Join Michael, your host and psychologist-in-training, on Sober Psychology as we dive deep into the raw truth about relapse in drug and alcohol addiction.

In this episode, we unpack why relapse happens, drawing from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book and cutting-edge psychological research. Expect hard-hitting insights, practical tips, and a dose of dark humor to keep you hooked. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just curious about the psychology of addiction, this episode is for you. Subscribe for weekly doses of real talk on mental health and recovery!

Keywords: relapse, addiction, recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, psychology, sobriety, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, mental health, Sober Psychology, relapse prevention, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, 12 steps

#Relapse #AddictionRecovery #SoberPsychology #AlcoholicsAnonymous #Sobriety #MentalHealth #Addiction #Psychology #RelapsePrevention #12Steps #CBT #Mindfulness

References:

- Alcoholics Anonymous. (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (4th ed.). Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.

- Bowen, S., et al. (2022). Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for substance use disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 79(4), 345-353.

- Humphreys, K., et al. (2021). Daily self-monitoring and relapse prevention in Alcoholics Anonymous: A pilot study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 35(2), 123-130.

- Kelly, J. F., et al. (2019). The role of Alcoholics Anonymous in mobilizing adaptive social network changes: A prospective lagged mediational analysis. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 104, 24-31.

- Khantzian, E. J. (1997). The self-medication hypothesis of substance use disorders: A reconsideration and recent applications. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 4(5), 231-244.

- Laudet, A. B., et al. (2020). Pathways to long-term recovery: A qualitative study of relapse and recovery. Addiction Research & Theory, 28(3), 201-209.

- McHugh, R. K., et al. (2013). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance use disorders: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 701-710.

- Moos, R. H., & Moos, B. S. (2017). Rates and predictors of relapse after natural and treated remission from alcohol use disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 177, 1-8.

- Sinha, R. (2016). Cue-reactivity and the neurobiology of addiction: A meta-analytic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 64, 343-356.

- Witkiewitz, K., et al. (2018). Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 507.

- Witkiewitz, K., et al. (2020). Moderation as a goal or outcome of treatment for alcohol use disorders: A meta-analysis. Addiction, 115(6), 1041-1053.

Hey, you beautiful decision-dodgers! It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host—psychologist in training, sober dad, and a guy who’s stalled on enough choices to know they’re heavier than a bad breakup.

In this episode, I’m tackling the burden of choice—that overwhelming moment when you’re paralyzed by 47 Netflix shows, a dating app full of maybes, or a menu that feels like a life-or-death decision.

Join me for 35 minutes of raw, science-backed truth, spiced with humor to keep you laughing through the pain. I’m diving into why too many options stress you out (thanks, brain!), how ADHD, OCD, and autism make choices even tougher, and practical ways to stop choking under pressure. From decision fatigue to fear of regret, I’m breaking down the psychology of why you freeze and how to make choices like a boss. No fluff, just real talk.

🔥 Why watch? Because you deserve a life where you’re not stuck debating pizza toppings. Hit play to learn how to cut through choice overload and start living. Drop a comment with the dumbest decision you’ve stalled on—I’m reading every one!

Like, subscribe, and share this with someone who’s still “deciding” on their life plan. Let’s do this!

#SoberPsychology #BurdenOfChoice #MentalHealth #Psychology #DecisionMaking #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #OvercomeIndecision #LifeLessons #MindsetMatters #Neurodiversity

References:

- Iyengar, S. S., & Lepper, M. R. (2000). When choice is demotivating. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

- Schwartz, B. (2004). The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less.

- Vohs, K. D., et al. (2018). Decision fatigue and cognitive load. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

- Chernev, A., et al. (2019). Choice overload and consumer satisfaction. Journal of Consumer Research.

- Roets, A., et al. (2020). Indecision and anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology.

- Hinshaw, S. P., et al. (2020). Decision-making in ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders.

- Grisham, J. R., et al. (2019). Decision-making in OCD. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.

- Robicsek, A., et al. (2022). Choice overload in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

- Zeelenberg, M. (2018). Regret and decision-making. Emotion.

- Welch, S. (2009). 10-10-10: A Life-Transforming Idea.

Hey there, you beautiful chaos magnets! It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host—psychologist in training, sober dad, and a guy who’s tripped over his own ego more times than he’d like to admit.

In this episode, I’m diving into the messy, maddening world of self-sabotage. You know, that annoying habit of torching your own dreams—like skipping that big interview, derailing your diet, or starting a fight just when life’s getting good.

Join me for 30 minutes of raw, science-backed truth, mixed with my decade of battling alcoholism and enough humor to keep you chuckling through the pain. I’m breaking down why you keep shooting yourself in the foot, what psychology says about it, and how to stop being your own personal wrecking ball.

From cognitive distortions to trauma’s sneaky role, this episode’s packed with insights to help you get out of your own way. No fluff, just real talk.

🔥 Why watch? Because you deserve a life where you’re not your own worst enemy. Hit play to learn how to spot self-sabotage, kick it to the curb, and start winning at life. Drop a comment with the dumbest way you’ve sabotaged yourself—I’m reading every one!

Like, follow, and share this with someone who needs a wake-up call. Let’s get to it!

#SoberPsychology #SelfSabotage #MentalHealth #Psychology #Sobriety #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #OvercomeObstacles #LifeLessons #StopSelfSabotage #MindsetMatters

What’s up, you glorious chaos agents? It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host—psychologist in training, sober dad, and the guy who’s done with the scams.

In this episode, I’m ripping into therapy like it’s a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. Is it the lifeline that pulled me out of addiction’s grip, or a fancy con where you pay $200 to cry while someone nods? I’m diving deep into therapy’s wild history—from Freud’s coke-fueled couch to TikTok therapists peddling “vibes”—and breaking down the good, the bad, and the straight-up scammy.

Get ready for 35 minutes of unfiltered truth, backed by science and my own decades of battling demons. I’m exposing why pop psychology’s a bigger ripoff than a gas station burrito, when therapy actually works, and how to spot a shrink who’s not just milking your wallet. Expect dark humor, hard-hitting facts, and no coddling—this ain’t your mama’s self-help channel.

🔥 Why watch? Because you deserve to know if therapy’s worth your cash or if you’re better off venting to your dog. Hit play to learn how to navigate the therapy jungle without getting screwed. Drop a comment with your therapy win or horror story—I’m reading every one. Like, subscribe, and share this with someone who’s been burned by a bad shrink or needs a push to try. Let’s get real.

#SoberPsychology #Therapy #MentalHealth #Psychology #Sobriety #SelfImprovement #PopPsychology #MentalHealthAwareness #NoBS #TherapyScam #LifeLessons

References:

References:

- Freud, S. (1900). The Interpretation of Dreams.

- Rogers, C. R. (1951). Client-Centered Therapy.

- Beck, A. T. (1979). Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders.

- Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder.

- Wampold, B. E. (2019). The therapeutic alliance and client outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

- Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2018). Evidence-based therapy relationships. Psychotherapy.

- Shedler, J. (2018). Where is the evidence for evidence-based therapy? Clinical Psychology Review.

- American Psychological Association (2023). Mental Health Trends in America.

- Consumer Reports (2022). Online Therapy Platforms: A Review.

- Papola, D., et al. (2020). Efficacy of psychotherapies for depression. The Lancet Psychiatry.

- Video Cred: @ShaunDaComedian - https://www.youtube.com/@ShaundaComedian (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kk8MQqbbUe8)

Hey, you beautiful survivors! It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host—psychologist in training, sober dad, and the guy who’s been through enough crap to know suffering isn’t just a phase, it’s a professor.

In this episode, I’m diving headfirst into the raw, messy truth about suffering—why it’s inevitable, why you’re probably making it worse, and how to use it to become tougher than a biker in a bar fight.

Get ready for 30 minutes of no-BS insights, backed by science and my own decade of clawing out of an alcoholism grip. From cognitive appraisal theory to Viktor Frankl’s wisdom, I’m breaking down why pain hits hard and how to stop running from it like it’s a tax collector. Expect dark humor, hard truths, and a few wake-up calls that’ll make you rethink that pity party you’ve been throwing. This isn’t about coddling—it’s about turning your suffering into strength.

Life’s too short to let pain own you. Hit play to learn how to face your hurt, find its lessons, and stop whining about your ex’s new Instagram aesthetic. Drop a comment with the toughest suffering you’ve faced—I’m reading every one.

Like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to stop crying into their kombucha and start growing. Let’s do this.

#SoberPsychology #Suffering #MentalHealth #Psychology #Sobriety #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness #LifeLessons #OwnYourPain #NoExcuses

What’s up, you glorious chaos agents? It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host—psychologist in training, sober warrior, and the guy who’s done with your excuses.

In this episode, I’m tearing into accountability like a Pitbull on a rawhide bone. Tired of your life feeling like a bad reboot of a ‘90s sitcom? That’s because you’re dodging responsibility harder than a politician at a lie detector test.

Join me for 25 minutes of raw, no-BS truth backed by science and my own decade of clawing out of addiction’s grip. I’m breaking down why you suck at owning your mistakes, how to stop playing the victim, and what psychology says about taking charge of your life. From locus of control to self-determination theory, I’m serving hard-hitting insights with a side of dark humor that’ll make you laugh, cry, and maybe finally text your boss, “Yeah, I messed up.” Expect gut-punches, actionable tips, and zero coddling.

🔥 Why watch? Because blaming your ex, your job, or your horoscope isn’t fixing your life—it’s just making you louder about it. Hit play to learn how to own your garbage and start living like you mean it. Drop a comment with the dumbest excuse you’ve made lately—I’m calling you out.

Like, subscribe, and share this with that friend who’s “too busy” to get their life together. Let’s do this.

#SoberPsychology #Accountability #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #Sobriety #Psychology #SelfImprovement #NoExcuses #MentalHealthAwareness #LifeLessons #OwnYourShitReferences:

- Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs.

- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior.

- Blanton, B. (1996). Radical Honesty: How to Transform Your Life by Telling the Truth.

- Leary, M. R., & Allen, A. B. (2018). Self-presentational motives in blaming others. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

- Adams, G. S., & Inesi, M. E. (2019). Impediments to forgiveness: Victim and transgressor attributions. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.

- Neff, K. D. (2022). Self-compassion and psychological well-being. Journal of Applied Psychology.

- Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2019). The development of goal setting theory. Psychological Bulletin.

Hey, you beautiful disasters! It’s Michael, your host of Sober Psychology, psychologist in training, sober dad, and the guy who’s not afraid to call out your so-called “friends” for being emotional vampires.

In this episode, I’m ripping the Band-Aid off the messy, complicated, and sometimes straight-up toxic world of friendship. Think your BFF is ride-or-die? Think again—they might just be riding your last nerve.

Join me for 30 minutes of unfiltered truth bombs backed by hard science and my own battle scars from a decade in the trenches of sobriety. We’re diving into why your friendships suck (spoiler: you might be the problem), how to spot the real ones, and why cutting toxic pals feels better than a cold beer on a hot day. From Dunbar’s Number to attachment theory, I’m breaking down the psychology of connection with zero fluff and maximum realness. Expect dark humor, hard truths, and a few gut-punches that’ll make you rethink your group chat.🔥 Why watch? Because life’s too short for friends who ghost you over a $20 Venmo request or “borrow” your ex. Hit play to learn how to build a crew that’s worth your time and ditch the dead weight. Drop a comment with your worst friendship betrayal story—I’m reading every one. Subscribe, like, and share this with that friend you’re about to dump. Let’s get real.

#SoberPsychology #Friendship #MentalHealth #Psychology #Sobriety #SelfImprovement #ToxicFriends #RealTalk #MentalHealthAwareness #LifeLessons

Hey Sober Psychology fam! It’s Michael, your psychologist-in-training, and Episode 34 is about to hit you with some hard truths about The Art of Conversation.

Ever wonder why your chats fizzle out or why people ghost you mid-convo? Spoiler: you’re probably screwing it up. In this raw, no-BS episode, I’m diving into the psychology of why most of us suck at talking, backed by studies from the Journal of Language and Social Psychology and more. From dodging conversational narcissism to mastering active listening, I’m dropping science-backed tips to make you a verbal ninja.

Expect dark humor, real talk, and plenty of zingers. Tune in for 30 minutes of game-changing insights that’ll make you the person everyone wants to talk to. Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify—let’s level up your conversation game!

#SoberPsychology #ArtOfConversation #PsychologyHacks #CommunicationSkills #SelfImprovement #PodcastLife

In this unhinged episode, we’re tackling oversharing—that cringeworthy habit of dumping your life story on strangers or social media for clout. With psychological science and hard-won sobriety wisdom, I'll rip into why we overshare, how it sabotages relationships, and its sneaky role in addiction recovery. Expect aggressively average-level intensity, dark humor that hits like a shot of reality, and five practical tools to keep your emotional baggage off the public stage. Whether you’re in recovery or just tired of regretting your TMI moments, this episode is your wake-up call to shut up and save your dignity.

🔔 Subscribe to Sober Psychology for more raw, real talk on mental health, psychology, and recovery. Smash that bell to stay in the loop!

#Oversharing #MentalHealth #Psychology #AddictionRecovery #SoberPsychology #MentalHealthAwareness #TherapyTips #SobrietyJourney #PodcastEpisode #MentalHealthPodcast

Buckle up for a no-BS dive into the abyss of depression with Michael, a psychologist-in-training who’s wrestled demons and whiskey bottles to bring you this raw, unfiltered podcast episode.

Depression isn’t just “feeling sad”—it’s a neurochemical liar that affects 280 million people worldwide, and it’s got a nasty habit of tagging along in addiction recovery. With psychological science and hard-earned recovery wisdom, this episode rips the mask off depression, exposing its lies with humor, hard truths, and five actionable tools to fight back. Expect intensity, a sprinkle of dark comedy, and zero coddling.

Whether you’re battling the black dog or supporting someone who is, this is your roadmap to understanding and tackling depression head-on.

🔥 Why Listen?

+ Learn the science behind depression (serotonin, dopamine, and brain wiring, oh my!)

+ Discover how addiction and depression are toxic BFFs—and how to break their cycle

+ Get 5 evidence-based psychological tips to start climbing out of the pit

+ Laugh through the pain with authentic humor that doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle_____________________________________________________________#Depression #MentalHealth #Psychology #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #TherapyTips #OvercomeDepression #PodcastEpisode #MentalHealthPodcast #RecoveryJourney