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...
3 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....
10 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...
12 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...
16 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...
17 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...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here is something we don't always think about: The music you listen to affects your mind more than you realize. Music can change your mood, lower stress, boost motivation, and even bring back memories and emotions in seconds. Sometimes that is helpful. Sometimes not so much. Ever notice how one song can calm you down, while another makes your nervous system feel like it drank three energy drinks? That is because music taps directly into emotion and memory. In recovery and mental...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here is a small reminder: Not everything needs your reaction. Every day, things show up that try to pull us in. A frustrating comment. Bad news. A stressful moment. An uncomfortable feeling. Our brains often want to react right away. But here is the good news: You can notice something without engaging with it. Think of it like standing on the sidewalk watching traffic. You see the cars go by, but you do not have to jump into every one. The same is true for thoughts, emotions, and...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on the podcast, I sat down with Robert “Bob” Stark, and his story really stayed with me. Bob is an Army veteran, author, and someone who has been clean and sober for 11 years after an 18-year struggle with substance use. We talked about his transition home after Iraq, the pressure many men feel to stay tough and silent, and how writing became one of the biggest tools in his healing. What I loved about this conversation is that Bob does not pretend recovery is simple. He...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read