Hi Reader, Let’s talk about something many of us are feeling right now: The world can feel like a lot. News, headlines, updates. It’s constant. And while staying informed matters, too much input can leave you anxious, overwhelmed, or pulled off track in your recovery. Here’s the key: you can care about what’s happening without carrying all of it. Your nervous system wasn’t designed to process nonstop information. Especially the stressful kind. A few ways to stay grounded:• Set limits on how...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind, I talk with Jesse Crosson, and his story is one you will not forget. At 18, Jesse was sentenced to 32 years in prison. But what he found there was something unexpected. He found a path to freedom. We talk about how being forced to slow down and face his pain changed everything. Jesse shares how sitting in silence helped him stop running, how taking responsibility gave him a way forward, and how small daily actions helped him rebuild his life. One...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here’s a simple idea that can guide a lot of good decisions: Your future self is watching. Not in a scary way, more like a quiet reminder that today’s choices shape tomorrow’s experience. In recovery and mental health, it’s easy to focus on what feels good right now. But short-term relief doesn’t always lead to long-term peace. A helpful question to ask is:What would my tomorrow-self thank me for? It might be:• going to bed on time• reaching out instead of isolating• taking a walk...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind, I talk with Mitchell Osmond about something I see all the time, people who are thriving at work but struggling at home. Mitchell shares his story of hitting a breaking point, facing divorce, debt, and substance use, and how he turned things around. One of the big takeaways is that the skills that make us successful in business do not always work in relationships. Logic, control, and efficiency might win in the boardroom, but at home, connection,...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you ever felt a swirl of emotions but couldn’t quite figure out what you were actually feeling? That’s more common than you might think—especially in recovery. In this week’s episode of The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I talk about the powerful skill of identifying and naming your emotions. When we can’t make sense of what we feel, it’s easy to fall back into old coping habits. But when we learn to recognize emotions like fear, anger, shame, or guilt, we gain a lot more control...
15 days ago • 1 min read
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...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind, I have a fascinating conversation with Dr. Alexandra Katehakis about something that affects almost everyone in recovery—shame. One of the biggest insights from our talk is that shame isn’t just a thought or emotion. It’s actually rooted in the body, especially in the gut and nervous system. When shame shows up, it can create a deep sense of collapse that many people try to escape through substances or addictive behaviors. We also talk about how early...
18 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here’s something we don’t talk about enough: emotional hangovers. An emotional hangover can happen after a big day — a tough conversation, a family gathering, a stressful event, even an exciting milestone. You got through it… and then the next day you feel drained, foggy, irritable, or flat. That’s not weakness. That’s your nervous system recovering. When you’re “on” for hours — managing feelings, reading the room, staying regulated — your brain burns energy. Afterward, it needs...
23 days ago • 1 min read
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...
25 days ago • 1 min read