"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it.
Rethinking Prevention in a Digital World
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Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Docekal to talk about something that’s impacting almost every family right now—youth mental health and addiction in the digital age. We discuss what she calls the “double whammy” of COVID isolation and smartphones. Anxiety and depression are rising fast, and for many young people, substance use is a symptom—not the root problem. We also talk about high-potency THC, the mental health risks tied to it, and why prevention has to move beyond “Just Say No.” The focus now is connection over correction. Listening over lecturing. One of my favorite takeaways? You don’t have to have all the answers as a parent. You just have to be present. If you care about kids, mental health, or the future of prevention, this episode is an important one. Thanks for being here. Be well, P.S. - If you have a teen in your life, try one small thing this week—put the phone down and just sit with them. No fixing. Just listening. |
The Addicted Mind Podcast
"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it.
Hi Reader, Here’s a simple reminder that can save you a lot of stress: Not every thought deserves your attention. Our brains produce thousands of thoughts every day. Some are helpful. Some are random. And some are just old fears or habits showing up again. In recovery, those thoughts can sound convincing:“This is too hard.”“One time won’t matter.”“I can’t handle this.” But a thought isn’t a command. It’s just mental noise passing through. Instead of arguing with every thought, try noticing it...
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