Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode of The Beyond Addiction Show 

Today, Dr. King is not just your host but also your guest, since he is answering listeners’ questions. Listeners are the reason for this podcast and their questions are a priority.

In this episode, Dr. King answers several questions about substance use disorders, how to seek the best treatment, dual diagnosis, Post Acute Withdrawl Symptoms (PAWS), self-care, and Suboxone (how it works and who can use it).

Key Takeaways:

[1:06] Question No. 1: How many people qualify for having a substance use disorder and stop using without any treatment?

[4:24] Dr. Josh explains the main reasons why most people having a substance use disorder don’t get any treatment.

[11:28] Question No. 2: I am four months sober but feel depressed, others are getting better, I have been in therapy and I am on medication, is this a dual diagnosis?

[17:22] Dr. King talks about Post Acute Withdrawl Symptoms (PAWS).

[21:54] Question No. 3: Where should I start with self-care?

[26:12] Dr. King shares practical ways to start practicing self-compassion.

[30:14] Question No. 4: How to help the addicted? I have been watching my daughter struggle for 15 years and we tried everything, local help is untrained, and a lot of rehabs are financially motivated, where do you really get help?

[37:12] Question No. 5: Is detox the only way to get on suboxone?

[44:33] Dr. King lists ways to help a family member who is impacted by someone’s substance use.

[47:02] Dr. King talks about the Invitation to Change approach.

[47:23] What are the least healthy ways to help someone battling substance use?

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment—and How to Get Help That Works, by Anne M. Fletcher

CMC Foundation for Change

Tweetables and Quotes:

“Between 21 to 22 million people in the United States qualify as needing a substance use treatment and only 1.4% receive treatment.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [3:29]

“Two out of five people who perceive they have a substance use disorder, do not get treatment because they feel ambivalent and are not sure if they want to stop; one out of three could not afford treatment.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [5:38]

“One out of three people who need treatment for substance use won’t get it because of the social stigma associated with substance use disorder and treatment.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [8:22]

“There is a significant correlation between having mental health diagnosis and a substance use related disorder.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [14:50] 

“If you are trying to take care of somebody else, you have to take care of yourself first.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [22:39]

“When we reduce isolation, we can get support.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [28:27]

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode of The Beyond Addiction Show 

Today, Dr. King is talking about the very peculiar matter of how different people handle difficult situations in their lives, some would want to never experience the hardships they went through, and others might have come through traumatic situations with great scars, and yet, they consider each moment a lesson from which they learned.

Dr. King is accompanied in this episode by Catherine Taughinbaugh, who had a daughter who struggled with substance use, and after coming to the other end, she decided she needed to help other parents. Cathy is now a blogger and Certified Parent Coach who has coached parents all over the U.S. on how to help their children. She is also the author of The Compassion Antidote: A Path to Change for You and Your Child Struggling with Substance Use.

Key Takeaways:

[4:09] What is it like to be a Parent Coach?

[7:01] Cathy shares her experience with the coaching parents of children struggling with substance use commonly receive until she met the CRAFT approach.

[8:42] What does Cathy do as a Parent Coach?

[9:42] What can parents expect to do in a session with Cathy?

[14:11] Cathy shares her training on top of her lived experience as a mother helping her child who struggled with substance use.

[18:10] Cathy speaks about the most effective approach from her perspective.

[20:18] Why did Cathy write her book The Compassion Antidote?

[25:34] What does compassion have to do with helping someone facing substance use?

[29:55] Dr. King explains how parents trying to gain more control over their children simply does not work.

[31:34] Cathy says in her book that parents can retrain themselves to think about substance abuse not so much as a moral failing but rather as a chronic disease.

[34:35] How does Cathy help families shift to a more compassionate approach?

[39:01] Cathy suggests to parents how they can start helping their children by changing the conversation.

[43:30] How can parents start to change the conversation with their children?

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

Learn more about CathyTaughinbaugh

Tweetables and Quotes:

“CRAFT allows parents to help their children in the way they would normally support them, parents want to help their kids.”— Catherine Taughinbaugh @_TheCMC (7:43)

“Trying to gain more control over your children won’t work in helping them with their substance use problem.”— @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing (29:58)

“Parents are just scared and want to get their kids on a better path but they have their own lives and you can’t control everything that is going on.” — Catherine Taughinbaugh @_TheCMC (30:31)

“Think about your child when he or she was younger, that beautiful kid is still there.” — Catherine Taughinbaugh @_TheCMC (33:09)

“Change the conversation, try to stay away from the negativity, and focus on the ways your child is doing well.” — Catherine Taughinbaugh @_TheCMC (39:50)

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode of The Beyond Addiction Show.

Today, Dr. King is accompanied by Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, one of the pioneers of Harm Reduction Therapy and the Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy developer.

In this discussion, Dr. King plays the role of “skeptic” to really push Dr. Tatarsky on why Harm Reduction is the way to go over abstinence-only approaches, Dr. Tatarsky also provides some tips and skills on how you can try harm reduction now.

Key Takeaways:

[2:50] Dr. Tatarsky shares why this is the moment for Harm Reduction Therapy.

[5:43] Does Harm Reduction encourage people to keep using substances?

[6:52] Dr. Tatarsky explains the meaning of compassionate pragmatism.

[9:15] Harm Reduction offers support to anyone who is ready to start a positive change journey.

[10:33] Dr. Tatarsky shares the definition of addiction to explain why Harm Reduction is effective even though it doesn’t stop the use.

[12:52] What happens when we increase suffering for those struggling with substance abuse?

[14:03] Dr. Tatarsky talks about the supervised injection sites as safe spaces that saved millions of lives around the world.

[16:14] Some people believe that what works in Europe does not necessarily have to work in the U.S. Dr. Tatarsky dives deep into his work around the world.

[21:01] Dr. Tatarsky shares some eye-opening statistics.

[22:08] What happens when someone goes to a supervised injection site?

[24:01] Dr. Tatarsky compares the harm reduction approach to the traditional.

[25:33] Submit or rebel? Dr. Tatarsky talks about the consequences of assuming one or the other as a response to traditional treatments for substance abuse.

[27:10] Harm Reduction opens a safe place, where people can feel respected and heard.

[30:35] Dr. Tatarsky once said “I don’t want to see anyone addicted to substances but that doesn’t mean that if that is where someone is I can’t accept it.”

[32:04] Dr. Tatarsky shares an analogy that greatly exemplifies why serving each unique individual is a much better approach than expecting everyone to follow the same path in regard to substance abuse.

[34:49] Why is it valuable to meet people where they are?

[39:56] Offering alternative strategies is part of the Harm Reduction approach.

[40:55] Dr. Josh and Dr. Tatarsky talk about the statistics on the effectiveness of the traditional approach.

[44:44] There is no straight line to success.

[46:16] We cannot control the people we love, nor our clients or patients.

[47:10] Dr. Tatarsky explains what Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy is about.

[51:46] Assessment as treatment.

[54:11] “Better is better.”

[56:07] Treatment trauma is real, some people are ignored when seeking help.

[57:42] Dr. Tatarsky shares some specific skills and strategies to empower clients to achieve the changes they want to make in their lives: Urge Surfing, Unwrapping the Urge, Find 18 Alternative Choices, and Game Planning.

[1:11:24] Dr. Tatarsky shares why having a plan is crucial.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

Center for Optimal Living

6 Step Guide to Positive Change

Tweetables and Quotes:

“Harm Reduction emerges in response to the limitations of traditional treatment.” — Dr. Andrew Tatarsky @_TheCMC (3:21)

“The overwhelming majority of people that struggle with drugs and alcohol have not been helped by traditional treatments.” — Dr. Andrew Tatarsky @_TheCMC (3:32)

“We don't have to know the outcome to start supporting people on their healing journeys” — Dr. Andrew Tatarsky @_TheCMC (8:51)

“It is not effective to ask people to just give up their life-saving, coping mechanism before they have an alternative that works better.” — Dr. Andrew Tatarsky @_TheCMC (35:27)

 Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode and a new season of The Beyond Addiction Show.

Today, Dr. King is accompanied by Sharon Salzberg again after two years. At that time, she and Dr. King were both in shock while seeing what was happening in the world with the strike of the pandemic. In today’s episode, Sharon is sharing how her practice has changed as a result of COVID-19, how to practice everyday mindfulness and meditation in an uncertain environment, and if you listen up til the end, you will get the chance to participate in a full guided meditation with Sharon.

Key Takeaways:

[1:54] Sharon talks about the confusion she experienced at the beginning of the pandemic.

[4:36] How did the pandemic change Sharon?

[9:30] Some are longing for the moment of pause that the lockdown brought… what are the lessons we can learn from the lockdown period?

[15:03] Sharon and Dr. King talk about the time to pause people acquired during the pandemic.

[18:15] Gratefulness and appreciation were also brought by the pandemic.

[18:57] Sharon shares about the fragility and uncertainty people are experiencing today.

[20:40] Sharon talks about the benefits of practicing meditation and mindfulness in tough times.

[23:54] Sharon gives tips to use meditation to face the lack of control.

[26:53] Sharon shares her favorite definition of mindfulness.

[29:56] There is an interdependency between your resources and the conditions you are under.

[33:04] Sharon speaks about love and kindness.

[39:15] Everybody is grieving and we haven’t been taught how to grieve.

[41:27] Sharon introduces the principles of meditation.

[46:44] Sharon leads us into a guided meditation.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

Listen to Mindfulness in Times of Corona with Sharon Salzberg

Tweetables and Quotes:

(8:29) “It is more convenient to practice a skill when you still really don’t need it.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing

“Mindfulness snuck up into our lives in an interesting way through the pandemic.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing (15:02)

“There is such an epidemic of loneliness.” — Sharon Salzberg @_TheCMC (21:45)

“Another benefit of mindfulness is wisdom and understanding.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing (22:30)

“We tend to blame ourselves, unfairly, unjustly for not being able to control things.” — Sharon Salzberg @_TheCMC (24:13)

“Look at people instead of through them.” — Sharon Salzberg @_TheCMC (35:48)

“Everybody is grieving and we don’t know how to grieve.” — Sharon Salzberg @_TheCMC (39:17)

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode of The Beyond Addiction Show 

Today, Dr. King is accompanied by L.J. Lumpkin, a marriage and family therapist based in Southern California, who wrote Climbing Out of The Box: A Path of Healing From Systemic Racism and shares in an insightful conversation the meaning of systemic racism and how it shows up in everyday life for many people causing great rage and trauma.

The work that L.J. is doing in his community is really amazing; stick around until the end of today’s episode to see what he is doing in barbershops.

Key Takeaways:

[2:10] L.J. talks about the vulnerability implied in writing his book.

[4:12] L.J. shares how he found the motivation to write his book.

[7:33] L.J. explains how his role as a therapist combined with his own experience as a black man led him to have a deeper insight in regards to systemic racism.

[11:25] Everyone can relate in some way with L.J.’s story and theory about systemic racism, after all, we are all human first.

[13:01] L.J. talks about his experience working for treatment centers.

[15:05] What is systemic racism?

[19:26] L.J. shares several examples of systemic racism.

[25:22] L. J. recognizes the rage in him when he was younger and confronted with systemic racism.

[27:40] L.J. shares how he was impacted by going to a school where there were only 1% of black students (who also were athletes).

[33:16] Peace begins with me.

[36:51] We need to defy those categories imposed on us.

[39:47] L.J. speaks about intergenerational trauma.

[46:14] Systemic racism is subtle and complex, it isn't always obvious.

[47:19] First we need to acknowledge the trauma, and once we can name it, then we can actually start solving it.

[48:23] Dr. King and L.J. talk about the unique experience at barbershops.

[55:30] L.J. talks about the importance of normalizing the feelings resulting from systemic racism.

[56:27] L.J. does specific work with barbers teaching them how to allow others to cultivate their own process.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

Nomad Healing Practices

Tweetables and Quotes:

“Let’s start to humanize our oppositions or the people who we can’t agree with, this way we can start to look at things through their perspective.” — L.J. Lumpkin 

@_TheCMC @DocJoshKing (12:00)

“Systemic racism is a set of rules or beliefs that have been compartmentalized through our systems, in government, law, education, setting a standard for what is considered ‘normal’ and anyone outside of that box, there are preconceived notions about it.” — L.J. Lumpkin @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing (15:30)

“When we are in a fear state, we are not curious.” — L.J. Lumpkin @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing (29:01)

“When it comes to trauma, we do certain things to keep ourselves safe and then we don’t question them anymore, because we feel safe.”— L.J. Lumpkin @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing (37:10)

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode of The Beyond Addiction Show 

Today, Dr. King is accompanied by Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard who is a psychologist specializing in anxiety disorders. She is also the founder and director of Brave Is Better Consulting and Therapy, located in Philadelphia PA where she works with children and adults who have anxiety and related disorders. including helping children with picky eating habits.

Key Takeaways:

[2:30] Dr. Katherine specializes in picky-eating children.

[3:15] Dr. Katherine explains the suffering of parents of picky eaters.

[4:55] Children who are insightful about the limitations imposed by their eating habits have a better prognosis than those who lack that awareness.

[6:00] Dr. Katherine shares how she works with unmotivated children with picky eating habits.

[8:15] Dr. Katherine talks about the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

[10:18] Dr. Katherine explains what choking phobia is about.

[14:22] Picky eaters avoid food that is safe and healthy.

[18:05] Parents are not to blame for their picky-eating children.

[21:32] Dr. Katherine explains why we shouldn’t blame parents for picky eating.

[24:43] How does Dr. Katherine improve the child’s motivation to change?

[26:48] Dr. Katherine talks about disgust as a very primary emotion.

[32:08] Dr. Katherine explains why a “new” food can be suspected.

[36:30] When do children turn into picky eaters?

[38:07] American food culture really supports picky eaters and that is both bad and good, Dr. Katherine explains why.

[41:46] What is a good food culture?

[44:26] What can parents do at home?

[52:58] You can’t be happy and fulfilled as a picky eater if you are underweight.

[58:34] Grazers eat fewer calories than children who eat at meals.

[59:43] Parents should check their children’s growth curves.

[1:01:45] How can parents motivate children to try new foods?

[1:05:03] It is totally OK to reward your child for eating new foods.

[1:07:30] What to do if your child won’t try new food even when offering rewards?

[1:10:46] Parental attitude is crucially important.

[1:14:13] Don’t ask your picky-eating child if he liked the food, he doesn’t have to like it, if he is far less bothered by disgust that is progress.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show 

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

French Kids Eat Everything: How Our Family Moved to France, Cured Picky Eating, Banned Snacking, and Discovered 10 Simple Rules for Raising Happy, Healthy Eaters, Karen Le Billon

Tweetables and Quotes:

(13:52) “With exposure therapy, children learn quickly that what they have been avoiding does not have to be avoided.” — Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard @_TheCMC

(18:15) “Picky eating is highly determined by genetics, it is not a parenting problem.” — Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard @_TheCMC

(27:48) “Disgust is powerful, and just as any painful emotion it serves an evolutionary purpose, saying ‘Do not eat that!’” — Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard @_TheCMC

(38:07) “American food culture really supports picky eaters.” — Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard @_TheCMC

(45:44) ”Children need to come to the table hungry.” — Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard @_TheCMC

(1:05:03) “ It is totally OK to reward your child for eating new foods.” — Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard @_TheCMC

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode of The Beyond Addiction Show 

Today, Dr. King is accompanied by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, the authors of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive. They share in this episode on self-compassion: how to incorporate it into our daily lives and what fierce self-compassion is.

Key Takeaways:

[1:47] Kristin and Chris talk about how their lives are now.

[3:58] Does self-compassion really help?

[5:07] Self-compassion is about opening up to whatever it is that you are feeling.

[6:38] Kindness is one important component of compassion and Chris explains why.

[8:14] There are both cultural and psychological barriers to self-compassion.

[10:14] Dr. King asks about the dangers of being kind to ourselves, giving ourselves permission to indulge in order to practice kindness with ourselves.

[12:25] Chris explains the concept of behavioral self-compassion.

[16:43] Kristin shares practical ways to exercise self-compassion for those who struggle the most.

[17:30] How can you pause when you are being too hard on yourself?

[22:25] Kristin shares the power of a soothing touch as a way of practicing compassion.

[25:34] Kristin talks about fierce self-compassion.

[31:33] Chris models how to be self-compassionate even when you are not ready to practice it.

[33:45] Everything starts with giving ourselves permission.

[35:00] Chris explains why sometimes practicing self-compassion can make us feel worse.

[37:48] Practicing self-compassion over time heals wounds.

[39:20] Kristin talks about how as humans we tend to avoid pain, how most of the time, we fail, and why.

[41:34] Chris presents the two paradoxes of self-compassion.

[44:55] The golden practice is simply to be a compassionate mess.

[46:53] Kristin talks about her book Fierce Self Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

Learn more about the Center for Mindful Self Compassion

Tweetables and Quotes:

“Self-compassion doesn’t judge whether you should or shouldn’t be feeling how you do.” — Kristin Neff @_TheCMC (4:09)

“Self-compassion can be trained.” — Kristin Neff @_TheCMC (9:17)

“Ask yourself: Is this behavior really helping me? If it is not, then is not self-compassion.” — Kristin Neff @_TheCMC (14:56)

“You can unconditionally accept yourself without unconditionally accepting human behaviors.” — Kristin Neff @_TheCMC (27:00)

“If it is a struggle, it is not self-compassion.” — Christopher Germer @_TheCMC (30:41)

“When you start being compassionate with yourself, old wounds come up.” — Christopher Germer @_TheCMC (35:04)

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to a new season of The Beyond Addiction Show 

Today, Dr. King is accompanied by Dr. Michelle “Lani” Shiota, who is a researcher at the University of Arizona where she studies emotions, particularly the awe emotion, which is a uniquely mind-opening experience that inspires us to put aside our pre-conceived schemas about the world and approach new situations accurately, with calm and curiosity.

Dr. Shiota shares in today’s episode her vast knowledge in the field of emotions, explaining what they are and why they are crucially important for human expression and interactions. Dr. Shiota dives deep into the meaning of the awe emotion, how they work, what we do for ourselves, and how we can make these awe moments more frequent in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

[2:35] What are emotions?

[6:13] There are behaviors and psychological changes linked to emotions.

[8:30] Dr. Shiota discusses the inadequacies of the current theories about emotions.

[9:30] What do emotions do for us?

[10:30] Emotions help us understand our own and others’ feelings and the behaviors resulting from feeling a certain way.

[12:08] What is the connection between the spoken emotion and the experience of it?

[13:52] Dr. Shiota shares an example of some feelings that are processed in a very ancient way.

[18:02] Dr. Shiota talks about the immense way that humans cooperate with each other.

[20:21] Dr. Shiota gives the definition of the emotion of awe: An emotional response to a certain kind of situation that short circuits our capacity to relate prior knowledge to it.

[25:10] At the heart of the awe state there is the recognition that what we know is not sufficient to explain what we are looking at.

[26:30] What does an awe experience do for us?

[32:02] Can we do something to create an awe experience?

[34:45] Dr. Shiota explains how anyone can experience awe.

[37:02] Dr. Shiota and Dr. King talk about how seeking an awe moment can help deal with the anxiety related to substance abuse.

[43:07] When is the right time to seek an awe experience? Before or during a triggering situation?

[45:50] Dr. Shiota talks about a pilot study they did with smokers.

[52:16] Anything that you can do to bring rewards into the moment will be helpful and Dr. Shiota explains why.

[55:06] How do you apply the awe experience to substance use disorder?

[57:30] Dr. Shiota shares the White Bear Phenomenon.

[59:31] Dr. Shiota speaks of her role as Director for the Substance Use and Addiction Translational Research Network.

[1:06:47] Dr. King shares his thoughts after a mind-opening conversation with Dr. Shiota.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

Tweetables and Quotes:

“When we talk about emotions we usually talk about an indicator of an internal state” — Dr. Michelle Shiota @_TheCMC [4:40]

“Emotion is clearly a result of both nature and nurture.” — Dr. Michelle Shiota @_TheCMC [7:17]

“We simply don’t have an existing theory that satisfactorily accounts for everything we know about emotion and how it works.” — Dr. Michelle Shiota @_TheCMC [8:43]

“Emotions help in binding us together, connecting our internal worlds.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [16:23]

“Emotions help us navigate relationships with each other.” — Dr. Michelle Shiota @_TheCMC [18:29]

“At the heart of the awe state, there is the recognition that what we know is not sufficient to explain what we are looking at.” — Dr. Michelle Shiota @_TheCMC [25:10]

“When people are in an awe state they are taking in information without being biased or influenced by what they are expecting to see.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [30:34]

“We cannot change through subtraction, we change through addition.” — @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing [56:53]

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode of The Beyond Addiction Show, this episode is the one marking the third anniversary of this podcast an important time to be grateful to all the audience and the incredible smart guests that had taken part in these conversations, the feedback from all of you who are listening are simply invaluable and work as the fuel to get this space going.

Today, Dr. King is sharing the highlights from past episodes where the experts share about addiction, PTSD, anxiety, and the different therapeutic approaches developed to support and help people struggling with their (physical, mental and spiritual) health.

Key Takeaways:

[2:08] Dr. King shares highlights from past episodes.

[2:16] Listen to a part of the episode with David Yusko on the Treatment of Addiction and PTSD where he talks about exposure therapy and its benefits.

[10:12] David Yusko talks about the overlap between trauma and substance use.

[13:32] How does David Yusco treat substance abuse and trauma?

[17:45] Daniel Lieberman talks about the role of dopamine in the brain and its relationship with substance use.

[18:24] Your Brain on Dopamine with  Daniel Lieberman 

[19:10] What role does dopamine play in evolution?

[20:17] Daniel Lieberman gives examples of how dopamine works.

[23:36] Daniel Lieberman explains why anticipating something is very different of having it.

[24:29] What are the chemicals that give people sustained enjoyment?

[27:09] Are people naturally born with either more dopamine or the”here and now” chemicals?

[28:23] Is there something that can be done to change the ratio of dopamine and ”here and now” chemicals?

[30:16] Is Addiction a Learning Disorder with Maia Szalavitz

[31:58] Maia and Dr. King talk about how punishing substance users do not work.

[33:00] Addiction can be considered a learning disorder.

[38:18] Addiction does not get worse with time.

[39:22] Shining a New Light on ADHD with Dr. Ned Hallowell

[40:04] Dr. Hallowell describes what ADHD is.

[43:04] ADD can take you to the hights or to the depths.

[44:35] The ADD mind is endlessly curious.

[46:22] Dr. Hallowell talks about the great problem with addiction and ADHD.

[48:44] Distraction vs curiosity.

[51:10] Bathing in Nature with Florence Williams 

[51:23] Florence williams talks about nature deficit disorder

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show 

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected]  or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity--and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race, Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long 

Tweetables and Quotes:

(16:30) “You need to treat trauma and PTSD at the same time”— David Yusco @_TheCMC 

(18:52) “The dopamine circuits in our brain are absolutely esencial for our survival.”— Daniel Lieberman @_TheCMC 

(20:05) “Dopamine is the chemical that coordinates the behavior to pursue things that we want but do not have”— Daniel Lieberman @_TheCMC 

(22:38) “Anticipation sometimes exceeds realization” @_TheCMC @DocJoshKing

(32:12) “In order to recover you have to learn the coping skills you didn’t have, that is why punishing people for not having those skills does not really teach them.” — Maia Szalavitz  @_TheCMC

(38:18) “Addiction does not get worse with time, actually the longer you are addicted the more likely you are to potentially recover.” — Maia Szalavitz  @_TheCMC

(40:50) “ADHD can be an amazing asset or a terrible curse, that depending on how you manage it” — Dr. Ned Hallowell @_TheCMC

(41:37) “ADHD is the entrepreneurial trait.” — Dr. Ned Hallowell @_TheCMC

(45:06) “Creativity is impulsivity going right.” — Dr. Ned Hallowell @_TheCMC

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode and a new season of The Beyond Addiction Show. The pandemic has certainly brought anxiety in different shapes and forms to many (if not to most) of us. Anxiety can be the force that drives and motivates as but it can also work against us by shutting us down and keeping us from engaging in our lives.

Today, Dr. King is accompanied by Dr. Jarell Myers and Dr. Julie Jarvis to talk about how we can engage in our own lives even with anxiety and fear present. They break down what exposure therapy is, providing tools for us to be able to create our own exposure to help us cope with our fears and anxiety and to really live our fullest lives.

Key Takeaways:

[3:18] What is and isn’t OCD? How can you tell if the behavior is compulsive?

[7:50] OCD is fear-based.

[8:52] When can something be considered a normal feeling or a problematic one?

[10:48] What happens when the person is totally OK with his or her symptoms but everyone around can’t take them anymore?

[12:21] Dr. Jarvis talks about exposure therapy.

[13:39] Dr. Myers shares what drew him to work with patients suffering from anxiety.

[16:40] Dr. Myers talks about the fun part of being a therapist dedicated to helping patients struggling with anxiety.

[18:46] Dr. Jarvis explains what exposure and response prevention really is.

[22:45] Exposure therapy is not about throwing the patient into the deep end; the patient needs to be guided through a process where he or she is able to build up a tolerance.

[25:36] Dr. Jarvis speaks about how some patients come up with their own ways of exposure and also how the therapist plays a key role in helping the patient go through the process successfully.

[29:31] Therapists who have been treating anxiety might be aware of things that you have not noticed.

[30:55] Dr. King shares statistics about how the pandemic has caused a significant increase in substance use.

[31:30] How can exposure therapy be used to improve people’s lives in times of pandemics?

[35:16] What are the things that you wish you could get back to?

[37:25] Dr. Jarvis talks about the relationship between anxiety and certainty.

[41:21] Facing your anxiety is a way of enhancing your life.

[42:26] It feels great to do the things you are afraid of; it’s worth the short-term pain.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

International OCD Foundation

Dr. Josh King welcomes you to another episode and a new season of The Beyond Addiction Show and this time he is exploring the Harm Reduction Movement launched as a different approach to HIV and AIDS and which ended up impacting the way of approaching substance use treatment in general.

Today, Dr. King is accompanied by Maia Szalavitz, author of Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction, where she shows how Harm Reduction in the U.S. began with HIV treatment and evolved to include substance use disorders.

Key Takeaways:

[2:12] Maia shares about Harm Reduction Therapy and its beginnings.

[10:35] None of the drug policies that are being enforced in the USA are based on evidence.

[12:38] Maia explains the power of providing life-saving information to people.

[14:10] When you are kind to people they will be kinder to themselves.

[15:33] People need to learn skills in order to get better.

[16:30] Why do people get upset with Harm Reduction?

[20:01] People’s health gets worse when they are not left alone with their substance abuse, while research shows that their health improves when the health system acts compassionately.

[24:40] Maia talks about the case of antidepressants and opioids.

[26:25] Maia explains why she calls Harm Reduction “radical empathy.”

[29:58] People with substance abuse issues should be the ones who take the lead; counselors who believe they have control over someone’s life are prompt to develop abuse.

[32:40] Maia and Dr. King talk about the application of Harm Reduction.

[37:15] Maia gives advice to families who are dealing with someone with antisocial traits.

[40:22] Antisocial traits are more about impulsivity than social malice.

[43:19] Focus on the progress that people are making instead of punishing what is going wrong.

[48:39] People do better when they believe they are in control.

[51:55] Maia talks about the challenges she went through while writing her latest book.

[55:06] A little spoiler alert about one of Maia’s personal experiences that can be found in the book.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Beyond Addiction Show 

Center for Motivation and Change

Center for Motivation and Change on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Email Dr. Josh King at [email protected] or tweet him at @DocJoshKing

Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction, by Maia Szalavitz