Breaking Barriers: Tonie Dreher’s Story of Overcoming Addiction and Mental Health Struggles
After overcoming a past filled with trauma, incarceration, and addiction, Tonie Dreher now works to help others avoid the same fate, focusing on rehabilitation and providing much-needed resources for those who have been affected by the criminal justice system. She is a social worker and advocate for mental health and substance abuse recovery.
In this episode, Tonie Dreher shares her incredible journey of survival and recovery. She opens up about her traumatic childhood, struggles with addiction, and the role that mental health played in her life. Tonie also discusses the importance of addressing both mental health and substance abuse simultaneously and how her work today helps individuals re-enter society with support and hope for a better future.
Tonie was featured in Patrick Kennedy’s book, “Profiles in Mental Health Courage.” You can find the book here: Profiles in Mental Health Courage
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00:26 – Introduction to Tonie Dreher
01:54 – Current Work at CASES and Helping Others
03:42 – Childhood Trauma and Abuse
07:41 – The Loss of Tonie’s Brother
10:26 – Early Life Struggles with Mental Health and Abuse
12:31 – Entering into Substance Abuse
18:07 – The Cycle of Addiction and Losing Children
21:47 – Reconnecting with Children and Grandchildren
25:34 – Addressing Mental Health: Schizophrenia, PTSD, and More
30:28 – Building Support Systems and Offering Hope