Heroes Of The Addiction Crisis: How Dave and Susan Kenney of Emergo Academy Are Helping To Battle One of Our Most Serious Epidemics

There will be resistance to new ideas. We had a phone call from a Dad many years ago that had a daughter struggling with addiction issues for a long time. They had been following typical recommendations, including 12-step programs, therapy, and medications. When he heard of our approach, he stated that it sounded like it made a lot of sense. However, he could not enroll her in our program because it would mean that everything else, they had done had “been wrong,” and it was too overwhelming for him to think of the wasted time and resources.

As a part of our series about “Heroes Of The Addiction Crisis,” I had the pleasure of interviewing Dave Kenney and Susan Kenney the co-founders of Emergo Academy.

Dave Kenney and Susan Kenney are Co-Founders of Emergo Academy. Since 2011 they have operated a private residential recovery program helping more than two-thousand people overcome addictions and mental struggles to live a life of wellbeing. In addition, Dave & Susan Kenney have pioneered Actualized Recovery®, the Brain-First Approach to Lasting Recovery.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a bit of your backstory?

Dave Kenney: In 2008, I was working at an esteemed Canadian private school. I grew increasingly frustrated by the institution’s outdated education system, which allowed good kids to struggle, fail and ultimately fall through the cracks of traditional academic expectations.

The constant pressure to perform put the more vulnerable students at risk of self- destructive behavior, depression, and even substance abuse — and they had nowhere to turn for support. As a zero-tolerance school, these students would be expelled at the first strike and then forgotten.

This caused me great strife.

During this time, I met Susan, a dynamic educator, a successful entrepreneur of three decades, and a certified nutritionist and impactful life coach. Susan loved mentoring youth to become leaders in their own lives and communities. In addition, she was passionate about finding holistic solutions for mental, emotional, or physical challenges that seemed to be growing more prevalent each year and dove deep into positive psychology inspiring her clients to rise above.

She was deeply curious and actively studied innovative approaches focused on the undeniable connection between brain health, the human body, and flourishing.

We both shared a passion for empowering others to take charge of their wellbeing and success. We would offer as much support and mentorship as possible to these troubled students.

We both understood that learning challenges, among many others, are directly related to how well a person’s brain works. So, after spending some time with the students, we began to seriously ponder the question — “Can we change our brain?”

We spent years immersing ourselves in studying brain function and how it drives behavior.

It was then that we realized that if we could help people rewire and optimize their brains, they might overcome their behavioral challenges and have a better chance at success — and may, in fact, thrive.

In 2011, we founded Emergo Recovery — a private residential recovery center that has helped thousands of families through their journey of recovery and flourish, leveraging the foundational principles of Actualized Recovery® — the Brain-First Approach to Lasting Recovery.

Actualized Recovery is a proven, evidenced-based methodology that optimizes brain function by leveraging five integrative principles of physiology, psychology, spirit, connection, and lifestyle.

Is there a particular story or incident that inspired you to get involved in your work with opioid and drug addiction?

Our background before working in the field of recovery was education and human performance. When we began to initiate our efforts to recover, we were working with teens that were struggling. We witnessed good kids from good families struggling. Frequently they were experiencing debilitating levels of pain. In addition, they were suffering increasing levels of anxiety and depression and making negative, self-destructive choices in an effort to seek relief.

We began to question the current practice of treating symptoms rather than supporting them holistically. Then, out of curiosity (and seeing a growing need), we asked, ‘What might happen if we could help someone rewire their brain…or change their brain function?’

During this period of curiosity, exploration, and learning, we discovered Dr. Daniel Amen’s book, ‘Change Your Brain and Change Your Life.’

It was then that the pieces started to fit.

Can you explain what brought us to this place? Where did this epidemic come from?

Addictions or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) has been viewed through the eyes of a 12-step lens. It has not advanced with science and certainly has not embraced the power of neuroscience and the ability to positively (or negatively) change a brain.

Finding one clear definition of addiction is futile, which only adds to the lack of an evidence-based approach to recovery. However, the two most dominant beliefs are that addiction is: (i) a brain disease or (ii) a brain disorder. Without debating disease vs. disorder, these two central concepts agree that addictions are directly related to the brain.

Neuroscience and psychology have many opposing beliefs, but one place of strong agreement is that the brain drives behavior.

Behavior is defined by a person’s choices and actions (not intentions). So, this means if we want a different outcome, we must help someone make more positive choices. And like it or not, our brain drives — it drives our thoughts, our feelings, and our actions.

And when people make self-destructive choices, even despite negative consequences, this is not the result of a moral flaw or character weakness.

Not embracing the newest advances in neuroscience brings a more significant stigma of shame and blame, perpetuating the addiction cycle.

And when we embrace a brain-first approach to lasting recovery, we rid the person of shame, giving them the power of hope on their journey to thrive.

Can you describe how your work is making an impact in battling this epidemic?

By showing that the brain does, in fact, drive addictions by influencing behavior, this knowledge creates a solid foundation to create treatment plans that become actualized because they make sense and provide people with a clear blueprint for success based on current science.

Without sharing real names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted by your initiative?

Tim (not his real name due to privacy) was a 55-year-old male who had recently sold his business and was transitioning into retirement. He first reached out to us in crisis.

Two days before calling us, Tim had left his home in the afternoon to do some chores. He stopped at a favorite watering hole for a drink. Hours later, he made the short drive home.

A short while later, he was awakened by two police officers standing over him, shoving Tim, waking him up. Tim was asleep on his basement sofa, and two police officers demanded he gets up and goes outside. He was dazed and perplexed but agreed.

They asked him if that was his truck. He answered yes. They asked him if he was just driving. He asked why.

They then took him to the truck’s passenger side and showed him it was heavily damaged and wrecked.

Tim had no recall. He drove home in a black-out. The police informed him that he had just crashed into another car and sped away. It was a hit-and-run, causing harm while under the influence.

His life flashed in front of him. His future. His marriage. His freedom. They were all in jeopardy.

This was not Tim’s character. But it was. He was responsible. He was accountable. The question is, why did he act so out of character?

When he called us, he learned of our methodology of Actualized Recovery, the brain-first approach to lasting recovery. As an engineer, this made sense. He knew he needed help, but he wanted a lasting solution.

Four weeks later, he returned home, valiantly wanting to repair his marriage and willing to face the legal consequences of his actions. Tim also continued to do our post-program coaching program focused on wellbeing.

Four years later, he continues to reach out and is full of life and energy. His health and marriage are flourishing, and he has started another growing business. Tim credits his transformation and recovery to living a brain-healthy lifestyle daily.

Can you share something about your work that makes you most proud?

Hearing from former clients (like Tim) or their families that they are living a life that matters to themselves and others — pictures of weddings, babies, education, holidays, that they are making a positive impact.

Also writing our new book ACTUALIZED RECOVERY® — It’s Not About 12-Steps. Recovery is a Brain Thing (due in the summer of 2023).

Is there a particular story or incident that you found most uplifting?

One particular group we worked who has stayed in touch with us for the last few years. One has had a beautiful child, connected deeply with her husband, and started a phenomenal business. One had some turbulence after he left but got back on course, and now has a thriving business and just had his first child. Another in this group has found deep meaning by joining the seminary and is working at an inner-city drug rehab program. Seeing how these incredible people are thriving and giving back in meaningful ways to family and the community has been amazing.

Can you share three things that the community and society can do to help you address the root of this problem? Can you give some examples?

1. Education–teach the neuroscience of addiction and how drugs, alcohol, cigarettes (& Vapes) all have a direct negative impact on the brain and brain function. When we teach this, everyone asks, ‘Why doesn’t anyone teach this in schools?’. Ideally, this would begin in middle school and continue yearly until they graduate high school. Teach kids to love their brain!
2. Groups–create groups led by trained and certified recovery coaches who can teach positive psychology (a strengths-based approach to thriving) that make deep, meaningful relationships. For example, Johann Hari’s book, Lost Connections, states that the opposite of addiction is feeling connected.
3. Recovery Coaching–Training recovery coaches that are educated in a brain-first way to overcoming addictions. We are passionate about training coaches with everything we have learned about Actualized Recovery. With coaches explicitly trained with the skill set to guide people out of physical and emotional traumas, the weight can be lifted from the over-burdened medical field, and there is a whole group dedicated to supporting people and their families, easily accessible and ending this current and escalating crisis.

If you had the power to influence legislation, which three laws would you like to see introduced that might help you in your work?

1. That people using drugs are not criminals unless they have committed a crime. Being punished for having a brain that is addicted will not solve anything.
2. Honestly examine substances like cigarettes, vaping, cannabis, alcohol, micro-dosing, food additives, etc., through the lens of the brain to determine short-term and long-term neurological harm potential to youth and adults and develop laws that protect citizens — especially children, from harm.
3. Instead of prescribing medications as long-term treatment, provide everyone with the education and ability to have a brain-healthy lifestyle.

I know that this is not easy work. What keeps you going?

We practice living a brain-healthy lifestyle to have the energy to give to others. Seeing the significance of our work since 2011 makes doing this an inspiration. And writing our book has given us new excitement as our goal is to create a tribe of Actualized Recovery Coach Warriors to impact more than 1 million people by 2026.

Do you have hope that one day this leading cause of death can be defeated?

Yes! We have seen an incredible understanding of neuroscience and lifestyle education since we began.

And yet the answer is not living a life of sobriety. Instead, the inspiration is helping people flourish and thrive.

Abraham Maslow, the world-renowned psychologist, taught us the theory that ‘what one can be, one must be.’

So, if you can be an artist, be a fantastic artist.

If you desire to be a parent, become the best darn parent you can be.

If you want to be an engineer, end your limiting beliefs and become the most creative, impactful engineer possible.

How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?

Leadership in the context of addiction is leading people in the right direction for healing by creating solid education to alleviate shame and stigma from addictions. To help the person suffering their own leader in recovery, support families in leading change for the ones they love, and provide communities with the knowledge and the know-how to lead.

Ultimately leadership is defined by our actions. By our impact. By our legacy.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started,” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1. There will be resistance to new ideas. We had a phone call from a Dad many years ago that had a daughter struggling with addiction issues for a long time. They had been following typical recommendations, including 12-step programs, therapy, and medications. When he heard of our approach, he stated that it sounded like it made a lot of sense. However, he could not enroll her in our program because it would mean that everything else, they had done had “been wrong,” and it was too overwhelming for him to think of the wasted time and resources.

2. Not everyone is ready to change. Some people have tremendous power to maintain control by continuing to be the victim. The opposite of Free Will is Free Won’t.

3. Caroline Myss wrote a powerful book,’ Why People Don’t Heal and How They Can.’ In this book, she coined the term ‘woundology’ and how people identify themselves through their wounds and past traumas. Unfortunately, they never heal from their wounds but continue to re-expose the trauma to themselves and others. Woundology is like a seductive mistress. It uses the victim role as a power play to receive love and compassion from others, allowing them not to be held accountable to move beyond their wounds.

4. Some people will take a run at your reputation and character because your ideas are threatening. Like the character, John Henry says to Billy Beane in the movie Moneyball, “I know you are taking it in the teeth, but the first guy through the wall… he always gets bloody… always. This is threatening not just a way of doing business… but in their minds, it’s threatening the game. Really what it’s threatening is their livelihood, their jobs. It’s threatening the way they do things… and every time that happens, whether it’s the government, a way of doing business, whatever, the people who are holding the reins — they have their hands on the switch — they go batshit crazy.”

5. Keep going, and you’re going to meet extraordinary people that will help you uncover the following steps, and when you look back at what you’ve created, you’re going to be astounded! Since 2011 we’ve helped over 2,000 people, trained over 200 coaches, pioneered an entirely new way of looking at addiction, and have a book coming out this summer, so everyone can have the opportunity to learn the Actualized Recovery Principles.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Brain Drives Behavior, and When You Change Your Brain, You Change Everything.

Now let’s apply this well know concept to the world of addiction and recovery.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.”

- Victor Frankl, Mans Search for Meaning

This quote gives us great freedom and, with it, great responsibility. Frankl is explaining that we are not a victim of circumstance. We are not powerless. We always have the power of choice.

Is there a person in the world or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

Russell Brand. He has common-sense wisdom and provocative nature, is deeply connected, and has maintained the ability to speak to the masses. He’s forthright and fearless in sharing his personal journey. His voice can put many people on a new track toward lasting recovery.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmergoAcademy

Website: https://www.emergoacademy.com/

FREE QUIZ — Discover Your Coaching Superpowers:

https://quiz.emergoacademy.com/sf/886fc2f0

This was very meaningful. Thank you so much!