In this episode I sit down with behavioral wellness and nutritional expert Adam Sud to discuss the roots of addiction and the promise of recovery. Why do some of us become addicted in the first place? Is it just a question of "supernormal stimuli" and unlucky genetic susceptibility, as I had always believed growing up and as we tend to think of these things in evopsych land? Or is addiction solving problems that seem otherwise unsolvable? How much does environmental context—including childhood dynamics—really matter? How do these things all interact with one another? And, most importantly: how can we recover—really recover, not just remain abstinent? How can we live a life free of compulsions of all kinds? As Adam says, it's about making your life a "safe, secure, hopeful, and exciting" place to be. And that is true whether your rock bottom looks as scary as mine did, or as Adam's did, or if you're just trapped in some patterns of self-medication that are compensating for the ways in which you struggle to find that security, hope, and excitement. 0:31: Jen and Adam discuss our parallel paths of addiction and recovery. 5:37: How Adam's struggles with bullying and self-care led to seeking external solutions for feeling okay. 10:53: The initially miraculous effects of Aderall on confidence, energy, and social interactions. 16:35: How Adam sees struggling with substance use as a response to a life that feels meaningless and hopeless. 27:02: Adam's transition to a plant-based diet as a part of self-care during recovery from addiction. 32:07: The importance of self-care and choosing a healthy lifestyle to overcome addiction. 37:48: Understanding the genetic component of addiction and its manifestation in various behaviors and interpersonal relationships. 42:41: Strategies for managing self-criticism and advice from Johann Hari's book. 47:53: Understanding the reasons behind struggles with substance use disorder, anxiety, and depression. 53:02: Addiction as a search for a long-awaited feeling, leading to denial and difficulty in finding a solution. 57:55: Understanding the impact of addiction on meaningful bonds and future priorities. 1:03:02: Challenges in addiction recovery: slow progress, difficult course corrections, and unrealistic expectations. Connect with Adam at https://www.adamsud.com/ and on Instagram at @plantbasedaddict. ----- My ebooks: https://jenhowk.gumroad.com Join my membership community (courses, group coaching, 1:1 connections and messaging, and more): https://collective.jenhowk.com

Ver todos los episodios