Andy is a perfectly ordinary tabby cat. Like many cats, he has his own Facebook page. He loves sunbeams and snuggles.
But Andy has a problem. He's addicted to catnip. When he admitted this problem online, something remarkable happened. People in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction flocked to his Facebook page, seeing themselves in Andy's struggle. What began as gentle humor became something much more, probably because Andy's human, Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC, is a master's-level licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
Just Ask Andy follows Andy's journey from catnip abuse to clarity, after which the now sober kitty answers many questions Magoon fielded on her radio show.
Recovering addicts often feel alone, as do their loved ones. Andy's honest answers about addiction and its effects are a reminder that others are going through the exact same battle-and succeeding. Families can also use Andy's story to explain addiction to children, to help them gain a clearer understanding of the process.
Just ask Andy. He made it through the darkness and back to sobriety. So can you.
About the Author: Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC, is a licensed mental health and master's-level alcohol and drug counselor. A trained hypnotherapist, Magoon is the president and CEO of Self-empowerment-NH, LLC, and former host of a related radio show.
Magoon specializes in offering support and education to families affected by alcoholism and drug dependence. She uses research-based practices to facilitate stronger family units and healthier relationships.
Andy's story began as a Facebook contest with Magoon's husband to see who could get more friends. Andy-and his battle against catnip addiction-won the contest handily.
