Worksheet: Meeting Your Shadow

Have you ever done something and then wondered, "Who was that? That wasn't me"?

Maybe it was a relapse. A hurtful comment you didn't mean to say. Or that familiar feeling of sabotaging yourself right when things were finally going well. The uncomfortable truth? It was you—just a part of you that's been hiding in the shadows.

In this episode of The Addicted Mind, Duane and Eric Osterlind explore one of psychology's most powerful concepts: the shadow self. First named by psychiatrist Carl Jung, the shadow is the unconscious part of your personality where you've stuffed everything you think is unacceptable—your anger, jealousy, selfishness, and those desires you don't want anyone to see.

Here's the problem: what you repress grows in the dark.

The more you ignore these hidden parts of yourself, the stronger they become. And for those struggling with addiction, the shadow often becomes the invisible force that hijacks your recovery and drives you back into old patterns. It's exhausting trying to be "good" all the time while fighting a war inside yourself.

But here's the twist that might surprise you: your shadow isn't just the "bad" parts. It also contains buried treasures—your creativity, your passion, your drive. These gifts often get locked away because they seemed "too much" or not acceptable to the people around you.

The goal of shadow work isn't to destroy these parts of yourself. It's not about fixing something that's broken. As Duane and Eric discuss, drawing from Internal Family Systems therapy, there are no bad parts. Every part of you is trying to help in some way, even if that help has become distorted over time.

Instead, shadow work is about integration—bringing these hidden parts into the light so you can understand them and find healthy outlets for their energy. When you stop running from your shadow, something amazing happens: you free up all the energy you were using to keep that basement door locked. That energy becomes available for your recovery, your relationships, and your life.

In this episode, you'll learn two practical ways to start exploring your shadow safely. First, pay attention to what annoys you in other people. That strong reaction? It's often pointing to something you've disowned in yourself. Second, get curious about your negative traits instead of shaming them. That anger you hate? It might be protecting you. That laziness? It might be your body begging for rest.

The path to freedom isn't about becoming perfect. It's about becoming whole. A real person has a shadow—and meeting yours might be the most important step you take in your recovery.

Key Topics

• What is the shadow self? Carl Jung's concept of the unconscious parts of our personality we've denied, rejected, or repressed
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• Why whatever you repress grows in the dark—and how this fuels addiction and self-sabotage
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• The shadow isn't all bad—hidden within it are creativity, passion, and drive
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• Integration vs. fixing—why there are "no bad parts" and what that means for recovery
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• The projection exercise—how what annoys you in others reveals your own shadow
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• Getting curious instead of shaming—finding the positive intention behind negative traits
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• Wholeness over perfection—reclaiming the energy spent hiding from yourself
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Timestamps

• [00:01:00] – Introduction: Have you ever felt like there's another part of you living inside?
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• [00:03:00] – The pain point: Self-sabotage and the exhaustion of trying to be good all the time
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• [00:05:00] – Carl Jung's shadow concept explained: The bag we drag behind us
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• [00:06:00] – The twist: Your shadow contains hidden gifts, not just darkness
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• [00:08:00] – Integration vs. fixing: Why there are no bad parts
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• [00:09:00] – Action step #1: Exploring your projections—what annoys you in others
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[00:11:00] – Action step #2: Getting curious about your negative traits

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In this episode, Duane sits down with Dr. Frank Putnam, a pioneer in the study of childhood trauma with nearly 50 years of clinical and research experience. Dr. Putnam discusses his landmark 35-year longitudinal study—the Female Growth and Development Study—which tracked the biological and psychological impacts of sexual abuse on girls from childhood into adulthood. They explore the concept of "accelerated aging," the intergenerational transfer of trauma, and why early intervention is critical for breaking the cycle of violence.

Key Discussion Points

• The Evolution of Trauma Diagnosis: Dr. Putnam recounts the early days of his career (the 1970s) when PTSD didn't exist in the DSM. Veterans and trauma survivors were often misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder before a language for trauma was developed.
• The "Old Before Their Time" Phenomenon: A core finding of Dr. Putnam’s research is that extreme childhood adversity accelerates biological aging.
• Puberty: Abused girls in the study reached puberty approximately one year earlier than the control group.
• Epigenetics: DNA methylation studies show that traumatized individuals have a biological age that exceeds their chronological age.
• Immune System: Some young girls exhibited immune systems that appeared "older" than those of healthy adults.
• The Role of Cortisol: The stress hormone cortisol plays a dual role. While levels are high during the period of active trauma, they often crash later in life, leading to a "blunted" stress response that mediates many negative health outcomes.
• Intergenerational Trauma: * Dr. Putnam’s research suggests a roughly 30% transfer rate of abuse across generations.
• This is not just behavioral; animal studies suggest that trauma-induced epigenetic changes can be passed down biologically.
• Resilience and Recovery: What differentiates survivors who thrive?
• Positive Relationships: High-quality relationships with older, supportive female role models were the strongest predictors of resilience for the girls in the study.
• IQ and Social Skills: Higher cognitive ability and personalities that attract social support also serve as protective factors.

Treatment Success: Modern Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) has roughly a 70% success rate.

Resources

• Book: Old Before Their Time: A Scientific Life Investigating How Maltreatment Harms Children and the Adults They Become by Frank W. Putnam.
• Organizations:
• NCTSN: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• TF-CBT: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
• PCIT: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (effective for younger children).
• Guest Website: frankputnam.com

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Download: INTRINSIC VS. EXTRINSIC GOALS

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 and status, give short-term happiness but don't last. In contrast, intrinsic goals, like personal growth and meaningful relationships, bring deeper and more lasting joy. Duane and Eric share practical tips on how to shift your focus to these intrinsic goals, cultivate gratitude, and build stronger, more fulfilling connections. They also discuss the importance of mindfulness, personal growth, and serving others in achieving true contentment. Tune in to discover how you can step off the hedonic treadmill and find real, sustainable happiness in your life.

Key Topics 

• The difference between extrinsic and intrinsic goals
• Understanding the hedonic treadmill
• How extrinsic goals lead to temporary happiness
• The importance of intrinsic goals for lasting fulfillment
• Practical tips to shift focus and cultivate intrinsic goals

Timestamp List

1. [00:01:06] Introduction to the topic: Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Goals
2. [00:03:08] Explanation of the hedonic treadmill
3. [00:04:20] The impact of extrinsic goals on happiness
4. [00:07:33] Defining and understanding intrinsic goals
5. [00:11:00] How to step off the hedonic treadmill
6. [00:16:04] Practical tips for cultivating intrinsic goals
7. [00:19:00] Summary and closing thoughts

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Worksheet: Healing Power of Connection

Ask people what the hardest part of addiction was, and they often won't say the drugs or the alcohol. They'll say the loneliness. Because addiction, at its core, is about isolation and shame. It's that crushing feeling of being in a crowded room and feeling completely invisible. It's the belief that if people really knew you—the real you with all your secrets and shame—they would run away.

But what if the medicine for that loneliness isn't just sobriety? What if the medicine is people?

In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind explore what they believe is the single most powerful predictor of long-term recovery success: connection. Not willpower. Not perfect meetings attendance. But belonging to a tribe, a community, a place where you're not alone.

Addiction demands secrecy. It thrives in the dark. Over time, you stop answering the phone, you stop going to events. You isolate to protect the addiction, but you end up trapping yourself with your own worst thoughts. And even in recovery, that instinct to hide can still linger. You might feel like a burden, or you might think, "I can do this on my own. I don't need help." But that's a dangerous lie. When shame says "I am bad" and isolation says "I am alone," relapse becomes almost inevitable.

The vicious cycle works like this: we isolate ourselves because we feel shame, and then that isolation breeds more shame. Breaking that cycle requires doing the one thing that feels most unnatural—reaching out. As journalist Johan Hari famously summarized from his research, "The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection." But shame tells us we're not worthy of that connection, so we don't risk it.

The evidence is overwhelming. Whether it's AA, NA, SMART Recovery, or group therapy, the data shows that people who engage in supportive community have significantly better outcomes than those who try to go it alone. It's not just about having people around you—it's about shared experience. When you walk into a room and hear someone tell your story, there's a profound shift. The shame starts to evaporate because you realize: "I'm not the only one. I'm not crazy, bad, or sick. I'm not alone."

Group settings provide a buffer against stress. When we're with safe people, our nervous system can actually co-regulate. We feel safer physically and emotionally. The community provides accountability—someone to notice if you're struggling. It provides encouragement—someone to cheer when you win. And perhaps most importantly, we borrow their hope until we can rebuild our own. We lean on their energy when ours runs out.

But finding community can feel overwhelming, especially if you have social anxiety or fear of judgment. That's why Duane and Eric break it down into two simple, manageable steps you can take this week.

Step one: Identify just one potential connection point. This could be looking up an online meeting and putting it in your calendar. It could be texting one friend and saying, "Hey, can we grab coffee?" Or maybe it's looking for a sober hiking group or book club. Just find one place where healthy people are gathering that interests you.

Step two: Practice active listening in one conversation. Connection is a two-way street, but sometimes we're so anxious about what we're going to say that we forget to listen. This week, in just one conversation, put down your phone, look someone in the eye, and listen to understand—not to reply. Reflect back what you heard: "It sounds like you had a really tough day." This simple act builds instant intimacy and trust.

Remember, by participating in community, you aren't just getting help—you're giving it. Your presence helps someone else feel less alone, and that can be a powerful engine for your own self-worth and shame resilience.

You don't have to do this alone. Reach out, connect, and let the healing begin.

Key Topics

• The isolation trap of addiction: How addiction thrives in secrecy and loneliness, making connection the true antidote to recovery

• Shame as a barrier to connection: Understanding why shame tells us we're not worthy and keeps us from reaching out for help

• The opposite of addiction is connection: Johan Hari's powerful research showing community as the single most powerful predictor of recovery success

• Co-regulation in community: How being with safe people allows our nervous systems to calm down and feel safer physically and emotionally

• Two actionable steps for building connection: Identifying one connection point and practicing active listening this week

• From lone wolf to pack member: Moving from vulnerable isolation to being part of a supportive network that protects and sustains you

• The gift of giving back: How your presence in community helps others feel less alone and builds your own sense of purpose

Timestamps

[00:01:30] - The stark reality: The hardest part of addiction isn't the substances—it's the crushing loneliness

[00:03:00] - The vicious cycle: How shame and isolation feed each other and make relapse almost inevitable

[00:05:00] - Johan Hari's breakthrough insight: "The opposite of addiction is not sobriety—the opposite is connection"

[00:06:30] - The profound shift: What happens when you hear someone tell your story in a room full of people

[00:07:00] - Co-regulation explained: How safe people help calm our nervous system when we can't do it alone

[00:08:00] - Actionable Step #1: Identifying one potential connection point you can take this week

[00:10:00] - Actionable Step #2: Practicing active listening to build instant intimacy and trust

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In this deeply moving episode of The Addicted Mind, host Duane Osterlind sits down with Burton Fischler, author of The Gift: Trauma to Triumph. Burton shares a harrowing personal journey marked by unimaginable loss—the murder of his wife, Barbara, at the hands of her son who struggled with severe mental illness and addiction.

Burton discusses how he navigated the dark abyss of PTSD and grief, eventually finding a path toward healing through writing, nature, and service. Now a substance addiction counselor, Burton explains the intersection of trauma and addiction and offers a message of profound hope for anyone feeling lost in the darkness.

Key Highlights

• A Tragic Turning Point: Burton recounts the heartbreaking events leading up to his wife’s death and the systemic failures that preceded the tragedy.
• The Weight of Trauma: Moving beyond "talk therapy" to understand how trauma lives in the body and the reality of living with PTSD.
• The Power of Writing: How documenting his journey for eight hours a day became a lifeline and a tool for self-discovery.
• Gratitude vs. Joy: The shift from waiting for joy to practicing gratitude as a foundational step toward recovery.
• Neuroplasticity and Choice: Understanding that while we cannot "think" our way into right action, we can act our way into right thinking by rewiring the brain through healthy habits.
• The Wisdom of Trauma: Why Burton chose to become a substance abuse counselor and how his own pain allows him to connect deeply with his clients.

During the conversation, Burton emphasizes the importance of replacing negative feedback loops with positive ones. This process leverages the brain's natural ability to change.

• Breaking Isolation: Moving from secrecy and shame to human connection.
• Nature and Awe: Finding symbols of resilience in the natural world (like a flower growing through concrete).
• Holistic Practice: Incorporating meditation, nutrition, and movement to support the "rewiring" of the mind.

Notable Quotes

"It is not joyfulness that makes us grateful. It's gratitude that makes us joyful." — Burton Fischler (referencing Brother David Steindl-Rast)

"If children after they fell did not get up and try again, we would have a world of people on their knees." — Burton Fischler

"There are two ways to look at life: one is that nothing is a miracle, and the other is that everything is." — Burton Fischler (referencing Albert Einstein)

Resources Mentioned

• Book: The Gift: Trauma to Triumph by Burton Fischler
• Poetry: T.S. Eliot
• References: Viktor Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning), Gabor Maté, and Bill Wilson (AA).

Connect with Burton Fischler

• Website: traumatotriumph.club
• Coaching: coachburton.com
• Social Media: Follow @BurtonFischler on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

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Duane Osterlind sits down with Doug Leech, founder of Ascension Recovery Services, to discuss the monumental challenge of expanding high-quality addiction treatment to "treatment deserts"—specifically rural areas and tribal lands. Doug shares his vulnerable personal journey from a high-achieving accountant struggling with opioid addiction and homelessness to becoming a visionary leader in behavioral health.

The conversation dives deep into the collaboration with the Pawnee Nation to build a sustainable, native-owned recovery center. Doug explains how he combined his expertise in accounting and neuroplasticity with ancient spiritual traditions and cultural healing to overcome the unique financial, political, and logistical hurdles of building on sovereign land.

Key Discussion Points

• Doug’s Personal Story: From working at a top accounting firm to living in a car due to opioid addiction, Doug discusses the powerful role of shame and the life-changing experience of finding recovery in Minnesota when his home state of West Virginia had no options.
• The Problem of Treatment Deserts: Why many communities (veterans, Medicaid recipients, and Native American tribes) are often left without any local access to life-saving care.
• The Pawnee Nation Project: The complexities of building on sovereign land, including financing without the ability to repossess property and navigating tribal government cycles.
• Workforce Development: The "10-year plan" to train tribal members—from peer recovery coaches to Master’s-level clinicians—to ensure the program is self-sustaining and native-operated.
• The Business of Recovery: How Doug uses his accounting background (and lessons from Sarbanes-Oxley) to build clinical programs that are not only effective but financially viable.
• The Power of Service: Why giving back through the 12th step is essential to maintaining long-term recovery.

Quotes from the Episode

"Addiction is the best-kept secret that everybody knows." — Doug Leech

"I'll die with this disease, not from it." — Doug Leech

Resources Mentioned

• Ascension Recovery Services: ascensionrs.com
• White Bison: A resource for Wellbriety and culturally based healing for indigenous peoples.
• The Addicted Mind Podcast: theaddictedmind.com

Doug Leech is in recovery and the founder of Ascension Recovery Services. Motivated by his own struggle to find care, he has dedicated his career to developing full-continuum recovery models for underserved populations, helping open dozens of centers across the United States.

Connect with Doug:

• LinkedIn: Doug Leech
• Website: ascensionrs.com

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

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Worksheet: Drawing Your Lines Boundaries

Imagine living in a house with no walls, no doors, and no fences. Anyone could walk in at any time—tracking mud on your carpet, eating your food, or sleeping on your couch without asking. You'd feel exposed, anxious, and exhausted. For many people in recovery, this is exactly how they treat their emotional lives. They leave doors wide open, letting people walk all over their time, energy, and peace of mind because they don't know how to build fences.

Download The Worksheet

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind tackle one of the most critical skills for protecting your recovery: setting healthy boundaries. If you've ever felt that knot in your stomach when someone asks for something you don't want to give—your time, your money, your emotional energy—and heard yourself saying "yes" anyway, this episode is for you.

The painful truth is that when we don't set boundaries, we accumulate resentment. And as the saying goes in recovery rooms everywhere, "resentment is the number one offender." It leads directly to stress, emotional chaos, and eventually relapse. If you can't protect your space, you can't protect your sobriety.

But why is saying "no" so terrifying, especially in early recovery? Duane and Eric explore the deep fears behind our inability to set limits—the fear of rejection, abandonment, and disappointing others. For many of us, especially those with childhood trauma, we learned early on that we had to perform for our caretakers to receive love. Setting boundaries felt dangerous then, and it still feels dangerous now.

Using insights from the evidence-based Seeking Safety Model, developed specifically for people dealing with both trauma and addiction, the hosts break down what healthy boundaries actually look like. They're not rigid walls that shut everyone out—they're more like gates or fences. You get to decide who comes in and who stays out. You get to teach people how to treat you.

The episode covers three essential types of boundaries: physical boundaries (your personal space and body), emotional boundaries (protecting your feelings and not taking responsibility for others' emotions), and time/energy boundaries (protecting your schedule and preventing burnout). As Brené Brown famously said, "Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others."

But knowing you need boundaries and actually setting them are two different things. Duane and Eric provide a simple but powerful formula for expressing your needs without starting a fight. Using "I statements," you can communicate clearly: "I feel [emotion] when you [specific behavior], and I need [specific request or limit]." Instead of attacking someone by saying, "You're so annoying, stop talking about my past," you might say, "I feel uncomfortable and triggered when you bring up my past substance use in casual conversation. I need us to agree that we won't talk about this unless I bring it up first."

The key mindset shift? You're not controlling the other person—you're protecting yourself. A boundary isn't about forcing someone to stop their behavior; it's about what you will do if they cross your line. If a friend pushes you to have "just one drink," your boundary might mean saying, "I think it's time for me to leave."

This episode comes with a free downloadable worksheet that breaks down the "I statement" formula and gives you space to script out your boundaries before you have to say them out loud. Because as Duane reminds us, when we don't make our boundaries clear ahead of time, our feelings get in the way—guilt, fear, and shame can make our boundaries collapse.

Remember: good fences make good neighbors, and great boundaries make for solid recovery.

• The danger of no boundaries: How leaving your emotional life wide open leads to resentment, stress, and relapse
• Why saying "no" feels terrifying: Understanding our deep fears of rejection, abandonment, and disappointing others
• Three types of essential boundaries: Physical, emotional, and time/energy boundaries that protect your recovery
• The "I statement" formula: A simple but powerful tool for expressing boundaries without attacking others
• Boundaries vs. walls: Learning the difference between healthy gates that let the right people in and rigid barriers that isolate you
• Protecting yourself, not controlling others: Understanding that boundaries are about what YOU will do, not forcing others to change
• Self-respect as a recovery skill: Why setting boundaries is actually an act of self-love, not selfishness

Timestamp

[00:00:40] - The house with no walls: Why living without boundaries leaves you exposed and exhausted

[00:03:00] - That knot in your stomach: Recognizing when you're saying "yes" but feeling resentful

[00:04:30] - Why boundaries protect sobriety: How resentment becomes the number one offender leading to relapse

[00:06:00] - The three types of boundaries: Physical, emotional, and time/energy protection explained

[00:09:00] - The practical formula: Learning the "I feel/when you/I need" boundary-setting statement

[00:12:30] - The crucial mindset shift: Understanding you're protecting yourself, not controlling others

[00:14:00] - Your two-step action plan: Identifying where you need boundaries and scripting your "I statements"

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In this episode, Duane Osterlind sits down with Swami Revati, a Hindu monk with over 15 years of monastic experience. Together, they explore the intersection of Eastern spirituality, modern psychology, and the human search for lasting fulfillment. Swami Revati shares his journey from a multicultural upbringing to finding his spiritual mentor, offering a refreshing perspective on how Hinduism serves as a "science of the self." The conversation delves into the importance of proactive living, the role of divine grace, and how to cultivate an internal source of happiness that remains stable regardless of external circumstances.

Swami Revati clarifies that Hinduism is not just a cultural identity or a polytheistic religion of competing gods. Instead, it is a diverse representation of one divine source. It functions as a marriage between philosophy and theology, focusing on two main steps:

• Self-Knowledge: Understanding who you are in full depth.
• Divine Connection: Understanding your source and building a relationship with it.

The Power of Proactive Living

Most people live by "reciprocal love"—waiting for others to be kind or respectful before responding in kind. Swami Revati argues for proactive living:

• Decide who you want to be based on characteristics (humility, respect, love) rather than roles (job title, family status).
• Maintain those characteristics even when the environment doesn't reward them.
• Stability comes from mastering your inner world irrespective of external chaos.

The Mind as Friend or Foe

• The Goal: To make the mind your "best of friends" through discipline.
• The Method: Sadhana (spiritual practice). This involves "negation"—the practice of saying no to impulses in small ways to build the "muscle" for larger life challenges.

Redefining Happiness vs. Pleasure

• Sensory Pleasure: Temporary, circumstantial, and often tied to addictive cycles (e.g., food, social media).
• True Happiness: An internal, stable state discovered by tapping into the "spark of divinity" within the soul.
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5. The Anatomy of "Evil"

Swami Revati breaks down negative behaviors not as an entity, but as a byproduct of three factors:

1. Anger: Uncontrolled emotional lashing.
2. Desire: Selfish, short-term pleasure-seeking.
3. Ego: Selfishness and lack of service to something greater.

Memorable Quotes

"For one who has the mind under control, it is the best of friends; for one who doesn't, it is the worst of enemies." — Swami Revati (referencing the Bhagavad Gita)

"If happiness is reduced to just eating some fries and drinking a milkshake... that is momentary sensory pleasure. It has a lot to do with addictive cycles."

"Nobody can help someone that doesn't want to help themselves... you must have the belief that it can change."

Resources

• Thinking Bhakti Podcast: Hosted by Swami Revati.
• YouTube Channel
• The Bhagavad Gita: A foundational text

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This episode of the Addicted Minds podcast features a critical discussion on the escalating crisis of teen addiction and mental health, highlighting the vital work of the Free Mind Campaign. Host Duane Osterlind speaks with Jasmine Kenney from the CDC's Division of Overdose Prevention and Dr. Meena Mirhom from Athletes for Hope, who detail the necessity of addressing substance misuse among young people aged 12 to 17. The guests explain that mental health struggles—fueled by social pressures, bullying, and social media—often lead teens to self-medicate with increasingly potent and accessible substances, including highly concentrated cannabis, illegal vapes, and fentanyl-laced drugs. The conversation stresses the need for non-judgmental support from trusted adults and peers to break the cycle of shame and isolation.

The guests showcase the innovative approaches used by the Free Mind Campaign and Athletes for Hope to reach youth. Jasmine Kenney outlines the CDC's mobile-friendly resources for parents, like conversation cards and an interactive graphic novel for teens, designed to facilitate dialogue and education. Dr. Mirhom explains how partnering with celebrity athletes provides powerful role models who use their platforms to talk openly about mental health and healthy coping strategies, demonstrating to young people that "it's okay to not be okay" and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes that hope and effective mental health treatment are available to help youth navigate these challenges and build a supportive ecosystem across their communities.

Key Discussion Points

• The Problem: Addiction and overdose deaths are at an epidemic level among young people.
• Real-World Impact: Dr. Mirhom shares firsthand accounts of seeing individuals struggling with substance use in communities near where they were holding discussions with middle schoolers, highlighting that this is not an abstract issue for teens.
• Accessibility: Substances, some similar in compound to heroin, are readily accessible—sometimes even at local delis—to young people, with some as young as 11 being asked to carry drugs.

🧠 The Free Mind Campaign (CDC)

• Objective: The campaign addresses substance use and mental health issues among teens aged 12 to 17.
• Strategy: Provide non-judgmental resources to facilitate conversations:
• Teens talking to parents/caregivers.
• Parents/caregivers talking to teens.
• Teens talking to friends/peers.
• Core Issue: Research found that mental health is a major underlying issue, with teens often turning to drugs to cope with pressures from social media, bullying, and mental health struggles.
• Resources for Parents/Caregivers:
• Conversation starters for parents.
• A mobile-friendly card game to guide discussions (starting with mental health, moving to substance use, and ending with open-ended questions).
• Fact sheets to ensure parents are knowledgeable.

🤝 Partnering with Athletes for Hope

• The Power of Role Models: Dr. Mirhom emphasizes the profound impact of having star athletes and Olympians share their stories. Hearing from an admired figure about the importance of "keeping my mind free" resonates more strongly with teens than simply being told drugs are bad.
• Modeling Coping Skills: Athletes demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms, encouraging youth to adopt those strategies rather than self-medication.
• Support Ecosystem: The campaign aims to create a supportive environment involving peers, parents, and coaches. Athletes for Hope is developing resources for coaches on how to talk about these issues, recognizing that coaches are often the first trusted adult a young person turns to.

🧪 Substance Use Trends and Concerns

• Highly Potent Substances: Fentanyl, even in micro-amounts, can be deadly and is often laced in other substances.
• Cannabis Use: Cannabis Use Disorder is increasingly the number one misused substance over alcohol among young people.
• Concerns include the high potency and risks of psychosis, increased anxiety, and depression.
• Studies suggest chronic use may lower IQ in developing brains.
• Vaping and New Trends: The market is flooded with illegal vapes specifically marketed toward teens (looking like video games, flavored like bubble gum). There's also a rise of addictive substances that appear to be harmless, referred to as "gas station heroin."

💡 The Messaging and Hope

• Non-Judgmental Approach: The conversation starts by acknowledging the pain that leads to substance use ("there's a wound that's being addressed") and validating the teen's experience, making the adult an ally.
• Treatment Works: Dr. Mirhom stressed the importance of knowing that mental health treatment is very effective and that hope is concrete and available.
• Key Takeaway for Teens/Parents:
• Jasmine Kenney: "It's okay to not be okay. Reach out. There's support out there."
• Dr. Meena Mirhom: "Treatment can help you get there... hope is here for you. This is not a burden you've got to carry by yourself."

🔗 Resources

CDC Free Mind Campaign Resources:cdc.gov/freemind

• Free Mind Campaign: cdc.gov/freemind (Resources include the card game, graphic novel, fact sheets for parents and teens).

Athletes for Hope: https://www.athletesforhope.org/ (Information on athlete well-being, mental health resources, and ways to get involved in sports and philanthropy).

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Download: MICRO WINS WORKSHEET

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's putting on your shoes for a walk or writing a single sentence in your journal, these micro wins can significantly boost your emotional well-being and keep you moving forward. Tune in to learn practical tips and hear inspiring insights on how to make the most of your daily successes.

Key Topics

• The significance of micro wins in recovery
• How small victories boost motivation and resilience
• Practical examples of celebrating micro wins
• The impact of savoring positive experiences
• Strategies for incorporating micro wins into daily life

Key Moments

1. [00:01:05] - Introduction to micro wins and their importance
2. [00:02:24] - Discussion on the nihilistic mindset and its impact on recovery
3. [00:03:00] - The role of small victories in building momentum
4. [00:04:00] - Research findings on savoring and its benefits
5. [00:06:55] - Practical examples of micro wins in fitness and personal development
6. [00:09:23] - Strategies for recognizing and celebrating micro wins
7. [00:14:00] - Encouragement to start celebrating micro wins and available resources

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In this episode, host Duane Osterlind speaks with Jaime W. Vinck MC, LPC, President of Meadows Behavioral Health and a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience in the treatment industry. They discuss her book, The Rehab Playbook, which aims to demystify the rehabilitation process and encourage more people to seek help for addiction and mental health challenges.

📖 Why the Book Was Written

Jaime was inspired to write The Rehab Playbook during COVID-19, driven by the dedication of treatment staff and the desire to diminish suffering. The book’s core mission is to pull back the curtain on rehab, showing the process from the inside out to help people overcome the fear and stigma associated with seeking treatment.

• The Gap in Care: Statistically, only one out of ten people who need treatment get it, and it takes the average person 10 years to pick up the "thousand-pound phone" and seek help.
• Addressing Fear: The book explains the logistics of rehab—from what to bring, the luggage search process, and the healthy use of electronics—to address common reasons people drop out in the first few days due to unexpected rules or procedures.
• The Why: All rules and processes are explained as being for the patient's own safety and to ensure their treatment success.

The Fear and Stigma of Seeking Help

• Stigma and Labeling: Despite COVID-19 somewhat reducing the stigma, people are still afraid of being labeled, losing their jobs, or being judged by friends and family.
• Media Misrepresentation: Media portrayals of rehab (like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or 28 Days) often create an inaccurate and fear-inducing image of the environment.
• The "No Judgment Zone": In quality treatment centers, the culture is one of carefrontation, not confrontation, where shame and guilt are replaced by trust and normalization. Most staff members have personal experience with addiction or recovery, fostering a deeply empathetic environment.
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The Cornerstone of Healing

• Structured Schedule: Days are packed with movement (gym, pickleball, pool), group work, and lectures, starting with early-morning gratitude.
• Primary Process Group: This is considered the cornerstone of deep addiction treatment. It involves a small group of 6-8 people with a primary therapist where patients share their life story/timeline.
• Corrective Experience: Group work helps repair early childhood trauma where vulnerability may have been dangerous. Hearing others share their stories reveals more similarities than differences, breaking down isolation and teaching healthy empathy.
• Experiential Therapies: Modalities like equine psychotherapy (working with horses), ropes courses, and art therapy help patients get their bodies moving and discover they can experience joy and connection while sober.
• Trauma Work: Treatment includes one-on-one trauma assessments and evidence-based modalities, along with resources like a Brain Center for neurofeedback and neuromodulation.

Major Barriers to Treatment:

1. Lack of Awareness of Resources: Many people incorrectly believe rehab is only for the wealthy and are unaware their insurance (like Blue Cross Blue Shield) or employee assistance programs (EAPs) can cover treatment based on medical necessity.
2. Time Off Work: Individuals often don't realize they can take time off through the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or short-term disability.

Jaime's final advice for anyone considering seeking help:

"You deserve to live a life that's happy, joyous, and free. People get better every day, so don't give up the hope."

🔗 Resources

• Book: The Rehab Playbook
• Website: www.therehabplaybook.com

www.therehabplaybook.com

www.naatp.com

www.meadowsbh.com

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

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