
The Addicted Mind Podcast
"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it.We're here to do more than just talk about addiction. We want to show you how to heal and recover.Our talks with experts and people who have beaten addiction give you important insights into how addiction affects the mind and how recovery can happen in many ways. Whether we're looking at new treatment ideas or sharing stories that inspire, "The Addicted Mind Podcast" is all about understanding the complex world of addiction recovery and showing that recovery is possible.If you or someone you care about is dealing with the challenges of addiction, let "The Addicted Mind Podcast" be your friend and guide. We aim to give you the knowledge you need, share stories that inspire you, and show you that the journey to recovery is worth it.Subscribe now to be part of a community focused on learning, healing, and changing for the better. Your journey to a healthier mind and life begins right here.
Latest episodes

Apr 4, 2024 • 17min
TAM+ EP13 The Johari Window: How Self-Understanding Transforms Recovery and Relationships
Delve into the Johari Window model with hosts Duane and Eric as they explore self-awareness, relationships, and personal growth. Learn how recovery communities help identify blind spots and navigate unknown aspects of ourselves. Discover strategies to expand your 'open area' and enhance communication for a more fulfilling life.

Apr 1, 2024 • 49min
278: Revolutionizing Love and Connection in the Digital Era with Topaz Adizes
Join us as Emmy award-winning writer and director Topaz Adizes unveils the art of creating deep, human connections through conversation. In this discussion, Duane sits down with Topaz who shares his journey with the documentary series {The And} – revealing how authentic dialogues between various pairs, from family members to romantic partners, can transform our understanding of communication. By spotlighting the powerful effect of listening and the role of the listener, we're invited to explore how true connection can serve as an antidote to addiction, providing methods to cultivate meaningful relationships even in the face of past trauma. Listen in as we further discuss the changing landscape of human connections in our tech-driven era, contemplating whether the emotional experiences of love and connection have shifted with the rise of digital communication. From documenting intimate conversations with couples to the implications of technology on relationships without physical proximity, this episode offers insights into using technology to strengthen bonds. Plus, we examine the importance of process over solutions in couples therapy, highlighting the significance of couples engaging directly with each other to foster a neurobiological need for connection. Tune in for an enlightening conversation with Topaz that could change how you approach communication and connection in your life.In this episode, you will hear:
Deep human connection through conversation
The evolution of human connection
Couples therapy through connection practice
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.topazadizes.com/ NovusMindfulLife.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 28, 2024 • 17min
TAM+ EP12: Stuck at a Crossroads? The Only Four Choices You Really Have
Welcome to an eye-opening episode that could change how you face life's big moments. Today, we're exploring the idea that when you hit a tough spot, you actually only have four choices. Sounds simple, right? But it's a game-changer. Imagine feeling stuck, like you're at a crossroads with no clear direction. It happens to all of us. We overthink, get overwhelmed, and just feel more and more stuck. But what if you could see your options clearly and make a choice that really fits? We dive into solving the problem, changing how you see the problem, accepting what's happening, or, yes, even choosing to stay stuck for a bit. These options can lighten the load of decision-making, giving you a clear path forward. It's not just about the tough times; it's about knowing you have the power to choose your next step. So, ready to see what those four choices are and how they can help you? Let's get into it!Download the worksheet: THE FOUR CHOICES CHEAT SHEET: NAVIGATING LIFE'S CHALLENGESKey Topics:- The concept of having only four choices in problematic situations- Strategies for effective decision-making and problem-solving- The importance of changing perception and acceptance- The role of self-compassion in choosing to stay miserable- Practical tools and frameworks for applying these concepts in real lifeList of Key Moments:- [00:01:25] Introduction to the four choices concept- [00:03:24] Discussion on decision paralysis and overcoming challenges- [00:04:18] Deep dive into solving the problem- [00:07:09] Changing our perception of the problem- [00:09:06] The difficult choice of acceptance- [00:11:09] Exploring the choice to stay miserable- [00:13:57] Summarization and resources for listenersDownload the worksheet: THE FOUR CHOICES CHEAT SHEET: NAVIGATING LIFE'S CHALLENGESAdditional TAM+ episodes that support this episode.Episode 6 : Unstuck Your Thoughts: 7 Cognitive Distortions Sabotaging Your RecoveryEpisode 9: Embrace the Now: How Radically Accepting Reality Can Transform Your LifeSupporting 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/addictedmindDisclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 25, 2024 • 45min
277: Healing from Addiction by Embracing the Inner Child with Lacy Bentley & Heather Cronemiller
Lacy Bentley and Heather Cronemiller discuss love and sex addiction, inner child impacts, attachment styles, and the journey to recovery. They explore gender differences in addiction, therapeutic boundaries, and the human craving for connection. The podcast offers insights on healing through inner child work and finding support in recovery communities.

Mar 21, 2024 • 18min
TAM+ EP11: Beyond Recovery: Cultivating Curiosity for Emotional Wellness
Discover how embracing curiosity can shift your nervous system towards wellness, leading to less stress and improved emotional resilience. Explore the connection between a curious mindset, grit, and successful recovery, and learn practical steps to foster curiosity for improved mental health. From debunking myths to cultivating curiosity for emotional stability, this episode offers actionable insights to start asking more questions and embracing the unknown.

Mar 18, 2024 • 28min
276: Rebroadcast– If You Love Me: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Daughter’s Opioid Addiction with Maureen Cavanagh
Our guest on this episode of the Addicted Mind podcast is Maureen Cavanagh, author and founder of Magnolia New Beginnings. Maureen’s family had a long history of addiction, but since she was not personally prone to addiction, she thought that she knew the formula to help keep her kids away from addiction as well. However, her world was suddenly shaken when one of her daughters came to her to admit that she had been experimenting with heroin.Even living in an upper middle-class neighborhood, opioids were not difficult for her daughter to find, and once she tried heroin for the first time, the road to sobriety and recovery proved to be steep. Just when Maureen thought her daughter had a handle on her addiction, it would rear its ugly head again and she would see just how much of a hold it had on her precious child, who was now an adult. Maureen did what she believed any good parent would do: she dropped everything and rushed to her daughter’s aid, providing her with whatever she needed and paying for her to get into a treatment center again.She found out that her daughter had a “friend” who was providing her with the drugs, protecting her from her family when they came looking for her, and reviving her if and when she overdosed. Even with this barrier between them, Maureen knows of 13 times when her daughter was admitted to the hospital after an overdose and at least 40 separate stints at treatment centers before something finally clicked. Maureen realized that she was on her own journey during this time which was intended to be separate from her daughter’s journey. The more Maureen tried to hold on and help her daughter get out of whatever situation she was in at the time, the farther away her daughter seemed to drift. However, when Maureen was able to let go and provide her daughter with some space, not jumping to her rescue but rather empowering her daughter to rescue herself, that was the moment when her daughter started getting better. Somewhere after treatment center #40, the rehab took, and for the past 2 years her daughter has been sober with the help of her family, her therapist, her recovery coach, and her community. Maureen went against her instinct to keep family business private when she was approached by a publishing agent about sharing her story, and the hundreds of people who have messaged her since the book came out are proof that the world needed to hear the honest truth about what it is like to be the parent of an addict. In addition to her book, Maureen provides resources and support groups through her non-profit, Magnolia New Beginnings, which is impacting tens of thousands of people.Connect with Maureen:https://maureencavanagh.net/http://www.magnolianewbeginnings.org/https://www.facebook.com/groups/MagnoliaAddictionSupport/https://www.facebook.com/MagnoliaNewBeginnings https://www.amazon.com/If-You-Love-Daughters-Addiction/dp/1250297346 Connect with The Addicted Mind:http://theaddictedmind.com/https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheAddictedMindPodcast/ Supporting Resources:NovusMindfulLife.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 14, 2024 • 20min
TAM+ EP10: Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit Formation
Discover the power of goal setting and habit formation in overcoming addiction, anxiety, and depression. Learn about SMART goals and the difference between goals and habits. Get practical advice on embracing setbacks, sharing goals, and taking small steps towards transformation.

Mar 11, 2024 • 38min
275: Healing Through Writing and Recovery with Kelly Wallace
The echoes of a troubled past can often linger long into our future, but for Kelly Wallace, they became the stepping stones toward a life of resilience and healing. As she recounts the harrowing experiences of childhood sexual abuse and the complex aftermath of addiction, we are reminded of the power of human spirit. Kelly's story unfolds, revealing the injustices she faced, not only from her abuser but also from the very systems designed to protect her. Yet, this is not just a story of despair; it is a narrative woven with the threads of recovery and the written word, highlighting the indomitable will to overcome. Navigating through the tempest of emotions and coping mechanisms, Kelly's journey took her from the silence of Oregon to a new life on the opposite coast, where humor became her disguise. Her struggles with alcohol, eating disorders, and smoking are shared with raw honesty, showcasing the multi-faceted nature of dealing with trauma. A family intervention and the embrace of sobriety since 2001 mark the milestones of her path to empowerment. Kelly's commitment to journaling and the arts emerge as beacons of hope, illustrating the profound effects of creative outlets in the process of healing. Hear her story today.In this episode, you will hear:
Surviving sexual abuse and addiction
Overcoming trauma through writing and recovery
Healing through writing trauma stories
Support and gratitude for addicted mind
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:www.kellywallace.orgNovusMindfulLife.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 snips
Mar 7, 2024 • 21min
TAM+ EP9: Embrace the Now: How Radically Accepting Reality Can Transform Your Life
Discover the power of radical acceptance in transforming negative thought patterns and behaviors. Learn practical tips to integrate acceptance into daily life and the role of mindfulness and meditation in fostering resilience. Explore the origins of radical acceptance and how to begin practicing for improved mental health and well-being.

Mar 5, 2024 • 49min
274: Ketamine's Role in Carving New Pathways to Hope with Derek DuChesne and Dr. Zaid Fadul
Struggling with mental health can feel like a solitary battle, but there's profound strength in shared experiences. In this episode, Duane speaks with Derek DuChesne and Dr. Zaid Fadul of Better U, a company that provides safe, affordable, clinically-guided at-home ketamine treatments for anxiety and depression.Walk through Derek's raw and poignant narrative, from grappling with identity loss and suicidal thoughts to finding a renewed sense of purpose – highlighting that even from the depths of despair, a path to resurgence awaits with the right support and resources. As we navigate the therapeutic landscape, we uncover the profound impact that ketamine therapy has on reframing mental health battles. This conversation also traverses the landscapes of neuroplasticity, emphasizing how combining ketamine therapy with consistent exercise can carve new paths in our brain, leading to healthier mental patterns and ultimately personal transformation.Mental wellness isn't a destination, but a journey of integrating wellness practices into our daily lives. Discover how ketamine therapy can be a catalyst for adopting these healthier routines, and how Better U can provide the support that goes beyond mere words – reminding us all that the spark of life, no matter how dim, can always be rekindled.In this episode, you will hear:
Overcoming depression through hope and therapy
The unexpected therapeutics effects of ketamine
The impact of neuroplasticity on our mental flexibility
Ketamine therapy for mental wellness
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:www.betterucare.com NovusMindfulLife.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices