Psychology Professor & Substance Abuse Counselor | Andrew Assini | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison

[@newports1779]

Just came across this randomly and realized that this is the Drew that I was fortunate enough to be taught by while I was in rehab! He’s such an amazing guy, very down to earth and extremely funny. I’m going on 14 months of sobriety and this man was a huge reason why, thanks drew!

[@futu002]

Alex Roblyer congratulations keep it up. :)

[@helpingfolksremember170]

You’re the man 👍🏽💖🙏🏽

[@odontologiaesteticaeharmon1692]

HEY Oiii you will defeat this!!!! When we have a relapse it seems impossible to change but it doesn't really change our fight, the brain often creates things that seem very real but they are not and WE WILL WIN It seems impossible and we will never win but we will and I just KNOW that you are such an INCREDIBLE AND GOOD AND KIND person this world needs people like you, it seems that this fight is endless and frustrating but you WILL WIN, dragging yourself on the ground if you have to but you will win and that's a fact ❤️❤️💗 💗 even if it always seems to remember that you will never be alone in this battle and you are SO AMAZING men and women, even when we seem to be at rock bottom we climbed everything, I didn't believe that but I went through it AND YOU ALL HERE WILL WIN, AND NOW I'M SO MUCH PROUD ❤️❤️❤️ LET'S WIN, I went through it and it seemed like it would never pass and it was a sea of ​​darkness but there is always light in this environment and with time we see that we are capable and we are always fighting❤❤ LET'S GO ACHIEVE EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE LET'S GO

[@doreenalexander1670]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️

[@neatoneil-hv4bg]

I respect your courage. I can sense your anxiety and you pushed through, I admire that.

[@suburbansadhu]

Easily the most nervous I've ever been for an event. Appreciate the love and support.

[@pamelaf5913]

Whoop there it is . That's my teacher yall! You did it!

[@helpingfolksremember170]

Thanks ;)

[@tailsyoshi2682]

Thank u for sharing your story​@@helpingfolksremember170

[@carriegrosso9080]

I came across your video for a class I am taking on substance misuse. Thank you for your perspective on meditation and mindfulness and how it can be effective in stressful situations and throughout ones recovery process.

[@vikinginspace4881]

Really relate to this guy I have a very similar personality. I like how he winged it when he lost his train of thought, us ex addicts do that alot. Well done on getting your degree I’m currently just starting out on mine.

[@helpingfolksremember170]

Thanks for the love man and if I’m being 100% honest, I pretty much winged this whole thing 😂 and I’m definitely available if wanna relate or connect or vent about school 😉

[@odontologiaesteticaeharmon1692]

YESSSS❤❤❤ YOU ARE INCREDIBLEEE

[@ChristineGittens-ie6rb]

Thank you for sharing your story. You have given a human face to a crisis that has been ignored or dealt with without compassion. I see how you used meditation and yoga to cope with what was going on with you at the time. I like your sense of humor. I am taking a class on HIV and substance abuse at ASU. My assignment this week is to connect with a substance abuse prevention expert. Based on your experience, what prevention methods do you recommend? Congratulations on your sobriety!

[@lyndac.3742]

Drew! Always genuine and honest

[@paradisecolors]

I have practiced and studied mindfulness and I am becoming a counsellor. Would love to learn more about addiction counselling

[@chocolatewheelchair]

N Kh what steps are you taking to become an addiction counselor?

[@kyawsoewin701]

If you can't manage your thoughts and you are in a very bad condition while meditating, things will go astray not at desirable outcomes. And self-reflection does not always help. Sometimes, you need to put your mind elsewhere and when things cooldown, self reflection or whatever you wanna think, will work.

[@odontologiaesteticaeharmon1692]

Yess

[@camillepeay1682]

Great job Drew! You can tell that it comes from your heart and that what matters most. It’s your story! 🥰

[@helpingfolksremember170]

Thanks Camille :)

[@The420Patriot]

It's okay you were a little nervous and even when you lost your train of thought, you were able to keep it goin. You'll get better obvi, but I enjoyed your talk, thank you :)

[@helpingfolksremember170]

Thanks for the love :)

[@nickyypedley8519]

You are wicked cool bud....I ACTUALLY enjoyed the talk....coming to Ontario Canada anytime soon lol?

[@Minako9888]

Interesting…cuz I was actually thinking that I can’t stand him XD

[@ShannonNichols-no2nu]

Thank you so much for this video. Very interesting.

[@victoriaoshea4865]

Thank you for sharing that about meditation I think it's so important that if we focus within then we can be okay with what happens without

[@helpingfolksremember170]

Totally agree and thanks for the love Victoria :)

[@v_g147]

He's human and I love that ❤️

[@samueltidalgo7533]

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[@helpingfolksremember170]

💖🙏🏽

[@Inziagold]

If it weren't for rehab and the YWCA , I would not have known I was ill with a disease caught in a cycle of insanity. The insanity was in my own heart. I did not want to die from drugs. I wanted to quit for my children. It didn't work. I adopted my children out cause I could no longer bare to drag them through that. At first it shattered my heart. The addict mind took over. I found myself at the edge of death. That is when my heart changed. I wanted life truth and wisdom. The thirst in my heart began to grow for understanding and clarity in self . I found my Mama's spirit , the one who gave me life. Now I understand why my children named me Mama. That is who I was hurting inside of me, so hurting in them. I found myself my parents my children in the light because my heart wanted it. Not a god men speak of and rule by. Men are not Dada and women are not Mama. The created are not the born. I awakened to what the "powers that be" did not want me to see. I know I am not the only one waking to self.

[@ingriddorantes8204]

Can’t wait to be a substance abuse counselor

[@chocolatewheelchair]

ingrid sheeran what’re you doing to make that happen?

[@missyoothoudt8243]

Same!

[@NewNovemberRain]

Thank you for the video.

[@forlornvagabond9885]

listen to chillstep while listening to this.

[@chocolatewheelchair]

FORLORN VAGABOND boss mode

[@HeidiGomez-Cahue]

Thank you for this video. What about Substance Abuse in college students and what should be done to reduce it.

[@vanessanixon5197]

He seems nervous. His words are powerful though.

[@helpingfolksremember170]

Yup 👍🏽 super nervous Vanessa 😉 thanks for the love 🙏🏽

[@edgewise415]

He is hilarious as well as articulate. Epic timing on the jokes. :)

[@odontologiaesteticaeharmon1692]

HEY Oiii you will defeat this!!!! When we have a relapse it seems impossible to change but it doesn't really change our fight, the brain often creates things that seem very real but they are not and WE WILL WIN It seems impossible and we will never win but we will and I just KNOW that you are such an INCREDIBLE AND GOOD AND KIND person this world needs people like you, it seems that this fight is endless and frustrating but you WILL WIN, dragging yourself on the ground if you have to but you will win and that's a fact ❤️❤️💗 💗 even if it always seems to remember that you will never be alone in this battle and you are SO AMAZING men and women, even when we seem to be at rock bottom we climbed everything, I didn't believe that but I went through it AND YOU ALL HERE WILL WIN, AND NOW I'M SO MUCH PROUD ❤️❤️❤️ LET'S WIN, I went through it and it seemed like it would never pass and it was a sea of ​​darkness but there is always light in this environment and with time we see that we are capable and we are always fighting❤❤ LET'S GO ACHIEVE EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE LET'S GO

[@jamesons6770]

What's the name of the holistic center he opened? Is it still open?

[@helpingfolksremember170]

Hey Meg... it was called Samma Vayama Well-Being but its closed now :( An amazing 4 years or so that I'm super grateful for... and now I'm traveling the world ;)

[@paulomoniz]

@@helpingfolksremember170 where can I follow all your work?

[@garrettcal1812]

Really would like to be a councelor. No idea how to start.

[@oliverivers]

Dunno if your started or not but looking at community colleges is a good start. Some offer drug studies programs at a low cost.

[@nickycocaine]

You need to get a BA in Psychology or Counseling, if you can find a four year college that offers it. Then, you need to get a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling. You can also get a PHD in Counseling. It is a long path but for many of us it is worth it.

[@jamesgray1242]

Blessed

[@angelatsui3400]

A designing entrepreneurship

[@summeramandala9042]

Imagine how honestly have been shortsighted by addicted people, people not on alcohol. Everybody's consumed with whatever addiction they'd want to and glorified, justified. A saddened idea of how heightened reflection goes. - I am sick as you

[@lannguyen-ww5jr]

Hay quá

[@EAGLE-of6th]

Wow

[@VladyslavKL]

🕊

[@Sncedayone]

Jesus is lord

[@JeffsGoneWild]

was this talk at a prison?

[@ElizabethSue83]

yes

[@chocolatewheelchair]

What drug did he do

[@Solcntrolr]

Meth

[@Paul-v8v4j]

A Buddhist monk is traveling in New York and stops for a hotdog at a street vendor's cart. The monk says to the vendor "Make me one with everything" so the vendor gets the hotdog and the monk pays with a $10.00 bill and waits for his change. When it is not forthcoming he asks for it and the vendor says "Change comes from within". Do you agree with the vendor?

[@LoLo-cf1iw]

Hey! We are a small group from Germany making a project about substance abuse. We want to make a short film consisting of several videos from persons who stopped taking drugs and like to share their experience with our English class from the professional school. If you're interested or you know someone who might be, please text me and I'll send you the details. :)

[@professorprostate2298]

I’ll do it if you still need… 4 years after the fact!!! But if I could help at least one person even this much later, it would make it worth it. I hope you found your own answer in this endeavor

[@andrewnisco7851]

Just really distracted by him saying “um” so much wow

[@helpingfolksremember170]

Yeah... i know... sorry 😔😂 - For context, this was easily the biggest event I'd ever spoken at (300+) and i was super nervous. The head of the navy was the opening speaker and I was definitely feeling some impostor-syndrome vibes. But yeah, you're right... too many ums lol. 💖🙏🏽

[@missyoothoudt8243]

Drew Assini you did awesome!

[@StormTwip]

@@helpingfolksremember170 thank you

[@leafyveins4985]

Um, I really enjoyed the speech. Drew, you did a great job!

[@tattoofthesun]

He said “right” like 400 times. Damn dude meditate beforehand next time

[@myvids4family]

Um

[@neverthesame7887]

so that's all you got out of his talk?

[@morganmcghee4136]

I learned nothing from this. Lol wow

[@Be_usmc]

The power of meditation and self reflection.

[@jpiercej]

Uhhh umm that was uhhh ummm uhh and uh yea umm.. that uhhhh yea umm uhhh drugs are bad but they make you feel good uhhh mmkay

[@CuongTran-dw5cy]

Hay quá

[@beautytokyolannguyen1974]

Hay quá

[@maingoc1632]

Hay quá

[@tiepthikinhdoanh2tiepthiki467]

Hay quá

[@QuynhNguyen-li5ws]

Hay quá