Recovered Addict

• How to Help an Addict Without Tough Love | Master Counselor's Family Guide

  If you've been told to "wait for rock bottom" or use "tough love" with someone struggling with addiction, this episode will change everything you thought you knew. Master Addiction Counselor Amber Hollingsworth reveals why the most common advice given to families is not just ineffective—it's dangerous. Discover the proven "Invisible Intervention" method that's helping thousands of families support their loved ones without enabling, confrontation, or becoming the bad guy.🎙️ ABOUT THIS EPISODEYou're exhausted. You've tried everything. Ultimatums, confrontations, begging, threatening, and nothing works. Your loved one keeps using despite losing jobs, relationships, health, and freedom. Everyone says "let them hit rock bottom" but you're watching them die. What if there's a better way?In this raw and revelatory conversation, Amber Hollingsworth (LMAC, Master Licensed Addiction Counselor with 20+ years experience) dismantles the most harmful myths in addiction recovery and shares practical strategies that actually work. If you're a family member, spouse, parent, or friend of someone with addiction—this is the episode you've been searching for.👤 GUEST EXPERT: AMBER HOLLINGSWORTHAmber is a Master Licensed Addiction Counselor (LMAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has dedicated over two decades to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of addiction. She's the creator of the revolutionary "Put the Shovel Down" method and founder of Family Recovery Academy, where she's helped thousands of families worldwide. With over 1,000 educational videos on YouTube and a unique perspective shaped by growing up in a family affected by addiction, Amber brings both professional expertise and deep personal understanding to this conversation.🔑 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN- Why "waiting for rock bottom" is the most dangerous myth in addiction recovery—and what the research actually shows about motivation and consequences- The critical difference between natural consequences and punishment (this one distinction changes everything about how you approach helping your loved one)- How to help high-functioning addicts who maintain jobs, relationships, and appearances while slowly destroying themselves internally- The "Invisible Intervention" technique—a step-by-step method to build influence and support ⏱️ KEY TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Why Everything You Know About Helping Addicts Is Wrong01:14 - The Rock Bottom Myth: Why Waiting Is Dangerous03:10 - Consequences vs. Punishment: The Game-Changing Difference07:00 - High-Functioning Addicts: The Hidden Crisis12:08 - The Invisible Intervention Method Explained Step-by-Step14:20 - It's Not Codependency—It's Betrayal Trauma20:04 - Decoding the Sorry Cycle and Manipulation Tactics24:11 - Setting Boundaries That Actually Stick27:35 - The Compassionate Response to Relapse30:00 - Understanding Triggers Without Enabling36:48 - Addiction and Trauma: Exploring the Real Connection39:22 - Can Someone Overcome Addiction Alone?43:53 - Taking Your Power Back: Action Steps to Start Today🔗 CONNECT WITH AMBERYouTube: Put The Shovel Down (1,000+ free educational videos) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT8PE1v0xFR9zLXOijxM6hgWebsite: Family Recovery Academy - https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.onlinePrograms: Invisible Intervention Training, Family Support Courses🆘 CRISIS RESOURCESIf you or someone you love is in crisis:- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text)- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741⚠️ DISCLAIMERThis podcast provides educational information and personal experiences for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers regarding substance use disorders, mental health concerns, or medical conditions. If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 immediately.

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• Recovered Addict Exposes: The #1 Lie Keeping You Relapsed | 15 Years Sober Bartender Reveals Truth About Spiritual Bypassing & Emotional Sobriety

  The feelings you're running from aren't trying to destroy you—they're trying to SAVE you. In this raw, unfiltered episode, Jason sits down with Duane (15 years sober) who reveals the shocking truth about why "positive thinking" and spiritual bypassing are actually keeping people stuck in addiction and relapse.This isn't another motivational speech. This is actionable wisdom from someone who worked in a BAR for over a decade after getting sober—serving alcohol every single day—and was never once tempted to drink.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- Why resistance to emotions creates MORE suffering than the emotions themselves- The "spiritual bypassing" trap that 99% of addicts fall into (and how to escape)- Duane's life-changing "pool moment" after 6 months of daily prayer- How to rewire your brain in 21 days using neuroscience (Dr. Caroline Leaf's method)- The simple "I am aware" technique that creates instant emotional freedom- Why working in a bar for 10 years AFTER getting sober was possible- The difference between "sounding pretty" and actually feeling your feelings- Teal Swan's shadow work and emotional experiencing techniques- Matt Kahn's "Whatever arises, love that" philosophy explained- The Appreciation Game practice for shifting emotional states- Eckhart Tolle's teachings on present moment awareness applied to recovery- How to use prayer as a neuroplasticity toolEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:"I worked in a bar for over a decade serving liquor every day and was never tempted to drink. The obsession was completely removed." - Duane"There's a very big difference between sounding pretty and feeling the feelings. The sounding pretty is the spiritual bypass." - Duane"If I have one foot in the past and one foot in the future, I'm pissing all over today." - Recovery Wisdom"We have 60,000 thoughts a day - that's 60,000 opportunities to practice being our best self." - DuaneDUANE'S MIRACLE "POOL MOMENT":For 6 months, Duane said this prayer with every step he took: "God, relieve me of this obsession." Working as a landscaper, cleaning pools, he repeated this prayer hundreds of times daily. Then one day by a pool, he fell to his knees crying—not from pain, but from realizing he hadn't thought about drinking in TWO WEEKS. The obsession was gone. This is the power of surrender combined with neuroscience.UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL BYPASSING:Spiritual bypassing is using spiritual concepts to avoid psychological work. In recovery this looks like:- "Just think positive" instead of processing grief- "Everything happens for a reason" to avoid accountability- "Good vibes only" while suppressing real emotions- Excessive meditation to escape uncomfortable feelings- Using spiritual texts to intellectualize instead of feelTHE ANTIDOTE: Practice saying "I am AWARE of anger" instead of "I AM angry." This creates observer consciousness, allowing you to learn from emotions rather than be controlled by them.ACTIONABLE PRACTICES YOU CAN START TODAY:1. The "I Am Aware" Technique - Create space between you and your emotions2. The Prayer Walk - Repeat a powerful prayer with every step for 21-90 days3. The Appreciation Game - Spend 5 minutes listing everything you appreciate4. The 21-Day Thought Detox - Rewire one toxic pattern using Dr. Leaf's processWHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR:✓ Anyone struggling with addiction, alcoholism, or substance abuse✓ People in early sobriety or recovery feeling stuck✓ Those dealing with anxiety, depression, or emotional regulation✓ Anyone who's relapsed and doesn't know why✓ Loved ones trying to understand addiction and recovery✓ People using "positive thinking" to avoid real emotionsThis episode combines spiritual wisdom with neuroscience to provide ACTIONABLE HOPE for your recovery journey. Whether you're struggling with alcohol, drugs, behavioral addictions, or just feeling stuck in life,

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• Addiction IS NOT What You Think: The Spiritual Root of Cravings

  In this raw and transformative episode of "Recovered Addict: A Journey Within," hosts Duane Yardman-Frank and Jason Rigby dive deep into the spiritual roots of addiction, revealing it not as a moral failing but as a profound cry for connection. They challenge traditional recovery narratives by spotlighting the spiritual void that fuels addictive cycles, regardless of the substance or behavior.Drawing heavily on the profound teachings of spiritual teacher Matt Kahn, Duane and Jason explore how radical self-acceptance and spiritual awakening can pave the path to true freedom beyond mere sobriety.Key Discussion Points:The Spiritual Void: Understand addiction as a "God-sized hole" within, an insatiable hunger that external achievements, pleasures, or distractions can never truly fill.Consummatory vs. Intrinsic Reward: Discover the two brain reward systems and how addiction traps individuals in the cycle of "consummatory reward," while spiritual development offers "intrinsic reward" and lasting purpose.Matt Kahn's Core Mantra: "Whatever Arises, Love That": Learn how this powerful mantra is an invitation to meet excruciating cravings, shame, guilt, and emotional pain with radical acceptance and unconditional love, transforming internal struggle into a spiritual path.The Ego as "WAR" (Worry, Anticipation, Regret): Explore Matt Kahn's acronym for ego and how this "war in the mind" manifests in addiction, driving constant seeking of external validation and temporary relief.Integrating the Ego for Freedom: Discover how the ego is not an adversary to be eradicated but an integral part of the human form that, when integrated with spirit, can empower individuals to say "no" to destructive patterns and play for "higher stakes". The Ganesh and mouse analogy beautifully illustrates this serving relationship between ego and divinity.The Gifts of Space and Time: Learn how cultivating inner spaciousness and making peace with the present moment can unravel deep-seated trauma and align you with your higher self, offering a "window of grace" for healing.Innate Worthiness: Reframe recovery not as a battle to become worthy, but as realizing the profound truth that you always were worthy, just as God sees you, regardless of past actions. This understanding allows for the healing of core unworthiness that fuels addictive behaviors.Actionable Takeaways:Confront suffering directly rather than evading or suppressing it, seeing it as a path to service and rebirth.Practice mindfulness and sense perceptions to exit the "mind chatter" of worry and honor the present moment.Embrace the mantra "Whatever Arises, Love That" for radical acceptance of all emotions, including cravings and shame.Recognize that love is not bound by time or space and can bend dimensions, connecting you to infinite abundance and higher purpose.Connect with Us: If you're interested in transforming your life and embarking on a long-term recovery journey, delve deeper into these tools.https://recoveredaddictpodcast.com/

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• The Silent Epidemic: How Crystal Meth is Destroying Gay Men (& The Revolutionary Recovery Method That Works)

  Dr. Dallas Bragg joins us to discuss the "silent epidemic" of crystal meth addiction among gay men and his revolutionary guilt-free approach to recovery. From his own journey through homelessness and incarceration to developing the 4-phase "alchemy" recovery program, Dr. Bragg offers hope and practical tools for lasting sobriety.What You'll Learn:Why shame and religious trauma drive addiction in the LGBTQ+ communityThe reality of "chemsex" culture and how accessible crystal meth has becomeWhy traditional rehab often fails gay men and what works insteadThe "craving hijacking" technique and other practical recovery toolsHow to view relapse as a stepping stone rather than failureKey Topics Covered:The connection between internalized homophobia and addictionWhy crystal meth has become epidemic in gay communitiesThe secret world of "chemsex" and apps like Grindr and SniffyHow to move from shame-based to transformation-based recoveryThe 4-phase alchemy program for lasting sobrietyPractical first steps for anyone struggling with crystal methFree Resources: Get Dr. Bragg's free 30-day recovery course and weekly newsletter at drdallasbragg.comPerfect for anyone seeking to understand addiction recovery, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, or looking for alternatives to traditional treatment approaches.This episode provides actionable hope for anyone affected by addiction, whether personally or through a loved one. Dr. Bragg's approach offers a compassionate alternative to traditional treatment methods.Guest Resources:Dr. Dallas Bragg's Website: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/Free 30-Day Recovery Course "Reframing Relapse":https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkoutThe Aftermath Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2330781Weekly Newsletter with Journal Prompts:https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blogUpcoming Masterclass Registration:https://www.drdallasbragg.com/masterclassNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564Trevor Project Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386SMART Recovery: https://www.smartrecovery.org/Crystal Meth Anonymous: https://www.crystalmeth.org/LGBT Addiction Recovery Resources: https://www.lgbtmap.org/file/understanding-issues-facing-lgbt-people-substance-abuse.pdfCrisis & Support Resources:Educational Resources:

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• Eating Disorder Recovery: The Middle Place 85% Live In (Why "Perfect" Recovery Is a Dangerous Myth) | Mallary Tenore Tarpley

  🚨 WHAT IF the voice telling you "you're not recovered enough" is actually the biggest lie keeping you stuck?Meet Mallary Tenore Tarpley, journalism professor and author of the groundbreaking book "SLIP" - who just shattered the recovery world with one explosive discovery. After surveying over 700 people across 44 states and 37 countries, she found that 85% of people with eating disorders live in what she calls "the middle place" - a space the recovery industry has been completely ignoring.Her revolutionary research reveals why the "full recovery or failure" mindset keeps people trapped in shame cycles, and introduces the life-changing "middle place" framework that validates the REAL recovery experience most of us actually live.🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS:Why 85% of people live in the "middle place" (and why that's completely okay)How childhood trauma and perfectionism fuel eating disorder developmentThe revolutionary framework that reframes slips as growth opportunities instead of failuresWhy diet culture creates "normative discontent" in 90% of peopleWhat "more recovery" looks like when full recovery feels impossibleHow to support loved ones without toxic positivityEvidence-based approaches to healing food relationships while processing traumaMallary's personal journey began at age 12 when anorexia entered her life less than a year after losing her mother to cancer. After 17 months in residential treatment and five hospitalizations, she discovered that traditional recovery narratives were failing millions of people living in the gray space between sickness and "perfect" recovery.This isn't just another recovery story - it's a data-driven investigation that gives permission to be human in your healing journey. Whether you're struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, food addiction, or any addiction, this conversation offers a roadmap to freedom from perfectionist recovery expectations.📚 GET THE BOOK: "SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery" ⚠️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare providers for eating disorder treatment.#EatingDisorderRecovery #MiddlePlace #RecoveryPodcast #SlipBook #AnorexiaRecovery #BulimiRecovery #BingeEatingDisorder #MentalHealthRecovery #AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #DietCulture #BodyImage #RecoveryJourney #HealingIsNotLinear

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