by Ryan Schwantes | Feb 10, 2022 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Culture, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Are You Waiting for Someone to Fix You? When people seek help for addiction, they usually have a belief that someone or something outside of themselves must fix them. They’ve been told they are powerless, they are disordered, and...
by Ryan Schwantes | Feb 2, 2022 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Culture, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Focus on Figuring out What You Want Trying to solve a substance use problem can be challenging enough without having to constantly deal with the opinions and demands of others. Becoming overly concerned with what others think of you can...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jan 24, 2022 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Culture, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast It’s OK If You Need More Help When people find The Freedom Model for Addictions and they read or hear us say that no one needs treatment and that they already have everything inside themselves to stop their addiction, this may lead them...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jan 14, 2022 | Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Articles, Non 12 Step Programs, Relapse Prevention, Research, Uncategorized
For the past few years there has been a movement that began largely on social media called Dry January. This is where people pledge to remain abstinent from alcohol for the entire month of January. Certainly there are health benefits to not drinking, especially if you...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jan 13, 2022 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Culture, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast It’s Time to Ditch the 1930’s Folklore Approach to Addiction Alcoholics Anonymous and treatment based on its illogical dogma have been successful only in creating a worldwide cult based on fear. Not only does AA not help tens of...
by Ryan Schwantes | Dec 30, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Culture, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Escaping the Recovery Trap and Creating The Freedom Model Freedom Model co-authors Mark Scheeren, Steven Slate, and Michelle Dunbar once identified themselves as “addicts in recovery”. In this episode, Mark and Michelle talk about their...
by Ryan Schwantes | Dec 22, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Culture, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holidays, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Maybe It’s Time to Just Be Yourself! How much time and energy do you spend worrying about what others think of you? Whether it’s your family, your co-workers, your friends, neighbors, or even people on social media, the stress and...
by Ryan Schwantes | Dec 13, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Culture, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holidays, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Devalue Drugs and Alcohol and Solve Your Addiction “I need alcohol for ___________” “I need drugs for __________” You fill in the blanks. This is addiction; when you feel like you need substances. Our culture imbues drugs and alcohol...
by Ryan Schwantes | Dec 2, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holidays, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Ditch the Alca-Thons and Stop Stressing About the Holidays! The recovery world paints the holidays in the most negative light possible. You’re supposed to fear this time of year because it’s a veritable trigger-palooza! The holidays can...
by Ryan Schwantes | Nov 26, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Justifying Substance Use with Self-Created Drama You had a spat with your co-worker, then you go home and your spouse starts to nag you about something they had asked you to do weeks ago. You know that you put it off, then forgot to do...
by Ryan Schwantes | Nov 15, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Do You Believe Your Life Can Be Better? Are you still struggling with heavy substance use? It might be that you want to change your preference, but you don’t really believe that you can. You just might believe that your life...
by Ryan Schwantes | Nov 5, 2021 | Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Articles, Non 12 Step Programs, Relapse Prevention, Research, Uncategorized
“Drinking makes my stress go away.” “I get things done when I do meth. It makes me motivated.” “Drinking makes me more social, I don’t feel so nervous when I’m buzzed up.” “I can say the things I normally can’t say. Substances help with my lack of assertiveness.”...
by Ryan Schwantes | Nov 3, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Focus On Benefits of Change and Move On From Addiction When people are trying to change their substance use, the addiction treatment model is to focus on the negative consequences you’ve experienced and will keep experiencing due...
by Ryan Schwantes | Oct 27, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Helping Your Loved One Struggling With Addiction Massive misinformation about addiction harms families of those who are struggling as much as it harms the substance user. In this Episode of The Addiction Solution, Freedom Model...
by Ryan Schwantes | Oct 13, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast You Don’t Have to Quit! “When you think you must do something, you’re not owning it. You are obscuring the fact that it truly is your choice.” If you try to quit heavy substance use because you feel obligated,...
by Ryan Schwantes | Oct 11, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Bridging the Gap While Making a Preference Change If you want to change your substance use habit, but still have a strong preference for intoxication, changing can seem impossible. While The Freedom Model states that mindlessly trying...
by Ryan Schwantes | Sep 29, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast What Is Your New Self Image? The Addiction Solution Podcast’s 100th Episode Many heavy substance users struggle to envision a life without heavy intoxication with their preferred substance. Oftentimes they hold the self image of...
by Ryan Schwantes | Sep 23, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Purgatory Between Recovery and Freedom If you’ve found The Freedom Model and it makes sense to you, but you are still holding onto some of the beliefs in the AA and recovery world, that’s a tough place to be and you’re...
by Ryan Schwantes | Sep 14, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup and Learning the Magical Powers of Substances In the 1800’s opiates were legal and advertised honestly for the pharmacological benefits they provided: cough suppression, physical pain relief,...
by Ryan Schwantes | Sep 9, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Philosophy, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Demystifying Substance Effects Drugs and alcohol are often thought to have varying effects on someone’s thoughts. For example, certain drugs and substances take away anxiety, make you more outgoing, make you depressed, etc. Or...
by Ryan Schwantes | Aug 31, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast The Freedom Model’s Expansion to Change the World How do you change a well-entrenched paradigm? You do the research to debunk it. You begin helping people with that new information. You abandon the erroneous language and show...
by Ryan Schwantes | Aug 25, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Addiction Treatment Hurts Families In today’s episode, Mark and Michelle explain how Addiction Treatment can have various harmful effects on families. We’ve helped families work through various mental, emotional, and...
by Ryan Schwantes | Aug 18, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Family and Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Are You the Family F*ck up? 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! Both Mark and Michelle were told this and thus...
by Ryan Schwantes | Aug 9, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast The Allure of the Binge, and How to Stop It This is the second podcast in recent episodes that addresses the binge cycle. Mark and Michelle tackle the binge habit from a different angle, shedding real light on why it’s so alluring...
by Ryan Schwantes | Aug 3, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse, Support Meetings
The Addiction Solution Podcast Replacing AA with Freedom Model International As our audience has grown, and continues to grow, the need has arisen to create a community of people who have rejected the addiction/treatment/recovery religion. While no one needs support...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jul 22, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Deprogramming, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Don’t Get Distracted by Recovery Processes Do you have to go to meetings, identify your character defects and read them to your sponsor, go to the gym, or join a church? Do you have to become more spiritual, more selfless, kinder,...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jul 15, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Stopping Addiction without Willpower Most people think willpower is needed to stop drinking or drug using, especially when they’ve developed a habit of drinking or using heavily. And while it is true that you may be able to stop...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jun 29, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast How to Stop the Binge Drinking/Drug Using Cycle If you’ve been trying to stop your heavy substance use, and you now find yourself in a cycle of heavy binge use for a few days, total abstinence for days, weeks, or months, and then...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jun 24, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Beware of Non-12 Step Imposters! As more and more people seeking help for addiction are seeking alternatives to 12 step-based treatment, rehabs, and meetings, more and more treatment programs, and rehabs are advertising they offer a...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jun 15, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast There are No Causes of Addiction In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, we discuss how there are no causes of addiction. Chapter 6 of The Freedom Model for Addictions is entitled “Learned Connections” and it...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jun 8, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Don’t Mindlessly Count Sober Days In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, Mark and Michelle take on the practice of counting “sober days” and explain the inherent problems with that being the primary focus...
by Ryan Schwantes | Jun 1, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Drug Treatment, Holistic Recovery, Moments of Clarity, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Rehab, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Does Anyone Need Addiction Treatment? If you tell someone you think you might have a problem with alcohol or drugs, most people will tell you to get yourself into rehab. There is a belief in our culture that addiction is a disease and...
by Ryan Schwantes | May 21, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Moments of Clarity, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Breaking Out of a Rut Is Easier Than You Think Are you in a comfortable rut? Do you have a habit that you liked at one time but is no longer satisfying? Do you feel stuck? Know that everyone does from time to time. You can break out of...
by Ryan Schwantes | May 19, 2021 | Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Articles, Non 12 Step Programs, Relapse Prevention, Research, Uncategorized
In The Freedom Model for Addictions, Escape the Treatment and Recovery Trap, we discuss the erroneous, but common idea, that environmental and social factors cause addiction. The fact that both your environment (lifestyle, home, and career, etc.) and your social life...
by Ryan Schwantes | May 18, 2021 | Abstinence and Moderation, Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Articles, Non 12 Step Programs, Relapse Prevention, Research, Uncategorized
In addiction recovery, you have two options: heavy, uncontrolled substance use that leads to jails, institutions, and death, or complete abstinence from all substances whether you like it or not. And in treatment/recovery the primary motivator for abstinence is...
by Ryan Schwantes | May 14, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help, Substance Abuse
The Addiction Solution Podcast Making a Change Doesn’t Have to be Overwhelming While it may seem overwhelming to rebuild your life in addition to solving addiction, it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of The Addiction Solution Podcast, Freedom Model...
by Ryan Schwantes | May 13, 2021 | Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Articles, Non 12 Step Programs, Relapse Prevention, Research, Uncategorized
What do you do when you make a mistake? Do you ruminate on it for hours, days, or even weeks? Do you beat yourself up about it, feeling as if you must be a terrible, broken person to have done such a thing? Or do you fix it, if possible, and move on from it a bit...
by Ryan Schwantes | May 10, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help
The Addiction Solution Podcast Let Go of Guilt and Shame and Solve Your Addiction The addiction treatment and 12 step model heaps on guilt and shame for your heavy use as a means to get you to stop it, but it doesn’t work. Listen as Mark and Michelle explain...
by Ryan Schwantes | Apr 29, 2021 | 12 Step Programs, Addiction Help, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, Audio/Video, Drug Addiction, Holistic Recovery, Non 12 Step Programs, Podcast, Self-Help
The Addiction Solution Podcast Solving Your Addictions with The Freedom Model Addiction is a cultural construct. It is everywhere in our society. So even if you are not a believer in the disease theory, if you have ever felt addicted, you have likely taken on certain...
by Ryan Schwantes | Apr 23, 2021 | Addiction Help, Addiction Prevention, Addiction Recovery, Addiction Solutions, Addictions, Articles, Non 12 Step Programs, Relapse Prevention, Research, Uncategorized
One thing I’ve learned in helping people move past their addictions over the last 31 years, is that parents of an addicted son or daughter are scared. I mean really scared. They live in near-constant anxiety, fear and worry that their loved one will be OK. Worse yet,...
