TAM+ EP 88 More Than Just Not Using: What Does Thriving in Recovery Actually Look Like?

Worksheet: Your PERMA Recovery

What if recovery isn't just about stopping the bad stuff, but actually building something incredible?

For too long, we've thought of recovery as simply not using. We white-knuckle our way through each day, fighting urges and saying no to everything that once brought us pleasure. But what happens when you've been sober for months or even years, and you're left thinking, "Is this it? Is this what recovery looks like?"

In this powerful episode, hosts Duane and Eric challenge the traditional view of recovery and introduce you to something revolutionary: the science of thriving. They explore how recovery can transform from a grim process of enduring abstinence into an exciting journey of building the life you genuinely want to live.

The hosts dive deep into positive psychology – the scientific study of what makes life worth living. Instead of just focusing on what's wrong with us, positive psychology asks a game-changing question: What makes a life flourishing and meaningful?

You'll discover the PERMA model, developed by Dr. Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology. This roadmap breaks down thriving into five key elements: Positive emotions (joy, gratitude, hope), Engagement (finding your flow), Relationships (authentic connections), Meaning (serving something bigger than yourself), and Accomplishment (achieving goals that matter to you).

But here's what makes this episode special – it's not just theory. Duane and Eric show you exactly how to take these big concepts and break them down into tiny, manageable steps. You don't need to transform your entire life overnight. You just need to pick one element that resonates with you and take one small step this week.

The episode also explores the concept of post-traumatic growth – the idea that hitting rock bottom can actually become the foundation for building something stronger. Like SpaceX learning from rocket explosions to build better spacecraft, your struggles with addiction can teach you lessons that help you create an even more meaningful life.

This isn't about ignoring the hard work of staying sober. It's about shifting your focus from just running away from addiction to actively running toward a beautiful vision of your future. The hosts share insights from successful guests who have appeared on The Addicted Mind Podcast – people who don't just avoid their old destructive behaviors, but have built lives so fulfilling that those behaviors have lost their appeal entirely.

Whether you're in early recovery feeling like you're just surviving, or you've been sober for years but feel stuck in a rut, this episode offers hope and practical tools. You'll learn how to identify what's missing in your recovery and take concrete steps to build it.

Recovery doesn't have to be about deprivation – it can be about inspiration. Your journey isn't just about what you're leaving behind; it's about the incredible life you're building ahead.

Key Topics

• The "Dry Drunk" Problem: Why stopping isn't enough and how to move beyond just surviving 
• The PERMA Model: Five building blocks of a thriving life (Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment) 
• Post-Traumatic Growth: How hitting rock bottom can become your foundation for building something stronger 
• From Deprivation to Inspiration: Shifting recovery from enduring abstinence to exciting life-building 
• Micro-Steps Strategy: How to break down big goals into tiny, manageable actions you can't fail at 
• Beyond Traditional Recovery: Moving from fixing what's broken to building what's strong

Timestamp

[00:01:30] - The dangerous trap of thinking recovery is just about stopping 

[00:03:00] - What is the "dry drunk" phenomenon and why it happens 

[00:07:00] - Introduction to positive psychology and the paradigm shift 

[00:08:30] - Breaking down the PERMA model for thriving in recovery 

[00:10:30] - Understanding post-traumatic growth and learning from rock bottom 

[00:13:00] - Practical action steps: How to choose your focus area 

[00:16:30] - The mindset shift: Running toward something beautiful instead of away from addiction

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