We are discussing a new immersive VR experience that’s teaching teenagers about addiction. Elvar Sig has transformed personal tragedy into an innovative and generous project, a tool to build awareness and generate conversations. He shares how addiction has been a force in his own life. He walks us through the VR journey he’s created, and what he hopes young people will take away from the experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we talk with Anthony Ramynke about attachment, empathy, and early childhood experiences. He tells us why early childhood experiences are the root cause bringing people into therapy, and what this means for the process. The therapist’s job is to attune empathically to the client, giving them the building blocks to heal. By creating a safe, intimate relationship – perhaps for the first time in the client’s life – the therapist allows the client to develop new ways of relating to themselves and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jason Groce stops by to talk about sobriety, dual diagnosis, and the recovery support group LifeRing. For 10 years, Jason was an on again off again alcoholic. He would stay sober for periods of time or attempt to moderate. Eventually, stressors would pile up and he would start drinking. He tried support groups but didn’t find them helpful. 3 and a half years ago, a social worker asked him what he was going to do differently. It wasn’t his first time to the hospital, but he was committed to making it his last. He agreed that he needed to find a community to stay sober. LifeRing got Jason’s attention. He attended a meeting, and the format worked for him. The philosophy of secularism and personal empowerment spoke to Jason. He’d always struggled with the spiritual components of other programs, and the emphasis on powerlessness and surrender. Most of all, he liked the more conversational structure of the meeting. Each meeting, participants are invited to share about their last week. It can be directly related to sobriety, but it doesn’t have to be. Crosstalk is encouraged. People interrupt to ask questions, offer support, or share similar experiences. Two concepts undergird LifeRing’s philosophy: the 3 S’s and the addict self – sober self-conflict. The 3 S’s are sobriety, secularity, and self-help. Sobriety because LifeRing is an abstinence-based program. Secularity because LifeRing promotes models of recovery generated by human effort. And self-help because LifeRing believes that each individual’s journey to sobriety is their own, and the role of the group is to reinforce each individual’s motivation and efforts. The conflict between the Addict Self and the Sober Self represents LifeRing’s belief about the nature of addiction recovery. The process of recovery involves strengthening and reinforcing the sober self. The addict self will always be there, but we can do everything in our power to amplify our desire to live a fulfilled, sober life. In this episode we also talk about: The intervention that led to Jason’s recovery Atheism and recovery Why LifeRing’s meeting format and absence of an organized doctrine are important to Jason The differences between LifeRing, 12-step programs, and other peer support groups Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-addicted-mind-podcast/donations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We are talking with Megan Peterson of 2nd Chance Counseling. 2nd Chance is an internet-based addiction treatment provider. They have therapists in every state working to make treatment accessible, flexible, and cost-effective. Duane and Megan talk about the advantages and disadvantages of this new treatment model, who it’s for, and how it came to be. 2nd Chance conducts therapy by video chat. The flexibility this offers creates new possibilities for treatment that is impossible for traditional outpatient clinics. Patients can communicate with their therapist earlier and later. Appointments can be any length the patient and therapist agree on. The flexibility and relative ease of meeting by video instead of in-person mean that appointments can often be set on shorter notice. Patients can utilize their therapist when difficulty arises, instead of waiting until the next scheduled appointment. Most of all, being able to access therapy without traveling eliminates the barriers that prevent people from getting the help they need. Digital communication is a bigger part of our culture than ever, and much of human connection today is digitally enabled. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-addicted-mind-podcast/donations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Part of the work we do to treat addiction is to work through the other preexisting conditions and environmental factors that could contribute to addictive behavior. Those who suffer from a co-morbid condition will notice that addiction recovery is much harder to treat without also addressing the other condition. Recently, we have more insight than ever before how Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) plays a role in Sex Addiction in particular. Today, our guest is Dr. John Sealy, who has been an advocate and forerunner in how ADD and Addiction influence one another. As we learn more and more about the treatment of ADD, we can also change how we treat Sex Addiction.    Dr. Sealy is passionate about ensuring that people get the help they need. He does not treat addiction as a single issue but looks at the whole patient to assess the care they need. Due to the inherent stigma and shame that many sufferers carry around Sex Addiction, it has historically been difficult for these people to receive treatment. Dr. Sealy is working to change that. We are excited to bring to you today all the latest research, methodology, and new insight that will be liberating for many in the recovery process. This will be an episode that is helpful and encouraging to those who are in recovery. Help and hope are available for you. More to learn in this episode:  How our understanding and controversy of Sex Addiction has changed since the study was pioneered.  Understanding the diagnosis of Sexual Addiction.  The co-morbid conditions that we see playing a major role in Sex Addiction recovery.  How the unique cognitive hallmarks of ADD make it a likely co-morbid condition for addiction.  Resources Work with Dr. Sealy: https://novusmindfullife.com  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-addicted-mind-podcast/donations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Addictions can infiltrate and influence so many aspects of relationships, and affairs and betrayal are no exceptions. Here to speak to her experiences as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist is Katie Leminux. Katie fell into working with couples in affair and betrayal recovery because she loved to see the huge potential for improvement. Time and again, she realized that addictions of all kinds play into affairs and why they happen or as a result of the trauma.  We as therapists can provide the structure and framework for couples to work through intense, emotional struggles. Katie believes in the power of the Gottman Couple Counseling Model to help couples reclaim their relationship and recover fully from any addictions. Today is your opportunity to see the hope that Katie sees, and to really understand how a complex recovery is really possible.    In this episode we also discuss:  How Katie “fell into” working with couples.  The Gottman Couples Counseling Model.  Changing the language of an affair to make it easier to talk about.  The essential structures that help couples work through the difficult problems in an affair.  Therapists have the power to help couples work through trauma as well as the unique types of hurt emotions that stem from betrayal.  Learn the three phases of reclaiming a hurt relationship.  The role of addiction in betrayal.  Strategies that couples use to rebuild their relationship.    Resources http://familyandcouplescounseling.com/   Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-addicted-mind-podcast/donations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today, I am delighted to bring you the wisdom and expertise of Eli Holmes. Dr. Holmes is a Portland-based Psychologist who is just as passionate as we are about research-based treatment. Today, Dr. Holmes is going to bring to light some of the amazing insights therapists can gain from using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Therapy. The REBT model is perfect not just for individuals struggling with addiction, but also those with emotional swings, obsessive thoughts, and mood issues.  In this episode, we will talk about the fascinating history of REBT and why it is such a powerful tool. We will get to parse out why we have an emotional reaction to certain events, and how we can help our patients cope with emotional reactiveness. As we continue to arm ourselves with the latest techniques and research, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those battling addiction. You do not want to miss out on today’s episode.    Today we will also learn:  What is REBT, and why is it effective in addiction treatment? Examples of REBT in action.  The ways that we as therapists can utilize techniques to help our clients to build emotional tolerance. The unique emotional challenges we face with addiction therapy.    Resources REBT worksheet: Dr. Eli Holmes’ email. Contact him with any questions at all! psychologyportland@gmail.com    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-addicted-mind-podcast/donations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Every week on the Addicted Mind Podcast, we seek to share methods and insights from mental health professionals that are paving the way to success and recovery. This week, Dr. Nazanin Moali is bringing her insights to the podcast on Moderation Management models as opposed to Abstinence Models. Are you ready to challenge what you know about recovery models? Is there more out there than a 12 Step Program?      Dr. Moali is a Sex Therapist and Addiction Specialist. Through her work with her practice, Oasis 2 Care Center, Dr. Moali has learned that the Abstinence Model for overcoming addiction is just one of the many modes professionals can use during treatment. By keeping the client’s needs and goals at the center of her practice, Dr. Moali has seen success in Harm Reduction as well as Moderation Management. Now, she is taking her knowledge to the next step as she releases episodes of her own podcast, Sexology. Dr. Moali’s knowledge is vast, and we are excited to share her perspective and expertise with you this week.   Also in this episode:  Defining the difference between Harm Reduction Model and Abstinence Model treatment.  Diving into an example of how Moderation Management can be used to battle addiction.  The distinct cultural differences between how treatment models are used in the US and Europe.  There are advantages to seeking out a private practice for treatment.  Dr. Moali shares her assessment methods for deciding if moderation model is right for her patient.  Places clients can go for Moderation Management rather than Abstinence.  Examples of Harm Reduction models.    Resources Dr. Moali’s Blog Post Addictedmind.com/10   Oasis 2 Care Website http://oasis2care.com/ Listen to Dr. Moali’s Sexology Podcast    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As therapists, we hear about Motivational Interviewing (MI) all the time. It's a technique that therapists can use to bring forward the ambivalence that a person with an addiction has, towards resolving that addiction. It's well regarded and it's a fairly well-researched intervention for people with addictions, but still, a lot of the people looking for treatment, or even those who have been in treatment, don't really seem to know what it is, or why we would use it in a treatment setting.  Today's guest, Dr Tony Mele, is the Chief Clinical Officer at Sovereign Health. He's on the show today because he came to our agency recently and did an incredible training on Motivational Interviewing, where he was able to really go in depth and look at how Motivational Interviewing actually works with the brain, to bring about change. Listen in to find out more about what Motivational Interviewing is all about and how it can be used effectively, within the treatment setting.    Show highlights:   Dr Mele gives some important information about Motivational Interviewing. Dr Mele explains the ambivalence within people with addictions. Many people with addictions will describe a loss, when asked about what life without addiction would be like for them. MI could be described as a language, to help the patient to begin looking at their own behaviour differently. Dr Mele describes in practical terms, how one would converse with a patient, using MI to bring their contradictions to the forefront. Dr Mele explains cognitive dissonance, which you will wind up facing, as a therapist using MI. If cognitive dissonance doesn't come up in therapy, you will maintain the addiction, so as a therapist, you want the patient to feel the discomfort that it brings. Working with the patient in the decision-making process. The link between the emotional centre (the amygdala) and the memory centre (the hippocampus) in the brain.  Addiction produces a positive feeling, so as a therapist, you need to help the people to begin to think differently. How MI differs from the 'old school' treatment.  Dopamine and addicted behaviour.  The assumptions that are associated with the MI technique. There is a fair amount of cognitive skill, which is required on the part of the patient, to effectively use MI. Some examples of Motivational Interviewing questions.   Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-addicted-mind-podcast/donations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome back to The Addicted Mind podcast. This week, we are talking with Dr. Jessica Naughton, a Clinical Psychologists who has years of experience working with combat veterans dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many veterans struggle with addiction that also suffer from PTSD. Now we know that PTSD can be one of the underlying causes of substance abuse since addictions spring up as a way to deal with PTSD symptoms.  So how can we care for veterans as they navigate PTSD symptoms? The good news is that the stigma around mental health disorders is rapidly changing. Now more than ever before, there are people like Dr. Naughton who have the resources to help veterans and their unique experiences of trauma and addiction. Help is here! Listen to see just how much we can do for our Veternas.    We talk a lot about PTSD, but what exactly is it?  Trauma for combat veterans cannot be processed in the moment.  Symptoms were actually an adaptive change to help veterans survive.  Diving in on why certain people deal with PTSD and others do not.  Treatment is becoming less stigmatized.  Dr. Naughton explains why trauma focused and addiction focused therapy is a delicate balance.  Learn the difference between exposure and cognitive therapy treatments.  If you or a Veteran you know is struggling, go to the VA. They have the resources and the systems in place to help you.    If you are a Veteran struggling with PTSD, please reach out to The Veteran’s Crisis Line at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/   The Crisis Line Phone number is 1-800-273-8255      Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-addicted-mind-podcast/donations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.