Life Lived Better

In this Mental Health Moment, I am discussing - The 3 Main Medications used in treating Opioid Use Disorder: what they do and how they differ from one another.

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ 

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Is medication replacing one addiction with another? Does harm reduction encourage drug use? Why do addiction professionals sometimes disagree about the best path to recovery? In this episode, Joseph and Paula tackle some of the most debated topics in addiction treatment. Together, they explore how our understanding of addiction has evolved over time, why controversy continues to shape the field, and what current research tells us about evidence-based care.

You'll learn about the history of addiction treatment, the role of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and the principles behind harm reduction all through the lens of science, compassion, and real-world counseling experience. Along the way, Joseph and Paula introduce their Controversy Meter, separating myths from evidence while encouraging thoughtful conversation rather than heated debate. Whether you're a professional, someone in recovery, a family member, or simply curious about addiction treatment, this episode offers practical insights and a balanced perspective on some of the field's most important and misunderstood topics.

Questions? If you have questions, you would like Joseph and Paula to address during an upcoming episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at www.lifelivedbetter.net or email them directly at [email protected]    

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: www.lifelivedbetter.net.    

Just a reminder - Anything shared during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice - it is solely our opinion. Information shared does not represent our employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us.  

And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.   

Resources used to create the episodes on this topic: 

American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2020). The ASAM national practice guideline for the treatment of opioid use disorder: 2020 focused update. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 14(2S), 1–91.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Medications to treat opioid use disorder. https://nida.nih.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (Updated). https://store.samhsa.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Harm Reduction Framework. https://www.samhsa.gov

Resource for Naloxone

Drugs.com for Narcan Emergency Kit resources  

Next Distro - This national Naloxone program collaborates with nationwide US harm reduction programs. On their website you will find: 

• Links to distribution programs throughout the United States

• Pharmacies that carry Naloxone

• An extensive Resource Library

Access to Naloxone supplies for free in Texas, contact Naloxone Texas 

In this Mental Health Moment, I am following up on the long episode from last week - Decluttering & Organization - Scams!

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ 

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed, stressed, or stuck, but couldn't quite put your finger on why? The answer may be hiding in plain sight—in the clutter we carry every day.

In this episode of Life Lived Better, Joseph and Paula explore the many forms of clutter that can accumulate in our lives, from overflowing closets and crowded calendars to emotional baggage, unhealthy relationships, and outdated beliefs about ourselves. They discuss why letting go can be so difficult, how clutter affects our mental and emotional well-being, and practical strategies for creating more space, peace, and purpose.

Whether you're struggling to part with physical possessions, set boundaries with draining people, release old resentments, or simply simplify an overcommitted life, this episode offers thoughtful insights and actionable steps to help you move forward. Sometimes the path to a better life isn't about adding more, it's about making room for what truly matters.

Join our co-hosts as they explore how decluttering your surroundings, your schedule, your relationships, and even your thoughts can lead to greater clarity, freedom, and well-being.

Questions? If you have questions, you would like Joseph and Paula to address during an upcoming episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠ or email them directly at ⁠[email protected]⁠    

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠.    

Just a reminder - Anything shared during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice - it is solely our opinion. Information shared does not represent our employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us.  

And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.   

Resources used to create the episodes on this topic: 

• 10 Easy Ways To Cleanse Your Home of Negative Energy 

• Clear Space, Clear Mind: The Science Behind Decluttering | Psychology Today 

• Do you have the Urge to Purge? by June Plahuta. — Reignite Your Soul 

• Energy Purification: What It Is and How to Cleanse Negative Energy 

• How to Declutter Your Home: 6 Best Room-by-Room Methods 

• How to Purge Your House: 10 Step Guide - 

• How Decluttering Can Reduce Stress and Improve Focus 

• The Psychology of Decluttering

• Time to Purge- Let Go of The Unnecessary | Mysticsense 

• The Emotional Benefits of De-Cluttering | Psychology Today 

• The Mental Health Benefits of Decluttering | USU 

• The urge to purge — Kate Swoboda 

In this Mental Health Moment, I am discussing - Self-Care

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ 

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

The conversation about making friends as an adult continues in part two. Making friends as an adult can feel surprisingly difficult. Between busy schedules, life transitions, past hurts, social anxiety, and the fear of rejection, many people quietly wonder why connection feels harder than it used to.

In this episode, Joseph and Paula explore the emotional reality of adult friendship—why it matters, what gets in the way, and how meaningful connection can still be built at any stage of life. They discuss loneliness, vulnerability, boundaries, friendship changes, and the courage it takes to reach out.

Whether you are starting over, rebuilding your social circle, navigating a new season of life, or simply wanting deeper friendships, this conversation offers practical encouragement and compassionate insight.

Because friendship is not just something we find—it is something we build.

Questions? If you have questions, you would like Joseph and Paula to address during an upcoming episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at www.lifelivedbetter.net or email them directly at [email protected]    

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: www.lifelivedbetter.net.    

Just a reminder - Anything shared during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice - it is solely our opinion. Information shared does not represent our employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us.  

And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.   

Resources used to create the episodes on this topic: 

In this Mental Health Moment, I am discussing - Loss

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ 

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

They are back!!! Joseph and Paula return with a long episode to discuss how making friends as an adult can feel surprisingly difficult. Between busy schedules, life transitions, past hurts, social anxiety, and the fear of rejection, many people quietly wonder why connection feels harder than it used to.

In this episode, Paula and Joseph explore the emotional reality of adult friendship—why it matters, what gets in the way, and how meaningful connection can still be built at any stage of life. They discuss loneliness, vulnerability, boundaries, friendship changes, and the courage it takes to reach out.

Whether you are starting over, rebuilding your social circle, navigating a new season of life, or simply wanting deeper friendships, this conversation offers practical encouragement and compassionate insight.

Because friendship is not just something we find—it is something we build.

Questions? If you have questions, you would like Joseph and Paula to address during an upcoming episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at www.lifelivedbetter.net or email them directly at [email protected]    

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: www.lifelivedbetter.net.    

Just a reminder - Anything shared during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice - it is solely our opinion. Information shared does not represent our employers or profession.  

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us.  

And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.   

Resources used to create the episodes on this topic: 

• How to Make Friends as an Adult: The Complete 2025 Guide - Feelset 

• 7 Secrets to Making Friends as an Adult | Psychology Today 

• How to Make Friends as an Adult (Science-Backed Tips) 

• How to Make Friends as an Adult 

• How To Make New Friends as an Adult: 102 Ways to Try - Parade 

In this Mental Health Moment, I am discussing - The Psychology of Happiness.

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Thank you for listening to another Mental Health Moment, from the Life Lived Better podcast, where we quickly provide insight into issues that affect most of us,

In this episode, we are discussing - Mental Health and Nutrition. 

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at [email protected] 

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.