The Addicted Mind Podcast

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 wit...

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 abou...

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 per...

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 wi...

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 pla...

Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit Formation Podcast Episode Summary Today'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 habi...

On today’s episode, Duane talks with Justin B. Long about his journey through childhood trauma and how he tried to escape it through alcoholism. We discuss the traps of toxic masculinity, the idea that, as men, we can't share our feelings. We can't be vulnerable. We should be stoic at all times. In the episode, you’ll learn how that idea prevents us from being able to heal from our past wounds. Ju...

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 Isolatio...

Ever feel like you’re pouring your energy into the wrong things? You’re not alone. In this game-changing episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind tackle the secret to caring about the right things. They take a deep dive into how aligning your thoughts, words, and actions can unlock true happiness and fulfillment. Download: Caring About The Right Things worksheet. The conve...

Join us on a transformative journey as we sit down with Dr. Jeff McNairy, the Chief Medical Officer at Rythmia, who shares his compelling shift from traditional mental health practices to the world of alternative therapies. Inspired by Gerard Powell's remarkable healing journey, Dr. McNairy unveils the promising potential of integrating Western psychology with indigenous medicine. We explore how a...

What if I told you that up to 90% of people with alcohol use disorder relapse within the first four years? Before you let that statistic discourage you, here's the game-changer: having a solid relapse prevention plan can dramatically shift those odds in your favor. In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric dive deep into one of recovery's most crucial yet overlooked tools – the relapse prevention p...

Gerard Bradbury's life was once a tumultuous storm of anxiety and alcoholism, but today it stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Gerard joins us to reveal his deeply personal journey chronicled in his memoir, "Tripping Over Myself: A Journey from Addiction and Anxiety to Awareness and Peace." His first brush with alcohol at just 12 years old set off a chain of events that nearly ended his lif...

Do you feel like you're constantly on high alert, waiting for the next shoe to drop? Like your body is braced for impact even when there's no real danger around you? You're exhausted, on edge, and maybe you find yourself reaching for something—anything—to make it stop. A drink, a pill, a behavior that gives you just a moment of peace. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. And more importantly...

Duane is joined by Beau Williams, the author of "One Year With My Soulmate." We discuss the deeply personal and emotional process of navigating life after such profound loss. Beau courageously opens up about his late partner Melanie's struggles with unresolved trauma and dependency on Adderall, and her search for healing through breathwork and self-discovery. This conversation sheds light on the c...

What if I told you that up to 90% of people with alcohol use disorder relapse within the first four years? Before you let that statistic discourage you, here's the game-changer: having a solid relapse prevention plan can dramatically shift those odds in your favor. In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric dive deep into one of recovery's most crucial yet overlooked tools – the relapse prevention p...

Gerard Bradbury's life was once a tumultuous storm of anxiety and alcoholism, but today it stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Gerard joins us to reveal his deeply personal journey chronicled in his memoir, "Tripping Over Myself: A Journey from Addiction and Anxiety to Awareness and Peace." His first brush with alcohol at just 12 years old set off a chain of events that nearly ended his lif...

Do you feel like you're constantly on high alert, waiting for the next shoe to drop? Like your body is braced for impact even when there's no real danger around you? You're exhausted, on edge, and maybe you find yourself reaching for something—anything—to make it stop. A drink, a pill, a behavior that gives you just a moment of peace. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. And more importantly...

Duane is joined by Beau Williams, the author of "One Year With My Soulmate." We discuss the deeply personal and emotional process of navigating life after such profound loss. Beau courageously opens up about his late partner Melanie's struggles with unresolved trauma and dependency on Adderall, and her search for healing through breathwork and self-discovery. This conversation sheds light on the c...

Are you tired of being stuck in the same painful cycle? You know the one – where you can't deal with what's happening, you're angry at the world, and you keep hoping things will magically change. Maybe you're fighting with your spouse, holding grudges, or just feeling completely overwhelmed by life. Here's the truth: all that fighting against reality is actually making your addiction, anxiety, and...

Years ago, Olivia Sproat stood at a crossroads. As a provisional psychologist and former counselor, she was drawn to a unique women's rehabilitation prison in Australia—a place where the focus on compassion and respect seemed to offer a glimmer of hope. Today, she joins us to share her journey into this transformative field, where a pioneering program has slashed recidivism rates to an astonishing...

Picture yourself staring in the mirror at 3 AM, promising yourself that tomorrow will be different, while that familiar voice whispers "you're weak" and "what's wrong with you?" If this sounds familiar, you need to hear this episode. Host Duane Osterlind delivers a solo episode that completely destroys the most dangerous myth about addiction - that it's a moral failing or character flaw. As a lice...

Legendary musician Dion DiMucci joins us to share his extraordinary journey of recovery and growth, shedding light on the transformative power of spirituality and mentorship. Known for timeless hits like "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer," Dion candidly discusses his battle with addiction and his path to over 57 years of sobriety. He reveals how faith and a 12-step recovery program changed his lif...

Have you ever felt completely stuck when facing a difficult situation? Like you're drowning in endless possibilities and can't find your way forward? You're not alone. Most of us get trapped in decision paralysis, overthinking every angle until we're more anxious than when we started. In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric Osterlind break down a life-changing framework that can transform how you...

Mike Long, the brilliant physicist-turned-writer and co-author of "The Molecule of More," joins us for a riveting conversation on the Addicted Mind Podcast. Together, we dissect the fascinating world of dopamine and its powerful influence over our behavior and experiences. We take a closer look at how this neurotransmitter's relentless push for future rewards often clouds our present joys, impacti...

Do you ever feel stuck, like something is silently holding you back from achieving your goals in recovery? You’re not alone. On today’s episode of Addicted Mind Plus , hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind tackle a subject that hits close to home for many of us: those sneaky, unhelpful thought patterns called cognitive distortions. These tricky mental habits can silently sabotage progress and keep us loc...