Recovery in the Middle Ages - Two Middle-Aged Suburban Dads Talk About Recovering From Addiction to Drugs & Alcohol.

Episode 151: Ibogaine and Kratom-Born into the Blues In this week’s show, we tackle two of the most debated botanicals in the addiction space from completely different angles. First, things get personal (and combative) as we dissect a Facebook argument Mike recently had with hardcore kratom proponents, diving into the fiercely protective and often wild online culture surrounding the Southeast Asia...

Episode 150: The Disease Model of Addiction We hear it everywhere-addiction is a disease. It’s the foundation of rehab, recovery culture, and even how people talk about themselves. But what if that idea isn’t as settled as it sounds? In this episode, we take a look at The Addictaholic Deconstructed by Doctor Nicole Labor and her persuasive case for the disease model. There’s real truth in it; brai...

Episode 149: Recovery 101-AI Sponsors, Real Life Problems We discuss AI, sober apps, mental health,  and navigating the vicissitudes of life. We basically shoot the shit for an hour and a half. Also, Nat shares some bad news, we have three RITN articles, and we engage in our usual hijinks. RITN: Nassau County bans 7OH WIW: Does DMT open a portal to the source-code of life? *This podcast does not p...

Episode 148: Recovery 101-Back to Basics In this episode we explore the foundational and advanced tools needed to build a lasting, fulfilling sober life. We start by dismantling the outdated stereotypes of the "bridge drunk" to embrace the nuance of the Alcohol Spectrum, while explaining why quitting in middle age offers unique advantages like a strong work ethic and immunity to peer pressure.  Al...

Episode 147: Social Media Addiction and En$h¡tification In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we dig into social media and the subtle ways it can take over our time, attention, and emotional life. Many of us have noticed that after putting down the drink, we picked up the phone, reaching for it when we’re bored, stressed, lonely, or just trying to take the edge off. We talk about how scr...

Episode 146: The Journey of a Thousand Miles New beginnings. Time marches ever onwards and so do Mike and Nat. What have they been up to? Let's take a peek. Recovery is not linear and sometimes you stumble, but you pick up where you left off and forge ahead. What the heck am I talking about? Tune in to find out. RITN: Does drinking give you ass cancer ? Does it make your guts leak ? Yes, and yes....

Episode 145: The Dog Days of Summer Recovery While the calendar insists August is just 31 days, for Mike and Nat it felt more like 31 years. From seizures on vacation to shoplifting Kratom from a Connecticut gas station—while en route to bring a family member to detox—the guys have been through the wringer. How did they keep their sobriety and their sanity intact? Tune in to find out. Plus, we dig...

In this midyear news roundup episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, Mike and Nat discuss the most significant addiction and recovery stories of 2025. From the federal crackdown on kratom’s potent opioid-like compound to San Francisco’s hard pivot away from harm reduction, we’re breaking down what these changes mean for people in and around recovery. We’ll also explore why New York’s overdose deat...

Episode 143: Recovery in the News In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we run down the latest news from the world of recovery, giving our take on the headlines that matter to those on the sober path. We discuss the tragic passing of Melissa Trachtenberg, which may have been related to alcoholic liver disease. Then, we discuss The New York Times' long-overdue admission that red wine is n...

Episode 142: RMA, RFK and the San Patrignano Experiment In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we take a look at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plan to address addiction in America, which leans heavily on his personal recovery experience and the model of Italy’s San Patrignano rehab center. Kennedy’s proposal centers around creating “wellness farms” across rural America, where people struggling...

Episode 141: The Return of RMA-Recovery in the News Edition It’s been a minute, we know — but Mike and Nat are BACK, rested, refreshed and ready to serve up a new episode packed with recovery bon mots, musings, and thought-provoking insights. This week we’re diving into the latest conversations around sobriety, cultural norms, and health, giving our take on three recent articles from The New York...

Episode 140: The US of AA, Rethinking Addiction One Step at a Time In this long-awaited episode of RMA, we give our take on Joe Miller's 2017 book, US of AA: How the Twelve Steps Hijacked the Science of Alcoholism. We discuss AA’s influence on addiction treatment and its implications for health policy, exploring the complex interplay between science, policy, and substance use treatment in America....

Episode 139: Hillbilly Elegy-Rust Belt Realities and the Opioid Odyssey Hey everyone! Remember us? Our last episode may have dropped on May 21st, but we promise we haven't been lost in the Middle Ages. We've been busy jesters, juggling our balls and brewing up some epic content! We're thrilled to be back. Thanks for sticking with us. In this first episode of season 5, we take a wild ride through J...

Peeling Back Labels: Redefining Identity and Stigma in Recovery and Mental Health On this week’s show we take a look at the complex interplay between labeling, identity, and stigma in addiction recovery. This episode, inspired by a critical look at mental health interventions for teenagers, examines similar issues within substance abuse treatment. We discuss how stigma and the labeling of individu...

High Time for Change: Cannabis Rescheduling and Its Impact on Recovery In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we explore a significant shift in cannabis legislation, focusing on the historical journey of cannabis from a Schedule I to a proposed  Schedule III substance. We explore the reasons behind this reclassification, the evolving perceptions of cannabis in society, and the science tha...

RMA 136: Reel Recovery: Critiquing 'Intervention' and Exploring Addiction Genetics" In this week’s episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we delve into the widely popular TV show 'Intervention.' We'll discuss both the praise and criticism it has received over the years, exploring how it portrays addiction and the recovery process. Does the show offer a realistic view of addiction, or does it sens...

Episode 135: Calm and Connected: Navigating Sobriety in Turbulent Times In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we wrestle with the critical topics of stress management and the dangers of isolation in sobriety. We explore practical strategies for maintaining emotional and mental balance through stress-busting techniques tailored for those in recovery. We also discuss the often overlooked r...

Semiglutides in Sobriety: A New Frontier in Addiction Recovery?   In this week’s episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we delve into the groundbreaking realm of semiglutide medications, such as Ozempic, and their emerging role in addiction treatment. As science advances, so does our understanding of how these drugs not only aid in weight loss, but also show promise in the realm of addiction reco...

RMA 133: The Prop 110 Debacle: A Deep Dive into Oregon's Legalization Experiment and the Nationwide Impact on Recovery We are BACK! This week, we delve into the recent repeal of Proposition 110 in Oregon—a pivotal move that has sparked extensive debate and concern within the recovery community. We’ll explore how Oregon's challenges with drug legalization have not only affected local recovery effor...

RMA 132: The Suki Jones Interview Join us this week on RMA, where we engage in a candid conversation with Suki Jones, author of the addiction and recovery memoir "Sea, Swallow Me." Suki takes us through her personal journey, detailing her experiences with drug addiction while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and a career in modeling during the early '90s in the Bay Area. She shares the...

Nat Turns Six! Long Term Sobriety and Getting Your Marbles Back As we celebrate Nat’s  remarkable milestone of six years of sobriety, we explore the personal journey of rebuilding one's identity and maintaining relationships in long-term recovery.  We also discuss the challenges and triumphs of redefining oneself post-addiction, from the metaphorical regaining of one's 'marbles' after five years,...

Beyond the Surface: Scuba Danny's Dive into Dry January, and Rethinking Your Own Relationship With Alcohol In our first episode of 2024 Mike sits down with his old pal Scuba Danny.  Danny, currently navigating the waters of Dry January, shares his candid experiences and reflections on this temporary voyage of abstinence, despite having no plans to give up drinking long-term. In this far-ranging co...

Deck the Halls with Hope and Healing: The RMA Christmas Recovery Special Welcome to the RMA Christmas Special! Join us as we dive into the spirit of the season while continuing to plumb the outer limits of the recovery universe for content and laughs.  We play some listener voice-mails, tell a few bad jokes, and reflect on the ghosts of Christmases past and present. Are you setting any intentions...

Breaking Balls and Beliefs: Unpacking Dock Ellis' LSD No-Hitter and Discussing the Outer Limits of Harm Reduction In this week’s episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, Mike and Nat dive into the remarkable world of MJB pitcher Dock Ellis with a review of "No No: A Dockumentary." This episode takes a closer look at Ellis's infamous no-hitter while under the influence of LSD—a tale that intersects...

Episode 127: Cult-ivating Sobriety- Reviewing Love Has Won and it’s Boozy Leader   In this week’s episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, Mike and Nat do an in-depth review of the documentary "Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God," now streaming on Max. Our hosts explore the captivating and often troubling world of the Love Has Won cult, discussing the complex interplay of addiction, control, and...