Stories of Recovery

Mick’s Story

"For men, the quicker you learn to drop the armour...break down the barriers and learn that its OK to show your feelings and emotions [you'll see that] is really what being a man is."
In this episode, you’ll hear from *Mick, a Koori/Māori Windana TC graduate, who speaks about his journey of unlearning what it means to be a man.
Growing up in an environment where being vulnerable was seen as a weakness, he had to do the hard work of breaking down his barriers in the support of the therapeutic community.
He speaks about the benefits of being vulnerable and now supports young men and adults in the community through his love of boxing and peer work.
*name changed for privacy
 
Content advisory – this episode discusses drug use.
 
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)
Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound

Michael’s Story

“…its not an easy journey, but please don’t give up on anyone, or yourself because change is possible.”
In this episode you’ll hear from a former Windana Therapeutic Community resident, 30 year-old *Michael, about his challenges as a teenager, the moment he decided he no longer wanted to be in jail, and what he did when he was close to being discharged from rehab.
Michael shares what he’s looking forward to after rehab and gives advice to those who are supporting someone through addiction and recovery.
*name changed for privacy
 
Content advisory – this episode discusses drug use.
 
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)
Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound
 

Oliver’s Story

In this episode, you’ll hear from young Aboriginal man and Windana graduate *Oliver. He faced many challenges in his childhood and teenage years before entering one of Windana’s Therapeutic Communities, but he shares how his determination has helped him through.
Oliver speaks about breaking intergenerational cycles and the consistent work it has taken to be the first in his family to reach certain milestones.
*name changed for privacy
 
Content advisory – this episode discusses drug use, abuse, homophobia and contains course language.
 
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)
Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound
 
 

Gwen’s Story

“Recovery is about connection…talking to people who were like-minded helped me learn how to trust.”
*Gwen is an AOD Worker on her own journey of recovery. She shares her insights of recovery, the impacts of being diagnosed with PTSD and the importance of connection.
She speaks about the struggles of being a mother in recovery, and her passion for supporting other women and mothers through their recovery.
*name changed for privacy
 
Content advisory – this episode discusses drug use and contains course language.
 
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)
Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound
 
 

Orlando’s Story

“It’s not just about getting off the grog…it’s about healing. People just need to be given a chance.”
In this episode, Windana Therapeutic Community graduate *Orlando speaks about how he and his family were affected by the early and sudden death of his brother. In his teens Orlando explains he developed ‘maladaptive coping mechanisms’ and injured his back which impacted him for 30 years, causing a snow-ball effect of alcohol and drug use.
After a ‘moment of clarity’, he called his GP to help him begin a rehabilitation program. He shares what he’s learned from being in recovery, including and the importance of not doing it alone.
*name changed for privacy
 
Content advisory – this episode discusses drug use.
 
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)
Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound

Eduardo’s Story

In this episode peer support worker and LGBTIQ+ advocate *Eduardo talks about his early life on the streets of Brisbane and Sydney after being forced out of home as a teen because he of his sexuality.
He talks about what it means to live a happy life after addiction, the importance of language, and why he decided to become a peer support worker. His story speaks to the power of connecting with people, the strength of community and finding your passion in life.
*name changed for privacy
 
Content advisory – this episode discusses drug use
 
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)
Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound

Rachel’s Story

"...rehab is a place of healing..."
In this episode you’ll hear the story of former resident, *Rachel. She shares why she went to rehab, what’s kept her in recovery and how she’s dealt with setbacks along the way.
You’ll hear how she felt when she first started her recovery, and how she’s grown as a person since being at the TC. 
*name changed for privacy
 
Content advisory - this episode discusses drug use
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound

David’s Story

"...recovery is about treating people with kindness, not persecution."
In this episode, you’ll hear the story of Grampians TC resident *David - a “big traveller” and musician who found solace in an acoustic guitar.
He shares how his outlook on addiction and it's link with mental health has changed over time, and what his journey at Windana has looked like.
 
*name changed for privacy
 
Content advisory - this episode discusses drug use
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound

Cupido’s Story

In this episode, you’ll hear the story of *Cupido, who recently graduated from a Windana Therapeutic Community. Cupido was 6 months into his recovery at the time of this interview. While he was resistant to long-term rehab in the beginning, a graduation he attended on his second day changed his perspective.
Cupido reflects on the early stages of his recovery, how he’s grown to like himself, and how he’s dealt with his perfectionism and depression.
*name changed for privacy
Content advisory - this episode discusses drug use
Produced and recorded by - Gaby Georges (@gab_georges)Post-edit sound engineer - Mark Lambert Sound

Stories of Recovery - Coming soon

Stories of Recovery features real stories from residents and staff of Windana Drug and Alcohol Recovery. In these episodes, they share their unique stories, lived experience and insights on addiction and recovery.
This series was produced on the lands of the Kulin Nation and we pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging, and any First Nations people listening.