The Addiction Solution

People have all sorts of beliefs about the powers of substances: to make them more outgoing and fun, relax them, and to pick them up when they're down. And many people will allow drunk or high people to behave in ways they would never allow someone who is sober. They do this because of what is called the license to misbehave. The question is, do substances actually have the power to make you relax and turn a bad mood into a good one? Does alcohol make people relaxed and funny or does it make them angry and violent? Does heroin relieve emotional pain and help people to deal with trauma? Does cocaine make you smarter and more insightful, or does it make you aggressive and hostile? Today all three Freedom Model authors challenge the supposed magical powers of substances and expose the license to misbehave.

When looking for alternatives to 12 step based programs and meetings, people often look for alternative support groups. And while there are a few, the question remains, are support groups actually necessary and/or effective at helping people to change their substance use behaviors? What people fail to realize is that before 1935 when Alcoholics Anonymous was formed, those people who struggled with alcohol or drug problems simply got over their problems and moved on with their lives. The entire premise that people need some kind of support structure or meeting was literally born out of the 12 step movement. Freedom Model co-authors Mark Scheeren, Steven Slate and Michelle Dunbar discuss their personal experiences in support group meetings and where their research has taken them. They talk candidly about whether or not support group meetings are necessary or effective

When looking for alternatives to 12 step based programs and meetings, people often look for alternative support groups. And while there are a few, the question remains, are support groups actually necessary and/or effective at helping people to change their substance use behaviors? What people fail to realize is that before 1935 when Alcoholics Anonymous was formed, those people who struggled with alcohol or drug problems simply got over their problems and moved on with their lives. The entire premise that people need some kind of support structure or meeting was literally born out of the 12 step movement. Freedom Model co-authors Mark Scheeren, Steven Slate and Michelle Dunbar discuss their personal experiences in support group meetings and where their research has taken them. They talk candidly about whether or not support group meetings are necessary or effective

Host Michelle Dunbar interviews Mark Scheeren, Chairman of the Baldwin Research Institute, Co-founder of The Freedom Model Retreats, and Co-author of The Freedom Model for Addictions. Michelle and Mark discuss the development of The Freedom Model – from its earliest beginnings in the late ‘80’s to the present day. The interview covers Mark’s early life in AA, and then his decision to leave AA, and his final decision to create the antithesis of AA and treatment for addiction in America. He highlights the founding of the first non-12 step residential model in America, The Freedom Model Retreats, and the book that chronicle’s the research and method behind this path, The Freedom Model for Addictions. Mark describes his continued mission to change the way people see and define addiction, and why the research led him to abandon what he calls, the 12-step treatment complex. A must-listen for anyone dabbling with the idea of leaving a 12 step program in their search for greater happiness and success!

Host Michelle Dunbar interviews Mark Scheeren, Chairman of the Baldwin Research Institute, Co-founder of The Freedom Model Retreats, and Co-author of The Freedom Model for Addictions. Michelle and Mark discuss the development of The Freedom Model – from its earliest beginnings in the late ‘80’s to the present day. The interview covers Mark’s early life in AA, and then his decision to leave AA, and his final decision to create the antithesis of AA and treatment for addiction in America. He highlights the founding of the first non-12 step residential model in America, The Freedom Model Retreats, and the book that chronicle’s the research and method behind this path, The Freedom Model for Addictions. Mark describes his continued mission to change the way people see and define addiction, and why the research led him to abandon what he calls, the 12-step treatment complex. A must-listen for anyone dabbling with the idea of leaving a 12 step program in their search for greater happiness and success!

This and the next two podcasts will introduce you to The Addiction Solution team, Michelle Dunbar, Mark Scheeren and Steven Slate. In the first in this 3-podcast series, Steven Slate has a candid discussion with Michelle Dunbar what it was like to grow up in Alcoholics Anonymous, which she refers to as "the cult", and how that influenced her life. She discusses how her early life struggles transformed into a passion to find the answers to these problems and help people to change their lives. From her take on moderation, which is heresy in the "recovery" world, to her work helping families of substance users, to her personal experiences working with substance users at The Freedom Model Retreats, you will get a unique glimpse into Michelle's life and the answers she has found over the course of nearly 3 decades of dedicated curiosity and work on this one mission.