The Addiction Solution: Recent Episodes
The Freedom Model
The Addiction Solution Podcast (presented by The Freedom Model) provides an alternative view to the disease-based addiction-help model that has remained ineffective for more than 70 years. The Addiction Solution Podcast and The Freedom Model Team will challenge the current views on addiction and the treatment based on it. They will challenge the claims made by the treatment industry and government leaders that treatment for addictions works, that the 12 steps are effective in curbing addiction, and that treatment is necessary for those who are struggling with an addiction. They will bring forth and discuss the latest methods that have been shown to be far more effective. The podcast is centered on the truth regardless of where that path leads. It is provocative, informative and will change the way you see addiction and how people move past addiction, forever. In summary, the Addiction Solution Podcast provides just that – a Solution to Addiction!
Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! Society tells us there are only two ways to view addiction: it’s either a lifelong disease that renders you powerless or a moral failing caused by weak…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! If you’ve ever believed or said, “I just can’t stop,” this episode will change your entire perspective. Mark and Michelle discuss why people often mistake…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! In this episode we introduce Certified Freedom Model Coach, Stacie Ysidro whose work explores the powerful connection between sexuality, choice…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! “You’re just trying to profit off others’ suffering” or “Those who can stop without AA aren’t real addicts.” Or how about this one, “You’re killing people…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! In this important episode, Mark and Michelle reflect on this recent family tragedy that was quickly explained through addiction and mental illness.
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! The holidays are meant to be joyful – but for many people, they become stressful, overwhelming, and emotionally draining. In this episode…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! Have you been told not to question, do as you’re told, and just “trust the process”? When it comes to solving an addiction or mental health issue…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! In this thought-provoking and timely episode, Mark and Michelle dive into the emerging issue of problematic AI use – how our growing preoccupation with…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! Why do we sometimes destroy the very progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve? In this episode Mark and Michelle explore the reasons people self-sabotage and…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! In this listener-requested episode Mark and Michelle explore ADD and ADHD beyond just the labels, challenging common beliefs and highlighting how the positive…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! In this episode, Mark and Michelle explore how self-forgiveness can be an important part of solving a substance use problem or other habit. They break down how…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! In this episode, Mark and Michelle reveal why the same substance, food, or behavior can feel like innocent enjoyment to one person and “addiction” to another.
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! In this episode, Mark and Michelle discuss The Freedom Model Movement – what it is, why it matters, and how it’s changing lives around the world.
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! In this episode, Mark and Michelle sit down with cult expert and host of the IndoctriNation Podcast, Rachel Bernstein. Rachel shares insights from her extensive…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! Mark and Michelle break down how lingering beliefs, emotional attachments, and unexamined perceived benefits can keep you from successfully moderating your…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! Why The Freedom Model? In this Independence Day episode, Mark and Michelle reveal how the name was born from a bold realization: to truly solve an addiction…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! Are you burned out, disillusioned, or questioning everything you were taught about addiction? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a professional stuck in a failing…
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Addiction is NOT a Disease and There is A Solution! When you’re vulnerable and seeking help, it’s easy to ignore your instincts in favor of what sounds comforting. But those gut feelings—especially the red flags…
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Addiction myths keep millions feeling powerless—Mark and Michelle reveal the truth that puts you back in control.
In this episode, we reveal plans to replace 12-step programs with The Freedom Model and a global coaching network—become a Certified FM Coach today!
Stuck in regret? Mark and Michelle explain why it happens, how it shapes you, and how to finally let go and move forward.
You don’t need to feel different to change—Mark and Michelle explain how you can choose to quit a habit now, without waiting for a mindset shift.
Mark and Michelle explain how The Freedom Model aligns with and can enhance religious faith through autonomy, free will, and positive drive.
Discover a simple, practical way to break free from addiction—no meetings, steps, or recovery programs, and no fear or deprivation required.
Your happiness is your responsibility—let go of control and find freedom from frustration, disappointment, and resentment.
We often tie our happiness to others, leading to frustration. The truth? You control your happiness, not them. Tune in to explore the power of letting go.
Break free from addiction by shifting your mindset—stop obsessing, stop fighting harder, and let go of addiction’s pedestal to move on easily.
Are you controlled by obligations or shaping a fulfilling life? Learn to align duties with happiness and turn obligation into opportunity.
Mark and Michelle dive into RFK Jr.'s bold addiction approach, shaped by his own heroin recovery. Don't miss this insightful conversation!
People stay stuck in habits due to rigid beliefs. Mark & Michelle use Stoic wisdom to help challenge these beliefs and rethink “addiction.”
Can you follow The Freedom Model while attending AA/NA for community? Mark & Michelle discuss balancing autonomy with healthy relationships.
In this episode, we challenge the idea that calling addiction a disease is compassionate, arguing it actually harms people instead of helping them.
A must-watch for those with loved ones struggling with substance use, offering insights and guidance from Mark and Michelle.,
Mark and Michelle explore love's aspects and apply Freedom Model ideas to strengthen relationships and improve life.
Mark and Michelle share inspiring stories from last year, highlighting incredible people they met through workshops and coaching.
Addiction treatment still relies on a 90-year-old model. In 2025, it's time for a science-based, modern solution that empowers individuals and reflects progress.
Overcoming self-doubt requires persistence and action, but pushing through it is key to changing your preferences, beliefs, and habits.
Kindness is a vital but often overlooked tool for repairing relationships and emotional well-being.
Break negative habits to ease holiday stress and create a happier, more peaceful season with those you love.
Understand your reasons for addiction and explore strategies to change your preferences and embrace change happily.
If you have ever questioned whether or not you need to go to meetings be be in a recovery support group, then you won’t want to miss this episode.
If you have ever questioned whether or not you need to go to meetings be be in a recovery support group, then you won’t want to miss this episode.
We released Episode 243 with the wrong title and write-up. That episode was a discussion on the inherent problems of making decisions based on fear. In this Episode Mark and…
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Do you believe you are someone who just can’t moderate their substance use, or other behavior or habit? If you believe that you can’t, then you won’t. The truth is…
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Everyone feels overwhelmed at some point in their lives, and some people struggle with this feeling frequently. Mark and Michelle discuss effective strategies to work through…
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Do you feel stuck in a life of utter dissatisfaction? Maybe it feels as if you are perpetually unlucky and your life is always a struggle. Mark and Michelle talk about their…
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How you frame your responsibilities and everyday life activities matters a great deal on how you will feel about yourself and your life overall. Mark and Michelle discuss how…
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Some people solve their substance use problems, escape the 12 step cults, and even embrace The Freedom Model, but still find themselves struggling with other behaviors like…
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When abstinent, many people say they feel happier. They may begin to repair relationships, start new healthier habits, and improve their lives in many ways. So why do these…
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It is time for the world to know that there is an effective alternative to the addiction treatment system that teaches people they are permanently afflicted by a disease that…
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We’ve all been there. You have a habit that is very comfortable, but is not satisfying and may be harmful to you. But you keep doing it, and feel resistance when you think…
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Something seems to happen in our minds as school starts again and the days get shorter. The holidays are looming, life gets busier, more stressful, and more serious.
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How you frame stopping your “addictions” can make it feel like a difficult battle and a struggle, or it can make it feel like a natural process of changing.
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Author and former heavy smoker and drinker Jessi Hartnett joins Mark and Michelle to talk about how she solved her “addictions” without rehab, treatment, or 12 step meetings.
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You don’t need something that leads you on a path to deprivation.” Many people believe that if you are struggling with an addiction, you need to check yourself into a rehab for…
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Sometimes solving an addiction requires tremendous persistence! That is not to say that you must be persistent in denying yourself what you love to do, nor does it mean…
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People quite naturally create habits around behaviors that they value, and struggling to change a habit is normal. Even Mark and Michelle have struggled to change habits.
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For those who have built their entire lives around drinking, drug use, PMO, gambling, or another habit, and those who have built their lives around addiction recovery…
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In this episode Mark and Michelle explain the intense and involved process of writing a new book designed to help people to solve a problem like “PMO addiction.
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Just because you don’t use substances or engage in your preferred behavior moderately, doesn’t mean you can’t, it just means you don’t. Mark and Michelle discuss the reasons…
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Listener requested topic People are told in addiction treatment and 12 step programs that absolute honesty is required to stay sober and drug free while also being told that…
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When we make the assertion that all people are doing exactly what they want to do at any given moment in time, we get all kinds of responses and reactions.
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What or who are you allowing to dictate your life? Do you realize that you are choosing to relinquish your control to something outside you, and by doing so you are actually…
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AA people like to tell us that being “in recovery” is better than heavy substance use, but is it? The 12 Step addiction treatment model instills misinformation and mythology…
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When we were thrust into addiction treatment and AA 35 years ago we were told by treatment providers to go to AA where we were told by the old-timers, “Do what we did and you’…
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“I never killed anyone!” Nina proclaimed when discussing her past problems with alcohol. Like the majority of people who go to AA seeking help, she was never alcohol dependent…
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Are people drawn to behaviors that are deemed as bad or unhealthy? Is it always a struggle to choose eating healthier, exercising, or other behaviors deemed as healthy or good?
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Many people who follow our podcast are former AA members or people in the process of leaving AA and they are hyper-sensitive to anything that sounds like AA jargon – and…
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Do you have strained relationships in your life? Have you ever thought, ‘if he would just do this, then I will be happy’ or ‘if she behaves differently, then we will have a…
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The accepted thinking in mental health and western culture is that people are run by their brain chemistry. The big pharma, porn, gambling, alcohol…
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With the cult of AA as a familial backdrop in her life since childhood, Emma, like so many others in her situation, is enticed into the cult at the first flush of trouble in…
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“The only stuff you can’t get over is the stuff you’re hanging onto!” This is a quote from a book written by Gary John Bishop called Wise as Fu*k. It is absolutely brilliant in…
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Is there a solution to addiction? Addiction treatment providers and nearly all addiction help models will tell you that there isn’t, yet nearly everyone gets over their…
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At 15, Finn was caught smoking weed in school and that led to his first stint in an abusive rehab for teens. That initial 28 day program in 1983 was just the beginning of a 35…
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The Netflix Documentary “The Program” exposes the shocking truth about the multi-million dollar troubled teen industry. What you may not know is it has its roots in AA’s ego…
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There are those that wear their “battle with addiction” like a badge of honor, but there are many more who consistently feel like they are losing that battle. The thing is…
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Like Mark and Michelle, Leslie’s exposure to Alcoholics Anonymous began in childhood. That may have been one of the reasons she became susceptible to being lured into cults.
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Life coaches, sober coaches, recovery coaches…it seems everywhere you turn there are people “in recovery” peddling their coaching services. They are going to show you what they…
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From the suburbs of Boston to the streets of south Florida; from a 2-sport collegiate athlete to spending 20 years as an integral cog in the Florida rehab shuffle.
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Over the next few episodes Mark and Michelle are interviewing people who have escaped or are in the process of escaping the addiction and recovery trap! Crystal’s story will…
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More and more people are contacting us to talk about their experiences in AA and other 12 step programs, and asking us to help them get out and move on with their lives.
Do people need therapy when working to solve the various emotional problems that often accompany a heavy substance use problem?
Mark and Michelle discuss the differences and similarities between problematic substance use and behavioral “addictions”,
Time marches on irrespective of the choices you make. Are you fighting against the passage of time or evolving with it?
AA members will tell you “It works if you work it!” And even people that reject AA still hold the belief that solving an addiction takes consistent effort and “work”.
There is a popular line in the book Alcoholics Anonymous that says selfishness is the root cause of an addiction. Is this statement true and helpful to those struggling with heavy substance use?
Most people agree that they don’t like to do the same activities at 40 years old that they liked to do at 10 years old. It’s common sense that our preferences change as a function of time and experience.
For our 200th Episode Mark and Michelle tell the story of how The Freedom Model began in the late 1980s, how they met, and how they walked out of the cult of recovery and developed The Freedom Model.
So you have found The Freedom Model and it changed your life, but someone you love is still struggling; how can you help them? What can you do for them?
Seeking magical experiences using substances can be a powerful reason to use frequently and heavily, but learning where the “magic” actually comes from is crucial to changing your preference.
What does it look like to be fully and deeply indoctrinated into addiction disease mythology?
Are "addictive" activities inherently pleasurable and that’s why so many people get “hooked” on them?
Were you told you needed to ditch your friends, change jobs or your career, distance yourself from family, or even leave a marriage to stop your substance use problem?
How effective is “addiction medication” at helping people to stop an addiction? And if it is so effective, then why are overdose rates in the US still rising rapidly.
Mark and Michelle have a candid discussion with friend, colleague, and competitor in the non-12-step program world, Zach Rhoads of The Life Process Program
What’s your “addiction”? Do you feel like a slave to something; maybe an activity, a feeling, an emotion, a food, a person, or a substance?
When learning The Freedom Model, there can be a tendency to get some of the information and begin your experimentation with abstinence and moderation. We explain why this kind of “experimentation” is not helpful, and can actually reinforce the beliefs that are keeping you stuck.
Can pleasure and addiction be explained with neuroscience? If you think the “science” is settled on this stuff, think again.
We have gotten many requests to talk about other behavioral “addictions” wondering if The Freedom Model can help.
We often get this question from people in the recovery society; “How does The Freedom Model help people?” Mark and Michelle discuss why it’s so difficult for people in the recovery society to understand The Freedom Model and what it means to actually move on from addiction.
Addiction disease proponents often accuse The Freedom Model of preying on vulnerable “addicts” for a profit while AA and 12 Steps are "Free".
There is a lot of “feel good” nonsense and platitudes out there, but have you ever actually broken any of them down and learned what they mean?
When you understand The Freedom Model fully, then solving addiction becomes easy, and maintaining an addiction free lifestyle is effortless.
The main argument for the disease theory of addiction is that it is the more compassionate view. This couldn't be further from the truth. Find out Why!
In this episode, We give you The Freedom Model’s perspective on brain chemistry and addiction.
In this episode, We give you The Freedom Model’s perspective on brain chemistry and addiction.
Do emotions just happen to you? Are you truly a victim of your brain chemistry? Or do you have control over how you feel at any given moment in time?
This discussion on human behavior takes Mark and Michelle in some interesting directions in this cant miss episode!
Did you know that most people can actually solve addiction in a single day? It’s true. find out how in this episode!
We all know that heavy substance use can wreak havoc in families, but what no one is talking about is the devastation addiction recovery can do to families too!
Is it good advice to wait a year to start dating after you’ve stopped heavy substance? Mark and Michelle discuss this common recovery recommendation, and break it down for you, so you can make your own decision. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be...
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People can feel nostalgic about leaving all kinds of relationships, even those that are hurtful and negative. And when moving on from recovery, depending on how long you’ve spent in AA or other recovery groups, you will likely have some mixed feelings – from elation and relief to fear and yes, nostalgia. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to...
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Do you let your circumstances dictate your mood? Do you let your mood dictate your circumstances? What if we told you that you have more control than you think over both? Well you do! Listen as Mark and Michelle explain that you truly can always choose happiness. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution...
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Addiction exists in your mind, and that’s the only place you can solve it! Mark and Michelle talk about the key role free will and mental autonomy play in solving addiction. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be notified every time a new episode is...
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So many people say, “Just don’t give up!” “Persistence always pays off!” But does it always pay off? Isn’t there a time when you should call it quits. Mark and Michelle break this down in this week’s episode of The Addiction Solution! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming...
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A common misunderstanding about The Freedom Model is we’re saying you have to be happy to stop your addiction, which is not true at all! Mark and Michelle clarify that unhappiness is not the cause of addiction which means you don’t have to find happiness to solve it. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution...
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Taking on the addict/alcoholic self-image can make moving past addiction seem impossible! Even those people who don’t think addiction is a disease can unknowingly take on the self-image of an addict and it can keep them stuck struggling with heavy use. In this episode we break down how to grow past harmful relationships that foster the addict and alcoholic self-images, as well as the benefits that...
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We make the case that 12 step programs and addiction treatment based on it can cause significant harm to relationships, which often makes struggles with heavy substance use worse, not better. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be notified every time a...
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When you get to that point where you are continuing heavy drinking or drug use, or another behavior, and you’re hating the consequences, and you’re hating yourself, but you can’t seem to stop doing it, how do you stop? Mark and Michelle provide some valuable insights into how you can move past this difficult stage. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS.
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The Addiction Solution welcomes a special guest, Beverly Schechtman, Director/Vice President of The Doctor Patient Forum (https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com/) , an advocacy group for pain patients and prescribing physicians. Because of the massive misinformation campaign against opiates, many pain patients are now being denied medications that have helped them to maintain a higher quality of...
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Addiction treatment doesn’t actually help people to solve addiction, it makes them “accept it” under the guise of helping them. It creates lifelong customers who continue to struggle with a problem that should have been temporary. Addiction experts, Mark Scheeren and Michelle Dunbar discuss what it is going to take to replace this outdated, ineffective, and harmful system. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP...
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Listener topic request: Why do some people gain an understanding of The Freedom Model but occasionally drink or use drugs heavily? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be notified every time a new episode is released. ~|apple~|font-awesome~|solid...
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Everything changes for you once the people in your life see you as “an addict”. Whether you labeled yourself or that label was thrust on you by well-meaning friends, family, or treatment professionals, fully moving past addiction sometimes requires educating those close to you. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW FAMILIES MOVING PAST ADDICTION MASTERCLASS. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction...
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A podcast listener asked us this question and he used the example of David Goggin’s book, Can’t Hurt Me, where he explains how he motivated himself to achieve many remarkable accomplishments by talking critically to himself. Why did these negative motivators seem to work so well for him when we say they are not effective motivators for stopping heavy substance use or other “addictions”.
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Everyone knows there are long term effects from heavy substance use, but what no one talks about are the long term effects of being “in recovery” and there are many! On this episode, Freedom Model Addiction Experts discuss the many long term effects we have helped our guests work through over the years and how you too, can undo the long term effects the recovery society may have had on you!
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“I wake up in the morning and have great resolve! I’m not going to drink today! Then at 5:00 it goes out the window and I start my binge again! I must be one of those who will never get it.” If this is you, then this episode was made especially for you! Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be notified every time a new episode is...
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When criticizing an accepted paradigm and 80 year old institution such as the addiction disease theory and the original 12 step program, Alcoholics Anonymous, you better have a thick skin! For our 160th episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, Mark and Michelle answer their critics directly. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can...
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We’ve all heard this mantra: your “recovery” must come first! Whatever you put in front of it, you’ll lose! Is this true? And is it helpful to think this way? This great topic was sent in by a listener. Keep those great ideas coming! Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be notified every time a new episode is released.
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If you think “addiction recovery” is a good and positive thing, listen as Mark and Michelle explain the immense inherent problems with identifying yourself in this way, and the massive benefits of moving on from recovery! Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be notified every time a new episode is released. ~|apple~|font...
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“Dry January” has become “a thing” over the last decade as more and more people spend more and more time on social media. We were asked the question by our fans, “What does The Freedom Model think of Dry January?” Is it valuable? Is there any reason to do it? Mark and Michelle explain their take on this more recent social media trend. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on...
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In this episode Mark and Michelle explore and explain the unholy marriage of medicine and religion that the 12 step model created to treat the “addiction disease”. Is it a spiritual disease? Is it a brain disease? It’s neither; and that matters a great deal when trying to solve it! Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be notified...
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Happy New Year Everyone! Do you have New Year’s Resolutions? Are there areas in your life you want to improve? These things are all in an effort to make you happier in your life. Mark and Michelle talk about how you can become happier in your everyday life. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Addiction Solution Podcast on your favorite streaming service so you can be notified every time a new episode...
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A special Christmas episode of The Addiction Solution where Mark and Michelle talk about real people who have transformed their lives with The Freedom Model. It’s important to know that no matter who you are, how long you’ve been struggling, or how severely you have messed things up in your life, you can solve your addictions and build the life you truly want! Don’t forget to subscribe to The...
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Many people struggle with heavy drinking or drug using more when they are alone. This habit can be more difficult to break because of the perceived benefits.
Everyone feels bored, restless, and unhappy at times. For those trying to solve and an addiction, this can seem especially troublesome.
Many people struggling with addiction have beliefs about their self image that are part of an addict or alcoholic identity. Here's how you can break those beliefs
One of the criticisms of The Freedom Model we hear is, “You guys say The Freedom Model is the only way!?? Isn’t that just like AA?” No, and here's why!
12 Step beliefs are pervasive society today, and those who are involved in 12 Steps underestimate how programmed with misinformation they truly are.
The Cult Awareness Network posted a list of criteria online on how you can tell if you are in a cult. Does Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Fit the criteria?
The Cult Awareness Network posted a list of criteria online on how you can tell if you are in a cult. Does Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Fit the criteria?
“But AA works for some people.” Mark and Michelle take to task the popular idea that some people need a 12 step program, and that it “gets them sober.”
Is lying to people about addiction justified? No - which is why The Freedom Model will always speak the truth, regardless of popular opinion.
When a star dies, the media parrots the same statement, he or she has “lost their battle with addiction.”
Is addiction a spiritual malady? Do you need to adopt a spiritual lifestyle to solve your addiction? Listen as we provide the history behind this question.
Is addiction caused by Trauma? Many people think emotional issues cause addiction, however the research does not support this thinking.
This topic is a listener request! We discuss Shame - and the idea that you have much more power over your emotions than you think you do.
In this episode, we explain our 30+ years of experience of working to change the addiction treatment paradigm, and what it will take to effect real change.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a household name, often credited with saving countless lives despite having an abysmal success rate. How can this be?
Addiction treatment and recovery can trap people for years and tragically, some people never make it out!
Is it possible AA and the entire addiction treatment industry is built on a cult? Learn some tips on how you can tell if you’ve joined a cult.
Fear and shame seem to be the default motivators that many people try to use to get themselves to stop drinking and using drugs, and other habits they want to stop. Learn why this tactic doesn't work
No one gets addicted to doing something they don’t like to do but many people become confused as to why they keep doing it, despite the consequences.
Anytime we say that addiction isn’t a disease, it always ticks people off! This episode discusses the disease model and why it must be completely discarded and replaced by the truth.
Many believe that people who’ve struggled with addiction need support group meetings to stay abstinent, but is it necessary or even helpful?
Have you tried working out, going to meetings, doing yoga, joining a church, or one of the many things people do to try to stop their heavy substance use?
Why did we call the Podcast The Addiction Solution Podcast, and why has no one else had the courage to say SOLUTION when it comes to addiction,
If you’ve been trying to stop your heavy substance use but keep going back to it, then you still really like it, even if you totally hate the consequences.
If you’ve been trying to stop your heavy substance use but keep going back to it, then you still really like it, even if you totally hate the consequences.
The Freedom Model for Addictions, it states that emotions don’t happen to you, they happen by you. Learn what this statement means and why it's important.
The Freedom Model Team's goal is to change the way people with substance use problems are helped worldwide, from FEAR based to FREEDOM based!
Breaking out of substance use rut, or any rut, and moving forward can take a tremendous amount of courage.
The idea that heavy substances users have to “hit rock bottom” before they stop their addiction is not supported by the data.
Does addiction exist in the mind or the brain? Most Addiction professionals tell you it exists in the brain. Is this true and does it matter? Find out in this episode
We witnessed firsthand the massive corruption and abusive practices in addiction rehabs and treatment programs. Learn how to spot these practices.
Leaving AA or another 12 step recovery program can be scary, confusing, and lonely, However, most people (95%) don’t stay in 12 groups.
In this episode, we discuss how the dramatization of addiction over the years has led to many believing they're fighting a battle between good and evil,
In this episode, we discuss the topic of overthinking addiction and substance use, and how to break this type of thinking.
The Freedom Model is offering a brand new service that has been requested by our retreat guests and private instruction students for the past 30 years.
Do I need to go to drug rehab? If someone close to you has asked this question, You don't want to miss this episode.
Listen as we deconstruct the addiction disease theory MYTH that substance users cross a line where their substance use becomes involuntary.
In this episode Mark Scheeren and Michelle Dunbar tell the story of how they slowly left the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous.
There are not too many things worse than feeling like you’re in a battle with yourself within your own mind. It’s time to stop calling addiction a battle!
When people seek help for addiction, they tend to believe that someone or something outside of themselves must fix them. It may feel that way but it's not true
In this episode, we discuss the delicate balance between keeping those you love happy and figuring out how you can be happier.
While many people do find the solution simply by reading and listening to the information, there are many that continue to struggle, and that’s ok.
It's time to ditch the 1930's folklore approach to addiction that was created based on surrendering control of your life. and learn a real solution to Addiction.
Mark and Michelle discuss how they went from identifying as "addicts" in "recovery" to escaping the recovery trap and building the Freedom Model.
How much time and energy do you spend worrying about what others think of you? This episode discusses how to become happier by being yourself.
Our culture imbues drugs and alcohol with all kinds of powers they don’t actually have. In this episode, we explain how devaluing substances in your life can free you from addiction.
The recovery world paints the holidays in the most negative light possible but that you don’t have to buy into the hype, You’re free to choose!
In this episode we discuss the various ways people tend to justify substance use, and explain how these are merely excuses and that it is always a choice!
Learn how truly believing your life can be better is crucial to helping you move on from addiction for good.
Learn how you can shift your thinking from focusing on the high costs of use to focusing on the benefits of adjusting your substance use habits.
Massive misinformation about addiction harms families of those who are struggling as much as it’s harms the substance user. Learn how you can really help.
When it comes to substance use, people often go from feeling as if they must quit or should quit, to actually wanting to quit,
Freedom Model co-developers discuss benefits of engaging in other activities while you are working to break your substance use habit.
Join The Freedom Model Addiction Experts for the 100th Episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast. Discussing the Truth about Addiction!
Freedom Model co-developers talk about that space between recovery and freedom, and their experiences as they fully broke free from the recovery trap.
Today, opiates are demonized as having the power to enslave you. Alcohol is advertised as a magical elixir that provides all kinds of wonderful benefits.
The Freedom Model team dives into demystifying substance effects. Knowing this is crucial in gaining Freedom from addiction
Learn how The Freedom Model team is expanding our reach to change the addiction treatment paradigm.
Learn why addiction treatment hurts families mentally, emotionally, and financially while their loved ones continue to struggle.
If you've ever been told or thought of yourself as the "family f**k-up" then this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast is for you!
Mark and Michelle tackle the binge habit from a different angle, shedding light on why it's so alluring and so difficult to stop it.
The Freedom Model developers discuss Freedom Model International and how it will replace Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Addiction recovery involves a number of processes that have nothing to do with substance use, and too many people get distracted by these processes.
Making a lasting change to your substance use habit doesn't have to require any strength at all, just a change of mind.
In this week’s episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, Freedom Model co-creators discuss how people break out of a binge cycle for good.
Creators of the first and only fully non-12 step program explain what qualifies as a true non-12 step program and why this can be a lifesaving clarification.
In this episode, we debunk the popular theory of addiction being caused by various emotional problems.
In this episode, we take on the practice of counting "sober days" and explain the inherent problems with it being the primary focus.
Does addiction treatment help people to solve addiction and are there any benefits to getting treatment for an addiction?
Are you in a comfortable rut? Do you feel stuck? Know that everyone does from time to time. You can break out of it!
In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, Freedom Model co-developers talk about building or rebuilding your life when solving an addiction.
Letting go of guilt and shame is crucial to solving your substance use problems. Find out why in our latest episode!
Addiction is a cultural construct with vast amounts of misinformation surrounding it. Learn how The Freedom Model can help you solve addiction for good!
In this episode, Freedom Model Experts discuss a surprising way to stop drinking and move past addiction for good!
A discussion about how people develop addictions, how they can move on from them for good, and why addiction treatment has got it all wrong.
In this episode, we explain how people can and do move on from heavy substance use without defining themselves by their past problematic behaviors.
In this episode, Freedom Model developers explain some of the factors that can add to a strong preference for heavy use.
As a follow-up to their podcast debunking the 12 steps, Mark and Michelle break down a dozen slogans that are said at AA meetings throughout the world.
In this episode, The Freedom Model addiction experts explain why interventions and addiction treatment can cause more harm. Find out what works better.
We have talked to thousands of people over the years who have genuinely tried to make the 12 step program work for them to no avail.
The Freedom Model team takes on a tough but important topic, feeling and believing you're broken which often turns into feelings of complete hopelessness.
The concept of moderate substance use is heresy in the addiction treatment and recovery world. Research clearly shows moderation is possible.
Many people who first learn about The Freedom Model think it's a program with a goal of achieving moderate substance use, but that's not exactly right.
Many heavy substance users get to the point where they want to want to stop. How can you get yourself to the place where you're truly ready to stop?
There are many lies told by well-meaning addiction treatment providers and recovery advocates, but there is one that stands out as being the most damaging.
Stopping drugs doesn't have to be a struggle; it doesn't have to be unpleasant, and it can actually be relatively easy and exciting.
Happy New Year Everyone! Whether you're seeking a fresh start and want to completely reinvent yourself in 2021, our latest podcast has some helpful tips!
People don't lose control of their substance use - all substance use is always voluntary. So why do people often feel so out of control when they are using.
Far too many people become frustrated and perplexed when they swear off booze and drugs and find themselves drunk or high the very next day.
Does depression cause addiction? Does heavy substance use cause depression? Do you have to solve one problem before you can solve the other?
Do you think of yourself as an addict or alcoholic? Even those who reject the disease theory and the 12 step program often label themselves.
You don't have to be miserable for the holidays! Remember, with freedom from addiction, comes freedom in many other ways!
We hear every day from people who have been in and out of treatment programs and 12 step groups, who feel like complete failures. The problem isn't you, it’s the misinformation you’re being given.
In this episode, we debunk the Myth that those who struggle with addiction are weak-willed, and that the allure of drugs and alcohol are just too powerful.
You can be truly happy after stopping your addiction WITHOUT having to succumb to the 12 Step mentality of having to be in perpetual recovery forever.
Addiction treatment uses fear of substances, of relapse, and fear of consequences to motivate people to stay sober and drug free but is this helpful?
Is it more compassionate to call addiction a disease as a disease proponent claim? Does it help the individual struggling with addiction solve their issues?
What does it mean to move past an addiction? How does it feel and how will you know when you've done it? The Freedom Team breaks it down in episode 57.
We discuss the most effective ways to approach someone who you feel may have a problem.
Addiction has become a catch all term. The Freedom Model breaks down what addiction is, and what it isn't.
Changing your substance use habit, whether that is reducing it to non-problematic levels or abstaining completely, doesn't require superpowers.
Do you need aftercare to maintain "addiction recovery"? Learn how people effect lasting change without aftercare.
There has been much talk about how the COVID-19 lockdowns have negatively impacted the recovery community.
Why do many struggling with addiction keep using alcohol and drugs despite the negative consequences they've experienced as a direct result of using.
It's important to remember that things can always get better if you truly want them to be!
The solution to addiction lies firmly in people's ability to choose whether or not to ingest substances.
The truth is you don't need addiction treatment, meetings, or "recovery" to change your substance use and solve an addiction.
The Freedom Model team discusses what it means to truly escape the addiction, treatment, and recovery trap, and move on!
Many addiction researchers and treatment facilities spend the bulk of their time looking for who or what to blame for the problem known as addiction.
Our team breaks down the truth about cannabis and provides information on how to solve and move past any behavior that has become problematic for you.
Calling addiction a brain disease is not only false, it heavily stigmatizes substance users thereby making it more difficult for them to find a lasting solution to their substance use problems.
Steven, Mark, and Michelle discuss an article written by Christine Byrne released on May 3, 2020, on Outsideonline.com called You Can't Actually Be Addicted to Sugar. But...Is anything truly addictive?
In this podcast, Freedom Model co-authors Mark Scheeren and Michelle Dunbar talk about their personal experiences with deprogramming and also their experiences helping others to do the same.
This is a great time to find a real solution to a substance use problem. Support meetings are shut down, drug treatment programs are shut down, but you really can be OK! You have the power and ability to solve your problem and we can help!
In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, we're introducing our New Director of Private Instruction, Danny Wike.
In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, Steven and Mark discuss the movie JUDY and give their thoughts and reactions to the movie.
In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, Mark and Steven discuss the playground effect and how it can hinder an individual from making a lasting change in substance use habits.
In this podcast episode, we discuss the Addict Alcoholic Self Image many people are taught to believe at 12 Step Drug and Alcohol Rehabs.
In this episode, we discuss how 12 step programs can lead to ongoing struggles, dangerous binge usage, and emotional problems.
In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, we discuss the motivation behind using drugs and alcohol.
In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, we discuss the relationship between Trauma and Addiction.
In this edition of the Addiction Solution Podcast, we discuss the theory of connections being the opposite of addiction. Is this really true?
In this latest episode of the Addiction Solution Podcast, we discuss the characteristics of a true Non 12 Step program. We also discuss how recovery is misleading and often traps people and ties them to the cycle of addiction.
In the latest episode of the Addiction Solution Podcast, we are discussing labels and language surrounding addiction. Mark, Michelle and Steven address one of the most discussed topics related to addiction today.
In the latest episode of the Addiction Solution Podcast, we are answering a few of the questions we received at the end of our Facebook Live broadcast. Mark, Michelle and Steven answer these questions, tackling recovery, treatment and addiction myths.
In the latest episode of the Addiction Solution Podcast, we discuss the topic of Chemical Dependency. Are chemical dependency and addiction the same? Mark, Michelle and Steven discuss the common misconceptions and research-based facts surrounding chemical dependency and addiction.
In the latest episode of the Addiction Solution Podcast, we announce the development of a new program and the global impact of The Freedom Model. Mark, Michelle and Steven discuss how the revolutionary Freedom Model is changing the treatment industry for the better.
Have you ever noticed that the only “addictions” or habits that are classified as diseases or disorders are those that have high costs, or negative consequences, AND that our society deems are morally wrong? Just because a particular behavior or activity turns out badly, does that mean that the initial choice to engage in it […]
The co-authors of The Freedom Model for Addictions discuss if those labeled as "alcoholics" & "addicts" can drink normally or moderate.
In this episode, the co-authors of The Freedom Model for Addictions discuss the myths and messages presented in the film, Beautiful Boy.
In this episode, the co-authors of The Freedom Model for Addictions discuss the myths and messages presented in the film, Beautiful Boy.
Moderation for someone struggling with addiction or labeled an addict has long been thought of as "sacrilegious" in the treatment industry.
Are Christmas and the Holidays actually more stressful for people who are "in recovery"? Are the holidays a "trigger" for relapse?
Is there any part of AA that is helpful? In part 2 of the Leaving the Cult of AA series, we discuss questions asked by viewers on whether or not there's any helpful parts to AA.
Alcoholics Anonymous is the most widely accepted and protected cult on the planet! In this podcast Mark and Michelle talk about their experiences being born into AA families and then fulfilling the dire predictions that they would become "alcoholics". From attending thousands of meetings, to forming their own AA groups and holding service positions in their district and area, Mark and Michelle got a unique perspective on the inner workings of AA, and how those who question the dogma are treated. For them leaving AA was a process that eventually led to co-writing The Freedom Model for Addictions with Mr. Steven Slate.
The Freedom Model authors weigh in on H.R. 6, the government's new law that is supposed to solve the opioid crisis. Listen as we break down each act within the law and let you know exactly why they will not only be ineffective, but will likely increase the problem.
When people are seeking help once again, they are looking for someone to tell them what to do because that is the purpose of treatment. Even when they are seeking an alternative and contact The Freedom Model, they are still looking for someone or some program to fix them from the outside. After years in treatment and/or recovery, they've come to believe they are unable to control themselves so they believe others must direct their lives. Unfortunately this never works. There is no program or treatment that can fix you.
People have all sorts of beliefs about the powers of substances: to make them more outgoing and fun, relax them, and to pick them up when they're down. And many people will allow drunk or high people to behave in ways they would never allow someone who is sober. They do this because of what is called the license to misbehave. The question is, do substances actually have the power to make you relax and turn a bad mood into a good one? Does alcohol make people relaxed and funny or does it make them angry and violent? Does heroin relieve emotional pain and help people to deal with trauma? Does cocaine make you smarter and more insightful, or does it make you aggressive and hostile? Today all three Freedom Model authors challenge the supposed magical powers of substances and expose the license to misbehave.
When looking for alternatives to 12 step based programs and meetings, people often look for alternative support groups. And while there are a few, the question remains, are support groups actually necessary and/or effective at helping people to change their substance use behaviors? What people fail to realize is that before 1935 when Alcoholics Anonymous was formed, those people who struggled with alcohol or drug problems simply got over their problems and moved on with their lives. The entire premise that people need some kind of support structure or meeting was literally born out of the 12 step movement. Freedom Model co-authors Mark Scheeren, Steven Slate and Michelle Dunbar discuss their personal experiences in support group meetings and where their research has taken them. They talk candidly about whether or not support group meetings are necessary or effective
Host Michelle Dunbar interviews Mark Scheeren, Chairman of the Baldwin Research Institute, Co-founder of The Freedom Model Retreats, and Co-author of The Freedom Model for Addictions. Michelle and Mark discuss the development of The Freedom Model – from its earliest beginnings in the late ‘80’s to the present day. The interview covers Mark’s early life in AA, and then his decision to leave AA, and his final decision to create the antithesis of AA and treatment for addiction in America. He highlights the founding of the first non-12 step residential model in America, The Freedom Model Retreats, and the book that chronicle’s the research and method behind this path, The Freedom Model for Addictions. Mark describes his continued mission to change the way people see and define addiction, and why the research led him to abandon what he calls, the 12-step treatment complex. A must-listen for anyone dabbling with the idea of leaving a 12 step program in their search for greater happiness and success!
This and the next two podcasts will introduce you to The Addiction Solution team, Michelle Dunbar, Mark Scheeren and Steven Slate. In the first in this 3-podcast series, Steven Slate has a candid discussion with Michelle Dunbar what it was like to grow up in Alcoholics Anonymous, which she refers to as "the cult", and how that influenced her life. She discusses how her early life struggles transformed into a passion to find the answers to these problems and help people to change their lives. From her take on moderation, which is heresy in the "recovery" world, to her work helping families of substance users, to her personal experiences working with substance users at The Freedom Model Retreats, you will get a unique glimpse into Michelle's life and the answers she has found over the course of nearly 3 decades of dedicated curiosity and work on this one mission.
In this episode of the Addiction Solution Podcast, addiction experts, researchers, and authors, Mark Scheeren and Michelle Dunbar discuss the controversial topic - Addiction Is Not a Disease.