The Addicted Mind Podcast

Host Duane Osterlind welcomes Dr. John Gallagher, an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Alvernia University, a licensed clinical social worker, and a licensed clinical addiction counselor. Dr. Gallagher brings 25 years of experience working with addiction and mental health recovery within the criminal justice system.

This essential episode dives deep into the history, structure, and effectiveness of Drug Courts, examining the critical tension between judicial accountability and therapeutic alliance. Dr. Gallagher shares groundbreaking research on the significant racial and gender disparities that exist within these programs and offers insights into how treatment can become truly person-centered and equitable.

Key Topics 

- Dr. Gallagher’s background and experience in addiction and criminal justice

- The role of drug courts and their effectiveness

- Challenges and issues within the current drug court system - racial and gender disparity 

- The intersection of addiction treatment and criminal justice

- Education pathways in addiction studies and criminal justice

💔 The Conflict: Therapeutic Alliance vs. Accountability

Dr. Gallagher highlights a significant issue found in his qualitative research across the country: counseling becoming too "enmeshed" with the justice system.

Destruction of Trust: When counselors share too much clinical information (like a self-reported relapse in group therapy) with the court, it destroys the therapeutic alliance—the core of effective treatment.

📊Addressing Racial and Gender Disparities

 While Drug Courts are effective overall, significant racial and gender disparities exist in outcomes and graduation rates, demanding a shift toward truly individualized treatment. Hispanic, Black, biracial participants had graduation rates less than 30%. while their white counter parts reached 60%.

Recovery Preference: Research consistently shows that diverse participants in Drug Courts often prefer natural recovery support systems (e.g., church, family, community hobbies) over mandated formal support groups like AA or NA.

• This preference is rooted in cultural values (e.g., not "airing dirty laundry in public") and the feeling that natural supports are more helpful.
• Participant Quote: "My beautician is like my counselor. She hears all my problems and gives me advice... NA meetings can't make me feel beautiful. And when I feel beautiful, I'm less likely to relapse and more likely to complete drug court."

Gender and Trauma

• Motherhood Demands: Many women in Drug Courts are single mothers who bear the full burden of childcare and financial responsibility. Balancing the rigorous demands of treatment (multiple weekly drug tests, therapy, court hearings) with motherhood is a major challenge that can be addressed by offering individualized flexibility (e.g., reduced court or treatment time to prioritize parenting).
• High Rate of Trauma: The vast majority of women in Drug Courts (estimated 70% to 90% in Dr. Gallagher's research) have significant and often repetitive histories of trauma.

Resources

Alvernia University

John Gallagher Faculty Profile

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.

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Download: THE INNER CHILD WORKSHEET

In this episode of The Addicted Mind, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the powerful concept of the inner child. They explore how past traumas influence our present reactions and behaviors. Understanding and healing your inner child can lead to profound personal growth and recovery. Learn about the history of the inner child concept, its impact on addiction and recovery. Start your practical steps to your healing journey. Join us as we provide compassionate insights and actionable advice to help you nurture your vulnerable inner child and create a healthier, more balanced life.

Key Topics

• What is the inner child and its historical background
• How past traumas influence current behaviors
• The connection between inner child work and addiction recovery
• Practical steps to heal your inner child
• The importance of community and professional support in healing

Timestamps

1. [00:00:00] - Introduction to the topic of the inner child
2. [00:01:06] - Overview of the inner child concept and its importance
3. [00:03:32] - Signs of a wounded inner child
4. [00:04:45] - Historical background: Carl Jung and John Bradshaw
5. [00:06:21] - The impact of a wounded inner child on adult life
6. [00:09:55] - How inner child work aids in addiction recovery
7. [00:13:15] - Practical steps and resources for inner child healing

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Journalist Sam Quinones, renowned for his deeply impactful books Dreamland and The Least of Us about the opioid and synthetic drug crises, returns to The Addicted Mind with a profoundly different, yet connected, story. In this episode, Sam and host Duane Osterlind dive into Quinones' newest book, The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band and Hard Work. 

Sam shares his unexpected pivot from writing about the devastating cycle of addiction and consumerism—where people seek happiness from something they buy—to exploring stories of people who cultivate their own value from within. He found this liberation and internal worth in the unlikeliest of places: the world of the tuba.

You’ll hear why the tuba, often dismissed as the ‘fat elephant’ of the band, became a metaphor for breaking free of limits and an antidote to the inertia of addiction. Sam shares incredible stories, from the enormous popularity of the tuba in Mexican immigrant communities in Los Angeles to the legendary tale of the two "perfect tubas" that are the "Holy Grail" of the instrument.

This conversation reveals the powerful life lessons learned in the band room: postponed gratification, perseverance, and collaboration. Sam and Duane draw a beautiful, clear analogy between the dedication required to master a tough instrument and the difficult, rewarding journey of addiction recovery. They explore how the energy and creativity harnessed by finding your "perfect tuba"—that thing you work hard for—is the strongest defense against the lure of instant gratification and drugs.

This episode is an inspiration, demonstrating that we are surrounded by people who embody the values needed to heal and strengthen our culture and community 

Key Topics

• The Tuba as a metaphor for freedom and inner value versus the consumer model of buying happiness.
• Why Sam Quinones chose to pivot from writing about drugs (Dreamland, The Least of Us) to writing about the tuba.
• The surprising history of tuba-playing as an act of liberation and self-discovery.
• The profound connection between the hard work of mastering an instrument and the journey of recovery.
• The inspiring story of the Roma High School band in Texas and the power of investing in music education in poor communities.
• The legend of the two "perfect tubas"—the Holy Grail of the instrument world—and why they are so valuable.
• The essential values learned in band—punctuality, collaboration, and focus—that serve as a bulwark against addiction.

Resources 

THE PERFECT TUBA: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work

• Substack
• Instagram 
• Facebook

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.

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

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Worksheet: “Hero's Journey Addiction Recovery Worksheet”

In this episode of "The Addicted Mind," Duane and Eric Osterlind explore the concept of the hero's journey and how it applies to addiction recovery. Drawing from Joseph Campbell's work on mythology, they discuss the three phases of the hero's journey—departure, initiation, and return—and how these stages can provide a roadmap for personal transformation. By seeing recovery through the lens of a hero's journey, individuals can gain a new perspective and find hope in their path to sobriety. Join us as we delve into the powerful parallels between classic stories like "Lord of the Rings" and the journey to overcoming addiction.

Key Topics

- The hero's journey framework by Joseph Campbell.

- Applying the hero’s journey to addiction recovery.

- The three phases: Departure, Initiation, and Return.

- The significance of storytelling in personal transformation.

- Creating a new narrative to support recovery.

Timestamps

1. [00:01:04] - Introduction to the hero’s journey and its relevance to recovery.

2. [00:02:00] - History and significance of Joseph Campbell’s work.

3. [00:04:26] - The departure phase: Recognizing the need for change.

4. [00:06:31] - The initiation phase: Facing challenges and finding support.

5. [00:08:50] - The return phase: Embracing a new identity and sharing gifts.

6. [00:10:09] - Applying the hero's journey repeatedly in life.

7. [00:11:22] - Community support.

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Jane Chen, the visionary mind behind Embrace Global, shares her remarkable journey from a Stanford classroom to the heart of India, where her innovative spirit and unwavering dedication gave birth to a life-saving portable infant incubator. This episode unravels Jane's incredible drive, which not only saved over a million babies worldwide but also led her to the brink of burnout. Her story is a testament to the profound impact of one person's mission to make a difference, highlighting the often-overlooked personal sacrifices that accompany such immense achievements.

As Jane recounts her path from personal and professional exhaustion to a place of healing through self-compassion, listeners are invited to explore the emotional depths of achieving outward success while grappling with inner turmoil. This conversation offers insights into the healing power of vulnerability, the importance of embracing one's emotions, and the courage to face one's own imperfections. Jane also shares how unexpected support from Tony Robbins breathed new life into her company and emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and resilience. Her journey is a powerful reminder that true strength lies in acknowledging our vulnerabilities and that we are enough just as we are.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Jane Chen's journey from a Stanford classroom to developing a life-saving portable infant incubator with Embrace Global
• The personal cost of dedication and achieving monumental goals, leading Jane to the brink of burnout
• The emotional and transformative power of embracing vulnerability and self-compassion
• Insights into healing trauma through therapeutic approaches, including Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• The role of unexpected support from Tony Robbins in reviving Embrace Global
• The significance of self-acceptance and the courage to face imperfections on the path to healing

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Supporting Resources:

 www.JaneMarieChen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janemarie.chen/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemariechen/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/janemariechen

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.

Download: ATTACHMENT & RECOVERY worksheet

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind delve into the concept of attachment and its critical role in recovery from addiction. They discuss the different types of attachment styles—secure, anxious, dismissive, and fearful—and how these styles impact our ability to form healthy relationships. By understanding your attachment style, you can improve your relationships and strengthen your recovery journey. Tune in to learn how early childhood attachments shape your adult life and get practical tips to build better connections. Join us for a deeper dive into this powerful topic and find out how you can take actionable steps towards healing.

Key Topics

- The importance of understanding attachment in addiction recovery.

- Different attachment styles: secure, anxious, dismissive, and fearful.

- How early childhood experiences shape adult relationships.

- Practical tips for improving relationship skills in recovery.

- The connection between attachment styles and forming a supportive community.

Timestamps

1. [00:02:01] - Introduction to the importance of attachment in recovery.

2. [00:05:00] - Historical background of attachment theory by John Bowlby.

3. [00:07:00] - Explanation of secure attachment.

4. [00:08:05] - Anxious or preoccupied attachment style.

5. [00:09:40] - Dismissive attachment and its impact on relationships.

6. [00:11:00] - Fearful avoidant or disorganized attachment.

7. [00:13:00] - Stan Tacken’s perspective on attachment styles.

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In this episode, we talk about sacrificial helpers’ syndrome, great for people who are in the helper profession or volunteer helpers. Sacrificial help syndrome can be defined as people giving more than they have for the people they serve.

Our guest today is Katie Vernoy. A licensed family therapist, a coach, and consultant with helpers based in Torrance, California. As she says, she helps helpers to help better.

Most people who’ve had traumatic experiences that completely changed their lives can end up with this syndrome because they just want others to get through it better than they did and in between that they don't think of taking care of themselves.

For therapists, they put their own needs at bay and focus on what other people need and how they can help them. Working past normal working hours, neglecting own self-care practices, scheduling in clients during personal time, foregoing meals just to help someone out are mostly signs that you're sacrificing yourself too much.

Katie’s experience came about when she was working in public mental health. She worked extra hours, focused more on her staff and clients, and she burned out because she was so passionate about what she was doing to the point of neglecting self-care. After going out solo, she realized it was important for helpers to take care of themselves because if not, eventually, the help they offer won't be available.

Within the profession, it’s often expected of you to be overly benevolent out of the goodness of your heart, so when you ask for money, or set limits and say no sometimes there can be a backlash from the society. It's expected of you to do this. However, part of your helping has to have some limits because you need to empower people to start their recovery on their own. Access if the client’s emergency call is a crisis or if it's possible for them to problem-solve on their own and practice self-soothing techniques. Yes, it’s hard to say no to a client at a critical moment, but learning to set limits helps tremendously in improving your service.

Most often than not, when you started feeling as though your clients should cancel on appointments or grumpy, or you feel fatigued and burned out, it's a sign that you’ve started or are giving too much already. At this point, you can't care much anymore, and it's a clear sign that you should take some time off and do some consultation. Never risk your recovery for someone else’s.

The first recovery of the syndrome is recognizing you’ve got a problem. You should then address it efficiently and start making time for yourself. Set aside some time to do some mandatory extracurricular activities, e.g., meeting up a friend, shopping, surfing, etc. Make sure you hold yourself accountable or find an accountability partner. Accountability will help you make better choices and get some well-deserved rest. You're valuable, take care of yourself.

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Download: FIRST-ORDER CHANGE VS. SECOND-ORDER CHANGE

Are you making changes but feeling stuck in your recovery journey? It could be because you're focusing on first-order changes. These are the surface-level adjustments we make – quitting a substance, changing routines – but they don't address the root of the problem.

That's where second-order change comes in. This is about digging deeper into your anxieties, past traumas, and the underlying beliefs that drive addictive behaviors. It's a transformation, not just a tweak.

Think of it like this: first-order change is running on a treadmill – you're moving, but not getting anywhere. Second-order change is taking the exit ramp and finding a new path.  

Second-order change is the key to lasting recovery. So how do you get there? This episode breaks it down and helps you figure out where you might need extra support along the way.  

Key Topics

• What first-order change is and why it's important early on
• Second-order change and how it leads to lasting recovery
• Examples of each type of change
• How to start that deeper, second-order work
• The value of therapy or coaching for this transformation

Key Moments

• [00:01:00] – The treadmill trap: Why some changes feel pointless
• [00:03:00] – Beyond willpower: What if just stopping isn't enough?
• [00:05:00] – Real-world examples to help you identify your type of change
• [00:08:00] –  When is enough, enough? How to recognize you need deeper work
• [00:10:00] –  The scary (but worthwhile) path to second-order change
• [00:14:00] –  "I can see it in them": Signs you've done the deeper work
• [00:17:00] –  Your action plan: Next steps for leveling up your recovery

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Dr. Scott Teitelbaum's world came crashing down when his addictions to marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, and gambling threatened not only his medical career but also his family life. As a former pediatrician who found himself battling these demons, Scott's story is one of hitting rock bottom before finding the strength to climb back up. Hear how the loss of his medical license and the dissolution of his marriage became the catalysts for a transformative journey into addiction medicine and child psychiatry. His candid reflection on overcoming denial and embracing teachability offers invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of recovery.

Scott's path to redemption wasn't traveled alone. With the unwavering support of mentors who saw potential in him, he embarked on a journey marked by humility and gratitude. These mentors believed in his ability to rebuild his life even when he couldn't see it himself. As Scott recounts the steps he took to regain his medical license and rebuild his career, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining sobriety and helping others in their recovery journeys. A touching story about a gift from a mentor serves as a poignant reminder of the impact that support can have on one's journey to recovery.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Dr. Scott Teitelbaum's personal journey from pediatrician to addiction medicine expert after battling his own addictions.
• The role of denial and teachability in Dr. Teitelbaum's initial struggles with recovery and eventual transformation.
• The importance of mentorship and support systems in Dr. Teitelbaum's path to regaining his medical license and rebuilding his life.
• Establishment and impact of the Florida Recovery Center, a top facility in Gainesville, Florida, for addiction recovery.
• The emotional and professional challenges faced by Dr. Teitelbaum, including the loss of his medical license and family, and his subsequent recovery.
• The power of resilience, gratitude, and humility in overcoming addiction and helping others on their recovery journeys.

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.

In this episode of TAM+, hosts Duane and Eric delve into the concept of rumination, shedding light on its impact and providing practical strategies to navigate it. They define rumination as repetitive thought patterns, often negative, that loop incessantly in our minds. Through insightful conversation, they dissect different types of rumination, such as brooding, intrusive, reflective, and deliberate, each with its own nuances and effects. They discuss how rumination can lead to anxiety and depression and offer actionable advice on breaking free from its grip. By embracing mindfulness, welcoming intrusive thoughts, and engaging in activities that demand full attention, listeners can begin to mitigate the effects of rumination and regain mental clarity.

Are you enjoying The Addicted Mind + podcast? Show your support and purchase the $7 eBook “I Can’t Get This Thought Out Of My Head: 5 Ways To Conquer Rumination” – Click Here 

 Key Topics Bullet Points:

– Defining rumination and its impact on mental health

– The difference between rumination and reflection

– Types of rumination: brooding, intrusive, and deliberate

– Strategies to manage and overcome rumination

– The importance of mindfulness and physical activity in breaking the rumination cycle

Timestamps of Key Moments:

– [00:00] Introduction to rumination with Duane and Eric Osterlind

– [01:10] Personal experiences with rumination

– [03:09] Understanding the negative impact of rumination

– [07:20] Different types of rumination explained

– [11:17] Strategies to manage rumination effectively

– [15:15] Combining mindfulness with cognitive and physical strategies

– [18:07] Resources and final thoughts on managing rumination

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