Drug addiction and the loneliness and mental health struggles that often precede it are highly talked about issues facing our country right now, but that wasn’t always the case. Back in 2006, when author Alicia Cook’s cousin, Jess, died of an overdose, death from drug addiction was often swept under the rug. While it’s become much more of a frontline policy talking point in the years since, people like Alicia are still determined, maybe now more than ever after the year we’ve had, to tell the stories of families plagued by the dual issues of drug addiction and mental health.
On this episode of The Sidewalk Talk podcast, Traci sits down with Alicia, author of the wildly beloved book of poems, Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back, to discuss the biggest lessons Alicia’s learned about drug addiction and loss throughout her journey, the intention behind her book, and the policy changes around drug addiction and mental health both women hope to see happen in the near future.
Alicia’s journey of becoming a voice to this voiceless population of people affected by drug addiction really started when her cousin Jess overdosed at the age of 19. Alicia takes a few minutes to honor Jess during this conversation, sharing the other stories that have touched her the most in the process. Traci and Alicia’s conversation concludes with Alicia’s mission to give voice to the loneliness of our generation, and her word for you: everything is temporary, sometimes we just have to wait for the sun to come up on a new day. This is a vitally important conversation, don’t miss it.
Episode Milestones
[00:07] Intro
[03:02] Meet Alicia
[06:50] Honoring Alicia’s cousin, Jess Cook
[11:33] The biggest lessons Alicia has learned on her journey
[14:56] The stories that have touched Alicia the most
[20:04] Alicia’s intention for Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back
[26:55] How Alicia has fun amidst writing about a lot of heavy stuff
[29:46] Giving voice to loneliness
[34:35] Policy changes around drug addiction and mental health
[41:09] Alicia’s self-care routine
[45:26] Alicia’s word and poem for you
[48:12] Outro
Resources Mentioned
Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back
I hope My Voice Doesn’t Skip
Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately
Standout Quotes from the Episode
“There wasn’t a voice for these families, and I inevitably became that voice.”
—Alicia Cook
“It’s always so scary to put something so vulnerable and personal out there into the world. But what I’ve learned is, it’s necessary.”
—Alicia Cook
“Dismantling the stigma—the number one weapon we have to do this is our storytelling.”
—Alicia Cook
“Advocates are born the minute someone they love dies.”
—Alicia Cook
“Our mental health, whether we’re in a good state or a bad state, touches so many parts of our lives, and it’s impossible to compartmentalize, even though the world tells us we need to compartmentalize.”
—Alicia Cook
“When someone wants to recover, and wants to begin that journey, there needs to be a bed for them. They need help immediately—they can’t wait another day.”
—Alicia Cook
“Even if you feel like things can’t get any worse, that things won’t get better in your life, you need to just hold on, because everything is temporary. Sometimes you just have to wait for the sun to rise and a better day to begin.”
—Alicia Cook
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
At sidewalk-talk.org
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
At Traciruble.com
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Exploring Male Sexuality, Consent, and Tender Heartedness with Dr. Eric Fitzmedrud
Reinventing Masculinity Will Allow Men to Live Longer Happier Lives | Ed Frauenheim
How to Break our Addiction To Othering with Dawn Menken
Normalize Loving Conflict Everywhere with Rosa Zubizaretta
Being A Sacredly Powerful Human with Julio Maria Muhorro
What this crisis manager learned from indigenous wisdom | Thomas Lahnthaler
Going to Work is an Important Source of Happiness Despite Its Bad Press with Dr. Tracy Brower
Body-shame, Hunger and Redemption: Beyond Sexism and Diet Culture with David Bedrick
Seeking Wonder with Andrea Scher
Why I don’t want to die anymore with Johnny Crowder
High Conflict (and how we get out) with Amanda Ripley
Rule Makers and Rule Breakers with Michele Gelfand
Sensitive Striving with Melody Wilding
Black Feminism and Sensuous Knowledge with Minna Salami
Being seen, just as you are with Natalie Koussa
The 3 Flows of Compassion with Dr. Stan Steindl
Living and breathing the archetypal realm with Kristina Dryza
Getting weird and vulnerable with Aziph Mustapha | Aziph Mustapha
Anna Katharina Schaffner on the timeless truths of self-improvement | Anna Katharina Schaffner
Street Wisdom’s David Pearl on finding magic in the everyday | David Pearl
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL