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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Richard Taite, a leading figure in addiction treatment who has transformed his own life and countless others. Richard takes us through his 25-year battle with addiction, highlighting moments of despair like homelessness, and his eventual breakthrough with therapist Margie Fetting. His journey underscores the power of resilience and the pivotal role of personalized, honest treatment in achieving 22 years of sobriety.
Richard also shares his passion for creating an inclusive treatment center that extends compassionate care to everyone, regardless of their financial standing. Driven by a sincere desire to help ordinary people, he reveals how his facility combines high-quality care with truthful communication, ensuring every client is treated with love and respect. This episode delves into the importance of building trust and a supportive environment, where individuals are empowered to work towards a fulfilling life free from addiction.
In this episode, you will hear:
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Supporting Resources:
Website: https://carraratreatment.com/ + https://www.cliffsidemalibu.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtaite/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RichardTaiteOfficial
NovusMindfulLife.com
https://www.theaddictedmind.com/community
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ever feel like your emotions are on a wild rollercoaster, swinging between overwhelming highs and numbing lows? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Addiction Mind Plus, hosts Eric and Duane Osterlind dive into a crucial concept for anyone in addiction recovery: the Window of Tolerance.
The Window of Tolerance refers to the emotional sweet spot where you can handle life's challenges without being overwhelmed or shutting down. Outside of this window, you might feel intense anxiety or emotional numbness—both of which can drive addictive behaviors. But don’t worry, understanding and managing this window can help you stay balanced.
Join Eric and Duane as they explore:
If you've ever struggled with feeling too much or too little, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable tips to help you find your emotional equilibrium.
Download: Window of Tolerance Worksheet
Join Our Deep Dive in our community, where we discuss this episode in depth.
Register Here: https://theaddictedmind.com/deepdive
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
If you live in California, Idaho, Florida, Virginia or Texas and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center
NovusMindfulLife.com
We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
Disclaimer
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Addiction is not a new problem in the workplace. In fact, about 70% of folks that are using illicit drugs are employed in the workplace, either full-time or part-time. However, this is not a comfortable topic for people to talk about obviously due to the stigma around it.
How do we then bridge that gap and break the silence so people get the help they need, and for total recovery to take place?
On today's episode, Duane speaks with Cheryl Brown-Merriwether, HR professional and recovery support professional, about the innovations in the workplace as well as addiction and recovery from a workplace perspective and a human relations perspective.
Cheryl holds a number of certifications with several years of experience working with clinical professionals in addiction and recovery support services. Through educational programs, Cheryl is committed to helping people in the workplace understand addiction, substance use disorder, and recovery. Cheryl hopes to reduce the stigma and change the whole perspective around addiction and recovery in the workplace.
In this episode, you will hear:
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We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
ICARE International Center for Addiction and Recovery Education
NovusMindfulLife.com
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit Formation
Podcast Episode Summary
Today's episode dives into the essential topics of goal setting and habit formation, especially focusing on how they can help break the cycle of addiction, anxiety, and depression. Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind guide us through understanding the critical role of setting realistic goals and forming positive habits to steer our lives in the direction we desire. They highlight the importance of reflection in goal setting, using SMART goals as a tool for clarity and action. Moreover, they discuss the difference between goals and habits and how they interplay to create lasting change. By sharing personal experiences and practical advice, the hosts emphasize the power of small steps and the learning opportunities in setbacks. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to transform their life and achieve their dreams.
Free Download: Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit Formation Worksheet
Key Topics:
Timestamps
Free Download: Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit Formation Worksheet
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center
NovusMindfulLife.com
We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
Disclaimer
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On today’s episode, Duane talks with Justin B. Long about his journey through childhood trauma and how he tried to escape it through alcoholism. We discuss the traps of toxic masculinity, the idea that, as men, we can't share our feelings. We can't be vulnerable. We should be stoic at all times. In the episode, you’ll learn how that idea prevents us from being able to heal from our past wounds. Justin shares his story of hope and healing for everyone else out there who's struggling with the same issues.
Justin is the author of The Righteous Rage of a Ten-Year-Old Boy: A Journey of Self-Discovery. In his book, he talks about uncovering our deeper feelings by addressing childhood events and traumas and changing how our emotions are tied to those memories. Justin has poured his deepest, darkest secrets into the book. As he pointed out, the more sunshine gets on those secrets, the less power they have over him.
As he was trying to recover from alcoholism in his mid-30's, Justin had to go back to the beginning of time to understand what drove him to alcoholism. Justin grew up with two very emotionally dysfunctional parents: his dad was a workaholic and a rageaholic and his mom was deep into extreme religiosity and hoped that God would solve her emotional challenges. He found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. His parents didn't have any emotional tools to support him or help him. Therefore, he grew up in an unhealthy environment. The way his dad treated him taught him that he was a failure no matter what he did.
Feeling unworthy, uncomfortable, and untrusting, Justin turned to books as a way to escape reality. Then, as he got older, he discovered alcohol. It made him feel good about himself and he felt accepted for the first time in his life. So, alcohol became his tool to feel good about himself. Justin didn’t realize that it wasn’t a solution or that it was just a band-aid. However, like all external things, it had diminishing returns over time. It worked less and less until it stopped working altogether.
In this episode, you will hear:
Key Quotes:
[09:21] - "My biggest problem that made me decide I had to quit drinking was that the more I got drunk around other people, the more I misbehaved and just couldn't seem to control myself."
[13:15] - “Everything that I thought I knew about myself to be true was not true. And I get to rewrite that story."
[16:12] - "In your formative years, you take everything from around you, and you believe that to be true."
[18:33] - “True freedom comes in moving past that and letting go of that rage, even if it's justified.”
[21:02] - “The pain has to get greater than the fear. And that's how it was for me. It hurt bad enough that I was willing to step into the fear."
[22:14] - “I'm trying to learn how to feel the feelings and be okay with them. And sometimes it hurts, but I've learned that that's okay, too. It's part of it.”
[25:17] - “The more sunshine gets on those secrets, the less power they have over me.”
Supporting Resources:
The Righteous Rage of a Ten-Year-Old Boy: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Episode Credits
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
NovusMindfulLife.com
https://www.theaddictedmind.com/community
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We have to work and deal with our internal and early trauma. This can be more difficult to see and process without a reliable, trustworthy “other” in our lives. Sometimes it even takes an expert who can walk us through that journey in order for us to get to that safe space for healing and recovery.
Today, Duane talks with Andrew Susskind about his book, It's Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy after Sexual Addiction. They go into depth about attachment, emotional regulation, the need for reliable people to heal your traumatic wounds, and how we can do that when we're in recovery and still struggling with internal chaos.
Andrew is a licensed clinical social worker, a Somatic Experiencing practitioner, a Brainspotting practitioner, and a certified group psychotherapist. The book is Andrew's passion project where he wrote about themes that have been on his mind for three decades now. Since then, so much has changed in the mental health field as well as the addiction and trauma world. Andrew’s book reflects many of those changes.
Andrew not only leans on the experiences of his clients but on his personal experience as well. In 1994, Andrew went to his first SCA meeting, which stands for Sexual Compulsives Anonymous. In the therapy room, he noticed that people were learning how to stop their addictive behaviors. However, that's just the starting gate. His book covers some themes and different areas of healing that can happen beyond stopping destructive behavior.
In this episode, you will hear:
Key Quotes:
[06:57] - “Somatic Experiencing and Brainspotting are both trauma healing modalities that focus on Nervous System regulation.”
[07:40] - “One of the keys to regulating the nervous system is knowing when we're dysregulated.”
[08:29] - “Someone who feels most comfortable in their skin feels calm, peaceful, grounded, and hopefully feels resourceful, resilient, and buoyant.”
[11:51] - “Even though it looks like compulsive sexual behavior, on the surface, once we scratch the surface, it's really about broken-heartedness.”
[14:20] - “When someone is trying to regulate themselves, it's actually an attempt to feel better.”
[17:49] - “If you scratch the surface on anyone who's sexually compulsive, you're going to find some kind of avoidant attachment within that.”
[23:08] - “If we're connected within and to one another, and to something greater than ourselves, that's going to create a platform for healing.”
Subscribe and Review
Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.
We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
If you really enjoyed this episode, we’ve created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just fill in your information below to download it.
Supporting Resources:
www.westsidetherapist.com
It’s Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy after Sexual Addiction by Andrew Susskind
www.Brainspotting.com
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ever feel like you’re pouring your energy into the wrong things? You’re not alone. In this game-changing episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind tackle the secret to caring about the right things. They take a deep dive into how aligning your thoughts, words, and actions can unlock true happiness and fulfillment.
Download: Caring About The Right Things worksheet.
The conversation kicks off with an inspiring quote from Mahatma Gandhi about finding harmony in life—a perfect starting point for an episode full of “aha!” moments. Duane and Eric explore why so many of us, especially those battling addiction or mental health struggles, waste time and energy on things that don’t really matter. Sound familiar?
But don’t worry—they’ve got your back. The hosts share practical, no-nonsense advice on how to identify your core values and use them as a personal GPS for better decision-making. With their guidance, you'll learn how to cut stress, build resilience, and tackle life’s challenges without losing sight of what truly matters.
The episode also breaks down an actionable five-step plan to help you live a more aligned and meaningful life. From identifying your core values to practicing mindful decision-making, letting go of what you can’t control, and cultivating self-compassion, Duane and Eric make it easy to start making changes today.
This isn’t just about ditching the things that drain you—it’s about being intentional with your energy and care. The hosts remind us that aligning with your values is a journey, not a quick fix. It takes time, patience, and a healthy dose of self-love.
Whether you’re on the road to recovery or just looking to level up your personal growth, this episode is packed with insights and actionable tips to help you live a more authentic, balanced, and fulfilling life. Ready to start caring about the things that truly matter? Tune in now!
Download: Caring About The Right Things worksheet.
Join our Deep Dive in our community, where we discuss this episode in depth.
Start Here: https://theaddictedmind.com/deepdive
TAM+ Ep 9 Embrace the Now: How Radically Accepting Reality Can Transform Your Life
Key Topics
Timestamps
[00:01:18] Introduction to the topic of caring about the right things
[00:02:52] Discussion on finding harmony and happiness
[00:05:30] The power to change and align with true values
[00:07:11] Steps to identify and focus on what truly matters
[00:10:25] Breakdown of the five-step process for living a congruent life
[00:13:44] Importance of letting go of the uncontrollable
[00:15:44] Closing thoughts and worksheet information
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Join us on a transformative journey as we sit down with Dr. Jeff McNairy, the Chief Medical Officer at Rythmia, who shares his compelling shift from traditional mental health practices to the world of alternative therapies. Inspired by Gerard Powell's remarkable healing journey, Dr. McNairy unveils the promising potential of integrating Western psychology with indigenous medicine. We explore how ayahuasca, a powerful plant medicine, offers a new perspective on addiction and trauma recovery, providing hope for those who have found conventional treatments lacking in addressing the root causes of their struggles.
Our conversation delves into the complex relationship between trauma, subconscious memories, and healing methods. Dr. McNairy and I discuss the resurgence of interest in regressive trauma work through modern therapeutic approaches like EMDR and hypnotherapy, and the role psychedelics like ayahuasca play in accessing deep-seated emotions. Highlighting the importance of intentionality, setting, and aftercare, we consider how these therapies can foster personal growth and healthier relationships, particularly for recent trauma victims, including veterans.
In this episode, you will hear:
Exploration of integrating Western psychology with indigenous medicine for trauma and addiction recovery.
Dr. Jeff McNairy's transition from traditional mental health practices to alternative therapies, inspired by Gerard Powell's healing journey.
The role of ayahuasca in accessing deep-seated emotions and its effectiveness for recent trauma, particularly in veterans.
Discussion on modern therapeutic approaches like EMDR, hypnotherapy, and their relationship with regressive trauma work.
Importance of intentionality, setting, and aftercare in the use of psychedelics like ayahuasca for personal growth and healing.
Insight into the transformative work at Rhythmia and its long-term positive impact on mental health recovery.
Interested in finding out more about Rythmia?
About Ayahuasca Guide
The content on The Addicted Mind is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.
To support our work, this site uses affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast.
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
NovusMindfulLife.com
https://www.theaddictedmind.com/community
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What if I told you that up to 90% of people with alcohol use disorder relapse within the first four years? Before you let that statistic discourage you, here's the game-changer: having a solid relapse prevention plan can dramatically shift those odds in your favor.
In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric dive deep into one of recovery's most crucial yet overlooked tools – the relapse prevention plan. They're not talking about planning to fail; they're talking about planning to succeed when life throws its inevitable curveballs.
DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET
You'll discover why your healthiest moments are actually the perfect time to prepare for your most vulnerable ones. Think of it as creating a "survival kit for your sobriety" – a personalized roadmap that helps you identify warning signs before they become danger zones and navigate triggering situations with confidence rather than chaos.
The hosts share practical strategies for building your support network, recognizing your unique triggers (hint: they're not always what you think), and developing immediate response plans that actually work when cravings hit. They'll also tackle the shame that keeps so many people from reaching out for help and show you how to transform potential relapses from failures into powerful growth opportunities.
Whether you're thriving in recovery right now or struggling to get back on track, this episode offers hope, practical tools, and the reminder that recovery is a journey of progress, not perfection. Plus, they've created a downloadable worksheet to help you build your own personalized plan – because having a plan isn't pessimistic, it's empowering.
DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET
Key Topics:
If you live in California, Idaho, Virginia, or Florida and are looking for counseling or therapy, please visit Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center.
NovusMindfulLife.com
We want to hear from you. Please leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
Disclaimer
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Gerard Bradbury's life was once a tumultuous storm of anxiety and alcoholism, but today it stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Gerard joins us to reveal his deeply personal journey chronicled in his memoir, "Tripping Over Myself: A Journey from Addiction and Anxiety to Awareness and Peace." His first brush with alcohol at just 12 years old set off a chain of events that nearly ended his life, but Gerard found his way through the darkness, guided by the support of his family and a newfound commitment to sobriety.
Listeners will find themselves on the edge of their seats as Gerard recounts the grim realities of his addiction. From a night when he was turned away from a hospital with a faint chance of survival, to the heartbreak of cirrhosis and the relentless pull of alcohol, Gerard's raw honesty exposes the heavy toll of his self-destructive path. Yet, amid this adversity, he speaks with gratitude about his family's unwavering support and reflects on the miracle of survival. His story sheds light on the lack of support systems during his youth, while also serving as a testimony to the strength of the human spirit.
In this episode, you will hear:
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
https://www.trippingovermyself.com/
Buy Gerard's Book!
NovusMindfulLife.com
https://www.theaddictedmind.com/community
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
From the publisher's feed
"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth…
We're here to do more than just talk about addiction.
We want to show you how to heal and recover.
Our talks with experts and people who have beaten addiction give you important insights into how addiction affects the mind and how recovery can happen in many ways. Whether we're looking at new treatment ideas or sharing stories that inspire, "The Addicted Mind Podcast" is all about understanding the complex world of addiction recovery and showing that recovery is possible.
If you or someone you care about is dealing with the challenges of addiction, let "The Addicted Mind Podcast" be your friend and guide. We aim to give you the knowledge you need, share stories that inspire you, and show you that the journey to recovery is worth it.
Subscribe now to be part of a community focused on learning, healing, and changing for the better. Your journey to a healthier mind and life begins right here.
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