Picture yourself staring in the mirror at 3 AM, promising yourself that tomorrow will be different, while that familiar voice whispers "you're weak" and "what's wrong with you?" If this sounds familiar, you need to hear this episode.
Host Duane Osterlind delivers a solo episode that completely destroys the most dangerous myth about addiction - that it's a moral failing or character flaw. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has personally walked through addiction, Duane brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this life-changing conversation.
This isn't another "just try harder" message. Instead, Duane shares groundbreaking brain science that proves addiction is a chronic brain disorder, not a weakness. You'll discover how your brain's reward system gets hijacked, why willpower alone isn't enough, and why shame actually makes recovery harder.
Drawing from leading researchers like Dr. Gabor Maté, Dr. Nora Volkow, and Dr. Anna Lembke, Duane explains the three stages of addiction and how genetics, environment, and brain chemistry all play crucial roles. More importantly, he provides practical steps to move from shame to self-compassion.
If you've ever felt broken, weak, or alone in your struggle with addiction, this episode will give you a new understanding of what you're really dealing with - and hope for genuine healing. You'll learn why connection is the opposite of addiction and how curiosity can replace judgment in your recovery journey.
This episode includes a free worksheet called "Reframing Your Addiction Story" to help you put these insights into practice immediately.
Download The Worksheet
Key Topics
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Addiction as Brain Disease - Understanding the neurological changes that occur in addiction
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The Shame Cycle - How moral failure myths keep people trapped in addiction
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Brain Science Breakdown - Dopamine, prefrontal cortex, and the three stages of addiction
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Genetics vs. Choice - Why addiction risk is 40-60% genetic
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Self-Compassion Practices - Practical steps to move from shame to healing
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Connection as Medicine - Why isolation feeds addiction and relationships heal
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Rewriting Your Story - Separating who you are from what you've done
Timestamps
[00:01:00] - The 3 AM mirror moment: Breaking the shame cycle
[00:03:00] - What addiction really is: Brain disorder vs. moral failing
[00:05:00] - How your brain gets hijacked: The dopamine flood explained
[00:06:00] - Historical perspective: From moral failing to medical condition
[00:08:00] - The damage of shame: Why stigma makes addiction worse
[00:10:00] - Practical healing steps: Self-compassion and education
[00:12:00] - Recovery is possible: Brains heal and neural pathways rewire
If you live in California, Idaho, Virginia, or Florida and are looking for counseling or therapy, please visit Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center.
NovusMindfulLife.com
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The Addicted Mind Podcast 
