In this powerful episode, Duane sits down with filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty to discuss his hard-hitting documentary, Shuffle. The film pulls back the curtain on the "Florida Shuffle"—a predatory cycle in the billion-dollar addiction treatment industry where vulnerable individuals are "brokered" between facilities for insurance payouts.

Benjamin shares his own journey of recovery and explains how his personal experience allowed him to gain unprecedented access to a community often silenced or exploited. This conversation explores the dark intersection of greed and healthcare, the resilience of the human spirit, and why the current treatment system desperately needs transparency.

Key Discussion Points

• Benjamin’s Recovery Journey: How a moment of clarity at age 41 led Benjamin from "professional alcoholism" to a transformative experience in treatment.
• The Origins of Shuffle: A chance conversation in an AA meeting revealed a disturbing trend: recovery call centers becoming a primary source of employment for those in early sobriety.
• What is the "Florida Shuffle"? Benjamin explains how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unintentionally created a loophole where "patient brokers" poach insured individuals, profiting from their relapses.
• The Statistic that Shocks: There are currently more private substance abuse treatment centers in the U.S. than there are McDonald's restaurants.
• Witnessing the Cycle: The emotional weight of filming Corey and Nicole—two individuals caught in the cycle of being "bought and sold" by treatment facilities.
• The "Driveway Recordings": Why Benjamin chose to use raw, iPhone voice memos for the film's narration to maintain emotional authenticity.
• Maintaining Hope: Despite the systemic corruption, the film highlights the incredible resilience of those in recovery and the fact that healing is still possible.

Notable Quotes

"Stopping a substance is the entry card for admission. That’s not the whole thing. There’s a lot of work to do, and none of us know that until we find it out in our own way." — Benjamin Flaherty

"We’ve now made relapse profitable. We’ve incentivized the struggle by providing substandard care because an insurance card is like a blank check." — Benjamin Flaherty

"I approached my time with Corey not as a filmmaker first, but as a person in recovery. I had to witness it to make it impossible to ignore." — Benjamin Flaherty

Resources Mentioned

• The Documentary: Shuffle (also referred to as Stop the Shuffle)
• Website: stoptheshuffle.com — Find theater locations, tickets, and upcoming streaming info.
• Social Media: Follow the movement on Instagram @StopTheShuffle.

Episode Credits

If 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.

Download: OVERCOMING BLACK OR WHITE THINKING WORKSHEET

Welcome to the Addicted Mind podcast! Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I'm either a success or a complete failure"? This episode is for you.

In this episode, we dive deep into the pervasive issue of black-and-white thinking, also known as dichotomous thinking and its impact on addiction recovery. Join Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind as they explore how this rigid mindset can create emotional instability and hinder progress. Drawing on principles from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), they discuss practical steps to move from extreme thinking to a more balanced, nuanced approach. You'll learn mindfulness techniques, how to challenge your thoughts, and the importance of embracing the gray areas in life. By the end of this episode, you'll have valuable tools to help you think more dialectically and support your journey to recovery. Plus, don't miss the downloadable worksheet in the show notes to further your practice!

Key Topics

• Understanding black-and-white thinking and its impact on recovery
• Introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Practical steps to shift towards dialectical thinking
• Importance of mindfulness and self-compassion
• Challenging extreme thoughts and seeking clarification
• The role of language in shaping our perceptions

Timestamps

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and overview of black-and-white thinking
2. [00:02:15] The impact of black-and-white thinking on recovery and relationships
3. [00:06:15] Why our brains default to black-and-white thinking
4. [00:08:40] How to become a gray thinker: Practical steps
5. [00:10:58] Seeking clarification and the role of community support
6. [00:12:42] Reframing negative thoughts and focusing on positives
7. [00:14:11] Call to action: Download the worksheet and join the community

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Today, let’s journey through the realms of neuroscience, addiction research, and the promising future of treatment strategies for substance use disorders. On this episode, Duane speaks with Dr. Paul Kenny, a distinguished figure in neuroscience and addiction research. He unravels his research on signaling cascades in rodents’ brains, providing fascinating insights into addiction-like behaviors.

The discussion turns engaging as Paul illuminates his groundbreaking work with certain treatments and their potential role in addressing cravings and motivation in substance use disorders is nothing short of fascinating.

They also steer the conversation towards an area often overlooked, which is the relationship between drugs, addiction, and satiety. Paul dissects how potent drugs like cocaine and heroin trigger extreme pleasure and consequently, substance use disorders. He shares his insights into how the satisfaction derived from drug use and the ritualistic patterns of drug consumption could be altered to reduce dependence.

This episode sheds light on the promising field of addiction research and the need to raise public awareness of the issue. This is a testament to the incredible work being done by Cure Addiction Now. By understanding the brain’s role in addiction, we can potentially change the way we approach substance use disorders and find innovative ways to help those struggling with addiction.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Groundbreaking research on addiction treatment
• Exploring medications to control cravings and motivation
• Drugs, addiction, and satiety relationship
• GLP-1 enhancers and their potential to treat drug addiction
• Exploring GLP-1 modulators for addiction treatment
• About Cure Addiction Now

Follow and Review:

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Supporting Resources:

Cure Addiction Now

https://cureaddictionnow.org/

NovusMindfulLife.com

Episode Credits

If 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.

In this episode, Duane Osterlind sits down with author Dana Bowman to discuss the often-overlooked intersection of long-term recovery and menopause. Dana opens up about her journey through "the second reckoning"—a period where hormonal shifts triggered intense anxiety, suicidal ideation, and the resurfacing of addictive behaviors like sugar addiction and "doom scrolling."

They explore the concept of process addictions, the importance of self-advocacy in medical settings, and how creativity can serve as a vital tool for navigating the "identity attack" that often accompanies aging. Dana’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't a destination, but a deepening process that requires grace, honesty, and a willingness to "boop the monster on the nose."

Key Discussion Points

• The "Invisible" Struggle of Menopause: Dana discusses how menopause is one of the least researched medical conditions, despite having over 70 potential symptoms. She highlights the specific danger for women in recovery: how hormonal anxiety can mimic the "dark days" of active addiction.
• Process Addictions in Recovery: When the biological substance (alcohol) is removed, other behaviors often rush in to fill the void. Dana shares her personal struggle with sugar addiction, binge eating, and digital escapism as ways to cope with menopausal distress.
• The Identity Attack: Aging and menopause can lead to "Invisible Woman Syndrome." Dana explains how surrendering to this new phase of life is similar to the initial surrender in early sobriety.
• The "Boop" Rule: A family strategy for facing fears. Instead of running from anxiety or shame, Dana teaches listeners to look the "clown" in the eye and "boop" it on the nose—acknowledging its presence without letting it take control.
• Medical Self-Advocacy: The importance of finding healthcare providers who understand the nuances of addiction and recovery when treating hormonal or mental health issues.

The Spectrum of Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is far more than just "hot flashes." It affects the physical, emotional, and cognitive systems, which can be particularly destabilizing for those maintaining long-term sobriety.

CategoryCommon Symptoms MentionedPhysicalJoint aches, insomnia, changes in hair/skin, exhaustion.EmotionalSevere anxiety, panic attacks, depression, suicidal ideation.BehavioralReturn of "shame circles," hiding behaviors, sugar cravings.Memorable Quotes

"Alcoholism waited for me... and that’s how I felt about the menopause symptoms because they’re so sneaky. You feel like your whole body is betraying you."

"Recovery is all about acceptance and surrender. It’s hard when it’s your own identity to really say, 'Who am I anymore?'"

"There are times when my soul just needs to be wrapped in bubble wrap, and I just really need to hunker down into that. And it's okay. It’s rest."

Resources Mentioned

• Dana’s New Book: Humble Pie: Sober Menopause, Sugar Addiction, and The Sweetness of Recovery
• Dana’s Previous Books: Bottled and How to be Perfect Like Me2
• Website: DanaBowmanCreative.com
• Social Media: Follow Dana on TikTok and Instagram @theDanaBo

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

Disclaimer

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Duane sits down with Dr. Frank Putnam, a pioneer in the study of childhood trauma with nearly 50 years of clinical and research experience. Dr. Putnam discusses his landmark 35-year longitudinal study—the Female Growth and Development Study—which tracked the biological and psychological impacts of sexual abuse on girls from childhood into adulthood. They explore the concept of "accelerated aging," the intergenerational transfer of trauma, and why early intervention is critical for breaking the cycle of violence.

Key Discussion Points

• The Evolution of Trauma Diagnosis: Dr. Putnam recounts the early days of his career (the 1970s) when PTSD didn't exist in the DSM. Veterans and trauma survivors were often misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder before a language for trauma was developed.
• The "Old Before Their Time" Phenomenon: A core finding of Dr. Putnam’s research is that extreme childhood adversity accelerates biological aging.
• Puberty: Abused girls in the study reached puberty approximately one year earlier than the control group.
• Epigenetics: DNA methylation studies show that traumatized individuals have a biological age that exceeds their chronological age.
• Immune System: Some young girls exhibited immune systems that appeared "older" than those of healthy adults.
• The Role of Cortisol: The stress hormone cortisol plays a dual role. While levels are high during the period of active trauma, they often crash later in life, leading to a "blunted" stress response that mediates many negative health outcomes.
• Intergenerational Trauma: * Dr. Putnam’s research suggests a roughly 30% transfer rate of abuse across generations.
• This is not just behavioral; animal studies suggest that trauma-induced epigenetic changes can be passed down biologically.
• Resilience and Recovery: What differentiates survivors who thrive?
• Positive Relationships: High-quality relationships with older, supportive female role models were the strongest predictors of resilience for the girls in the study.
• IQ and Social Skills: Higher cognitive ability and personalities that attract social support also serve as protective factors.

Treatment Success: Modern Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) has roughly a 70% success rate.

Resources

• Book: Old Before Their Time: A Scientific Life Investigating How Maltreatment Harms Children and the Adults They Become by Frank W. Putnam.
• Organizations:
• NCTSN: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• TF-CBT: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
• PCIT: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (effective for younger children).
• Guest Website: frankputnam.com

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

Disclaimer

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Download: INTRINSIC VS. EXTRINSIC GOALS

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic goals and how they affect our well-being. Have you ever felt the high of achieving a big goal, only to have that happiness fade away? This episode explores why that happens and introduces the concept of the "hedonic treadmill." You'll learn how extrinsic goals, like money and status, give short-term happiness but don't last. In contrast, intrinsic goals, like personal growth and meaningful relationships, bring deeper and more lasting joy. Duane and Eric share practical tips on how to shift your focus to these intrinsic goals, cultivate gratitude, and build stronger, more fulfilling connections. They also discuss the importance of mindfulness, personal growth, and serving others in achieving true contentment. Tune in to discover how you can step off the hedonic treadmill and find real, sustainable happiness in your life.

Key Topics

• The difference between extrinsic and intrinsic goals
• Understanding the hedonic treadmill
• How extrinsic goals lead to temporary happiness
• The importance of intrinsic goals for lasting fulfillment
• Practical tips to shift focus and cultivate intrinsic goals

Timestamp List

1. [00:01:06] Introduction to the topic: Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Goals
2. [00:03:08] Explanation of the hedonic treadmill
3. [00:04:20] The impact of extrinsic goals on happiness
4. [00:07:33] Defining and understanding intrinsic goals
5. [00:11:00] How to step off the hedonic treadmill
6. [00:16:04] Practical tips for cultivating intrinsic goals
7. [00:19:00] Summary and closing thoughts

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