The Addicted Mind Podcast

Discover the transformative power of the Johari Window, a fascinating tool for boosting self-awareness and enhancing relationships. The hosts delve into how understanding personal blind spots and hidden strengths can lead to more profound connections. They emphasize the role of recovery communities in fostering insight and encourage strategies to expand what we openly share about ourselves. This engaging discussion offers valuable tips for anyone on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Facing the relentless grip of meth addiction and the imminent threat of prison, Dr. Adi Jaffe's life seemed destined for darkness. Yet, from this adversity emerged a transformative story of resilience and redemption. Dr. Jaffe now stands as a guiding light for those grappling with addiction, demonstrating that recovery is a deeply personal journey. His candid reflections on childhood struggles with social anxiety and the turning points in his life illuminate the complex tapestry of experiences that fuel addiction. Through the Ignited Recovery program, Dr. Jaffe offers a beacon of hope, redefining success in recovery by focusing on fulfillment beyond mere abstinence.Traditional recovery methods, like the 12-step program, often fall short in addressing the psychological intricacies of addiction. As Dr. Jaffe recounts, facing personal crises, such as the stark reality of potential prison time, can catalyze profound change. By challenging the limitations of fear-based sobriety and exploring the depths of trauma and mental health disorders, he advocates for a recovery path that embraces psychological insights. His narrative encourages a departure from conventional sobriety narratives, emphasizing the need for a broader understanding of recovery that accommodates individual complexities.In this episode, you will hear:Dr. Adi Jaffe's transformative journey from meth addiction and potential prison time to earning a PhD in psychology.The deeply personal nature of addiction and the importance of individualized recovery paths.Challenges faced in traditional recovery programs and the limitations of fear-based sobriety.The pivotal moment of honesty with his father that marked the beginning of true accountability and change.Emphasis on recovery beyond mere abstinence, focusing on improved relationships and life satisfaction.The role of technology and platforms like Ignited in personalizing addiction recovery and making it more accessible.Follow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:https://www.adijaffe.com/bioNovusMindfulLife.comhttps://www.theaddictedmind.com/community Episode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if everything you've been told about overcoming your struggles is backwards? What if the very act of fighting your anxiety, depression, addiction, or trauma is actually making it worse?In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric dive into one of the most revolutionary concepts in recovery and mental health: creative hopelessness. This isn't about giving up on your life or your future. It's about giving up on something that's been sabotaging you all along - the belief that you need to control how you feel to have a good life.If you've tried therapy after therapy, read every self-help book, downloaded every meditation app, and still find yourself stuck in the same painful cycles, this episode is for you. You'll discover why your best efforts to feel better might be keeping you trapped, and learn a radically different approach that could change everything.Drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Duane and Eric explore the "DOTS" framework - the four main ways we try to control our internal experiences (Distraction, Opting out, Thinking, and Substances/self-harm). They'll walk you through the five steps of creative hopelessness and show you how to shift from an exhausting control agenda to a liberating acceptance agenda.This isn't about becoming passive or giving up hope. It's about redirecting your precious energy from fighting an unwinnable war with your own mind toward building the meaningful life you actually want. You'll learn why the goal isn't to feel better, but to live better - and how that shift can transform everything.Download: Worksheet Creative HopelessnessWhether you're struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, or trauma, this episode offers a compassionate, research-backed approach that honors your pain while opening the door to genuine freedom. It's time to stop drowning in your own rescue attempts and discover what's possible when you let go of the struggle.Key Topics• Creative Hopelessness Explained: What it means to give up the agenda of emotional control without giving up on life• The DOTS Framework: Four common control strategies (Distraction, Opting out, Thinking, Substances/self-harm)• The Five-Step Process: How to work through your own creative hopelessness journey• The Control vs. Acceptance Agenda: Why fighting your feelings often makes them stronger• Psychological Flexibility: Learning to stay present while taking values-based action• The Paradox of Recovery: Why letting go of control can lead to greater freedom• Practical Application: Moving from "feeling better" to "living better"Timestamps[00:01:00] - The drowning metaphor: Why fighting might be pulling you under[00:05:00] - Defining creative hopelessness and the agenda of emotional control[00:11:00] - Introduction to the DOTS framework for identifying control strategies[00:15:00] - The five steps of the creative hopelessness process[00:19:00] - The beautiful paradox: Opening the door to acceptance[00:22:00] - Shifting from "feeling better" to "living better"[00:24:00] - Resources and next steps for listenersDownload: Worksheet Creative HopelessnessJoin our Deep Dive in our TAM+ community, where we discuss this episode in depth.Register Here: https://theaddictedmind.com/deepdiveFollow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:If you live in California, Idaho, Florida, Virginia or Texas and are looking for counseling or therapy, please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery CenterNovusMindfulLife.comDisclaimerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Richard Taite, a leading figure in addiction treatment who has transformed his own life and countless others. Richard takes us through his 25-year battle with addiction, highlighting moments of despair like homelessness, and his eventual breakthrough with therapist Margie Fetting. His journey underscores the power of resilience and the pivotal role of personalized, honest treatment in achieving 22 years of sobriety.Richard also shares his passion for creating an inclusive treatment center that extends compassionate care to everyone, regardless of their financial standing. Driven by a sincere desire to help ordinary people, he reveals how his facility combines high-quality care with truthful communication, ensuring every client is treated with love and respect. This episode delves into the importance of building trust and a supportive environment, where individuals are empowered to work towards a fulfilling life free from addiction.In this episode, you will hear:Richard Taite's inspiring 25-year battle with addiction and his breakthrough to achieve 22 years of sobrietyThe pivotal role of personalized and honest treatment in addiction recoveryCreation of an inclusive and affordable treatment center for individuals from all walks of lifeImportance of the trans-theoretical model of behavior change in sustaining long-term sobrietyBuilding a life of equal or greater value than the one lost to addiction for lasting recoveryThe significance of therapy, resilience, and compassionate care in the journey to sobrietyFollow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:Website: https://carraratreatment.com/ + https://www.cliffsidemalibu.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtaite/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RichardTaiteOfficial NovusMindfulLife.comhttps://www.theaddictedmind.com/community Episode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like your emotions are on a wild rollercoaster, swinging between overwhelming highs and numbing lows? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Addiction Mind Plus, hosts Eric and Duane Osterlind dive into a crucial concept for anyone in addiction recovery: the Window of Tolerance.The Window of Tolerance refers to the emotional sweet spot where you can handle life's challenges without being overwhelmed or shutting down. Outside of this window, you might feel intense anxiety or emotional numbness—both of which can drive addictive behaviors. But don’t worry, understanding and managing this window can help you stay balanced.Join Eric and Duane as they explore:What the Window of Tolerance is and why it mattersHow to recognize when you’re inside or outside of this windowPractical strategies to expand your Window of Tolerance and maintain emotional balanceIf you've ever struggled with feeling too much or too little, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable tips to help you find your emotional equilibrium.Download: Window of Tolerance WorksheetJoin Our Deep Dive in our community, where we discuss this episode in depth.Register Here: https://theaddictedmind.com/deepdiveFollow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:If you live in California, Idaho, Florida, Virginia or Texas and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery CenterNovusMindfulLife.comWe want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmindDisclaimerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Addiction is not a new problem in the workplace. In fact, about 70% of folks that are using illicit drugs are employed in the workplace, either full-time or part-time. However, this is not a comfortable topic for people to talk about obviously due to the stigma around it. How do we then bridge that gap and break the silence so people get the help they need, and for total recovery to take place?On today's episode, Duane speaks with Cheryl Brown-Merriwether, HR professional and recovery support professional, about the innovations in the workplace as well as addiction and recovery from a workplace perspective and a human relations perspective. Cheryl holds a number of certifications with several years of experience working with clinical professionals in addiction and recovery support services. Through educational programs, Cheryl is committed to helping people in the workplace understand addiction, substance use disorder, and recovery. Cheryl hopes to reduce the stigma and change the whole perspective around addiction and recovery in the workplace.  In this episode, you will hear:What’s changing in the workplaceHow to break the stigma of recoveryThe benefits of external partnershipWorking with people who struggled with addictionThe importance of connecting at all three levels of the workplaceHow to extend the workforce and empower the frontlinersAbout the International Center of Addiction and Recovery EducationSubscribe and ReviewHave you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:ICARE International Center for Addiction and Recovery Education⁠NovusMindfulLife.com⁠Episode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at⁠ https://emeraldcitypro.com⁠ Let them know we sent you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit FormationPodcast Episode SummaryToday's episode dives into the essential topics of goal setting and habit formation, especially focusing on how they can help break the cycle of addiction, anxiety, and depression. Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind guide us through understanding the critical role of setting realistic goals and forming positive habits to steer our lives in the direction we desire. They highlight the importance of reflection in goal setting, using SMART goals as a tool for clarity and action. Moreover, they discuss the difference between goals and habits and how they interplay to create lasting change. By sharing personal experiences and practical advice, the hosts emphasize the power of small steps and the learning opportunities in setbacks. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to transform their life and achieve their dreams.Free Download: Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit Formation WorksheetKey Topics:The importance of goal setting and habit formation in overcoming addiction and improving mental health.Reflection and the role of SMART goals in making goals clear and achievable.The difference between goals (where you want to go) and habits (the automatic behaviors that get you there).Strategies for setting effective goals and forming positive habits.Embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and the power of sharing goals with supportive communities.Timestamps[00:00:00] Introduction to goal setting and habit formation.[00:02:00] The connection between lack of direction and the cycle of addiction.[00:04:07] Discussion on the power of habits and their automatic nature.[00:07:00] Explaining SMART goals and their benefits.[00:09:34] Distinguishing between goals and habits.[00:14:09] The significance of setbacks and learning from failures.[00:17:43] Summary and closing thoughts.Free Download: Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit Formation WorksheetFollow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery CenterNovusMindfulLife.comWe want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmindDisclaimerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Justin B. Long, author of "The Righteous Rage of a Ten-Year-Old Boy", shares his journey through childhood trauma and recovery from alcoholism. He addresses the damaging effects of toxic masculinity, revealing how vulnerability can lead to healing. Justin discusses his emotional struggles stemming from a dysfunctional upbringing and the importance of self-acceptance. He emphasizes the transformative power of confronting buried feelings and the value of supportive communities in overcoming addiction and trauma.

We have to work and deal with our internal and early trauma. This can be more difficult to see and process without a reliable, trustworthy “other” in our lives. Sometimes it even takes an expert who can walk us through that journey in order for us to get to that safe space for healing and recovery.Today, Duane talks with Andrew Susskind about his book, It's Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy after Sexual Addiction. They go into depth about attachment, emotional regulation, the need for reliable people to heal your traumatic wounds, and how we can do that when we're in recovery and still struggling with internal chaos.  Andrew is a licensed clinical social worker, a Somatic Experiencing practitioner, a Brainspotting practitioner, and a certified group psychotherapist. The book is Andrew's passion project where he wrote about themes that have been on his mind for three decades now. Since then, so much has changed in the mental health field as well as the addiction and trauma world. Andrew’s book reflects many of those changes. Andrew not only leans on the experiences of his clients but on his personal experience as well. In 1994, Andrew went to his first SCA meeting, which stands for Sexual Compulsives Anonymous. In the therapy room, he noticed that people were learning how to stop their addictive behaviors. However, that's just the starting gate. His book covers some themes and different areas of healing that can happen beyond stopping destructive behavior.In this episode, you will hear:Somatic Experiencing and BrainspottingThe mechanism behind our nervous system regulationThe concept of upregulation vs. downregulationWhy it’s not just about sexHaving reliable relationships as a platform for healingKey Quotes:[06:57] - “Somatic Experiencing and Brainspotting are both trauma healing modalities that focus on Nervous System regulation.”[07:40] - “One of the keys to regulating the nervous system is knowing when we're dysregulated.”[08:29] - “Someone who feels most comfortable in their skin feels calm, peaceful, grounded, and hopefully feels resourceful, resilient, and buoyant.”[11:51] - “Even though it looks like compulsive sexual behavior, on the surface, once we scratch the surface, it's really about broken-heartedness.”[14:20] - “When someone is trying to regulate themselves, it's actually an attempt to feel better.”[17:49] - “If you scratch the surface on anyone who's sexually compulsive, you're going to find some kind of avoidant attachment within that.”[23:08] - “If we're connected within and to one another, and to something greater than ourselves, that's going to create a platform for healing.”Subscribe and ReviewHave you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.If you really enjoyed this episode, we’ve created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just fill in your information below to download it.Supporting Resources:www.westsidetherapist.comIt’s Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy after Sexual Addiction by Andrew Susskindwww.Brainspotting.comEpisode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at ⁠https://emeraldcitypro.com⁠ Let them know we sent you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are you investing energy in the wrong things? Discover how to align thoughts, words, and actions for true happiness. With practical advice, the hosts help you identify core values, cut stress, and make mindful decisions. Learn a five-step plan to enhance your resilience and live intentionally. They emphasize the significance of focusing on what truly matters, letting go of negativity, and cultivating self-compassion. Get ready for "aha!" moments as you navigate life's challenges with renewed purpose.