Every Brain Matters is a community of support and advocacy based on science and live experiences. Join us as we find freedom from marijuana and the drug culture expansion. 

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Mar-Anon Family Group is a fellowship of those affected by another person’s marijuana use and is independent of Every Brain Matters.  To view, Mar-Anon meetings, go to: mar-anon.com/meetings/

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Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting – Monica G.

Monica G. is a California State University Fullerton graduate and is a Certified Drug and Alcohol counselor who currently works in the non-profit sector at an 18-month Inpatient Drug and Alcohol facility for women and children. 

Monica is also the mother of a 27-year-old son who began using marijuana at the age of 15. As his drug usage escalated into an addiction, the changes in him became obvious that something was seriously wrong. While his cohorts were preparing for college, her son was preparing to go to rehab for the first time. This was going to be the first of many. His most recent relapse from high THC marijuana put him into psychosis, which led to a 5150 and hospitalization.

Monica began her recovery journey through Al-Anon and was regularly attending meetings for 6 years when she discovered CRAFT two years ago and finds value in both methods. Currently, Monica wants to become an advocate and spread the message of the dangers of high-THC marijuana, and she hopes to do so by sharing her story. 

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 drug culture expansion.  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 you are registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. If you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting will not be required to register again. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.

Link To Register

Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: ebmsupport

Event Series Every Brain Matters Climbers Support Group

Climbers Family Support Group

Climbers with Joe Parker

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: Climbers

Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting-K

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 drug culture expansion.  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 K, whose main message is that Cannabis-induced psychosis is real, but so is recovery.

K states, The internet made me believe THC was cool and harmless. I went from vaping Juuls to vaping THC in a dab pen. My high school bathroom was always filled with kids vaping nicotine and weed. I became addicted and psychotic. It’s been a long road for me. I was in psychosis for about two years and have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I’m grateful to say that I am feeling better and using tools from a variety of programs to continue my recovery.  I live in a sober living community and pay my own bills. Please join me to hear my experience, strength, and hope on August 4th at 6 pm central time.

Register for this meeting at this link. Once you are registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. If you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting will not be required to register again. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.

Link To Register

Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: ebmsupport

Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting -Natalie

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 drug culture expansion.  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 Natalie.

My name is Natalie. I feared my son D had a marijuana addiction around age 13. He says he started using marijuana at a younger age, which was horrifying for me and greatly opened my eyes. My point is, well before you have a suspicion your child is using, he/she has probably been getting high off some substance for quite some time. You won’t be able to confirm it until they are so desensitized and brazen that they come home high or boldly bring the substance into your home. How could I not know?  Manipulation, deceit, triangulation, emotional baggage, guilt, ADHD, abuse of ADHD medication, different rules at different houses, altering drug tests, spare urine, etc. I’d love to share my family’s journey from despair, addiction, and the certain death of my son, to hope for growth and the ultimate transformation to healthy family dynamics and relationships.

Register for this meeting at this link. Once you are registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. If you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting will not be required to register again. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.

Link To Register

Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: ebmsupport

Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting -Nathan Wray

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 drug culture expansion.  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 Nathan Wray.

Nathan Wray is a dedicated professional with a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others. With six years of experience as a Prevention Coordinator, he has worked tirelessly to create safer communities and protect vulnerable populations. Nathan’s commitment to safeguarding children led him to his current role as the Drug Endangered Children Response Team Coordinator, where he leads a team focused on ensuring the well-being of children affected by substance abuse.

Recognizing the urgent need to address the growing concern of teen vaping, Nathan has taken on the role of Teen Vaping Cessation Specialist. Through his expertise and specialized interventions, he actively promotes healthy choices and empowers adolescents to overcome the challenges associated with nicotine addiction.

Nathan’s outstanding efforts in the field of suicide prevention have been widely recognized. He is the proud recipient of the State of Tennessee Governor’s Award for his exceptional work in this critical area. His dedication and innovative strategies have saved lives and offered hope to those struggling with mental health issues.

Nathan Wray exemplifies a true leader in his field with a strong background in prevention coordination, child welfare, and specialized youth interventions. His tireless commitment to community safety, child protection, and mental health makes him a valuable asset to any organization or initiative aiming to create positive change.

Register for this meeting at this link. Once you are registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. If you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting will not be required to register again. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.

Link To Register

Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: ebmsupport

Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting- Aubree Adams

Marijuana addiction and psychosis drastically changed Aubree’s family and community. She searched for answers and resources, which led her on a path where she learned valuable tools in a parent-driven recovery community and became a host mom for youth in recovery. Aubree was inspired to develop the community of Every Brain Matters to bring support and hope to families. Join her on Nov. 3rd at 6 pm central time zone.

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 drug culture expansion.  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 you are registered, you will be sent a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. If you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting will not be required to register again. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.

Link To Register

Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: ebmsupport

Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Speakers Meeting -Randy and Heather Bacchus

Randy and Heather are Licensed Realtors in Minnesota and Wisconsin, have three daughters, and are also the parents of a forever 21-year-old son, Randy Michael. Their son started using marijuana at 15, experienced cannabis-induced psychosis on July 17th, 2021, and then died by suicide. After their son’s passing, Heather and Randy learned how the potency of today’s cannabis can impact the adolescent brain. They learned cannabis can cause psychosis, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. It is now their mission to share this information with students, parents, and professionals to prevent further tragedy for other families through their own non-profit, Be Extraordinary, Be You! Join us on Dec. 1, 2023, to hear this impactful and important story of loss to empowerment.

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 drug culture expansion.  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 you are registered, you will receive an email with a Zoom link to join the meeting that you can save to your calendar. If you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting, you will not be required to register again. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org. Link To Register.

Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers 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 drug culture expansion.  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 Finn P.

I’m a 23-year-old recovering marijuana addict with a former smoking career that lasted from the ages of  14 to 22. I began to smoke more heavily when I left home for college, but my marijuana use turned into an uncontrolled spiral during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was during this time that I found a complete inability to pass up the next joint—a powerlessness over weed that permeated every facet of my life.  Debilitating anxiety, agoraphobia, and bouts of paranoid psychosis became my everyday reality while jobs, relationships, and my prospects in school crumbled around me. I felt like nothing and nobody with no hope for a way out. 

After two years of living with what I would consider late-stage addiction and particularly after becoming suicidal—when I had nowhere to turn, and nobody left to blame—I decided to surrender myself to recovery. To my surprise, it’s here that I found people just like me, with the only difference being that they were happy, and I wasn’t. I begged them for help, and they offered it without hesitation. Now,  after a year and a half of dedicated work with a few relapses along the way, I’ve made it to my first-ever six-month sobriety milestone. I’m talking with my parents again. I’ve held a job for over a year (with a  new one lined up soon), I have a healthy relationship with a woman whom I love and adore, and I’ve re-enrolled in college classes starting this winter. I have a life I’ve always wanted, and I navigate its difficulties knowing that I don’t have to smoke over them. 

I struggle with feeling shame or regret about my past, but truthfully, I’m happy that I made it through all of that to be where I am now. I’m proud of the life I’ve been gifted; I’m proud of the personal growth  I’ve made in a short time, and—even though I never thought I’d say this—I’m proud to be a marijuana addict. 

Please join me as I tell my story on Friday, January 5th.

Register for this meeting at this link. Once you are 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.

Link To Register

Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: ebmsupport

Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting -Doug Dolan

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 Doug Dolan.

Doug Dolan is co-owner and COO at Recovery in the Pines, a long-term, life transformational, substance abuse and mental health facility. He sits on various committees focused on suicide prevention, brain injuries as they relate to mental health and addiction, drug overdose fatalities, and families in crisis.

Doug conducts speaking engagements on substance abuse, mental health, trauma, and life skills to help educate schools, organizations, institutions, incarcerated populations, and conferences.

Doug personally struggled with addiction and mental health issues. He has been sober since April 19, 1997, lost a younger brother to an opioid overdose, and lost his best friend of 30 years to suicide, who was self-medicating with marijuana.

Organization
Recovery in the Pines, Prescott, AZ 86305

www.RecoveryInThePines.com

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: ebmsupport

Event Series Every Brain Matters Climbers Support Group

Climbers Family Support Group

Climbers with Joe Parker

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: Climbers

Taking on the Cannabis Industry and Winning – Patrick Kenneally

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

Event Series Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting

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.

In October, we welcome Nina Manolson.

Nina Manolson’s son had a severe episode of CIP (Cannabis-Induced Psychosis), and she was an important part of his recovery. Her experience underscores the power of family as a grounding and healing force during unstable times. She is passionate about the need for society to speak more openly about mental health, psychosis, and the dangers of cannabis.
 
Professionally, Nina Manolson, M.A., is a Body-Peace® coach who helps people end their battles with food and body image, guiding them to feel at home in their bodies as they are. As a therapist, she focuses on helping women break free from dieting cycles and adopt compassionate, empowering approaches to eating and living, fostering lasting positive changes in their relationship with their bodies.

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. However, donations are welcome to increase our efforts to support and advocate for families impacted by industrialized marijuana. 

Link To Register

Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: ebmsupport