Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you an event planner, educator, corporate leader, or non-profit organizer responsible for organizing events focused on substance abuse awareness and recovery?
This article is your guide to finding the perfect substance abuse speaker for your next event.
By the end, you’ll have a curated list of experts ready to inspire and educate your audience.
Keep reading to discover the top speakers in substance abuse and recovery.
30 Inspiring Substance Abuse Speakers
Discover our top picks for your approaching event. See someone of interest? Just click the button below to contact us.
1. Dr. Kevin McCauley
Dr. Kevin McCauley is a renowned addiction specialist and speaker. He combines his medical expertise with personal experience in recovery.
- Former Naval Flight Surgeon
- Co-founder of the Institute for Addiction Study
- Creator of acclaimed documentaries on addiction
Why you should hire Dr. Kevin McCauley? His engaging presentations demystify addiction, making complex medical concepts accessible.
2. Mackenzie Phillips
Mackenzie Phillips is an actress and author who has shared her journey of recovery from addiction. Her candid and open discussions help audiences understand the realities of substance abuse.
- New York Times bestselling author
- Certified addiction counselor
- Advocate for addiction recovery
Why you should hire Mackenzie Phillips? Her powerful story of recovery resonates deeply, providing hope and inspiration.
3. Chris Herren
Chris Herren is a former NBA player whose struggle with substance abuse and journey to recovery have touched many. His talks focus on the importance of overcoming adversity and embracing recovery.
- Founder of the Herren Project
- Subject of the ESPN documentary “Unguarded”
- Author of “Basketball Junkie”
Why you should hire Chris Herren? His impactful talks emphasize the importance of overcoming adversity and the power of recovery.
4. Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx, co-founder of Mötley Crüe, shares his harrowing experiences with addiction and recovery. His raw and honest approach sheds light on the realities of addiction.
- Author of “The Heroin Diaries”
- Founder of the “Rock to Recovery” program
- Influential musician and radio host
Why you should hire Nikki Sixx? His raw and honest approach sheds light on the realities of addiction, offering hope and inspiration.
5. Brandon Novak
Brandon Novak is a former professional skateboarder and reality TV star who speaks candidly about his battle with addiction. He uses his experiences to inspire others to seek help and recovery.
- Author of “Dreamseller”
- Recovery advocate and speaker
- Works with the Banyan Treatment Centers
Why you should hire Brandon Novak? His relatable and unfiltered storytelling makes a strong impact on audiences.
6. Jennifer Gimenez
Jennifer Gimenez is a model and actress who shares her recovery journey to inspire others. Her heartfelt and sincere messages resonate with those affected by addiction.
- Star of “Sober House” and “Celebrity Rehab”
- Advocate for addiction recovery
- Motivational speaker
Why you should hire Jennifer Gimenez? Her heartfelt and sincere messages resonate with those affected by addiction.
7. Earl Hightower
Earl Hightower is a veteran interventionist with decades of experience helping families and individuals. He is the founder of Hightower Associates and an expert in intervention strategies.
- Founder of Hightower Associates
- Expert in intervention strategies
- Speaker and trainer on addiction
Why you should hire Earl Hightower? His professional and compassionate approach makes him a standout in the field of interventions.
8. Dr. Drew Pinsky
Dr. Drew Pinsky, known for his work on “Loveline” and “Celebrity Rehab,” brings clinical expertise to his talks. He is a board-certified internist and addiction medicine specialist.
- Board-certified internist and addiction medicine specialist
- Author of several books on addiction
- Media personality and health advocate
Why you should hire Dr. Drew Pinsky? His authoritative voice and clinical insights provide valuable knowledge and guidance.
9. William Cope Moyers
William Cope Moyers is a journalist and author who uses his personal recovery story to advocate for change. He is the Vice President of Public Affairs at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
- Author of “Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption”
- Vice President of Public Affairs at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
- Advocate for mental health and addiction recovery
Why you should hire William Cope Moyers? His compelling narrative and advocacy work inspire and educate on a broad scale.
10. Claudia Black
Claudia Black is a renowned addiction specialist known for her work with family dynamics and trauma. She is a Senior Fellow at The Meadows and a speaker and trainer.
- Senior Fellow at The Meadows
- Author of several books on addiction and family systems
- Speaker and trainer
Why you should hire Claudia Black? Her expertise in family dynamics and trauma provides comprehensive insights into addiction and recovery.
11. Tim Ryan
Tim Ryan, known as “The Hope Dealer,” is an advocate and speaker focusing on the opioid crisis. He is the founder of A Man in Recovery Foundation and a national thought leader on addiction recovery.
- Founder of A Man in Recovery Foundation
- Author of “Dope to Hope”
- National thought leader on addiction recovery
Why you should hire Tim Ryan? His passionate advocacy and firsthand experience with the opioid crisis make his talks highly impactful.
12. Dr. Gabor Maté
Dr. Gabor Maté is an expert in addiction, trauma, and childhood development, known for his compassionate approach. He is the author of “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts” and a renowned physician and educator.
- Author of “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts”
- Speaker and workshop leader
- Renowned physician and educator
Why you should hire Dr. Gabor Maté? His deep understanding of addiction’s root causes offers profound insights and solutions.
13. Ryan Leaf
Ryan Leaf, a former NFL quarterback, speaks about his struggles with addiction and mental health. He is an advocate for mental health and recovery and the host of the “Bust” podcast.
- Advocate for mental health and recovery
- Host of the “Bust” podcast
- Speaker on addiction and resilience
Why you should hire Ryan Leaf? His story of redemption and mental health advocacy resonates strongly with diverse audiences.
14. Kristina Wandzilak
Kristina Wandzilak is a prominent interventionist and author who helps families navigate addiction recovery. She is the co-founder of Full Circle Intervention and author of “The Lost Years.”
- Co-founder of Full Circle Intervention
- Author of “The Lost Years”
- Television personality and speaker
Why you should hire Kristina Wandzilak? Her compassionate and effective intervention strategies offer hope and solutions to families in crisis.
15. Scott Strode
Scott Strode is the founder of Phoenix Multisport, a sober active community supporting those in recovery. He is a TEDx speaker and an advocate for physical fitness in recovery.
- TEDx speaker
- Advocate for physical fitness in recovery
- Community leader and motivational speaker
Why you should hire Scott Strode? His innovative approach to recovery through fitness and community is both inspiring and effective.
16. Melissa Fitzgerald
Melissa Fitzgerald, known for her role on “The West Wing,” is a passionate advocate for addiction recovery. She is the director of the nonprofit Justice For Vets and a speaker on recovery and veterans’ issues.
- Director of the nonprofit Justice For Vets
- Speaker on recovery and veterans’ issues
- Actress and public figure
Why you should hire Melissa Fitzgerald? Her dedication to veterans and recovery provides a unique and impactful perspective.
17. Tony Hoffman
Tony Hoffman is a former BMX elite pro who overcame addiction to become a motivational speaker and coach. He is the founder of the Freewheel Project and host of the “One Choice” podcast.
- Founder of the Freewheel Project
- Host of the “One Choice” podcast
- Advocate for youth and recovery
Why you should hire Tony Hoffman? His story of resilience and transformation inspires young audiences and athletes.
18. Elizabeth Vargas
Elizabeth Vargas is a journalist and author who speaks openly about her struggles with anxiety and alcohol. She is the author of “Between Breaths” and a former anchor of ABC’s “20/20.”
- Author of “Between Breaths”
- Former anchor of ABC’s “20/20”
- Advocate for mental health and recovery
Why you should hire Elizabeth Vargas? Her transparency about her personal journey offers hope and understanding.
19. Michael Botticelli
Michael Botticelli is the former Director of National Drug Control Policy who promotes evidence-based addiction treatment. He is the executive director of the Grayken Center for Addiction and a policy expert.
- Executive Director of the Grayken Center for Addiction
- Speaker and advocate
- Policy expert
Why you should hire Michael Botticelli? His expertise in policy and treatment provides authoritative insights into effective addiction recovery strategies.
20. David Sheff
David Sheff is a journalist and author known for his book “Beautiful Boy,” which chronicles his son’s battle with addiction. He is an advocate for addiction prevention and recovery.
- Author of “Beautiful Boy”
- Advocate for addiction prevention and recovery
- Speaker and author
Why you should hire David Sheff? His heartfelt storytelling and advocacy work shine a light on the family’s role in addiction recovery.
21. Gary Mendell
Gary Mendell founded Shatterproof, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending the devastation of addiction. He is a speaker and advocate with a personal mission to improve addiction treatment.
- Founder of a leading addiction nonprofit
- Influential voice in addiction policy
- Speaker and advocate
Why you should hire Gary Mendell? His personal mission and nonprofit work provide hope and actionable steps towards ending addiction.
22. Tara Conner
Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006, shares her powerful story of addiction and recovery. She is an advocate for recovery and mental health and a public figure.
- Advocate for recovery and mental health
- Former Miss USA
- Speaker and public figure
Why you should hire Tara Conner? Her candid and relatable talks inspire audiences to seek help and support.
23. Tom Farley
Tom Farley is a speaker and author dedicated to continuing his brother Chris Farley’s legacy by addressing addiction. He is the author of “The Chris Farley Show” and an advocate for mental health and recovery.
- Author of “The Chris Farley Show”
- Speaker and advocate
- Mental health and recovery speaker
Why you should hire Tom Farley? His personal connection to addiction provides a poignant and inspiring perspective.
24. Maureen McCormick
Maureen McCormick, best known for her role on “The Brady Bunch,” speaks about her recovery journey. She is an author, actress, and advocate for mental health and recovery.
- Author and actress
- Advocate for mental health and recovery
- Speaker on addiction and healing
Why you should hire Maureen McCormick? Her familiar face and inspiring story resonate with audiences of all ages.
25. David Mee-Lee
Dr. David Mee-Lee is a leading expert in co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. He is the editor of the ASAM Criteria and a speaker and trainer.
- Editor of the ASAM Criteria
- Speaker and trainer
- Expert in addiction treatment
Why you should hire Dr. David Mee-Lee? His clinical expertise and engaging presentations make complex topics accessible.
26. Tiffany Jenkins
Tiffany Jenkins is a blogger, author, and comedian who shares her story of addiction and recovery with humor and honesty. She is the author of “High Achiever” and the creator of the “Juggling the Jenkins” blog.
- Author of “High Achiever”
- Creator of “Juggling the Jenkins” blog
- Motivational speaker
Why you should hire Tiffany Jenkins? Her humorous and relatable approach to addiction makes her a favorite among audiences.
27. Caleb Campbell
Caleb Campbell, a former NFL player and Army veteran, speaks on mental health and addiction recovery. He is a mental health coach, speaker, and advocate.
- Former NFL and Army veteran
- Mental health coach
- Speaker and advocate
Why you should hire Caleb Campbell? His unique background and inspiring story offer hope and motivation.
28. Austin Eubanks
Austin Eubanks was a Columbine shooting survivor who became an advocate for addiction recovery. He spoke on addiction recovery and the impact of trauma.
- Survivor of the Columbine tragedy
- Addiction recovery activist
- Speaker and advocate
Why you should hire Austin Eubanks? His powerful story of overcoming trauma and addiction is both inspiring and educational.
29. Kristen Johnston
Kristen Johnston, actress and author, shares her journey of recovery from addiction. She is the author of “Guts” and an Emmy-winning actress.
- Author of “Guts”
- Emmy-winning actress
- Advocate for addiction recovery
Why you should hire Kristen Johnston? Her engaging and honest storytelling captivates and inspires audiences.
30. Johnny Crowder
Johnny Crowder is a suicide/abuse survivor, mental health advocate, and founder of Cope Notes. He is a musician, public figure, and speaker on mental health and recovery.
- Founder of Cope Notes
- Speaker and mental health advocate
- Musician and public figure
Why you should hire Johnny Crowder? His innovative approach to mental health and recovery offers practical tools and hope.
How to Book a Substance Abuse Speaker the Easy Way
Booking a substance abuse speaker through Gotham Artists makes the process seamless and stress-free.
Our team handles everything from initial contact to final arrangements, ensuring you get the best speaker for your event.
Contact Gotham Artists today to find the perfect speaker for your needs and make your event truly impactful.
This content is categorized as “Human Written” per our Transparent Content Policy.
Article last updated on June 16th, 2024.
