Episode 116: Substance Use Disorder meet Criminal Justice System

Compounded grief can lengthen the road back to reclaim one’s soul and integrate learned lessons. The Hero’s Journey includes lessons learned and reintegration into the world as a changed person. Lessons are prompted, for example, by heartbreak, trauma, or debilitating loss. Suzula Bidon explains two harsh spiritual awakenings that lead to a profound turn around in her life. In Suzula’s situation, she decided to change when it became more painful to stay the same. DOWNLOAD

Without this decision to change, I don’t think Suzula would have launched a private legal practice, become an advocate for criminal justice system reform, and a change maker regarding treatment and recovery policy. Plus, she acquired the skills to be a yoga practitioner!

Listen to Suzula describe the second part of her Hero’s Journey as she confronts her inner villain and undergoes one ordeal after the other to get comfortable in her own skin. Use the following summary to keep track of the details from both mentoring conversations.

Suzula struggled with addiction and major depression for 18 years. After experimenting with alcohol and marijuana as a teenager, she moved to New York to study at Barnard College, where she discovered harder drugs to self medicate her untreated grief. She got addicted to heroin and withdrew from school. Two years later, while in a methadone treatment program, she returned to Barnard and graduated with a theater degree.

After college, Suzula struggled to maintain sobriety. Eventually, unresolved grief and major depression set in. She relapsed on methamphetamine. She started dealing the drug to support her habit, and in 2005, a friend asked her to send some of the drugs to him in New York. It was a setup, and Suzula was federally indicted for a conspiracy drug charge.

Suzula spent one year at Federal Prison Camp in Pekin, Illinois, got caught violating the conditions of her supervised release by relapsing, and did a 15-month stint (18-month sentence minus 53 days/year off for ‘good time’/good behavior) at Hazelton Secure Female Facility Federal Prison in West Virginia. That experience inspired her to become a lawyer.

Suzula graduated magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law and was admitted to the Minnesota bar. She practiced criminal defense, then served as the Interim Executive Director of Minnesota Recovery Connection, Minnesota’s first and largest Recovery Community Organization. Suzula worked closely with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to reform Minnesota’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Policy.

By the way, I made a mistake. As you listen, you will hear me summarizing part of what Suzula was saying. I said, “…she turned to methadone and cocaine.” I meant to say, “…she turned to methamphetamine and cocaine.” Methadone is a Medication Assisted Treatment that she was prescribed to help her stop using heroin. We will discuss Medication-Assisted Treatment during next Monday’s podcast conversation.

WeMentor Meaningful Activities

Answer the following questions after you listen:

  • If someone in your life is acting out, ask them; what happened to you? NOT, what’s wrong with you?
  • What is the difference between a correctional facility and a federal prison?
    1. What did you learn about how these environments shaped the next phase of Suzula’s life?
    2. How were both prison sentences reduced?
  • Who was Suzula’s inspiration?
  • Write down her two spiritual awakenings that profoundly changed the trajectory of her life?
    1.  
    2.  
  • Why does Suzula say, “Addiction in America is an illegal disease?”
  • How many events compounded Suzula’s grief? Name the events.
  • How did she turn her life around and redirect her energies into healing and building an entrepreneurial life using her talents and gifts to help others?

Complete the next part of your Hero’s Journey.

  1. How did you heal from your facedown moments?
  2. Describe your journey to reclaim your soul, integrate your learnings, and start a new journey with a deeper understanding of your life purpose?
  3. What are your next steps in your business and your life?
  4. Check out our WeMentor E.L.M. LABs. Click HERE

Substance Use Disorder meet the Criminal Justice System, Episode 116

Learn more about Suzula and Recovery Yoga Meetings®  Recovery Yoga Meetings  Facebook: @rymtgs

Podcast Guest Mentor

Suzula Bidon. Suzula lives in long-term recovery from addiction, dedicated to smashing stigma and helping people thrive. She is an attorney, entrepreneur, yoga instructor (E-RYT 200), and Certified Peer Recovery, Specialist. Bidon is also the creator of Recovery Yoga Meetings®, a yoga curriculum designed to help individuals beat addiction and thrive in recovery by living and breathing the principles of recovery – on the mat and in their lives. Bidon leads Recovery Yoga Meetings® in yoga studios and treatment facilities. She offers Recovery Yoga Teacher Training for yoga teachers, too.

Bidon knows from personal experience that addiction is a public health issue best addressed with treatment – not punishment. In her legal work, she specializes in expungements (sealing criminal records), consults on addiction-related policy, and educates legal professionals about addiction and the need for criminal justice reform.

Bidon volunteers her time for public service as well. She is a member of Minnesota’s Lawyers Assistance Program, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL), where she sits on the Cases and Interventions Committee. Bidon is also the Chair of the Ramsey County Citizen’s Advisory Council Chemical Health Committee.

Bidon speaks and writes openly about her addiction, recovery, and the criminal justice system in various forums. She has testified at the legislature about sentencing guideline reform. She presents Continuing Legal Education seminars for legal professionals. She speaks in treatment centers and at events around the country. She has been featured in The Huffington Post, Star Tribune, and Forbes.com. Her article, “A New Call to Action: Lawyers and Addiction,” was published in the Jan/Feb 2017 issue of The Hennepin Lawyer.

Credentials & Expertise     

  • Attorney at Law, licensed in Minnesota: Addiction Law and Policy
  • J.D. William Mitchell College of Law             
  • B.A. Barnard College             
  • Peer Support Minnesota Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)
  • Yoga Alliance Certified Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200): Yoga, Health, and Wellness Specialist

Learn more about Suzula and Recovery Yoga Meetings® HERE           Facebook: @rymtgs

Episode 226: Life In Times Of COVID-19, Part II

Nancy A. Meyer, M.A.
Author: Nancy A. Meyer, M.A.

Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything). Nancy’s compassionate and collaborative approach reinforces resilience while maintaining accountable conversations supporting how you redefine your lead while redesigning your business. Nancy calls this “Dual Innovation Leadership.”   Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring in Dual Innovation Leadership. She has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today! Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are while inspiring them to breakthrough into new dimensions:  As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),  As a Competent Business Owner (Practitioner)  As a Mentor (Role Model)  As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master! Start by subscribing to WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and...

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