cannabis usage, Kobi had a severe and prolonged episode of cannabis-induced psychosis, CIP. During his recovery, a relative told him, “Kobi, you’ve gone to a place [mentally] that most people will never go.”
As he began speaking publicly about his experience with psychosis, sobriety, and recovery (both online and with his community), Kobi quickly reached the painful realization that he was far from alone. Kobi hopes that this talk and, ideally, future collaborations with Every Brain Matters will show that young people who experience CIP are not alone, that there are others who understand their experience on a deeply personal level, and that recovery is a journey––and it is absolutely possible!
Kobi is 25 years old and lives with his family in Somerville, MA. He enjoys getting active in nice weather and hiding inside when it snows!
Register for this meeting at this link. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. You will not be required to register again if you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.
This meeting is free, but donations are welcome to increase our effort to support and advocate for families impacted by industrialized marijuana.
Link To Register
Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Taking on the Cannabis Industry and Winning - Patrick Kenneally
2024-09-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Zoom Meeting
Patrick Kenneally successfully sued the cannabis industry in McHenry County, Illinois. As a result, cannabis dispensaries are now required to warn customers of the negative health consequences with in-store signage of the mental-health dangers associated with cannabis use, including psychosis, depression, and suicidal ideation. Cannabis businesses are also required to scrub their marketing and website of any suggestion that their products have medical benefits.
Mr. Kenneally believes more lawsuits are needed to protect people from the cannabis industry’s predatory practices. To learn more from Patrick Kennealy, join us on Sept. 6, 2024, at noon central time zone.
REGISTER AT THIS LINK.
Patrick joined the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2007 as an assistant state’s attorney. During his tenure as an assistant state’s attorney, Patrick worked in traffic court, misdemeanor court, felony court, as a special prosecutor, in the Civil Division, and as the First Assistant. He handled thousands of criminal prosecutions and represented the County in civil litigation and on government-related legal matters. Patrick was elected McHenry County State’s Attorney in 2016.
Patrick believes it is his duty to stand in solidarity with victims who often must endure for a lifetime the consequences of the senseless criminal acts of others. He is committed to resolutely prosecuting criminal offenders, but doing so without ever losing sight of his ultimate ethical responsibility to seek justice before all else and ensure a defendant’s rights are protected.
Patrick has been awarded the Turning Point Peace and Justice Award for his work on behalf of victims of domestic battery and currently serves on the Executive Board of the McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition. He is also a member of the McHenry County and Illinois Bar Associations.
Personal
Patrick is the proud husband of Colleen. He, Colleen, and their four sons live in Crystal Lake. Patrick and his family are members of St. Thomas Church in Crystal Lake, where Patrick is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Education
Patrick earned his law degree from Washington University School of Law in 2005 and also has a master’s degree in environmental law from the University of Vermont. Prior to law school, Patrick earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and liberal arts from College of the Holy Cross. At Holy Cross, Patrick was named to the All-Time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
Court and Bar Admissions

State of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Climbers Family Support Meetings - Saturdays
2024-09-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Climbers with Joe Parker
Joe Parker leads this online family support group where participants learn family recovery tools that empower them to take the next step to help them navigate through a loved one’s marijuana addiction, psychosis, hyperemesis, and other destructive behaviors. Whether families decide to take small steps or hike the mountain, each step counts and can positively impact their families’ relationships and health. These are open cross-talking meetings where people can ask questions and share ideas. We will focus on a different recovery topic each week.
This is a free meeting for everyone. A donation is NOT required to attend, but if you can help us compensate Joe for his professional expertise and time, please consider a donation of $20.00 per person or $35.00 per family. Donations can be made on our website or at everybrainmatters.org/donate/.
Join us every Saturday from 10:30 am to noon central time zone.
REGISTER AT THIS LINK. Please note this is a different registration than the Wednesday Climbers meeting.
