Substance Stories

Schema Therapy 101: Practical Tools for Emotional Healing and Recovery.

Feeling trapped by life traps schema therapy or struggling with addiction? Substance Stories brings you Schema Therapy 101: Practical Tools for Emotional Healing and Recovery! Dr. Richard Bradlow and Nathan Akoka unpack schema therapy, a game-changer for mental health and addiction and schemas.

Wondering why you repeat unhealthy patterns? Maladaptive schemas—like abandonment schema or angry child schema therapy—stem from unmet core emotional needs like secure attachment, autonomy, competence, identity, emotional validation, attunement, spontaneity, and limit setting.

Nathan, inspired by Jeff Young’s schema therapy education, explains how subconscious beliefs shape self-concept and interpersonal relationships. Discover schema therapy all schemas, including schema therapy BPD, and how moods schema therapy reveals child modes (vulnerable child), coping modes (detached protector, detached self-soother), and critical voices (punitive critic, demanding critic).

Learn schema coping styles—avoidance, surrendering, overcompensation—and how they fuel addiction and schemas.This episode dives into schema therapy exercises like chair work to create corrective emotional experiences, offering practical mental health tools for emotional healing.

Dr. Bradlow and Nathan highlight schema mode techniques to address vulnerable child struggles and rewire maladaptive schemas for secure attachment.

With a strong evidence base for addiction and schemas, depression, and personality disorders, schema therapy empowers you to break free from subconscious beliefs.Whether you’re navigating interpersonal relationships or seeking schema therapy education, this schema therapy guide is your roadmap.

Packed with insights on the schema therapy exercise and coping modes, it’s a must-watch for mental health recovery. Download our FREE schema therapy resource—link in the show notes! Subscribe for more emotional healing tips!

Share your schema therapy BPD story below!

Chapters:

00:00 Childhood Impact on Abandonment Beliefs

03:43 Coping Styles in Abandonment Issues

08:44 Self-Perception and Addiction Struggles

11:39 Understanding Psychological Modes

16:20 "Schema Therapy: Emotional Interventions"

17:15 Therapy: Engaging Inner Critics

21:19 "Reacquainting with Our Sober Minds

#SchemaTherapy #LifeTrapsSchemaTherapy #MentalHealth #AddictionAndSchemas #EmotionalHealing

Choosing the right therapist - a step-by-step guide to mental health! Learn how to choose the right therapist with Dr. Richard Bradlow and Annie Neville on Substance Stories. Find a therapist and master how to find a therapist! In this game-changing episode, they tackle:

What is psychotherapy? What you need to know before choosing a therapist? And which—CBT, ACT, Schema, or Psychodynamic—suits YOU?This video dives deep, going beyond generic tips to help you find a therapist with confidence.

Dr. Bradlow and psychotherapist Annie Neville unpack the common factors model and why the connection with your therapist trumps credentials alone—a secret even pros miss! They debunk myths about choosing a therapist, exploring buzzwords like “active listening,” “CBT vs. psychodynamic,” and “addiction therapy” to guide your mental health path.

Whether you’re navigating trauma, addiction, or everyday challenges, this episode of Substance Stories reveals how to choose the right therapist for lasting impact. Learn the power of therapeutic alliance, shared goals, and the courage to speak up when therapy isn’t clicking.

Choosing the right therapist - a step-by-step guide means understanding manualized vs. non-manualized therapies and tailoring support to your unique needs.If you’re ready to find a therapist and make empowered mental health choices, this is your must-watch roadmap.

Dr. Bradlow and Annie deliver insider insights and practical steps for how to find a therapist who truly gets you. Don’t let confusion hold you back—unlock the tools to thrive!

Subscribe for more mental health guidance!

Chapters

00:00 Therapist Compatibility Over Therapy Type

04:45 Finding the Right Therapist

09:43 Therapy Conversations and Boundaries

11:06 "Effective Therapy: Directness and Case Formulation"

15:43 Integrating Therapy Approaches17:36 Eclectic Therapeutic Approach

#ChoosingTheRightTherapist #HowToFindATherapist #MentalHealth #FindATherapist

In this powerful episode of Substance Stories, Dr. Richard Bradlow and Nathan Akoka tackle the heart of addiction recovery: therapeutic boundaries. If you’ve ever wondered why a firm but compassionate “no” can transform lives or what it’s like for professionals to make the tough call to discharge a client, this conversation is a must-listen.Dr. Bradlow and Nathan dive deep into the realities of substance use disorder, going beyond clichés to reveal how setting boundaries creates safety, fosters honesty in recovery, and builds healthy relationships. Drawing on their extensive experience in addiction treatment and therapy, they share how consistent boundaries aren’t just rules—they’re a cornerstone of care that supports relapse prevention, models life skills, and promotes personal growth. Nathan brings raw, real-world insights from working with young people and those experiencing homelessness, shedding light on the emotional and ethical challenges of detox and recovery support.From practical strategies for empathetic limit-setting to the dangers of inconsistent rules, this episode unpacks the psychology of boundaries and their role in breaking cycles of violation. You’ll gain tools to navigate mental health, understand addiction, and foster resilience—whether you’re in addiction recovery, supporting a loved one, or working in therapy. Packed with wisdom, compassion, and hope, this is an essential listen for anyone passionate about mental health, relapse prevention, and building healthy relationships.Chapters00:00 Honesty in Recovery Conversations

04:32 "Importance of Consistent Boundaries"

07:16 Balancing Compassion and Boundaries

10:40 Private Sector Independence in Substance Recovery

13:46 "Maintaining Boundaries in Relationships

From Dog Parks to Personal Growth: Angelica von Sanden on ACT Therapy.

Are you searching for real and relatable strategies to break free from addiction or overwhelming habits? In this powerful episode of Substance Stories, I sit down with the incredible Angelica von Sanden, author of the much-loved Sit Stay Grow—the book my patients can’t stop talking about (or stealing from my clinic library!). We dive deep into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), revealing how its core principles can ignite change, foster self-compassion, and help us reclaim our lives, step by step.

In this conversation, we unlock the secrets behind ACT—yes, those six core tenets you’ve heard about—and show you how [Acceptance and Commitment Therapy], [addiction recovery], and [mindfulness-based therapy] are more than buzzwords; they’re real-life tools you can use today. Whether you’re struggling with addiction, feeling stuck in negative thought loops, or simply want to make more meaningful choices, this episode is made for YOU.

00:00 "Authors on Substance Stories"

03:53 Mindfulness and Choice in Therapy

08:25 "Aligning Goals with Personal Values"

12:40 "Thoughts as Unruly Dogs"

15:09 "Spotlight Choices for Mindfulness"

18:11 "Embrace Thoughts, Move Forward"

21:18 "Internal Family System's Eight Cs"

23:22 Embracing Curiosity in Counseling

28:59 The Challenge of Successful Maladaptive Coping

29:50 "Addictions Beyond Substances Explained"

33:09 Most Stolen Book’s Popularity

Can You Drink Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Recovery?Are you in recovery and wondering if it’s okay to drink non-alcoholic drinks? Or maybe you’re just sober curious and want to know if those zero-alcohol options really help—or hurt—your journey? In this thought-provoking episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr Richard Bradlow and Nathan Akoka dive deep into one of the most controversial topics in addiction recovery: non-alcoholic drinks.They explore the psychological traps and emotional comfort these substitutes can create, revealing how non-alcoholic drinks might actually keep you tethered to old habits instead of truly breaking free. The discussion highlights real-life scenarios, from work events in Australia’s drinking culture to using alcohol-free drinks as a gradual harm reduction strategy. Bradlow and Akoka tap into the psychology of addiction, attachment, habit loops, cravings, and the importance of real personal growth in recovery.Chapters:00:00 Navigating Sobriety in Alcohol-Centric Culture04:54 Understanding Habit Loops and Cravings09:39 "Sober Curious Movement Explained"13:33 Differentiating Alcohol Habits and Addictions14:22 Experiment to Maintain Client Relationships

Peer Support Groups Demystified: Overcoming Fears, MythsDiscover the Power of Peer Support in Addiction Recovery! On this Substance Stories episode, host Dr. Richard Bradlow and guest Nathan Akoka from the Victoria Clinic dive deep into peer support groups in substance abuse recovery.

Explore peer support through 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Gamblers Anonymous, and SMART Recovery. Curious about virtual peer support groups or peer support for veterans? This episode has you covered!

Learn how group therapy fosters social connection, combats depression, and supports PTSD recovery through shared experiences. Discover the role of spirituality in recovery, navigating higher power concepts, and overcoming first-meeting jitters or skepticism about abstinence. Nathan shares practical tips for mental health support, addressing medication concerns, romantic distractions, and outgrowing meetings.

Why watch? Get real insights into group dynamics and mental health benefits of support groups. Subscribe for more recovery stories! Share your recovery journey below!

Chapters:

00:00 "Addiction, Connection, and Group Growth"

04:02 Overcoming Fear in Group Settings

06:34 Understanding 'Higher Power' Concepts

11:13 Navigating Recovery and Drug Replacement

16:24 Gender-Specific Support Meetings

18:33 "Recovery Requires Commitment"

23:02 Coping Strategies for Tough Times

23:42 Support Meetings Reduce Withdrawal Shame

27:21 "Remove Shame from Addiction"

32:36 Challenges of Post-Covid Smart Recovery

34:09 Men's Recovery Support Experience

#PeerSupportGroups #SubstanceAbuseRecovery #MentalHealth #12StepPrograms

The Truth About Relapse : Why Sobriety Alone Isn't the Answer &What Dopamine Nation Taught Me About Breaking Bad Habits?I've been reading Anna Lemke's 'Dopamine Nation,' and while it's fantastic, I strongly disagree with her belief that four weeks of sobriety magically fixes everything. I believe addiction is a response, a coping mechanism, a signal that something deeper needs attention. I've seen it time and again with my patients: stopping the addictive behavior is just the first step. It's like stopping the bleeding, but you haven't healed the wound.I'm here to share my insights on how we can truly uncover the underlying causes of addiction. It's not just about quitting; it's about understanding what our behaviours are trying to tell us. I want to help you identify the pain, the trauma, the emotional void that fuels the cycle. I'll walk you through how to look back, analyze your triggers, and, most importantly, how to look forward and learn from every craving and relapse. Because let's face it, relapses happen, and they're not failures; they're opportunities to learn. I'll show you how to use a cravings journal, how to spot patterns, and how to address the real issues hiding beneath the surface. Trust me, I've seen the power of this approach firsthand. It's about more than just sobriety; it's about finding true, lasting healing. Join me, and let's uncover the real story behind your addiction

Self-Medication vs Addiction - The Hidden Truth About Addiction and Self Medication!

Hey everyone, I'm tackling a topic that hits close to home for many: self-medication. I’ve noticed a lot of people tell me they're using substances to self-medicate, but what does that really mean, and how does it differ from addiction?

We’re not just talking about chasing a high; we’re talking about trying to escape real distress—whether it’s stemming from unresolved trauma, physical pain, or even the grip of addiction itself.

I'm breaking down the crucial differences between how we often use the term "self-medicating" and how modern psychiatry understands it, especially when it comes to drugs like benzodiazepines, opioids, and stimulants.

It's important to understand that while these substances might offer temporary relief, long-term use can actually worsen the very problems they're meant to address, like anxiety and chronic pain.

We're also diving into the complex issue of stimulant use and ADHD, and whether it's a legitimate form of self-medication or a potential slippery slope. Is it really addressing ADHD, or are we masking other forms of existential anxiety?

This is about making informed choices and understanding the true impact of our coping mechanisms.

If you've ever questioned your own substance use, or if you're just curious about the modern view of mental health and addiction, this video is for you. Let’s explore these topics together and get some clarity.

Addiction Support Pillars: The Famous Five That Make Recovery PossibleWant to make recovery last? In this episode of "Substance Stories," I join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong to share the "Famous Five." These are the key players for addiction support—helping you start, stay, and grow in recovery. It’s a team effort, not a solo job.

Your GP tracks your mental health. An addiction specialist steers you through rough patches. A psychologist explores your thoughts, while an accountability partner nudges you toward smart choices.

A sponsor—backed by family support—keeps you strong in the 12-step program. Real recovery stories prove it works.

00:00 Recovery Support Essentials Discussed

05:52 "Advocating for Specialized Addiction Care"

06:47 Addiction Specialist: Initial and Limited Visits

12:20 Accountability in Addiction Support

14:06 Government Subsidies in Mental Health

17:33 Living a Fulfilling Sober Life

20:07 Peer Support vs. 12-Step Programs

23:35 "Addiction Recovery: Comprehensive Support Needed

#AddictionRecovery #SupportStructures #FamousFive #GP #AddictionSpecialist #Psychotherapy #Accountability #12StepProgram #SoberLiving #HolisticRecovery

Polyvagal Theory Explained: How It Transforms Healing & RecoveryWonder how your mind and body connect in addiction or mental health struggles? In this episode of "Substance Stories," Dr. Richard Bradlow and Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dive into polyvagal theory. The vagus nerve links your brain to your body, steering your emotions.

We explain how the autonomic nervous system fits in.Dr. Bradlow rates this theory near the top—second only to attachment theory.

It shows how emotional limits change, pushing behaviors like addiction when stress or anxiety strikes. You’ll get a clear, science-backed take.

How do you deal with stress in your life?

00:00 Mind and Body Connection

03:41 Polyvagal Theory: Mental Illness Link

07:11 "Stress Bucket Overflow Metaphor"

10:44 Breathing: Modulate Your Nervous System

#PolyvagalTheory #MentalHealth #Addiction #MindBodyConnection #VagusNerve #EmotionalTolerance #Psychotherapy #BreathingExercises #ParasympatheticNervousSystem #MentalIllness