The Addicted Mind Podcast

Everyone has a level of healthy narcissism. We all see things through our lens to some degree. The narcissist, however, has pathological levels of self-involvement and he or she experiences fundamental developmental deficits early on in life. According to author and speaker, Julie Hall, addiction is a huge part of the narcissistic family system. There is a pattern of depression, anger, confusion w...

Have you ever felt like your emotions are running the show, pushing and pulling you in directions you don’t want to go? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind dive deep into the world of emotion regulation. They explore common myths about emotions that keep many of us stuck in unhealthy patterns. With practical insights and compassiona...

Imagine finding your true calling amidst the chaos of addiction recovery. That’s exactly what happened to Patrick Holbert, a former TV producer who took a leap of faith and became a stand-up comedian. In this episode, Patrick shares his incredible journey of overcoming addiction and how joining a 12-step program and the Artist's Way workshop led him to pursue his passion for comedy. We explore how...

Welcome to the Addicted Mind podcast! Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I'm either a success or a complete failure"? This episode is for you. In this episode, we dive deep into the pervasive issue of black-and-white thinking, also known as dichotomous thinking and its impact on addiction recovery. Join Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind as they explore how this rigid mindset can create emot...

How do you manage the weight of expectation and the emotional toll of personal loss while thriving in the high-stakes world of professional football? Join us Duane as he sits down with Chris Hubbard, a celebrated NFL player and a fervent mental health advocate. From his roots in Columbus, Georgia, to the peaks and valleys of his collegiate career at UAB, Chris sheds light on the trials of being a...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric dive deep into the unspoken roles that families often fall into, especially when dealing with addiction. They explore how these roles—like the hero, caretaker, scapegoat, mascot, and lost child—can perpetuate dysfunction and hinder recovery. By understanding and identifying these roles, you can begin to break free from the cycles that keep...

Can you imagine a life where alcohol isn’t the centerpiece of your social interactions? In this episode, Duane sits down with Veronica Valli, a recovery coach and psychotherapist, who challenges the deeply ingrained belief that a fulfilling life must include alcohol. She reveals the initial shock and eventual liberation that comes from meeting people who thrive without it. Having been alcohol-free...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic goals and how they affect our well-being. Have you ever felt the high of achieving a big goal, only to have that happiness fade away? This episode explores why that happens and introduces the concept of the "hedonic treadmill." You'll learn how extrinsic goals, like money an...

What happens when the traditional 12-step recovery program doesn’t quite fit your belief system? Licensed marriage and family therapist Jeffrey Munn joins Duane to share his deeply personal journey through addiction and recovery, which led him to author "Staying Sober Without God: The Practical 12 Steps to Long-Term Recovery from Alcoholism and Addiction." Jeffrey opens up about his battles with i...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind podcast, Eric and Duane dive deep into the often-overlooked topic of perfectionism and its profound impact on recovery journeys. They explore different dimensions of perfectionism, from self-imposed standards to societal expectations, revealing how these can lead to self-criticism and hinder progress. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, they offer p...

We have a fantastic guest today. Dr. Tracy Zemansky is here to speak about the fascinating topic of psychological assessment, and how it can help you or your client on a journey of healing. What is a psychological assessment? It’s not what we typically see in the movies. It is a way of evaluating a particular part of an individual and trying to understand it more. To get as much information as pos...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the importance of celebrating micro wins in the journey of recovery. They discuss how small victories, often overlooked, play a crucial role in maintaining motivation and building resilience. By focusing on these tiny achievements, you can create a positive mindset that fuels your progress toward larger goals. Whether it...

What happens when the people you trust the most hide a secret so devastating it changes the course of your life? Emmy Award-winning ESPN sideline reporter and former college gymnast Lauren Sisler joins us to share her heart-wrenching journey from unimaginable tragedy to resilience and hope. Losing both her parents to a concealed opioid addiction during her freshman year in college, Lauren's story...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the powerful concept of the inner child. They explore how past traumas influence our present reactions and behaviors. Understanding and healing your inner child can lead to profound personal growth and recovery. Learn about the history of the inner child concept, its impact on addiction and recovery, and practical steps to st...

Have you ever wondered how nutrition could be the missing link in your journey to sobriety? Join Duane as he sits down with Dr. Brooke Scheller, a trailblazer in clinical nutrition and the founder of Functional Sobriety. Brooke shares her compelling journey to sobriety and how she's transforming alcohol recovery through nutritional and functional medicine. She explains how alcohol can wreak havoc...

In this enlightening episode of "The Addicted Mind," hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind dive into the fascinating world of the four archetypes of happiness based on the work of Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar. These archetypes offer a roadmap for understanding happiness and its pivotal role in addiction recovery. The discussion spans the spectrum from the "Rat Racer," who postpones present joy for future...

Gregg Ostrin, the brilliant playwright behind "The Spy Who Went Into Rehab," shares his incredible journey of recovery, maintaining sobriety since 1987, and how his personal experiences inspired his writing. Duane sits down with Gregg to discuss his fascinating career transition from acting to writing, his impressive work in film and television marketing, and his triumphant return to playwriting....

In this episode of "The Addicted Mind," Duane and Eric Osterlind explore the concept of the hero's journey and how it applies to addiction recovery. Drawing from Joseph Campbell's work on mythology, they discuss the three phases of the hero's journey—departure, initiation, and return—and how these stages can provide a roadmap for personal transformation. By seeing recovery through the lens of a he...

Can high achievers truly recover from hidden addictions without sacrificing their success? Join Duane for a compelling conversation with Roland Cochrun, founder of the Successful Addict, as he reveals his journey and the unique challenges faced by high achievers dealing with sex and porn addiction. Discover how a relentless pursuit of success and people-pleasing tendencies can mask a deeper loneli...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind delve into the concept of attachment and its critical role in recovery from addiction. They discuss the different types of attachment styles—secure, anxious, dismissive, and fearful—and how these styles impact our ability to form healthy relationships. By understanding your attachment style, you can improve your relationships and...

Can medications like naltrexone revolutionize the treatment of alcohol dependence? Join today’s discuss as Duane speaks with acclaimed journalist and podcast producer Andy Mills, who brings a wealth of experience from shows like The Daily and Radiolab. Andy delves into his new independent podcast, Reflector, highlighting a compelling episode titled "The Sea Change." He shares the gripping story of...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the groundbreaking ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study. This research revealed how childhood trauma significantly impacts mental, physical, and emotional health in adulthood. By exploring the origins, findings, and implications of the study, they discuss how early experiences of abuse, neglect, and household dysfu...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind explore the transformative power of routines in recovery. They discuss how establishing a daily routine can bring stability to the chaotic early and mid-stages of recovery, and how it can even benefit long-term wellness. By setting a routine, individuals can reduce anxiety, improve sleep cycles, and create a positi...

Fifteen years sober and radiating resilience, Dr. Samantha Harte joins Duane to recount her transformative journey through the depths of addiction to the shores of recovery. With raw honesty, she opens up about the emotional wreckage in her wake, and the intense pressures that drove her to seek healing. Her story, illuminated further in her book "Breaking the Circuit," serves as a beacon of hope a...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore the profound connection between grief and addiction recovery. Using Elizabeth Kübler-Ross' five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—they discuss how these stages apply to the emotional process of giving up an addiction. Many people don't realize that overcoming addiction involves grieving...