Psychology Professor & Substance Abuse Counselor | Andrew Assini | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison

Assini described himself as having a great potential until he dropped out of college and bottomed out after years of alcohol and drug abuse. It’s only when Assini found himself in jail, that he began his journey to recovery and, now, fulfilling his desire to help others.

Psychology Professor & Substance Abuse Counselor

After earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Rowen University in Glassboro, N.J., Assini is now an assistant professor of psychology at the college. He also a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, leading yoga and meditation classes at his own wellness center.

[newports]

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!

[neatoneil-hvbg]

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

[pamelaf]

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

[carriegrosso]

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.

[camillepeay]

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

[ChristineGittens-ierb]

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!

[vikinginspace]

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.

[ThePatriot]

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 :)

[kyawsoewin]

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.

[ShannonNichols-nonu]

Thank you so much for this video. Very interesting.

[victoriaoshea]

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

[paradisecolors]

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

[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.

[nickyypedley]

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

[forlornvagabond]

listen to chillstep while listening to this.

[ingriddorantes]

Can’t wait to be a substance abuse counselor

[HeidiGomez-Cahue]

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

[odontologiaesteticaeharmon]

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

[vanessanixon]

He seems nervous. His words are powerful though.

[jamesons]

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