On today's episode of The Short Stacks we're joined by Anita Devlin, who co-wrote the story of her son's addiction in a joint memoir entitled S.O.B.E.R. Anita's journey through her son's (and co-author) addiction and recovery inspired her not only to write this book, but also to become an advocate and support for others dealing with the reaches of addiction. We discuss her transformation from mother to activist and to author.
Listen here
Anita and Michael spoke at the 34th Annual CARE Breakfast in Dallas on November 12th.
View full documentary here
Read the short excerpt featured on Covey Club by Author Anita Devlin here
St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester honored Anita Devlin at the recent Luncheon and Fashion Show. Anita is grateful and proud to be honored and joined the list of past honorees which include Tommy Hilfiger, Kathie Lee Gifford, Regis Philbin, and Michael Strahan.
Sports Illustrated has highlighted the NCAA article on Mike Devlin Jr.'s addiction and recovery.
Mike is the co-author of S.O.B.E.R.* available on amazon.com
Tremendous work by Brian Burnsed on an NCAA lacrosse player's long fight with addiction to painkillers."
Click link to read.
From Huff Post OWN:
"I'm scared, Mom," Mike said over the phone. "I'm scared and I need help."
My 21-year-old son, Mike, was talking to me from a cheap, drug-infested motel a few miles away from his college in Vermont. After hours of me trying to track him down, I was overcome with emotions of relief, fear, denial, and shame.
Mike's fight with addiction started when he was in high school. He was injured playing lacrosse and needed surgery on his shoulder. Following his surgery, Mike was given prescription painkillers, which he began abusing throughout most of his high school years. It wasn't until years later that I discovered my son's internal battles with insecurities and anxieties which drove his need to use drugs during school hours, before lacrosse games and during social gatherings. Once Mike reached college, he discovered heroin, which inevitably led him and our family to rock bottom.
Anita Devlin speaks on behalf of the C.A.R.E. initiative sponsored by The Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John The Theologian.
The luncheon program featured the inspiring remarks of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, and a warm welcome from His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey. Maria Vinci Savetierre, Esq., Executive Director of Deirdre’s House, the Center for Morris County’s Child Victims of Abuse and Neglect, one of the grant recipients, provided an impactful, realistic picture of the issue of child abuse and emphasized that the children need not only medical and physical, but also emotional and spiritual care. Anita Baglaneas Devlin, an advocate for addiction recovery, delivered a moving keynote address on the national epidemic of opioid addiction. Ms. Devlin’s compelling story demonstrates that no one is immune from addiction and there is ‘no room for judgment and shame because we are all God’s children.’
The 2017 Children's Medical Fund Luncheon raised $450,000, and grants totaling $253,700 were awarded at the luncheon.
Read more here
Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline MA 2017
