Adam Wachtel was a "free spirit" - a surfer and snowboarder who loved travelling, nudist resorts, hiking, dancing and laughing. Wherever he went, he made people smile. He and his brother Blake shared a strong, special bond. Adam's addiction began like many others - with alcohol and marijuana. It progressed through prescription medication to heroin. Late one night Blake received a call, telling him that his only brother had died of an overdose at the age of 27. Blake LeVine is a social worker and life coach who lives with bipolar disorder. He's worked for many years to educate others about mental illness, and as a sober coach. Blake was employed by a rehab facility at the time of Adam's death. It's no coincidence that Blake spent Adam's last days learning how those who suffer from addiction lose everything. He was being prepared to share Adam's story, and to teach others about these problems. Addiction and mental illness have reached epidemic proportions in recent years. We've all read about celebrities who have died from heroin overdoses. School shootings have shown us how untreated mental illnesses impact our communities. This book has been written for everyone who wants to learn how these problems can be addressed - and overcome. For anyone interested in these topics, as well as for families who live with these problems. Depression, Bipolar and Heroin shows how faith enables Blake LeVine to help others, despite his first-hand experiences with these tragedies.
About the Author: Blake LeVine is a social worker, life coach and bipolar advocate. As a child he gained national attention for meeting and interviewing notable people. By age 14, he had been invited by President Clinton to The White House. Blake personally met Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, The Dalai Lama, 7 United States Presidents, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana, Madonna, Audrey Hepburn, Ella Fitzgerald, Steven Spielberg, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Margaret Thatcher, George Clooney, and over 5,000 notables. At age 15, Blake began to show signs of bipolar disorder. He was diagnosed with bipolar one and spent two years in and out of psychiatric hospitals. He would go on to eventually find the right medications and therapy. Blake began to slowly rebuild his life. He finished high school, college and obtained his Masters Degree in Social Work. Blake has been working for over 15 years helping others as a social worker and life coach. He's helped the homeless, foster care children, those with schizophrenia, bipolar, addictions, depression and cancer survivors. He also has been educating about mental illness in the media. He's appeared on Oprah.com, CNN, Life and Style, BP Magazine, and many radio programs. Blake did a 50 city national media tour on camera with Dr. Drew Pinsky educating college students about bipolar disorder. He got engaged to his wife live on The Dr. Phil Show. They have been happily married for 8 years. Blake has two children who are beautiful. He now travels internationally doing talks about bipolar disorder. He has been to over 30 local chapters of NAMI and DBSA. He wrote the book Beating Bipolar which was published by Hay House is 2012. Bipolar survivor Demi Lovato publicly praised Blake's book and the work he has done helping others. It is Blake's goal to create awareness and education about bipolar disorder. He proves that with proper therapy, medications and support groups there is a chance to live a healthy life with a bipolar diagnosis. He is the founder of BipolarOnline.com where he offers coaching, his book, and resources for bipolar disorder.