Welcome to another episode featuring a professional whose perspective aligns perfectly with Addy Free’s mission—you don’t need medication to thrive. And this time, that message comes from a psychiatrist herself.

This conversation may shift how you think about medication—not just our once-faithful (and now retired) friend Addy, but also SSRIs, which many of us are told will help ease the transition into life after Addy. I’ve walked that path myself.

Dr. Lee offers a fresh approach, uncovering the root causes of ADHD and showing how to address them holistically—nurturing mind, body, and soul. It’s the approach I now embrace as well.

My hope is that you’ll listen with an open mind, trusting the path you’re on and letting go of any shame when it comes to your way of getting off this medication. We’re all doing our best out here, one day at a time—this just offers a new perspective if you feel ready to live fully without pills.

Know that there is no perfect solution, the key is having faith in yourself and your journey. Let yourself learn and evolve, without judgement in yourself and those around you. Be kind. Be proud of yourself. 

In this episode, I hop on to share a quick message with the community as I celebrate 4 years Addy Free.
This one’s not about everything I’ve learned—there’s too much to fit into one episode—but about something just as important: the power of keeping a promise to yourself.

Whether it’s 4 years or 4 hours, every minute, hour, day, or year you choose not to take Addy is a celebration. That choice builds confidence, and that confidence builds momentum.

This journey starts with a single promise—and if you keep showing up, one day you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come.

Keep going, community. I believe in you.

This month on the podcast, I’m joined by Jesse, one of the moderators of Stop Speeding—a Reddit community of over 42,000 people navigating life beyond stimulant drugs.

Stop Speeding is a recovery-focused, judgment-free space for anyone impacted by stimulant use—no matter the type, source, or level of use. The group isn’t anti-psych or anti-ADHD—it’s pro-recovery. It’s made up of real people who’ve been there, offering support, shared experiences, and helpful resources as we heal together.

So who is Jesse, and how did this grassroots forum grow into one of the largest stimulant recovery communities online? Tune in Friday to find out!

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Vitale Buford—author of Addicted to Perfect—to explore her 10-year battle with Adderall addiction and how she broke free from the grip of perfectionism. In our conversation, we cover:

• How perfectionism and Adderall became intertwined in Vitale’s life

• The early signs of dependency and how the “study drug” turned destructive

• What chasing external success cost her mentally, physically, and emotionally

• The moment she knew she had to get off the drug—and what came next

• Her 11-year journey of recovery and how she stays Addy Free

• Tools for healing from perfectionism in stimulant recovery

• How to stop tying your self-worth to productivity and performance

• Why authenticity—not achievement—is the real goal

• How she now helps others reclaim their lives through coaching, leadership work, and speaking

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating stimulant recovery, struggling with perfectionism, or searching for what it means to be truly free.

We've got a lot going on in the Addy Free world... listen if you want to find out!

Here is the instagram post for your reel!

when I get the opportunity to interview an Addy Free community member, I prioritize that more than any specialized doctor—because we’ve lived it, and we know what it’s like. That’s why I’m SO excited to have on Hayley Carver, who is officially 11 months Addy Free (we recorded this a month ago). WELCOME 🩵

When I first realized I had a problem with Addy, all I wanted was to find someone else who felt like I did.

Was I crazy for thinking I was addicted?

Was it normal to take this much just to function?

Why did no one else seem as obsessed as me?

I just wanted to feel:

✨ Seen

✨ Heard

✨ Validated

That’s why I started the Addy Free community—and now, a year and a half later, there are 11 of us, all in different stages of the journey, showing up weekly to support each other.

Hayley was one of the first to find this podcast and join the Monday Zooms. Her story is real, relatable, and a powerful reminder that the first year is full of growth—and of facing that inner voice telling you to go back. But you can handle life without Addy. That’s why you’re here.

Want to join the weekly Zooms? Mondays @ 8PM EST. DM me @addyfree or visit addyfree.com

I hope you love this convo with Hayley

If you’ve ever found yourself deep in your Amazon cart at 2am with 17 rolls of washi tape, a Peloton, or—yes—even live frogs… this one’s for you.

In today’s episode of the podcast, I’m diving into a habit that was heightened while on Addy, and I am currently working through my Addy Free Recovery— impulsive shopping. 

But it’s deeper than shopping. We talk trauma, impulse control, brain development, and how staying Addy Free means learning how to outgrow bad habits Addy fueled.

I’m breaking down: 

Why Adderall made impulse control worse for me
What childhood + trauma have to do with it
Actual strategies I use now (like the 24-hour rule + movement hacks)
How to stop beating yourself up and start giving yourself grace

This isn’t just about breaking habits. It’s about healing, and learning coping mechanisms you were never able to develop while on a numbing substance 

Resource links:

https://boardwalkrecoverycenter.com/how-addiction-stunts-emotional-growth/

https://lakesidemilam.com/blog/emotional-maturity/

https://recovery.com/resources/addiction-and-arrested-development/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3260977/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925492724000830

https://brcrecovery.com/makana-path/

Struggling with ADD, ADHD, or stimulant addiction? You’re not alone. In Hocus Focus, author Kramer shares his raw, eye-opening journey of growing up with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and being prescribed stimulant medications like Adderall and Dexedrine from the age of seven. What started as a solution for focus turned into a decades-long struggle with dependency, impacting his identity, choices, and well-being.

In this podcast, Kramer takes a deep dive into the realities of ADD, ADHD, and addiction, uncovering:

The benefits and risks of stimulant medications
The mental and physical toll of dependency and withdrawal
Alternative approaches—diet, exercise, meditation, and plant medicines
How childhood trauma and an unconventional upbringing shaped his journey
The road to healing, self-acceptance, and balance

This isn’t just a personal story—it’s a powerful conversation about the effects of pharmaceuticals, mental health, and personal transformation. If you're navigating ADD, ADHD, stimulant withdrawal, or looking for holistic ways to improve focus and mental clarity, this podcast offers insight, inspiration, and real talk.

In this solo episode, I dive deep into the moment I truly realized Adderall no longer worked for me—and how that revelation became the key to my recovery. I share how shifting my identity from someone who needed Adderall to someone who simply doesn’t take it rewired my mindset and freed me from the cycle of dependency.

This concept, known as identity-based habits, is backed by neuroscience and psychology, and it was the game-changer I didn’t even know I was using. If you’re struggling to quit, this episode will help you rethink your approach and give you a new way to break free.

In this episode, we learn how chiropractic care can speed up your body's recovery after Addy by focusing on regulating the nervous system.

Dr. Liv and Dr. Devin give an inside look at how the nervous system affects anxiety, depression, focus, digestion, and so much more... all issues our community feels in the first few years of Addy.

Good news... we have a tool to help!