RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

Addiction: Why Your Brain Resists Change (Part 2)

Can you really rewire your brain after years of addiction? Dr. Judson Brewer explains the science of neuroplasticity and the secret to unlearning any habit. In this second installment, host Terry Maguire continues the conversation with world-renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Judson Brewer (Dr. Jud). We explore why habits are formed to help us survive and how those same mechanisms can be hijacked by addiction . Dr. Jud explains the Default Mode Network and why it's the "home base" for cravings, worry, and rumination . Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Dr. Jud is the New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety and The Craving Mind and currently serves as a researcher and clinician. In this episode, he breaks down why smartphones are essentially "pocket slot machines" that use intermittent reinforcement to keep us hooked . He also debunks the 21-day habit myth and shares laboratory data showing that reward values can actually shift in as few as 5 to 15 mindfully aware experiences. Learn how to step out of the "shame loop" and into a "learning loop" by using curiosity as a clinical intervention . We discuss the HALT method (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) for identifying stress triggers and the neuroscience behind why meeting a need is always better than feeding a want . Whether it’s substance use, social media, or problematic eating, Dr. Jud proves that everything is recoverable if it is a habit. Chapters: 00:00 – [Intro] 01:09 – Defining Addiction: Continued Use Despite Consequences 05:26 – Why Addiction is Not a Moral Failure 08:30 – The Default Mode Network & Brain Cravings 13:47 – How to Rewire Your Brain After Years of Use 20:13 – The 21-Day Habit Myth Debunked 27:14 – Are Cell Phones "Pocket Slot Machines"? 33:32 – Dealing with Slips and the "Shame Loop" 43:12 – How Mindfulness Rewires the Brain 51:18 – Dr. Jud's Advice for Loving Someone with Addiction Questions the Video Answers: What actually happens in the brain during a craving? Is it really possible to unlearn any habit? What is the Default Mode Network in the brain? Why do slot machines and phones get us addicted? How many times does it take to change a reward value? Does a single slip mean I’m back at square one? Can mindfulness help with addiction recovery? What is the HALT method for stress management? Why does curiosity help stop a craving? Is addiction primarily about choice or survival? How long does the brain take to form a new habit? What is "Intermittent Reinforcement"? How do parents protect their teenager's brain? How do medications like methadone affect receptors? Why is "meeting a need" better than "feeding a want"? #Neuroscience #AddictionRecovery #HabitChange

Addiction: The Neuroscience of Breaking the Loop (Part 1)

Stop fighting your brain and start understanding it. Dr. Judson Brewer reveals why willpower is a myth and how neuroscience is the real key to breaking bad habits. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ [https://recovery.com/] Learn more about Dr. Judson Brewer: https://drjud.com/ In this episode of RECOVERable host Terry Maguire sits down with Dr. Judson Brewer (Dr. Jud), a world-renowned psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and New York Times bestselling author of The Craving Mind and Unwinding Anxiety. Dr. Jud explains why the "just say no" approach fails and breaks down the evolutionary "habit loop"—trigger, behavior, and result—that keeps us stuck. You will learn why dopamine is actually a "motivation molecule" designed for survival, not pleasure, and how to navigate the "three gears" of habit change: awareness, disenchantment, and finding the "Bigger Better Offer". Whether you are struggling with substance use, anxiety, or digital addiction, this conversation provides a science-backed roadmap to rewire your brain using curiosity as a superpower. Dr. Jud also debunks common myths about "hitting rock bottom" and explains why the logical brain goes offline during a crisis. Learn how to ride out a craving in just 13 minutes and why your "survival brain" might be leading you astray. Subscribe for Part 2 and visit mindshiftrecovery.org for more resources. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 00:48 – Myth vs. Fact: Is Addiction a Lack of Willpower? 05:58 – The Habit Loop: Trigger, Behavior, and Result 11:15 – Why Willpower is More Myth than Muscle 11:43 – Gear 1: Awareness and the "Why" Trap 15:22 – Gear 2: Finding Disenchantment with Habits 26:35 – Gear 3: The "Bigger Better Offer" Strategy 37:35 – Curiosity: The Superpower for Cravings 40:54 – Is Addiction a Choice or a Brain Disease? 53:21 – The Truth About Dopamine Fasting Questions the Video Answers: 1. Is addiction just a lack of willpower? 2. Does dopamine actually make you feel high? 3. Why is the teenage brain more susceptible to addiction? 4. Can the brain fully recover from long-term drug use? 5. Is sugar addiction the same as cocaine addiction? 6. What is the habit loop and how does it work? 7. Why do we keep doing things we know are bad for us? 8. Can anxiety and worrying become a habit? 9. Why doesn’t willpower work to stop an addiction? 10. What are the three gears of habit change? 11. How do you find a "Bigger Better Offer" in recovery? 12. How long does a typical craving actually last? 13. Is addiction primarily genetic or environmental? 14. Why do people in addiction lie or steal? 15. Is dopamine fasting a real scientific solution? #Neuroscience #AddictionRecovery #JudsonBrewer

Eating Disorders: Does Dieting Actually Make Them Worse? (Part 2)

Can you tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them? Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar debunks the "healthy look" myth and explains why dieting is toxic to recovery. This episode explores the critical "Nine Truths" of eating disorders, the role of genetics, and why early intervention is vital for long-term health.  Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ [https://recovery.com/] In this deep-dive, host Terry McGuire continues the conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, MD, a triple board-certified psychiatrist and the Regional Medical Director at Eating Recovery Center. Dr. Wassenaar leads clinical excellence in treating complex eating disorders and guides families toward sustainable healing.  We cover the nuances of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)—the most common yet underdiagnosed type—and ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), a different entity driven by sensory avoidance or fear rather than body image. Dr. Wassenaar also breaks down the four levels of care: Inpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient (IOP), helping listeners understand how much containment and support is necessary for true recovery.  Whether you are a parent looking for signs, a professional seeking evidence-based insights, or someone struggling, this video provides a roadmap for navigating the "crafty" nature of these illnesses. Recovery is possible, but no one has to do it alone.  Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:10 – Can you tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking? 05:02 – Why families are allies, not the cause 06:40 – Is it just a phase? The crisis of adolescence 11:02 – The role of genetics vs. environment 16:32 – Understanding Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder 19:46 – What is ARFID? Disinterest and sensory avoidance 24:00 – Why "just eat" or "just stop" is dangerous advice 27:45 – Explaining levels of care: Inpatient to IOP 44:40 – How long does recovery actually take? 52:34 – Common eating disorder behaviors to look for Questions the Video Answers: 1. Can you look healthy and still have a severe eating disorder?   2. Why is "you look healthier" a harmful comment?   3. Do parents cause eating disorders in their children?   4. Is an eating disorder a phase that teenagers grow out of?   5. How does malnutrition affect long-term bone health?   6. Are eating disorders genetic?   7. What is the most common eating disorder?   8. Can you have anorexia while in a larger body?   9. What is Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)?   10. Why doesn't dieting work for binge eating disorder?   11. What is the difference between inpatient and residential treatment?   12. Why do people with eating disorders feel they aren't "sick enough"?   13. How does social media affect eating disorder recovery?   14. What are the common signs of purging besides vomiting?   15. Where can I find reliable eating disorder treatment?   #EatingDisorderRecovery #BingeEatingDisorder #MentalHealthMatters

Eating Disorders: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Find Help (Part 1)

"You can have an eating disorder and not be in an underweight body."  This powerful insight from Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, Regional Medical Director at the Eating Recovery Center, challenges everything we think we know about food, weight, and mental health. In this eye-opening episode of RECOVERable, host Terry Maguire sits down with Dr. Wassenaar to dismantle the dangerous myths surrounding eating disorders. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ [https://recovery.com/] Dr. Wassenaar, a triple board-certified psychiatrist, explains that eating disorders are real, brain-based biological illnesses—not matters of willpower, vanity, or "just a diet gone wrong". We dive deep into why these conditions are curable, the difference between "disordered eating" and clinical diagnoses, and the alarming rise of anorexia and bulimia in younger children. We also address the "pathological aloneness" that often accompanies mental illness and why community and connection are the strongest antidotes to the isolation of an eating disorder. Whether you are struggling yourself, worried about a friend, or curious about the signs of eating disorders in men and boys, this conversation provides a compassionate roadmap for understanding and seeking help. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 00:32 – What is the one thing society should understand? 02:06 – Why are eating disorders considered a mental illness? 06:34 – Is there a typical age when they start? 08:37 – Why are eating disorders starting at younger ages? 12:22 – How should we communicate with each other about bodies? 14:53 – What does disordered eating actually mean? 19:54 – When does it become a medical or mental health crisis? 23:45 – How does tracking calories and macros play a role? 37:34 – What are the signs a friend might have an eating disorder? 50:17 – Do guys get eating disorders, too? Questions the Video Answers: 1. What is the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating? 2. Can you have an eating disorder if you aren't skinny? 3. Are eating disorders a choice or a mental illness? 4. What are the early warning signs of an eating disorder in a friend? 5. Why are eating disorders becoming more common in children? 6. How does social media impact body image and eating habits? 7. Is it possible to fully recover and be "cured" from an eating disorder? 8. What should I do if I feel suicidal due to an eating disorder? 9. Do men and boys struggle with eating disorders? 10. How can I talk to someone about their weight without being hurtful? 11. Why do people use eating disorders as a way to regain control? 12. What is the most fatal mental illness? 13. How does "diet culture" reinforce disordered behaviors? 14. What are the free resources available for eating disorder support? 15. Why is connection and relationship important for recovery? #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #recovery

ACEs: The Science of Positive Childhood Experiences (Part 2)

Can you outrun a traumatic childhood? Dr. Christina Bethell returns for Part 2 to explain why an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) score is an indicator of risk, not a predictor of destiny. As a national leader in population health and systems measurement, Dr. Bethell has reshaped how we understand the "toxic stress" that accumulates in the nervous system when childhood trauma is experienced without buffers. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ In this episode, we dive into the "Positivity Paradox" and the breakthrough research on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Dr. Bethell explains that the absence of positive experiences—feeling loved, supported, and heard—can be as detrimental to long-term health as the presence of trauma itself. We discuss why healthcare systems are often slow to screen for trauma and how the "medicine" of presence and connection can rewire the brain even decades later. Our guest, Dr. Christina Bethell (PhD, MPH, MBA), is a Professor at Johns Hopkins University and the Director of the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI). Her work proves that healing is a life process and that "more likely is not most"—meaning a high trauma score does not guarantee a future of illness or addiction. Whether you are struggling with your own past or trying to build a resilient future for your children, this conversation offers a roadmap for shifting from "fixing" to "connecting". ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Recap: How ACEs and PCEs intersect 05:03 – What does an ACE score actually mean? 08;23 – Are you "broken" if you have a high score? 10;43 – How do we get more positive experiences (PCEs)? 13;27 – Why don’t doctors ask about childhood trauma? 16;36 – Is the absence of "good" worse than the "bad"? 23;16 – The 4 indicators of family resilience 34;42 – Is it ever too late for adults to heal? 44;16 – Healing your relationship with your teenager 53;14 – A magic wand for society: Connecting vs. Fixing ❓ Questions the Video Answers: What is an ACE score?  Does a high ACEs score mean I will get sick?  What is the difference between an event and toxic stress?  How do positive childhood experiences buffer trauma?  Why is emotional neglect so common and harmful?  Can I heal my nervous system as an adult?  What is the "positivity paradox"?  Why don't insurance companies cover trauma screening?  Can I build resilience with my teenager now?  What is "biobehavioral synchrony" in parenting?  How does trauma affect the immune system?  What are the 7 key PCEs for healing?  How do I reparent my inner child?  Why is "feeling heard" a public health priority?  How can I find safety if I grew up not trusting people?  #childhoodtrauma #mentalhealth #resilience