"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.
New Episode: Benjamin Flaherty on Exposing the “Florida Shuffle” and Why It Matters
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Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind, I’m sharing a conversation that’s hard—but really important. I sat down with filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty to talk about his documentary Shuffle, which exposes what’s known as the “Florida Shuffle.” It’s a predatory cycle in the addiction treatment world where vulnerable people are moved between facilities—not for healing, but for insurance money. Benjamin is also in recovery, and that lived experience gave him rare access to stories most people never see. We talk about how greed crept into healthcare, how relapse became profitable, and what it’s like to witness people being treated like transactions instead of humans. And even in the middle of all this darkness, there’s still hope. This episode highlights resilience, truth-telling, and why transparency matters so much if we want real recovery to be possible. If you care about ethics in treatment, or you’ve ever wondered why the system can feel so broken, this episode is worth your time. All my best, P.S. This is one of those episodes that might make you uncomfortable—but sometimes discomfort is the first step toward real change. |
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, We’re often told that change comes down to willpower. Try harder. Push through. Be stronger. But here’s a more recovery-friendly truth: most people don’t need more willpower — they need more capacity. Capacity is your mental, emotional, and physical fuel. When it’s low, everything feels harder. Cravings get louder. Stress feels heavier. Small problems feel overwhelming. Willpower tries to override that. Capacity works with your nervous system. A few simple ways to build capacity:...
Hi Reader, Have you ever noticed how easy it is to fall into thinking like, “I’m either crushing it or I’ve completely failed”? If that sounds familiar, this week’s episode is for you. On the latest episode of The Addicted Mind, Eric and I dig into black-and-white thinking—and how it can quietly mess with your emotions and your recovery. We talk about why this mindset shows up so often, and how learning to think in shades of gray can make things feel more steady and manageable. We also share...
Hi Reader, Here’s a mental health reminder that can save you a lot of unnecessary suffering: Feelings are weather — not facts. Some days feel sunny. Others feel stormy. Emotional weather can change fast. Anxiety rolls in. Cravings spike. Old thoughts show up and start telling scary stories. The mistake we often make is assuming, “If I feel this way, it must be true.” But feelings are temporary signals, not permanent truths. A helpful question during hard moments is:Is this how things are… or...