The Addicted Mind Podcast

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
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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.
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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
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Worksheet: Meeting Your Shadow
Have you ever done something and then wondered, "Who was that? That wasn't me"?
Maybe it was a relapse. A hurtful comment you didn't mean to say. Or that familiar feeling of sabotaging yourself right when things were finally going well. The uncomfortable truth? It was you—just a part of you that's been hiding in the shadows.
In this episode of The Addicted Mind, Duane and Eric Osterlind explore one of psychology's most powerful concepts: the shadow self. First named by psychiatrist Carl Jung, the shadow is the unconscious part of your personality where you've stuffed everything you think is unacceptable—your anger, jealousy, selfishness, and those desires you don't want anyone to see.
Here's the problem: what you repress grows in the dark.
The more you ignore these hidden parts of yourself, the stronger they become. And for those struggling with addiction, the shadow often becomes the invisible force that hijacks your recovery and drives you back into old patterns. It's exhausting trying to be "good" all the time while fighting a war inside yourself.
But here's the twist that might surprise you: your shadow isn't just the "bad" parts. It also contains buried treasures—your creativity, your passion, your drive. These gifts often get locked away because they seemed "too much" or not acceptable to the people around you.
The goal of shadow work isn't to destroy these parts of yourself. It's not about fixing something that's broken. As Duane and Eric discuss, drawing from Internal Family Systems therapy, there are no bad parts. Every part of you is trying to help in some way, even if that help has become distorted over time.
Instead, shadow work is about integration—bringing these hidden parts into the light so you can understand them and find healthy outlets for their energy. When you stop running from your shadow, something amazing happens: you free up all the energy you were using to keep that basement door locked. That energy becomes available for your recovery, your relationships, and your life.
In this episode, you'll learn two practical ways to start exploring your shadow safely. First, pay attention to what annoys you in other people. That strong reaction? It's often pointing to something you've disowned in yourself. Second, get curious about your negative traits instead of shaming them. That anger you hate? It might be protecting you. That laziness? It might be your body begging for rest.
The path to freedom isn't about becoming perfect. It's about becoming whole. A real person has a shadow—and meeting yours might be the most important step you take in your recovery.
Key Topics
What is the shadow self? Carl Jung's concept of the unconscious parts of our personality we've denied, rejected, or repressed

Why whatever you repress grows in the dark—and how this fuels addiction and self-sabotage

The shadow isn't all bad—hidden within it are creativity, passion, and drive

Integration vs. fixing—why there are "no bad parts" and what that means for recovery

The projection exercise—how what annoys you in others reveals your own shadow

Getting curious instead of shaming—finding the positive intention behind negative traits

Wholeness over perfection—reclaiming the energy spent hiding from yourself

Timestamps
[00:01:00] – Introduction: Have you ever felt like there's another part of you living inside?

[00:03:00] – The pain point: Self-sabotage and the exhaustion of trying to be good all the time

[00:05:00] – Carl Jung's shadow concept explained: The bag we drag behind us

[00:06:00] – The twist: Your shadow contains hidden gifts, not just darkness

[00:08:00] – Integration vs. fixing: Why there are no bad parts

[00:09:00] – Action step #1: Exploring your projections—what annoys you in others

[00:11:00] – Action step #2: Getting curious about your negative traits

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

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