TAM+ EP 83 Unlocking the Impact of Childhood Trauma: The ACEs Study
Download: The Worksheet ACEIn this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the groundbreaking ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study. This research revealed how childhood trauma significantly impacts mental, physical, and emotional health in adulthood. By exploring the origins, findings, and implications of the study, they discuss how early experiences of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction shape our lives. The episode also provides practical steps for recognizing and addressing these traumas, offering hope and tools for those struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Join us to understand the profound connection between childhood experiences and adult well-being.Key Topics- Introduction to the ACEs study and its significance.- Types of adverse childhood experiences (abuse, neglect, household dysfunction).- The impact of ACEs on adult mental and physical health.- Recognizing hidden forms of trauma and their long-term effects.- Practical steps for healing from childhood trauma.Timestamps1. [00:01:00] – Introduction and significance of the ACEs study.2. [00:02:28] – History and inception of the ACEs study by Dr. Vincent Felitti.3. [00:04:21] – Types of adverse childhood experiences.4. [00:06:25] – Impact of ACEs on adult health and well-being.5. [00:09:38] – Recognizing hidden forms of trauma.6. [00:13:23] – Steps to address and heal from childhood trauma.7. [00:17:11] – Summary and resources for further help.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Episode 348: Transforming Addiction Recovery: Harnessing AI for Personal and Family Support with Brad Sorte
Brad Sorte, co-founder of Sober Companion AI, shares his remarkable journey from battling addiction to harnessing the power of AI to transform recovery processes. With nearly two decades of experience under his belt, Brad provides insights into how AI is making addiction treatment more personal and accessible. By integrating compassionate care with advanced technology, AI is opening doors to treatment for more individuals and families, offering new hope and reshaping therapeutic interactions.Our conversation takes a closer look at AI's broader applications in family education and support services. With the rise of tools like ChatGPT, Brad envisions a world where conversational AI companions serve as 24-hour coaches for families, guiding them through challenges and helping manage boundaries and anxiety. These AI advancements strive to reconstruct family support structures, particularly in a post-COVID landscape, addressing the entire familial ecosystem to prevent generational issues and foster holistic healing.In this episode, you will hear:Exploration of AI's transformative role in addiction recovery, emphasizing personal and accessible treatmentInsights from Brad Sorte on integrating compassionate care with technology in mental health servicesAI's potential in democratizing family education and support, using conversational AI as 24-hour coachesEthical considerations and risks of forming dependencies on AI in mental health careUse of real-time data from mobile devices for early detection and intervention in addiction relapseFollow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:SCAINovusMindfulLife.comhttps://www.theaddictedmind.com/community Episode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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TAM+ EP82 Putting Your Inner Critic on Trial: Rewiring Your Brain's Negative Voice
Download: Thought Challenge WorksheetWhat if the harshest critic you've ever known lives inside your own head?That relentless voice telling you you're not good enough, you'll never change, you always mess things up – it's been running the show for far too long. In this eye-opening episode, hosts Duane and Eric reveal how your inner critic has been acting as judge, jury, and executioner of your self-worth, especially during addiction and trauma recovery.But here's the game-changer: you don't have to be a victim of your own thoughts anymore.Using powerful techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), this episode teaches you how to become your own defense attorney. You'll learn to identify the sneaky cognitive distortions that fuel your inner critic – like all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, and emotional reasoning – and discover a simple but life-changing method to challenge these automatic negative thoughts.This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending everything is fine. It's about finding truth, balance, and compassion in how you talk to yourself. Duane and Eric walk you through a practical thought-challenging exercise that you can use immediately when that critic gets loud.The hosts share real examples of how to transform thoughts like "I'm a complete failure" into more balanced perspectives that acknowledge your pain while opening doors to healing and growth. They explain why our feelings, though valid, aren't always accurate reflections of reality – and how emotional reasoning can trap us in cycles of shame and relapse.Every time you challenge a negative thought and find counter-evidence, you're literally rewiring your brain. You're building new neural pathways that are more balanced and resilient. Most importantly, you're shifting from being a passive victim of your thoughts to becoming an active participant in your emotional wellbeing.Ready to put your inner critic on trial? This episode gives you the tools to start today.Key TopicsCognitive distortions - identifying black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, and emotional reasoning The CBT thought-challenging method - questioning evidence for and against negative thoughts Emotional reasoning trap - why feeling something doesn't make it factually true Creating balanced alternatives - reframing thoughts without toxic positivity Self-compassion techniques - asking "what would I tell a dear friend?" Neural pathway rewiring - how challenging thoughts physically changes your brain Practical worksheet tool - step-by-step guide for thought recordsTimestamps[00:01:00] - Meet your harshest critic (spoiler: it's you) [00:03:00] - The pain of living under constant internal negativity [00:06:00] - Introduction to cognitive restructuring and CBT techniques [00:07:00] - Common cognitive distortions in addiction recovery [00:10:00] - The thought-challenging courtroom method [00:13:00] - Creating balanced alternative thoughts (real examples) [00:16:00] - Free worksheet download and practical next stepsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Episode 347: From Denial to Recovery: Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje's Journey Through High-Functioning Alcoholism and Healing
Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje’s story is one that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the hidden struggles of addiction. Imagine maintaining a successful career while secretly battling high-functioning alcoholism. Melissa opens up about her journey from denial to recovery, sharing the pivotal moments that led her to seek help. Her memoir, "Drunk Love: A Marriage Under the Influence," serves as a testament to the resilience required to overcome such a gripping hold on life. Her candid reflections offer a beacon of hope for those facing similar battles or supporting loved ones on their path to sobriety.Navigating a marriage entangled in the web of alcoholism presents its own set of challenges. Melissa and her husband share their experience of confronting the underlying issues masked by alcohol. Through therapy and recovery programs, they learned to rebuild their relationship, finding healthier ways to communicate and support each other. This episode explores themes of personal well-being, the importance of choosing the right therapeutic support, and the powerful transformation that sobriety can bring to personal and familial dynamics. Rediscovering one's identity and passions, such as Melissa's love for writing, are highlighted as key elements in the journey to recovery.In this episode, you will hear:Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje's battle with high-functioning alcoholism and the role of denial.The impact of alcoholism on Melissa's marriage and the journey to recovery and healing.Rediscovering personal identity and passions through sobriety, with a focus on Melissa's love for writing.The significance of choosing the right therapeutic support and the potential necessity of ending unhealthy relationships.Embracing radical honesty in recovery and the surprising support from colleagues.The transformative power of community and fellowship in overcoming addiction.Follow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:Drunk Love: A Marriage under the InfluenceSobertown InterviewNovusMindfulLife.comhttps://www.theaddictedmind.com/community Episode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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TAM+ EP 81 ANTs in Your Brain: The Secret to Breaking Free From Negative Thinking
Download: The ANT Catcher WorksheetHave you ever felt like your mind was invaded by a constant stream of tiny, negative whispers? Like there's an army of ants crawling through your head, each one carrying a toxic message that you're not good enough, you can't handle it, or you're going to fail?In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric reveal the hidden enemy that might be sabotaging your recovery without you even knowing it. They introduce you to ANTs – Automatic Negative Thoughts – those lightning-fast, barely noticeable thoughts that create a vicious cycle of pain, triggers, and destructive behaviors.Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most research-backed therapeutic approaches available, the hosts break down the critical connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. They explain how changing just one corner of this triangle can transform your entire emotional experience.But here's the game-changer: most of us try to change our behaviors through pure willpower, completely missing the thoughts that are actually driving the whole cycle. These automatic thoughts happen so fast they're almost subconscious, yet they have the power to hijack your entire day – and your recovery.Duane and Eric don't just identify the problem; they give you practical tools to fight back. They introduce the concept of "metacognition" – thinking about your thinking – and show you how to become a scientist of your own mind. By learning to spot these mental ants, you create psychological distance from them and stop seeing them as the absolute truth.The episode includes a 24-hour mission designed to help you become an "ant hunter," complete with specific steps for catching and labeling these thoughts without judgment. You'll learn why physically writing down these thoughts is so powerful and how this simple practice can be the foundation for lasting change.Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just tired of being controlled by negative self-talk, this episode offers hope and practical strategies. The hosts provide a free worksheet to help you track your progress and emphasize the importance of being gentle with yourself as you discover these hidden patterns.This isn't about positive thinking or willpower – it's about awareness, understanding, and gradually taking back control of your mental landscape one thought at a time.Key Topics• ANTs Explained: What automatic negative thoughts are and how they operate below conscious awareness • The CBT Triangle: How thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and influence each other • Metacognition Techniques: Learning to observe your thoughts rather than being controlled by them • The Ant Spotting Exercise: Practical 24-hour mission to catch and label negative thoughts • Why Willpower Fails: Understanding why behavior change without addressing thoughts doesn't work • Writing vs. Thinking: The power of physically recording your thoughts for lasting change • Self-Compassion in Recovery: Being gentle with yourself while developing awarenessKey Timestamps• [00:01:00] - Introduction to the "mental infestation" concept and ANTs metaphor • [00:03:00] - Real examples of how automatic negative thoughts trigger destructive behaviors • [00:06:00] - Introduction to CBT and the thoughts-feelings-behaviors triangle • [00:07:00] - Dr. Aaron Beck's research and the science behind automatic negative thoughts • [00:09:00] - The concept of "defusion" - separating yourself from your thoughts • [00:12:00] - The 24-hour ANT spotting mission explained step-by-step • [00:14:00] - Practical tips for tracking thoughts and the importance of writing them downSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
"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.We're here to do more than just talk about addiction. We want to show you how to heal and recover.Our talks with experts and people who have beaten addiction give you important insights into how addiction affects the mind and how recovery can happen in many ways. Whether we're looking at new treatment ideas or sharing stories that inspire, "The Addicted Mind Podcast" is all about understanding the complex world of addiction recovery and showing that recovery is possible.If you or someone you care about is dealing with the challenges of addiction, let "The Addicted Mind Podcast" be your friend and guide. We aim to give you the knowledge you need, share stories that inspire you, and show you that the journey to recovery is worth it.Subscribe now to be part of a community focused on learning, healing, and changing for the better. Your journey to a healthier mind and life begins right here.
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