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 practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism, such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and seeking professional support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has felt the weight of unattainable standards and seeks a path to greater peace and acceptance in their recovery.

Download: OVERCOMING PERFECTIONISM WORKSHEET

Join Our Deep Dive, where we discuss this episode in depth.

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Key Topics:

• Types of perfectionism: self-oriented, other-oriented, socially prescribed
• Psychological impacts of perfectionism in recovery
• Practical steps to combat perfectionistic tendencies
• Connection between perfectionism and substance use disorders
• Importance of mindfulness and self-compassion in recovery

Key Moments:

1. 00:01:14 - Introduction to the topic of overcoming perfectionism in recovery
2. 00:04:24 - Historical and psychological perspectives on perfectionism
3. 00:09:00 - Link between perfectionism and substance use disorders
4. 00:11:25 - Practical steps for fighting perfectionism
5. 00:16:22 - Invitation to join the deep dive and community for support

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Supporting Resources:

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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Join us for a fascinating exploration of the brain's potential with Dr. Trish Leigh, a cognitive neuroscientist and esteemed neurofeedback practitioner. Dr. Leigh shares her valuable insights on how neurofeedback can be harnessed to combat behavioral addictions such as internet addiction, social media addiction, and even porn addiction. She explains the science of brain mapping and how identifying electrical energy patterns can reveal the underlying issues of a "strained brain" due to the flood of dopamine. Her expertise paints a vivid picture of the transformative power of neurofeedback to restore emotional regulation and improve personal relationships.

We take an intriguing look at how neurofeedback functions as a mental workout, akin to exercising muscles, that boosts neuroplasticity and helps break free from rigid brain patterns often associated with addiction and erectile dysfunction. By engaging the brain in real-time activities, this approach can ease withdrawal symptoms and significantly reduce the craving for dopamine. The motivation derived from witnessing one's own brain improvement is highlighted as a powerful catalyst for change. Dr. Leigh emphasizes how this method can empower individuals to regain control and foster a healthier relationship with their own minds.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Exploration of neurofeedback's role in treating behavioral addictions like porn, internet, and social media addiction.
• Insights into brain mapping and identifying electrical energy patterns to address a "strained brain" due to excessive dopamine exposure.
• Neurofeedback as a mental workout, enhancing neuroplasticity and reducing dopamine cravings.
• Supernormal stimuli and the "narcissistic bubble" impacting the brain's reward system and emotional health.
• Importance of detoxing from high-dopamine activities to reset pleasure pathways and improve mental wellness.
• Neurofeedback as a tool for fostering real-life joy and balancing dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.

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Supporting Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/c/DrTrishLeighBrainRewire

https://drtrishleigh.com/

NovusMindfulLife.com

Episode Credits

If 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.

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Ever feel like something's missing in your recovery journey, even after achieving sobriety? You're not alone. In this powerful episode, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into why finding purpose is crucial for long-term recovery success. Drawing from Viktor Frankl's groundbreaking work and real-world recovery experiences, they explore how purpose acts as a compass for sustained sobriety. The hosts break down practical steps for discovering your unique purpose, addressing common obstacles, and understanding why purpose isn't just a one-time discovery but an evolving journey. Whether you're new to recovery or have been sober for years, this episode offers actionable insights for building a life filled with meaning beyond just staying sober.

Download The Worksheet: FINDING PURPOSE WORKSHEET

Key Topics:

• Understanding the difference between goals and purpose in recovery

• The role of value exploration in discovering purpose

• How to identify patterns in your life that point to purpose

• Why purpose evolves and changes throughout recovery

• The importance of taking action before feeling motivated

• How community support aids in finding purpose

• Practical steps for building purpose in early recovery

Timestamps:

[00:01:10] Introduction to purpose in recovery

[00:06:00] Viktor Frankl's influence on recovery and purpose

[00:08:13] Why purpose isn't always a lightning bolt moment

[00:10:00] Value exploration as the first step

[00:11:52] Starting small while dreaming big

[00:13:34] Overcoming paralysis in finding purpose

[00:15:47] Resources and community support for finding purpose

Click 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 dive

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Dr. Judson Brewer, a pioneering neuroscientist and addiction specialist, takes us on an exploration of the human brain and its role in addiction and recovery. Dr. Brewer shares his personal journey from medical school to co-founding MindShift Recovery, where evidence-based programs challenge traditional treatments. Drawing from Buddhist psychology, he offers a fresh perspective on addictive behaviors, emphasizing the transformative power of understanding the brain's mechanisms to foster lasting change. 

Curiosity emerges as a powerful force in changing habitual behaviors, offering an alternative to sheer willpower. Discover how paying attention to the real-time outcomes of habits like smoking or overeating can shift brain chemistry and leverage the orbitofrontal cortex to reassess reward values. Through mindful attention, individuals can become disenchanted with detrimental behaviors by viscerally experiencing past consequences and predicting future outcomes. This understanding helps reduce the likelihood of repeating undesirable actions, guiding individuals toward more informed and positive choices.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Exploration of addiction and recovery through brain science with Dr. Judson Brewer.
• Dr. Brewer's journey and the founding of MindShift Recovery.
• Introduction to the concept of curiosity as a tool for changing addictive behaviors.
• Analysis of the brain's orbitofrontal cortex in reassessing the reward value of habits.
• Use of digital therapeutics and peer support in addiction recovery.
• Disenchantment and resilience in behavior change.
• Proactive strategies for reinforcing positive choices and well-being.

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.com

https://www.mindshiftrecovery.org/

https://www.mindshiftrecovery.org/about-mindshift-recovery

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindshiftrecovery/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindshift-recovery

Episode Credits

If 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.

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Have you ever felt like your emotions or memories suddenly hijack your hard-earned progress in recovery? You're not alone! In this episode of The Addicted Mind, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind delve deep into the world of triggers, those sneaky culprits that can either strengthen or challenge our recovery journey.

Discover the four main categories of triggers: environmental, emotional, physical, and cognitive, and learn how to identify and navigate them effectively. Duane and Eric share the groundbreaking AWARE method, a powerful tool to help you accept, watch, act, repeat, and expect when facing triggers.

Plus, find out how to create your own trigger map and build a personalized response toolkit to transform your relationship with triggers from one of fear and reactivity to one of awareness and growth.

Tune in and gain the knowledge and skills to master your triggers and pave the way for lasting transformation!

Download The Worksheet: UNDERSTANDING YOUR TRIGGERS: A COMPREHENSIVE WORKSHEET

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the four categories of triggers: environmental, emotional, physical, and cognitive.
• The AWARE method: a powerful tool to manage triggers effectively.
• Creating a trigger map to identify personal triggers and patterns.
• Building a response toolkit with personalized strategies for each type of trigger.
• Transforming your relationship with triggers from fear to awareness and growth.

Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Introduction
• [00:02:55] What are triggers?
• [00:04:49] The trigger gap
• [00:07:19] Four categories of triggers
• [00:11:38] The AWARE method
• [00:14:13] Creating a trigger map

Episode Credits

If 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 Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

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Join us as we welcome Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher from Stanford University, an esteemed expert in adolescent health, who brings her wealth of knowledge to our conversation on the Addicted Mind Podcast. We focus on the heightened sensitivity of the adolescent brain to addiction, particularly when it comes to substances like nicotine and THC found in e-cigarettes and vaping. Dr. Halpern-Felsher shares her groundbreaking research and advocacy efforts, stressing the necessity of addressing these issues during this critical phase of brain development. Her insights empower teens to make informed decisions about their health and future.

Our discussion takes a close look at the complex web of factors influencing youth addiction, including the impact of stress, societal pressures, and the pervasive reach of social media. We delve into how these elements drive adolescents toward substance use as a coping mechanism, often facilitated by the enticing marketing of e-cigarettes. Despite being aware of the risks, many young people are drawn to these substances for the perceived relief they offer. We highlight the urgent need for proactive education and parental support to help teens navigate these challenges and understand the long-term implications of their choices.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher discusses adolescent brain development and its vulnerability to addiction.
• The influence of nicotine and THC on young minds through e-cigarettes and vaping.
• The role of stress, societal pressures, and social media in driving youth addiction.
• The deceptive marketing tactics of e-cigarette companies targeting young people.
• Challenges and strategies for quitting nicotine, including the importance of supportive environments.
• The concerning link between high THC usage, social media, and mental health issues like psychosis.

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.com

Episode Credits

If 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.

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Ever lie awake at night, desperately trying to force yourself to sleep, only to find yourself more awake than ever? This common experience reveals a fascinating paradox about control in our lives. In this transformative episode, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore why our attempts to control certain aspects of life often backfire, leading to increased anxiety and stress. Through compelling research and practical insights, they reveal how understanding the difference between what we can and cannot control becomes a gateway to peace and personal power.

Learn why accepting what we cannot control paradoxically leads to better outcomes and discover practical strategies for channeling your energy where it truly matters. This episode offers a refreshing perspective on personal control that can revolutionize your approach to relationships, recovery, and daily challenges.

Download: The Sphere of Control Worksheet

Click 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 dive

Key Topics:

• The paradox of control and its impact on mental well-being

• Understanding the three spheres of control: direct control, influence, and no control

• The science behind acceptance-based approaches to personal growth

• Practical strategies for redirecting energy toward what you can control

• The relationship between radical acceptance and emotional freedom

• How to develop wisdom in letting go without resignation

Key Timestamps:

[00:01:10] Introduction to the struggle with control

[00:04:11] Research study on sleep and thought suppression

[00:08:00] Explanation of the three spheres of control

[00:10:53] Identifying where you're spending energy unnecessarily

[00:12:21] Understanding radical acceptance

[00:13:44] Navigating the challenges of letting go

[00:14:18] Community resources and next steps

Episode Credits

If 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 Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

Disclaimer

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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.com

https://kratomquitters.com/

Episode Credits

If 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.

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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 Worksheet

Click 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

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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 Credits

If 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 Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

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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 Cycle

When 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 Trauma

For 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 Process

The 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.com

Episode Credits

If 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/adchoices