Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I talk about something that’s at the heart of long-term recovery: connection. Not perfect habits, not superhuman willpower—just having people in your life who really see you and support you. Addiction feeds on isolation and shame. It convinces you to hide and tells you that you’re a burden. But recovery grows in community. When you hear someone else share a story that sounds a lot like yours, something shifts. You realize you’re not alone,...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions — those shiny promises we make on January 1st when motivation is high and the coffee is strong. They can be great… but they can also be a trap. The pros?Resolutions give structure, hope, and a sense of direction. They help us name what we want and take a step toward it. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming bigger or setting a fresh intention. The cons?Resolutions often come with pressure. Big, unrealistic goals can trigger shame when life gets...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind Podcast, I had a powerful and emotional conversation with Burton Fischler, author of The Gift: Trauma to Triumph. Burton shares the almost unimaginable loss of his wife, Barbara, and how he navigated the deep trauma that followed. His story is heartbreaking—but also incredibly hopeful. We talk about what it really means to live with PTSD, how writing became part of his healing, and why gratitude—not joy—is often the first step toward rebuilding your...
11 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Holiday get-togethers can be tricky in recovery. They’re full of old dynamics, loud energy, and sometimes more opinions than appetizers. So here’s a short handbook to help you stay grounded while you celebrate. • Arrive with a plan. Know how long you want to stay and how you’ll leave.• Bring your own non-alcoholic drink. It guarantees you’ll have something you like and takes the pressure off.• Stick with safe people. One familiar face can make all the difference.• Step away when...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind Podcast, I had a really thoughtful conversation with Swami Revati, a Hindu monk with over 15 years of monastic experience. We talked about spirituality, psychology, and what it actually means to find lasting happiness. Swami Revati shares how Eastern spirituality looks at life as a “science of the self”—learning who you are at your core and building a steady inner source of peace that doesn’t depend on what’s happening around you. We also explore how...
25 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s talk about a simple emotional check-in that can save you a lot of stress: Is this mine, or someone else’s? Most of us absorb other people’s moods without even noticing — a tense coworker, a frustrated partner, the stranger at the grocery store sighing like it’s an Olympic sport. Before we know it, we’re carrying feelings that didn’t even start with us. This question helps you pause and sort things out.If it is yours, great — you can deal with it.If it belongs to someone else,...
30 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind Podcast, I’m talking with Dr. Meena Mirhom and Jasmine Kenney about a topic so many parents and caregivers worry about—how to talk to teens about drugs and mental health in a way that actually works. We dig into the CDC’s Free Mind Campaign, which gives teens and parents simple, non-judgmental tools to start real conversations. They share why teens are turning to substances to cope, what’s happening with today’s drug trends, and why listening without...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I dig into something that often gets overlooked in recovery: micro wins. These are the tiny victories—like taking a short walk, showing up to a meeting, or jotting down one sentence in your journal—that quietly keep you moving forward. The truth is, the little things matter a lot more than we give them credit for. When you notice and celebrate those small steps, your mindset shifts. You start building momentum, confidence, and resilience...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s talk mornings — specifically, how to make them less chaotic and more supportive of your recovery. I call it the Morning Bookend Habit: a simple 3-minute routine that tells your brain, “Hey, we’re doing today on purpose.” Here’s how it works:Minute 1: Take a few slow breaths. Nothing fancy — just a moment to land in your body before the world starts shouting.Minute 2: Check in with yourself. What’s one feeling you’re bringing into today — and one intention you want to...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read