Hi Reader, Let’s talk about anxiety. If you are in recovery, you have probably noticed that anxiety and addiction often travel together. The tricky part is that anxiety feels like an emergency. Your brain starts throwing out worst-case scenarios, your body gets tense, and suddenly you want relief right now. That is where many unhealthy coping habits begin. But here is something worth remembering: Anxiety is uncomfortable, but it is not dangerous. Most of the time, anxiety is your brain trying...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week, I welcomed Eric Zimmer back to the podcast, and as always, our conversation was packed with wisdom. Eric is the host of The One You Feed podcast and the author of a new book called How a Little Becomes a Lot. We talked about something many of us struggle with: how to create lasting change without getting overwhelmed. One of my favorite takeaways is that real transformation is usually not about one big moment. It is about the small choices we make every day. We also...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you ever said "yes" when every part of you wanted to say "no"? In this week's episode of The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I talk about one of the most important skills in recovery: setting healthy boundaries. A lot of people think boundaries are about keeping others out, but I see them differently. Healthy boundaries help protect what matters most while making room for stronger and more honest relationships. In this episode, we break down what boundaries are, what they are not,...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Are you tired of negotiating? People rarely regret making choices that improve their lives. Nobody starts sleeping better, taking care of their health, finding more peace, and building stronger relationships, and says, "I really miss all that struggle." Yet when it comes to addiction, many of us spend years negotiating. Maybe this time will be different. Maybe I can manage it. Maybe if I make better rules, I can make this work. That negotiation is exhausting. Not because you are...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Did you know that working with your hands is good for your mental health? Whether it is woodworking, painting, sewing, gardening, crafting, cooking, or building something from scratch, there is something powerful about creating with your hands. Why? Because it pulls you into the present moment. Instead of worrying about yesterday or tomorrow, your attention shifts to what is right in front of you. There is also something deeply satisfying about making progress you can actually see....
19 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on the podcast, I sat down with Dr. Adina Silvestri to talk about women, addiction, and the unique challenges many women face when seeking help. One thing that really stood out to me is her idea of "tend and befriend." Instead of using confrontation, she believes women often respond better to connection, support, and relationships when beginning recovery. We also talked about some of the barriers that can make treatment harder for women, including child care, fear of...
21 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you ever gotten feedback and felt like it hit you way harder than it should have? In this week's episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Eric and I talk about why criticism can feel so painful, especially in recovery. For many of us, feedback can quickly trigger feelings of shame, defensiveness, or self-doubt. The good news is that it does not have to stay that way. We explore how our past experiences shape our reactions to criticism and share practical tools for developing a...
26 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here is something I have noticed over the years: I have never met someone who started taking better care of themselves and later said, "You know what I miss? Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and unhealthy." Nobody looks back and says, "I wish I had slept less, stressed more, and ignored my well-being." And yet, when we are trying to make positive changes, our brains can act like we are giving something up. Eat a little healthier? It feels like a sacrifice. Drink less? It feels like...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on the podcast, I sat down with Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai to talk about something that is becoming a growing concern in addiction and mental health treatment: Kratom and 7-OH products. A lot of people assume these products are harmless because they are sold openly in gas stations and smoke shops. But Dr. Rifai shares what he is seeing clinically, including severe withdrawal symptoms that can look a lot like opioid addiction. We also talk about how addiction actually changes...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read