Do we truly understand substance use disorder? How can we dismantle the barriers to treatment? Join this latest episode with Duane as he interviews Susan Herrick and Dr. Arun Gupta tackle the stark realities of substance use disorder. Susan, a mother turned advocate, opens up about her son Luke's poignant battle with addiction, underscoring the heartrending struggle to access effective, science-based treatment. Dr. Gupta, contrasting Susan's narrative, brings his clinical expertise honed in India, highlighting the regulatory and educational hurdles that hinder the efforts of those battling addiction. Their stories align on one point - the desperate need for reform in this space. As we dig deeper, we uncover the shocking missteps and damaging regulations that have shaped the addiction treatment landscape. The criminalization of treatment has delayed access to vital medicines like Suboxone, stigmatizing those in dire need of help. Additionally, the unchecked rise and fall of Oxycontin – its unrestricted use igniting a peak in 2002 and 2003 – provides a chilling backdrop to today’s discussion. This episode uncovers the strength and grit of those battling substance use disorder and highlights the imperative need for effective treatment strategies, leaving us with this question: What if we could erase the stigma surrounding addiction?In this episode, you will hear: Substance use disorder and treatment barriers Implications of regulations on suboxone treatment Stigma's impact on addiction treatment Strategies for addiction treatment and support Expressing gratitude and encouraging interaction 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:Slow Dancing with the Devilhttps://www.amazon.com/Slow-Dancing-Devil-Substance-Disorder/dp/1476693897 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

When you're grappling with life's toughest struggles, it can be incredibly hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our guest, Halima Anderson, knows this all too well. As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), Halima faced the challenges of alcohol addiction and survived an abusive relationship. Yet, through these trials, she discovered her true self and the strength within. Her candid narration of her personal journey serves not just as inspiration, but as a beacon for anyone out there enduring similar hardships. Halima's story sheds light on the complexities of emotional experiences, underscoring the concept that no two people feel emotions the same way. Touching upon the hardship of being in an abusive relationship, she stresses the importance of reaching out for help and finding a supportive community that understands your struggles. Halima beautifully articulates the relief and comfort that come from being understood and supported, from recognizing your need for help and connecting with those who can provide it. Halima’s path to self-discovery didn’t stop at overcoming abuse and alcohol addiction. She also found herself recognizing her HSP trait, understanding its impact on her life, and learning to navigate her sensitivities. Her experience underscores the importance of building supportive relationships, accepting change, and prioritizing self-care. Halima’s resilience, her determination to find the resources she needed, and her ability to appreciate those who recognize and accept her sensitivities is truly inspiring. Join us as we take a deep dive into Halima's transformational journey, a testament to the power of self-awareness and support.In this episode, you will hear: Halima's journey as highly sensitive Embracing differences and finding support Finding self-awareness and overcoming abuse The power of intuition and the importance of self-care How to access the right people and resources for difficult situations 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: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

Are you hesitant to confront the unseen impacts of sexual trauma? Are you unsure about how to navigate sexual health and reclaim your pleasure? Armed with insights from Dr. Holly Richmond, a somatic psychotherapist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and certified sex therapist, we venture into an enlightening journey of discovery and healing.Together with Dr. Richmond, we demystify the profound effects of sexual trauma and the addictive processes birthed from it. We navigate through the twists and turns of somatic psychotherapy, shedding light on how this body-informed therapeutic approach is instrumental in regulating the nervous system and reclaiming sexual health. Looking through the lens of Dr. Richmond's book, 'Reclaiming Pleasure', we explore somatic and psychological factors integral to survivors' erotic recovery, and the compulsive sexual behaviors employed by survivors to mitigate their trauma.Bringing Dr. Richmond's wisdom to the fore, we conclude our conversation with a powerful segment on healing and reclaiming pleasure from sexual trauma. We explore the significance of fostering safe spaces, establishing boundaries, and reconnecting with the body. Our conversation also underscores the paramount role of two-way communication in trauma recovery, and the survivors' journey in a world that often sidelines those with traumatic histories. Join us for this vital conversation that promises to enlighten and guide you in your own journey of self-discovery and wellness.In this episode, you will hear: Recovering sexual health after trauma Trauma, compulsivity, and sexual behaviors Healing from sexual trauma and reclaiming pleasure Holly's wisdom and hope 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: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

Randal Bowman, an Indigenous business owner and woodworker, shares his inspiring story of resilience and recovery from addiction. He discusses his struggles with substance abuse, the traumatic experiences that led him to heroin and methamphetamine, and his journey to seeking help and turning his life around. The podcast also highlights the importance of medication, therapy, and support in overcoming addiction and emphasizes the power of community in recovery.

What does it take to overcome life's grueling trials? On today’s episode, Duane sits down with Todd Crandell, an elite athlete and founder of Racing for Recovery, who transformed his life's trajectory by battling and conquering addiction. Discover the powerful tools of mindset as Todd shares his journey from the depths of addiction and trauma to a thriving life, fueled by compassion and commitment to wellness.Join Duane and Todd as they explore the role of community and support systems in recovery. Todd's story is a testament to the transformative power of human connection and the strength that can be found within a supportive community. They delve into the workings and vision behind Racing for Recovery, Todd's organization that serves as a beacon for those battling addiction. We also get a glimpse of Todd's unique journey from being a pharmaceutical sales representative to dedicating his life to uplifting others, a decision that not only revolutionized his life but also enriched the lives of his clients.Todd also shares his transition to veganism at the age of 49, a pivotal decision that has immensely impacted his life and worldview. He sheds light on the harsh realities of animal slaughter and emphasizes the health and environmental benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Todd’s story serves as a gentle reminder of the power of personal transformation and the ripple effect it can have on the world around us. In this episode, you will hear: Overcoming addiction and thriving in life Embracing change and overcoming addiction Recovery, community, and wellness Quitting drugs and embracing a compassionate lifestyle 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:NovusMindfulLife.comRacing for Recovery: https://racingforrecovery.org/ 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is addiction so hard to control? Does that mean addiction can’t be treated? On today’s episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, Duane talks to Dr. Paul Kaloostian. Dr. Paul Kaloostian is a neurosurgeon in Los Angeles as well as an author. His books include The Young Neurosurgeon: Lessons from My Patients and two different poetry books, From The Eyes Of A Doctor and My Surgical Cases Told In Poems.As a neurosurgeon for 17 years now, Dr. Kaloostian has dealt with thousands of cases of people with neurological conditions. Seeing the need for awareness of mental health, he took a poetic approach to his books to make it easier for the world to understand what it’s like for patients who are going through neurological conditions, some of which are caused or aggravated by addiction. On today's episode, he talks about the brain, his patients, and why we do some of the things we do even when we don't necessarily want to do them. No one wants to be addicted. But the brain is such a powerful organ that what our brains decide to do is what we do. We don't really have that much control. That’s why addiction is a hard problem to fight and beat. The brain is a powerful organ so once it gets stimulated, it's difficult to change. It takes work and energy – but it's not impossible. Because of Paul's compassion for his clients and his appreciation for the vulnerability of his clients to come and seek help, this is an episode you need to listen to. While you may not fully understand what people with neurological conditions are going through until you’ve gone through the same experience, having the ability to understand these concepts today is a good way to start to develop empathy.In this episode, you will hear: What drew Paul to neurosurgery Why he took a medical poetic approach in writing his books The need to show empathy to these patients How the brain is linked to addiction Areas of the brain responsible for addiction Why addiction is a pathological condition Why addiction is so hard to control 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:The Young Neurosurgeon: Lessons from My Patients From The Eyes Of A DoctorMy Surgical Cases Told In PoemsEpisode 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

As we navigate the trials and tribulations of life, it's essential to remember that we're not alone. Like many of us, our guest for this episode, Elizabeth Cirrito, has journeyed through the dark tunnels of addiction, grief, and trauma. However, even in the bleakest of times, Liz found her guiding light in the power of community, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit.Liz's story resonates with the shared human experience, the fear of vulnerability, and the formidable 'shame monster' that lurks in the shadows of our psyche. In our candid conversation, Liz courageously opens up about her childhood exposure to addiction, the sudden loss of her stepdad, and the unfolding trauma that led her to seek refuge in substances. But amidst the chaos, Liz discovered the transformative power of resilience, support, and the healing potential of Internal Family Systems that allowed her to regain control and start rebuilding her life.From navigating the intricacies of mental health stigma to the complex dynamics of grief, this episode is a deep exploration of the human spirit's strength. Liz's personal experiences offer genuine insights into addiction as a response to suffering, and how acknowledging and taming the 'shame monster' can facilitate healing. Listen in as Liz shares invaluable lessons learned from her recovery journey, her commitment to aiding others, and the affirmation that we are all worthy of healing and support. An episode sure to touch hearts and inspire, it's a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most daunting challenges.In this episode, you will hear: Power of resilience in addiction recovery Trauma and taboo of mental health Overcoming grief and addiction Overcoming shame and building community Internal family systems and healing Healing and helping other people heal their pain 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: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

The fear of abandonment is universal. The problem is – we try to medicate that feeling with whatever gives us instant gratification (drugs, alcohol, food, television, sleeping, social media, shopping, etc.) Whatever that looks like, addiction can stem from an unhealed abandonment wound. And when you fail to take care of that wound, it can lead to self-sabotage. So how do we heal our abandonment issues?On today’s episode, Duane speaks with Susan Anderson, founder of Abandonment Recovery, a program that helps people with numerous issues such as heartbreak loss, self-sabotage, addiction, and compulsion. Susan shares her own story of how she got into this work of dealing with abandonment. Susan gives us an illustration of what abandonment looks like, how it impacts our life, and what we can do to overcome it.Susan points out that overcoming abandonment is a doing process. Therefore, just knowing about it isn't necessarily going to help you overcome the wound that may be negatively impacting your life. There needs to be action.In this episode, you will hear: Why abandonment is universal The correlation between abandonment and addiction Loneliness as a huge adult trigger Early abandonment vs. normal level of abandonment Self-sabotage and the outer child Forms of self-sabotage The power of visualization Key Quotes:[02:36] - "Abandonment translates to separation anxiety, which is something we all share as human beings. It's universal and we medicate that feeling.”[04:16] - “We all have a fear of abandonment, and when it's triggered by an adult experience, it can create a cascade of hormonal processes in the brain. No matter how strong we are, we can all experience a serious emotional crisis if the trigger is big enough in adulthood."[05:37] - "Overcoming abandonment is a doing process, not just a feeling process. It's a recovery. It's an ongoing process."[10:53] - "When we are going through an adult trigger, even if it's a mild trigger, the thing that we are most vulnerable to is becoming addicted to a substance or to an activity."[19:01] - "If you've had a lot of abandonment, you have a lot of self-sabotage... and you repeat the thing that's so familiar."[29:16] "You don't have to make gigantic changes to have your dreams start to line. You need to make enough of a change just to get that door to swing. It's an amazing thing that small changes make huge differences."[34:18] "Everyone's looking for a magic bullet that's why addictions are so popular... but they have to enter on a journey of developing a new relationship with themselves and it's something they have to really work out and take very seriously."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 go to the episode page at www.theaddictedmind.com to download it.Supporting Resources:NovusMindfulLife.comAbandonment Recoveryhttps://www.abandonment.net/ 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Paul Kenny, a distinguished figure in neuroscience and addiction research, discusses groundbreaking research on addiction treatment, the relationship between drugs, addiction, and satiety, and the potential use of GLP1 modulators in treating alcohol and substance use disorders. They also delve into the complexities of addiction and the struggle individuals face to ignore addiction urges.

What does a data-driven approach to addiction recovery look like? Allow Dr. Jared Dempsey and Hunter Williams, the brilliant minds behind TRAC9, to guide you through their innovative platform. Drawing from personal encounters with addiction, they've developed a solution that goes beyond conventional treatments, utilizing the power of data collection, monitoring symptoms, and scientifically validated assessments. Their work emphasizes the importance of ethics in patient data collection, creating a secure environment for individuals in recovery.TRAC9 isn't just a platform; it's a game-changer in the field of addiction treatment. By analyzing subtle changes and symptoms in patients, TRAC9 enables health professionals to tailor treatments, increasing the probability of successful recovery. Reliable data is a treasure trove of insights that could revolutionize the way we understand and treat addiction. Here, patients find a safe haven, where they can be more honest on paper than in direct communication with a provider, offering invaluable insights for treatment success rates.Using the cutting-edge fields of machine learning and habituation, TRAC9 goes beyond data collection. It creates predictive models that generate neurochemical reactions to visual triggers, helping to reduce instinctive cravings. By evaluating nine core elements of addiction and two measures of craving, TRAC9 forges a comprehensive path to recovery. Discover how this platform is making waves in the field of addiction, and how it could help you or a loved one find the way towards a sober life.In this episode, you will hear: A data-driven approach to addiction recovery Monitoring symptoms for addiction treatment success Data collection's impact on addiction treatment Understanding addiction treatment and data analysis TRAC9 and making a difference 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: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