In this episode of “Grieving Out Loud,” host Angela Kennecke engages in a poignant discussion with Lisa Gennosa, a physician assistant and author of Incurable Hope: A Memoir and Survival Guide for Coping with a Loved One’s Addiction. Despite Lisa’s medical background and being married to a doctor, she found herself unprepared for her son’s struggles with substance use disorder and mental health issues. This plight is not unique, as drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans under 50.
Recent CDC data reveals alarming trends among high school students: one-third of female students have seriously considered suicide in the past year, with over ten percent of male students also contemplating this tragic choice. Lisa’s decision to publicize her journey with her son’s addiction offers vital insights and support to families in similar situations.
In their conversation, Angela and Lisa delve into the often-overlooked warning signs of addiction, providing essential guidance and advice for families navigating these challenging circumstances. This heartfelt episode offers hope and support, inspiring a transformation from pain to healing, understanding, and empathy in the face of addiction.
MEET THE GUEST
Lisa Gennosa
Lisa Gennosa is a dedicated medical provider, wife, and mother who grew up the third child of a liquor and narcotics agent. Her breadth of exposure to healthcare, the legal field, and parenting an addict provided the foundation to reveal the things we least like to talk about but most need to. She has done countless speaking engagements for police, parole and correctional officers, paramedics, nurses, and other hospital staff, as well as medical students, in an effort to create positive change and provide them with the much-needed education on substance use disorder, mental health, and crisis intervention. As the author of Incurable Hope: A Memoir and Survival Guide for Coping with a Loved One’s Addiction, recently released in the spring of 2023, Lisa has made a powerful impact on the understanding of mental health, substance use disorder, and trauma.
