Addiction and Recovery

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 9 | Episode 3
In this episode Talking FACS host Mindy McCulley speaks with Dr. Alex Elswick, Assistant Extension Professor for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, about mobile syringe service programs in rural Appalachia. They discuss why these programs are needed, how they operate in practice, and the unique access challenges faced by people in underserved Kentucky communities.
Topics covered include research findings on willingness to use mobile syringe services, concerns about privacy and confidentiality, preferences for clinical staffing and parking locations, and how Extension can reduce stigma and connect people to care. Key points emphasize compassionate, evidence-based harm reduction, meeting people where they are, and the role of Extension in educating and supporting communities.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
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          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Guest: Alex Johansen, UK Harm Reduction Hub Intern
Season 8, Episode 45
Welcome to Talking FACS. In this episode guest-host Alex Elswick speaks with Alex Johansson, an intern with the UK Harm Reduction Hub, about harm reduction and a newer practice called syringe residue testing. They define harm reduction as both a philosophy grounded in respect and dignity and a set of practical strategies to reduce harms from substance use.
Topics include everyday examples of harm reduction, practical interventions like naloxone distribution and syringe service programs, drug checking methods (including single-use test strips and syringe residue testing), and how the Harm Reduction Hub analyzes syringe residue to monitor Kentucky’s drug supply.
Key findings discussed from recent Kentucky testing (February 2026) include widespread fentanyl and methamphetamine detection across five partnered counties (Fayette, Jefferson, Jessamine, Perry, and Rowan), notable county-level differences (e.g., high meth detection in Rowan County and higher fentanyl presence in Fayette/Jefferson), and the identification of additives such as metatomidine. The conversation highlights how timely, local data help target naloxone distribution, inform outreach and treatment providers, and guide public health responses.
Tune in to learn what syringe residue testing reveals about local risks, how harm reduction agencies communicate alerts, and why this information matters for people who use drugs, families, healthcare providers, and the broader community.
UK Harm Reduction Hub
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 8, Episode 31
Join host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Alex Elswick from University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension as they explore support options for families affected by addiction. This episode explains why addiction is a family disease and how family members are impacted emotionally and physically.
Topics include common family support groups, alternative programs, and the idea of multiple recovery pathways. Dr. Elswick emphasizes education, peer connection, grief support, and practical steps families can take.
Key takeaways: support is essential, different groups fit different values and needs, try multiple options before deciding, and family members deserve resources and care. Visit the UK FCS Extension for more information and local resources.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 8, Episode 13
In this episode of Talking FACS, host Mindy McCulley talks with Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, about the many pathways to recovery. They discuss why recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process and how individual factors—like mental health, trauma, family, work, and values—shape different routes to healing.
Topics covered include common and lesser-known recovery pathways (from abstinence and 12-step programs to SMART recovery, faith-based approaches, medically assisted treatment, and informal recovery without formal help), the stigma surrounding certain treatments, and the importance of matching pathways to a person’s goals and life circumstances. Dr. Elswick emphasizes trial-and-error, the role of support systems, and the need to validate all recovery experiences.
Listeners will gain practical insight into how to support loved ones in recovery and why celebrating all recovery journeys strengthens families and communities.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 7, Episode 51
On this episode of Talking FACS we tackle a pressing issue often misunderstood—the impact of drug seizures on the addicted community. 
Join host Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist, and expert guest Dr. Alex Elswick, Assistant Extension Professor for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, as they delve into the counterintuitive study examining the real effects of drug seizures. Discover how law enforcement actions in Indianapolis (a city very similar to Lexington) rather than reducing drug use, inadvertently lead to increased overdose rates.
Through engaging discussion, learn about the unintended consequences of disrupting drug supplies, the complexities of addiction, and why current drug policies might need reevaluation. Dr. Elswick explains the necessity for pragmatic approaches and potential solutions, providing listeners with a deep understanding of this critical issue affecting our communities.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 7, Episode 31
In this episode of Talking FACS, host Mindy McCulley is joined by Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, to discuss Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative increasingly found in the drug supply. Originally used in veterinary medicine, Xylazine is not intended for human consumption but is being mixed with drugs like fentanyl without users' knowledge, complicating the ongoing opioid crisis.
Dr. Elswick explains the unexpected presence of Xylazine in the drug market and its implications, highlighting how it poses new risks to overdose situations. The conversation delves into the difficulties posed by Xylazine's sedative effects, which can mask opioid overdoses and complicate life-saving interventions such as Naloxone administration.
The episode also explores methods used to detect Xylazine presence in communities, including innovative wastewater analysis. As the discussion unfolds, listeners gain an understanding of the broader context of drug contamination and the pressing need for enhanced public awareness.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 7, Episode 24
In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, sheds light on the alarming rise in stimulant use alongside the ongoing opioid crisis, a phenomenon referred to as the "twin epidemic."
Alex discusses how stimulant use, particularly methamphetamine and cocaine, has spiked nationally and in Kentucky, becoming a significant driver of overdose fatalities alongside opioids. The episode explores the complexities of drug use patterns, including the notable shift from injection to smoking as the primary route of drug administration. The conversation also touches on social perceptions around drug use and the lack of effective treatments for stimulant addiction, posing challenges for healthcare providers and communities alike.
The discussion emphasizes the integral role of the Extension in combating substance use by fostering health and wellness through improving nutrition, physical health, relationships, and finances. This episode is a call to action for community engagement in building recovery capital and addressing the root causes of addiction.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 6, Episode 44
Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, discusses widely believed alcohol myths and dismantles them with factual information.
With substance use being a pervasive concern, we clarify misconceptions about alcohol use, some as common as; 'alcohol is not a drug', 'people with alcohol problems drink alcohol daily' and 'because kids in Europe begin drinking at an earlier age, they drink more responsibly'. As the discussion unfolds, it becomes apparent how these myths not only misinform society but also contribute to an oblique understanding of alcohol-related issues.
Listen in to learn more about the facts behind these myths, how they impact public health, and the importance of accurate information in promoting healthier life choices. This episode encourages listeners to take a more informed approach towards alcohol use. In the end, it is the debunking of alcohol myths and the propagation of correct information that will lead to a healthier society.
Connect with FCS Extension for assistance with this topic and others you hear about on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
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          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 6, Episode 29
Many of the great thinkers of our time have said that "Knowledge is power!" When it comes to cannabis,  how much do you know? Dispelling myths and providing knowledge is Dr. Alex Elwick's goal for this episode of Talking FACS. 
Connect with FCS Extension for assistance with this topic and others you hear about on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
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          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 6, Episode 11
Successful recovery from substance abuse depends on many factors.  One important component of successful recovery for many substance users is having a job or career.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Alex Elswick shares about what recovery in the workplace looks like for employers, employees, and the families of those who suffer from this disease.
To connect with FCS Extension:
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Website
FCS Facebook
FCS Instagram

Host: Mindy McCulley, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 6, Episode 3
There is good news to share regarding the trends in youth substance use. It is always informative when Dr. Alex Elswick share his unique perspective on substance use in Kentucky, but relying on data from the Kentucky
For more information visit:
Kentucky Incentives for Prevention Survey
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel
 

FACS Sizzlin' Summer - Week 4
Welcome to Week 4 of our FACS Sizzlin' Summer. Each week our podcast topic will relate to a theme that will be used for summer programming in county offices across the state of Kentucky. On Thursdays at 11 am eastern time, join us on our Facebook page @UKFCSExt for a related webinar.
#OperationKYSunshine
Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guests: Dr. Amy Kostelic, Extension Specialist for Adult Development and Aging and Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Episode 2, Season 3
With all the quarantines and social distancing which have occurred this year, it is easy to understand why some people are experiencing loneliness.  In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Jennifer Hunter sits down with Dr. Amy Kostelic and Dr. Alex Elswick to explore some of the effects that social isolation might have had on those in vulnerable populations or living in long term care situations.  In addition, they share health benefits of creative ways to engage others socially.
For additional information about this or any other topics we've shared, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service
Full episode transcript