The Addicted Mind Podcast

Decima Davis once believed she had found a miracle in Kratom—a natural supplement that seemed to promise relief from her battles with opioid withdrawal. She wasn't alone in her hope; many, like Decima, were drawn to Kratom during the opioid crisis, fooled by its marketing as a safer alternative. But Decima's story took a different turn, and today, as the founder of the Quitting Kratom Support Organization, she reveals the hidden dangers of Kratom addiction. Her candid account sheds light on the physical and psychological toll of this unregulated substance while offering a beacon of hope and resilience to those in similar struggles.Join us for an eye-opening conversation about the rise of Kratom in America and the misconceptions that have made it a popular yet perilous choice. We'll explore Decima's journey to sobriety, highlighting the critical role of community support, therapy, and self-work in overcoming addiction. Through her story, we emphasize the transformative power of recovery and the profound joy that lies in facing addiction head-on. In this episode, you will hear: Decima Davis's journey from Kratom addiction to advocacy Misconceptions and hidden dangers of Kratom as an opioid alternative Physical and psychological impacts of Kratom dependency Importance of community support and therapy in recovery Rise of Kratom use in America amid the opioid crisis 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.comhttps://kratomquitters.com/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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are you constantly saying "yes" to everyone else's needs while your recovery takes a backseat? In this eye-opening episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, host Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind dive deep into the four fundamental types of boundaries that can revolutionize your recovery journey. Many people struggle with feeling selfish about setting boundaries, but as this episode reveals, boundaries aren't just about saying "no" – they're about creating a protective space where your healing can flourish.The hosts break down each type of boundary – physical, emotional, intellectual, and time – providing practical examples and real-world applications. They explore how these boundaries work together to create a strong foundation for long-term recovery success. Whether you're dealing with maintaining sobriety, protecting your personal space, or managing relationships, this episode offers clear, actionable insights for setting and maintaining healthy boundaries.The discussion includes practical tips for implementing these boundaries in daily life, along with strategies for overcoming the guilt that often accompanies boundary-setting. The hosts also share how joining a supportive community can help strengthen your boundary-setting skills and enhance your recovery journey.Download: The 4 Essential Boundaries WorksheetClick Here to Join the TAM + Community. Get the support you need.Our Deep Dive is now in the community, where we discuss this episode in depth and help each other complete each worksheet.Key Topics Understanding the difference between physical, emotional, intellectual, and time boundaries Why setting boundaries isn't selfish and actually helps relationships flourish How to protect your recovery space without feeling guilty The importance of community support in maintaining boundaries Practical steps for implementing boundaries in daily life Timestamps[00:00:54] Introduction to the four types of boundaries in recovery[00:04:54] Exploring physical boundaries and personal space[00:06:41] Understanding emotional boundaries and their importance[00:09:00] Discussion of intellectual boundaries and respect[00:11:44] Managing time boundaries in recovery[00:14:15] Practical steps for implementing boundaries[00:16:01] Community support and resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The Addicted Mind podcast, my guest is Kay Simmeth, a Marriage and Family Therapist certified in EMDR. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a type of bilateral stimulation that activates both sides of the body and both sides of the brain. This dual action process of tapping on the client’s knees back and forth, listening to music or sounds that alternate between headphones, or feeling vibrations in alternating hands, the frontal cortex and the amygdala are both activated, which allows the client to access the portion of the brain where the trauma is stored and then shift those negative beliefs or cognitions to positive beliefs. Without being able to access both sides of the brain simultaneously, the client will just continue to feel the negative beliefs related to the trauma and not be able to go any further by consciously and logically thinking about the situation. Doing so through the 8-phase process of EMDR allows the client to “melt” the trauma so that they can still access the memory of the trauma, but the intensity of their emotions and reactions about the trauma become less immediate and significant. The trauma simply becomes an “event” in their lives rather than something that impacts everything they experience. Going through EMDR takes the emotional weight out of the memory in the present and frees the client up for a brighter future.Kay uses EMDR with 98% of her patients and she has found that the changes her clients exhibit stick more than with other techniques. Through this type of adaptive information processing model, the length of time or number of sessions that the client needs to go through EMDR depends on the proximity, length, and depth of the trauma in their life, but all clients will see change along the way. Kay’s advice to those experiencing trauma is to remember that they do not have to go through it alone and that there are plenty of resources for them to seek help. 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.Follow and Review: 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/addictedmindDisclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When dealing with addiction, whether you’re addicted to alcohol, drugs, porn, food, or whatever it is, one of the most effective ways to achieve recovery is by going all the way back to your inner child and figuring out what triggers your pain points so you can eventually take mindful action.Author and licensed professional counselor, Eddie Capparucci, who specializes in the treatment of sex and pornography addiction, created the inner child recovery process to help people struggling with addiction.A Vicious CycleWhen you start to feel that ugliness within you and you start to say how disgusting you are, that just keeps you in the cycle. You go back to your addiction in order to forget and not feel. And that’s the biggest problem. One of the keys to dealing with sexual pornography addiction, or any addiction for that matter, is learning how to sit with that emotional pain, feel it, and understand that it’s not going to kill you no matter how uncomfortable it is.The Impact of Childhood on TraumaFor instance, when you have a sense of abandonment, there’s fear that people or whoever you bring into your life, are not going to wind up staying, whether they discovered there’s something about you that’s unlovable, or they’re just not reliable people. There is fear that lives underneath the surface that you try to protect yourself against that fear by keeping people at a distance. And so, you begin to build a wall even with people you become involved with romantically. You’re not going to let them get close to you because if you do, you give them the power to hurt you by leaving. But then if you have a wall up and you don’t let them get that close to you, and if in the event they leave you, then it’s okay because you can always replace them.The Inner Child ProcessThe inner child process allows people to go deeper so they can identify the emotional childhood pain points that are still being activated today. It provides insight and it helps men understand why they engage in their addictive behaviors. Then they’re able to stay one step ahead of their addiction by identifying the core emotional triggers that activate their inner child. What are the nine different kinds of the inner child? The Bored Child  The Unaffirmed Child  The Unnoticed Child  The Emotionally Void Child  The Lack-of-Control Child  The Entitled Child  The Inferior-Weak Child  The Stressed Child  The Sexually Early/Stimulated/Abused Child In the inner child recovery process, they look at each kind to see which ones they identify with. By recognizing the childhood pain points, they would now understand the triggers that activate those pain points. Then the next step is mindfulness. 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like you're carrying a secret that's too heavy to share? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore why sharing our authentic stories is crucial for lasting recovery. They dive into how keeping parts of ourselves hidden can actually deepen our isolation, while taking careful steps to share with trusted others can create profound healing. Drawing from the wisdom of pioneering psychotherapist Carl Rogers, they discuss how genuine connection and unconditional acceptance can transform recovery from a lonely journey into a shared path of growth. The hosts offer practical strategies for breaking down the walls of shame and secrecy, while emphasizing the importance of choosing safe people and spaces for self-disclosure. Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, this episode provides valuable insights into building the authentic connections that make lasting change possible.Download: Self-Disclosure in Recovery WorksheetClick Here to Join the TAM + Community. Get the support you need.Our Deep Dive is now in the community, where we discuss this episode in deep Key Topics: Understanding the relationship between isolation and addiction The role of unconditional positive regard in healing How to identify safe people for self-disclosure Practical steps for sharing your story The importance of starting small with vulnerability Using journaling to explore sharing readiness Creating a self-disclosure plan Timestamps[00:01:04] Introduction to self-disclosure and authentic connection[00:02:00] The impact of keeping secrets in recovery [00:04:08] Carl Rogers' insights on understanding and acceptance[00:08:35] Practical steps for building vulnerability [00:11:55] Understanding your comfort level with sharing [00:13:21] Journaling prompts for self-reflection [00:14:30] The power of community in recoveryFollow and Review: 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/addictedmindDisclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At the age of 15, Aaron Perra took his first drink, setting off a chain of events that would lead him through the tumultuous landscape of addiction and ultimately to the healing power of poetry. On the Addicted Mind Podcast, Aaron opens up about his struggles with identity, family rejection, and homelessness during his teenage years in Minneapolis. Each setback became a stepping stone, as he found sanctuary in a 12-step program and support from Minneapolis' Youth Links, which helped him pursue a career in cosmetology and discover his passion for poetry.Aaron shares the heart-wrenching journey of battling meth addiction, the challenges of codependency, and how a heartfelt intervention by a dear friend became the catalyst for change in July 2022. His path to recovery was marked by a network of supportive individuals who provided the community and encouragement he needed to embrace sobriety. The turning point in Aaron's life illustrates the profound impact of genuine connection and unwavering support, reminding listeners of the pivotal role that community plays in overcoming adversity.In this episode, you will hear: Aaron Perra's journey from addiction to recovery through poetry Struggles with identity, family rejection, and homelessness Impact of a 12-step program and community support in recovery Battle with meth addiction and the role of codependency Poetry as a lifeline and creative outlet during recovery Publication of "Triggers in Love" and the importance of community support 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.comhttps://www.amazon.com/TRIGGERS-LOVE-Poetry-Aaron-Joshua/dp/B0CGYVW93Jhttps://www.instagram.com/aaron_joshua_perra/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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever left a conversation feeling completely drained, questioning yourself, or worse – thinking about relapsing? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane Osterlind tackles the crucial but often overlooked aspect of recovery: managing toxic relationships. Through a compelling case study of a woman six months into her sobriety journey, Osterlind reveals how seemingly supportive family members can unknowingly threaten our recovery with subtle comments and behaviors. He dives into the science behind how relationships affect our physical health, from our heart function to our immune system, and provides practical tools for identifying and managing toxic relationships in recovery. Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a healthier support system for long-term sobriety.Download: Toxic Relationships WorksheetClick Here to Join the TAM + Community. Get the support you need.Our Deep Dive is now in the community, where we discuss this episode in deep diveKey Topics:• Physical and emotional impacts of toxic relationships on recovery• Scientific evidence linking relationship quality to physical health• Signs of toxic relationships and how to identify them• Three strategies for managing toxic relationships• The importance of boundaries in recovery• How to evaluate your current relationships• Building a supportive network for recoveryTimestamps:[00:01:24] Opening question about exhausting conversations and recovery[00:02:15] Case study of client struggling with family relationships[00:04:11] Science behind relationships and physical health[00:06:39] How to identify toxic relationships[00:09:32] Three main strategies for handling toxic relationships[00:11:13] Practical exercise for evaluating relationships[00:13:12] Resources and action steps for listenersEpisode 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.Follow and Review: 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 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Mary Crocker Cook graces our latest episode of the Addicted Mind Podcast, bringing her 35 years of expertise in therapy and addiction counseling. We tackle the intricate ties between attachment, addiction, and relationship patterns, particularly spotlighting the challenges faced by accomplished women who find themselves in mismatched partnerships. Dr. Cook sheds light on her pioneering approach of attachment-infused addiction treatment, helping us understand how early attachment disruptions shape decision-making and relational dynamics with profound emotional and financial consequences.Our conversation takes a deep dive into attachment styles, focusing on the anxious and avoidant spectrums. We uncover how fear of disconnection can lead individuals to become overly anxious or to suppress their needs, causing relational dysfunction. Dr. Cook shares insights on how these behaviors are often rooted in a lack of trust and how addiction can serve as an escape from unmet emotional needs. We explore the critical role of recovery and supportive relationships in fostering secure attachments and breaking unhealthy cycles.Navigating challenging relationships requires a balance of compassion and self-protection, and Dr. Cook offers practical advice for women trapped in unhealthy dynamics. By understanding attachment wounds and prioritizing harm reduction, financial independence, and boundary-setting, individuals can start making informed decisions toward better well-being. In this episode, you will hear: Exploring the connection between attachment styles, addiction, and relationship patterns. Challenges faced by accomplished women in mismatched relationships due to early attachment disruptions. The role of anxious and avoidant attachment styles in creating relational dysfunction. Understanding addiction as an escape from unmet emotional needs and the importance of recovery. Practical advice for women in unhealthy relationships, focusing on self-care and financial independence. Navigating challenging relationships with compassion, self-protection, and setting boundaries. 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/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, replaying that moment when you said "yes" but every fiber of your being was screaming "no"? In this transformative episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive deep into one of recovery's most overlooked yet crucial components: setting healthy boundaries. They explore why boundaries aren't walls that keep people out, but rather fences that let the right things in. The hosts break down common misconceptions about boundaries, explaining why they're not selfish acts but essential tools for self-respect and healing. Through practical examples and clear guidance, they show how proper boundaries can actually lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships while protecting your recovery journey.What makes this episode particularly valuable is its practical approach. The hosts provide a step-by-step guide to setting and maintaining boundaries, from starting small to handling pushback. They emphasize that while setting boundaries might feel uncomfortable at first, especially for those who haven't seen them modeled in their lives, they're skills that can be learned and improved over time.Download: Setting Healthy Boundaries WorksheetClick Here to Join the TAM + Community. Get the support you need.Our Deep Dive is now in the community, where we discuss this episode in deKEY TOPICS• What boundaries are and aren't: dispelling common myths• The connection between boundaries and successful recovery• How boundaries foster deeper intimacy rather than prevent it• Practical steps to start setting healthy boundaries• The importance of consistency and self-compassion in boundary settingTIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] - Introduction and importance of boundaries in recovery[00:06:00] - Understanding what boundaries are not[00:09:43] - How boundaries protect sobriety and emotional wellbeing[00:11:27] - Practical steps to setting boundaries[00:13:58] - Step-by-step example of enforcing boundaries[00:17:12] - Community support and resources for boundary settingFollow and Review: 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/addictedmindDisclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Depression sucks and it’s such a hard place to be. On the other hand, addiction used to be framed as this lack of moral character or willpower, and addiction, too, is a very hard place to be. But there's hope.On this episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, Duane speaks with Ben Spielberg, the founder and CEO of TMS & Brain Health clinics. Ben is a specialist in neuroscience, neuromodulation, and neuroimaging. Today, Ben is going to talk about TMS or transcranial magnetic stimulation, and how TMS offers hope to people struggling with addiction and its underlying mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and ultimately, returning joy and passion back to their lives.Ben started working in the field of mental health in 2010 as a biofeedback technician at a Substance Abuse and Recovery Treatment Center in Los Angeles. Part of his work was doing neurofeedback and he was just fascinated at how it impacted people, becoming more resilient to stressors without involving any medication or intervention. Eventually, Ben got a master's degree in neuroscience at Columbia with the hope to specialize in the overarching field called neuromodulation, which refers to evidence-based, nonpharmaceutical ways to create real changes in the brain.With neurofeedback, all people need to do is to show up. It doesn't really matter what you’re thinking about. Your brain is picking up on the signals regardless. Listen in as Ben sheds some light on how TMS targets and activates specific areas of the brain that help reduce depression, anxiety, and all other underlying issues that lead to addiction.In this episode, you will hear: Ben’s experience in neurofeedback and neuromodulation The concept of neuroplasticity What is TMS and how does it work? Cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. TMS Types of issues TMS can treat The role of ADHD in addiction The history of TMS Key Quotes:[05:54] - "With neurofeedback, all you have to do is show up. It doesn't really matter what you think about. Your brain is picking up on the signals regardless." [09:53] - "There's a part of the brain called the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex... it's the left top side of your head and that area has been shown to be underactive in people with depression."[10:35] - "When people do TMS typically five days a week, week by week, the symptoms of depression start to go away, just as this other part of the brain starts to come back online."[12:55] - "Cognitive behavioral therapy is definitely an evidence-based treatment for depression. But when it's not working, there's nowhere to go unless you're actually creating real changes in the brain."[15:37] - "People with ADHD are much more likely to be addicted than a neurotypical person… as well as way more likely to be incarcerated and a really a number of issues in life."[17:26] - "ADHD is an issue of sustained focus, whereas normally, people have the ability to continue focusing on things when they want to, and they're not necessarily bothered by any external or internal stimulus."[29:41] - "Addiction is really just a symptom of some other underlying mental health diagnosis."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:TMS & Brain Health Clinicshttps://www.tmsbrainhealth.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.