The Proof with Simon Hill
Exploring drug addiction through story and science | Adam Sud
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Building authentic connections and a sense of belonging is crucial for long-term happiness and overall health.
- Recovery and healing involve embracing one's authentic self and fostering self-love.
- Recovery should focus on understanding why individuals use substances rather than aiming for complete abstinence.
- The importance of connections and support in addiction recovery cannot be overstated.
Deep dives
The powerful impact of blood work on tracking health
Regular blood work is crucial in understanding one's cardiometabolic and hormonal health. Services like Inside Tracker provide convenient and evidence-based recommendations based on blood test results.
The masking effect of substance abuse and the fear of being seen
Substance abuse can serve as a way to mask pain and discomfort in one's life. Fear of being fully seen and judged by others can prevent individuals from seeking help and opening up about their struggles.
The importance of authentic connections and a sense of belonging
Building authentic connections and a sense of belonging is crucial for long-term happiness and overall health. Creating safe spaces where individuals feel loved and accepted, regardless of their struggles, can provide immense support.
The journey from self-destructive behavior to self-love and authenticity
Recovery and healing involve embracing one's authentic self and fostering self-love. It is not about fixing or hiding certain aspects, but rather creating a life where being present is meaningful and fulfilling, making destructive behaviors less necessary.
Reframing Recovery and Addiction
Recovery should focus on understanding why individuals use substances rather than aiming for complete abstinence. By addressing the underlying reasons for substance use, individuals can reorganize their lives, priorities, and values. Recovery aims to create a sense of safety and health where substance use becomes less necessary, allowing individuals to craft a life where they have better control over their choices. The concept of abstinence as the only solution is inaccurate, as the root of addiction lies in the belief that life without substances is too difficult to handle. Recovery involves redefining addiction, offering empathy, and creating an environment of understanding and support.
Using Nutrition in Recovery
The role of nutrition in addiction recovery was explored in a pilot study called the Infinite Study. Participants were divided into two groups: a control group with a traditional low-fat, fiber-rich diet including meat, eggs, and dairy, and another group with a plant-exclusive, whole-food diet. The study showed that the plant-based group experienced statistically significant increases in self-esteem and resilience compared to the control group. This challenges the notion that a plant-based diet hinders recovery and emphasizes the importance of nutrition in promoting overall well-being during addiction recovery.
Reimagining Addiction Treatment
The current approach to addiction treatment needs reevaluation, with a focus on redefining addiction and shifting the conversation around substance use. Instead of labeling individuals as addicts, it is crucial to understand the underlying pain or difficulty they are experiencing that drives their substance use. By creating an environment of empathy, support, and shared respect, individuals can feel safe to share their struggles and work towards recovery. The approach should be centered around promoting self-worth and resilience, addressing the root causes of addiction, and providing a sense of purpose and connection.
The Power of Connection and Support
The importance of connections and support in addiction recovery cannot be overstated. Building meaningful and loving bonds with oneself, loved ones, and a supportive community plays a significant role in recovery. By providing understanding, validation, and guidance, individuals can navigate the challenges of recovery and feel valued and whole. The value of relationships in promoting resilience, self-esteem, and positive life changes cannot be underestimated. Genuine care, active presence, and listening should be prioritized to help individuals on their recovery journey.
Episode #264. Every day for more than 20 years, Adam Sud woke up to a life that didn’t feel like a safe, secure, or hopeful place to be. Struggling with mental health from an early age and relying on addiction as the only dependable “solution”, he spent years facing each day as the most painful one he’d ever had.
More than a decade on from the turning point in his journey towards recovery, Adam shares his story and some defining realisations that helped shaped the life he is now excited to experience.
Everyone has something to learn from Adam’s story. Regardless of whether you have personally struggled with addiction and mental health, Adam’s profound understanding of behaviour and mindset will resonate with you, and potentially even shift the way you look at your life.
Specifically, we discuss:
- Intro (00:00)
- Adam Sud on recovery (04:15)
- Why expressing love can be difficult (08:55)
- Substance use disorder (Drug addiction) (14:37)
- Adam's story (16:46)
- Nurturing a child with ADHD (24:42)
- Becoming hooked on Adderall (32:41)
- Understanding our choices for pleasure (36:09)
- Addiction and the fear of judgment (41:00)
- Adam's suicide attempt & his treatment and recovery (46:00)
- Plant-based diet and the pleasure trap (1:02:21)
- Psychological factors behind unhealthy choices (1:09:25)
- Remarkable recovery through nutrition (1:18:29)
- Self-worth, loneliness, and recovery (1:25:40)
- A call for a safer and compassionate approach to drug use (1:31:56)
- The INFINITE study (1:41:03)
- Adam on hitting rock bottom (1:46:24)
- Outro (1:53:46)
To connect with Adam Sud, you can find him on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Don’t forget to visit his website, https://www.adamsud.com/, to learn more about Adam and read about The Infinite Study. Listen to Adam’s past appearances on The Proof in Episode #66 and Episode #144.
Please note that this episode covers disordered eating and suicide. If these topics are potential triggers for you, please listen with discretion or tune in to the next episode. You can find more episodes about mental health that focus less on personal experience here.
Enjoy, friends.
Simon
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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill
Author of The Proof is in the Plants
Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify
Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide
Download my complimentary Two-Week Meal Plan and high-protein Plant Performance recipe book
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