If you've been told to "wait for rock bottom" or use "tough love" with someone struggling with addiction, this episode will change everything you thought you knew. Master Addiction Counselor Amber Hollingsworth reveals why the most common advice given to families is not just ineffective—it's dangerous. Discover the proven "Invisible Intervention" method that's helping thousands of families support their loved ones without enabling, confrontation, or becoming the bad guy.

🎙️ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

You're exhausted. You've tried everything. Ultimatums, confrontations, begging, threatening, and nothing works. Your loved one keeps using despite losing jobs, relationships, health, and freedom. Everyone says "let them hit rock bottom" but you're watching them die. What if there's a better way?

In this raw and revelatory conversation, Amber Hollingsworth (LMAC, Master Licensed Addiction Counselor with 20+ years experience) dismantles the most harmful myths in addiction recovery and shares practical strategies that actually work. If you're a family member, spouse, parent, or friend of someone with addiction—this is the episode you've been searching for.

👤 GUEST EXPERT: AMBER HOLLINGSWORTH

Amber is a Master Licensed Addiction Counselor (LMAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has dedicated over two decades to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of addiction. She's the creator of the revolutionary "Put the Shovel Down" method and founder of Family Recovery Academy, where she's helped thousands of families worldwide. With over 1,000 educational videos on YouTube and a unique perspective shaped by growing up in a family affected by addiction, Amber brings both professional expertise and deep personal understanding to this conversation.

🔑 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

- Why "waiting for rock bottom" is the most dangerous myth in addiction recovery—and what the research actually shows about motivation and consequences

- The critical difference between natural consequences and punishment (this one distinction changes everything about how you approach helping your loved one)

- How to help high-functioning addicts who maintain jobs, relationships, and appearances while slowly destroying themselves internally

- The "Invisible Intervention" technique—a step-by-step method to build influence and support

⏱️ KEY TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Why Everything You Know About Helping Addicts Is Wrong

01:14 - The Rock Bottom Myth: Why Waiting Is Dangerous

03:10 - Consequences vs. Punishment: The Game-Changing Difference

07:00 - High-Functioning Addicts: The Hidden Crisis

12:08 - The Invisible Intervention Method Explained Step-by-Step

14:20 - It's Not Codependency—It's Betrayal Trauma

20:04 - Decoding the Sorry Cycle and Manipulation Tactics

24:11 - Setting Boundaries That Actually Stick

27:35 - The Compassionate Response to Relapse

30:00 - Understanding Triggers Without Enabling

36:48 - Addiction and Trauma: Exploring the Real Connection

39:22 - Can Someone Overcome Addiction Alone?

43:53 - Taking Your Power Back: Action Steps to Start Today

🔗 CONNECT WITH AMBER

YouTube: Put The Shovel Down (1,000+ free educational videos) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT8PE1v0xFR9zLXOijxM6hg

Website: Family Recovery Academy - https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online

Programs: Invisible Intervention Training, Family Support Courses

🆘 CRISIS RESOURCES

If you or someone you love is in crisis:

- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text)

- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

This podcast provides educational information and personal experiences for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers regarding substance use disorders, mental health concerns, or medical conditions. If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 immediately.

The feelings you're running from aren't trying to destroy you—they're trying to SAVE you. In this raw, unfiltered episode, Jason sits down with Duane (15 years sober) who reveals the shocking truth about why "positive thinking" and spiritual bypassing are actually keeping people stuck in addiction and relapse.

This isn't another motivational speech. This is actionable wisdom from someone who worked in a BAR for over a decade after getting sober—serving alcohol every single day—and was never once tempted to drink.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- Why resistance to emotions creates MORE suffering than the emotions themselves

- The "spiritual bypassing" trap that 99% of addicts fall into (and how to escape)

- Duane's life-changing "pool moment" after 6 months of daily prayer

- How to rewire your brain in 21 days using neuroscience (Dr. Caroline Leaf's method)

- The simple "I am aware" technique that creates instant emotional freedom

- Why working in a bar for 10 years AFTER getting sober was possible

- The difference between "sounding pretty" and actually feeling your feelings

- Teal Swan's shadow work and emotional experiencing techniques

- Matt Kahn's "Whatever arises, love that" philosophy explained

- The Appreciation Game practice for shifting emotional states

- Eckhart Tolle's teachings on present moment awareness applied to recovery

- How to use prayer as a neuroplasticity tool

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

"I worked in a bar for over a decade serving liquor every day and was never tempted to drink. The obsession was completely removed." - Duane

"There's a very big difference between sounding pretty and feeling the feelings. The sounding pretty is the spiritual bypass." - Duane

"If I have one foot in the past and one foot in the future, I'm pissing all over today." - Recovery Wisdom

"We have 60,000 thoughts a day - that's 60,000 opportunities to practice being our best self." - Duane

DUANE'S MIRACLE "POOL MOMENT":

For 6 months, Duane said this prayer with every step he took: "God, relieve me of this obsession." Working as a landscaper, cleaning pools, he repeated this prayer hundreds of times daily. Then one day by a pool, he fell to his knees crying—not from pain, but from realizing he hadn't thought about drinking in TWO WEEKS. The obsession was gone. This is the power of surrender combined with neuroscience.

UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL BYPASSING:

Spiritual bypassing is using spiritual concepts to avoid psychological work. In recovery this looks like:

- "Just think positive" instead of processing grief

- "Everything happens for a reason" to avoid accountability

- "Good vibes only" while suppressing real emotions

- Excessive meditation to escape uncomfortable feelings

- Using spiritual texts to intellectualize instead of feel

THE ANTIDOTE: Practice saying "I am AWARE of anger" instead of "I AM angry." This creates observer consciousness, allowing you to learn from emotions rather than be controlled by them.

ACTIONABLE PRACTICES YOU CAN START TODAY:

1. The "I Am Aware" Technique - Create space between you and your emotions

2. The Prayer Walk - Repeat a powerful prayer with every step for 21-90 days

3. The Appreciation Game - Spend 5 minutes listing everything you appreciate

4. The 21-Day Thought Detox - Rewire one toxic pattern using Dr. Leaf's process

WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR:

✓ Anyone struggling with addiction, alcoholism, or substance abuse

✓ People in early sobriety or recovery feeling stuck

✓ Those dealing with anxiety, depression, or emotional regulation

✓ Anyone who's relapsed and doesn't know why

✓ Loved ones trying to understand addiction and recovery

✓ People using "positive thinking" to avoid real emotions

This episode combines spiritual wisdom with neuroscience to provide ACTIONABLE HOPE for your recovery journey. Whether you're struggling with alcohol, drugs, behavioral addictions, or just feeling stuck in life,

In this raw and transformative episode of "Recovered Addict: A Journey Within," hosts Duane Yardman-Frank and Jason Rigby dive deep into the spiritual roots of addiction, revealing it not as a moral failing but as a profound cry for connection. They challenge traditional recovery narratives by spotlighting the spiritual void that fuels addictive cycles, regardless of the substance or behavior.

Drawing heavily on the profound teachings of spiritual teacher Matt Kahn, Duane and Jason explore how radical self-acceptance and spiritual awakening can pave the path to true freedom beyond mere sobriety.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Spiritual Void: Understand addiction as a "God-sized hole" within, an insatiable hunger that external achievements, pleasures, or distractions can never truly fill.

• Consummatory vs. Intrinsic Reward: Discover the two brain reward systems and how addiction traps individuals in the cycle of "consummatory reward," while spiritual development offers "intrinsic reward" and lasting purpose.

• Matt Kahn's Core Mantra: "Whatever Arises, Love That": Learn how this powerful mantra is an invitation to meet excruciating cravings, shame, guilt, and emotional pain with radical acceptance and unconditional love, transforming internal struggle into a spiritual path.

• The Ego as "WAR" (Worry, Anticipation, Regret): Explore Matt Kahn's acronym for ego and how this "war in the mind" manifests in addiction, driving constant seeking of external validation and temporary relief.

• Integrating the Ego for Freedom: Discover how the ego is not an adversary to be eradicated but an integral part of the human form that, when integrated with spirit, can empower individuals to say "no" to destructive patterns and play for "higher stakes". The Ganesh and mouse analogy beautifully illustrates this serving relationship between ego and divinity.

• The Gifts of Space and Time: Learn how cultivating inner spaciousness and making peace with the present moment can unravel deep-seated trauma and align you with your higher self, offering a "window of grace" for healing.

• Innate Worthiness: Reframe recovery not as a battle to become worthy, but as realizing the profound truth that you always were worthy, just as God sees you, regardless of past actions. This understanding allows for the healing of core unworthiness that fuels addictive behaviors.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Confront suffering directly rather than evading or suppressing it, seeing it as a path to service and rebirth.

• Practice mindfulness and sense perceptions to exit the "mind chatter" of worry and honor the present moment.

• Embrace the mantra "Whatever Arises, Love That" for radical acceptance of all emotions, including cravings and shame.

• Recognize that love is not bound by time or space and can bend dimensions, connecting you to infinite abundance and higher purpose.

Connect with Us: If you're interested in transforming your life and embarking on a long-term recovery journey, delve deeper into these tools.

https://recoveredaddictpodcast.com/

Dr. Dallas Bragg joins us to discuss the "silent epidemic" of crystal meth addiction among gay men and his revolutionary guilt-free approach to recovery. From his own journey through homelessness and incarceration to developing the 4-phase "alchemy" recovery program, Dr. Bragg offers hope and practical tools for lasting sobriety.

What You'll Learn:

• Why shame and religious trauma drive addiction in the LGBTQ+ community
• The reality of "chemsex" culture and how accessible crystal meth has become
• Why traditional rehab often fails gay men and what works instead
• The "craving hijacking" technique and other practical recovery tools
• How to view relapse as a stepping stone rather than failure

Key Topics Covered:

• The connection between internalized homophobia and addiction
• Why crystal meth has become epidemic in gay communities
• The secret world of "chemsex" and apps like Grindr and Sniffy
• How to move from shame-based to transformation-based recovery
• The 4-phase alchemy program for lasting sobriety
• Practical first steps for anyone struggling with crystal meth

Free Resources: Get Dr. Bragg's free 30-day recovery course and weekly newsletter at drdallasbragg.com

Perfect for anyone seeking to understand addiction recovery, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, or looking for alternatives to traditional treatment approaches.

This episode provides actionable hope for anyone affected by addiction, whether personally or through a loved one. Dr. Bragg's approach offers a compassionate alternative to traditional treatment methods.

Guest Resources:

Dr. Dallas Bragg's Website: https://www.drdallasbragg.com/

Free 30-Day Recovery Course "Reframing Relapse":https://www.drdallasbragg.com/offers/e7c2Eo22/checkout

The Aftermath Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2330781

Weekly Newsletter with Journal Prompts:https://www.drdallasbragg.com/newsletters/blog

Upcoming Masterclass Registration:https://www.drdallasbragg.com/masterclass

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564Trevor Project Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386

SMART Recovery: https://www.smartrecovery.org/Crystal Meth Anonymous: https://www.crystalmeth.org/LGBT Addiction Recovery Resources: https://www.lgbtmap.org/file/understanding-issues-facing-lgbt-people-substance-abuse.pdf

Crisis & Support Resources:Educational Resources:

🚨 WHAT IF the voice telling you "you're not recovered enough" is actually the biggest lie keeping you stuck?

Meet Mallary Tenore Tarpley, journalism professor and author of the groundbreaking book "SLIP" - who just shattered the recovery world with one explosive discovery. After surveying over 700 people across 44 states and 37 countries, she found that 85% of people with eating disorders live in what she calls "the middle place" - a space the recovery industry has been completely ignoring.

Her revolutionary research reveals why the "full recovery or failure" mindset keeps people trapped in shame cycles, and introduces the life-changing "middle place" framework that validates the REAL recovery experience most of us actually live.

🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Why 85% of people live in the "middle place" (and why that's completely okay)
• How childhood trauma and perfectionism fuel eating disorder development
• The revolutionary framework that reframes slips as growth opportunities instead of failures
• Why diet culture creates "normative discontent" in 90% of people
• What "more recovery" looks like when full recovery feels impossible
• How to support loved ones without toxic positivity
• Evidence-based approaches to healing food relationships while processing trauma

Mallary's personal journey began at age 12 when anorexia entered her life less than a year after losing her mother to cancer. After 17 months in residential treatment and five hospitalizations, she discovered that traditional recovery narratives were failing millions of people living in the gray space between sickness and "perfect" recovery.

This isn't just another recovery story - it's a data-driven investigation that gives permission to be human in your healing journey. Whether you're struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, food addiction, or any addiction, this conversation offers a roadmap to freedom from perfectionist recovery expectations.

📚 GET THE BOOK: "SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery"

⚠️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare providers for eating disorder treatment.

#EatingDisorderRecovery #MiddlePlace #RecoveryPodcast #SlipBook #AnorexiaRecovery #BulimiRecovery #BingeEatingDisorder #MentalHealthRecovery #AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #DietCulture #BodyImage #RecoveryJourney #HealingIsNotLinear

Two recovered addicts reveal how Jesus's teachings became their roadmap out of addiction hell and into lasting freedom.

In this powerful episode of Recovered Addict Podcast, hosts Jason Rigby and Duane Yardman-Frank share their raw, unfiltered journey of how faith-based recovery transformed their lives. This isn't your typical religious content – it's honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and finding hope through Jesus's practical teachings.

🔑 KEY RECOVERY INSIGHTS COVERED:

• Why Jesus specialized in helping society's outcasts and "broken" people
• How the Prodigal Son story mirrors every addict's journey home
• The life-changing power of forgiveness in addiction recovery
• What surrender actually looks like in practical recovery terms
• How to rebuild trust and heal relationships after addiction
• Why living in truth becomes your pathway to freedom
• Biblical strategies for handling resentment and shame
• How families heal when someone enters recovery

💡 PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS FOR YOUR RECOVERY:Learn specific prayers, mantras, and spiritual practices that work in early sobriety. Discover how concepts like radical acceptance, surrender, and forgiveness aren't just religious ideas – they're proven recovery tools that create lasting transformation.

👥 ABOUT THE HOSTS:Jason Rigby and Duane Yardman-Frank are both in long-term recovery and passionate advocates for faith-based healing. They combine personal experience with spiritual wisdom, having studied teachings from A Course in Miracles, Jordan Peterson, and biblical recovery principles.

🎯 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Jesus as the "friend of sinners" - what this means for addicts
• Why sharing meals was revolutionary in first-century culture
• The field hospital approach to helping people in addiction
• Real-life application of forgiveness in impossible situations
• How God's grace works in the recovery process
• Practical strategies for serving others in your healing journey

🔍 PERFECT FOR:Anyone struggling with addiction, family members of addicts, people exploring faith-based recovery, those interested in biblical approaches to mental health, individuals seeking actionable hope for healing, and anyone curious about how spirituality intersects with addiction recovery.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER:This content is for educational and inspirational purposes only. Always seek professional medical advice, licensed therapy, or addiction specialist guidance for substance use disorders. If you're in crisis, call 911 or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:Website: RecoveredAddictPodcast.comInstagram: @RecoveredAddictPodcastYouTube: Recovered Addict Podcast

Subscribe for weekly episodes providing actionable hope for your addiction recovery journey.

#AddictionRecovery #FaithBasedRecovery #Jesus #Sobriety #RecoveryPodcast #SpiritualRecovery #AddictionHelp #RecoveryStory #BiblicalRecovery #ChristianRecovery #SoberLife #RecoveryMotivation #MentalHealth #HealingJourney #ProdigalSon #Forgiveness #Grace #Hope #Transformation #RecoverySupport

What if your addiction isn't your weakness, but your calling? This episode reveals why you're not broken - you're being forged into a hero.🐉 YOUR ADDICTION IS THE DRAGON YOU WERE BORN TO SLAY 🐉This isn't just another recovery podcast. This is your initiation into the hero's journey.Hosts Jason Rigby and Duane Yardman-Frank reveal the shocking truth: Your addiction isn't happening TO you - it's happening FOR you.

🔥 WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:- Why addiction is your spiritual calling (not your curse)- The "Dragon Sketch" exercise that changes everything- How to stop being the victim and become the hero of your story- Ancient biblical wisdom meets modern psychology (Jordan Peterson, Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell)- The sacred mantra that breaks addiction's power: "I see you, but I am not you"- Why your suffering is actually your superpower in disguise- How to transform your pain into purpose and awaken heroes in others

💎 FEATURED WISDOM:- Jordan Peterson's "12 Rules for Life" - Carl Jung's Shadow Work- Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey- Biblical archetypes and recovery

🎯 PERFECT FOR:- Anyone struggling with addiction (or supporting someone who is)- People ready to transform their victim story into a hero story- Fans of Jordan Peterson, Carl Jung, and Joseph Campbell- Those seeking spiritual approaches to recovery- Anyone who wants to turn their greatest challenge into their greatest strength

⚔️ THE HERO'S TOOLKIT:This episode gives you practical tools including the Dragon Sketch exercise, truth-telling protocols, community building strategies, and mantras for present-moment power.

🌟 GUEST HIGHLIGHT:Duane Yardman-Frank shares his raw, 15-year transformation from rock bottom to helping thousands slay their dragons. His story proves that your addiction can become your greatest gift to humanity.

💪 YOUR DRAGON IS WAITING:Stop running from your dragon. Start training to slay it. The world doesn't need another victim story - it needs YOUR hero story.Ready to answer the call to adventure? Your sacred recovery story starts now.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:Website: https://recoveredaddictpodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveredaddictpodcast/Join our Dragon Slayer community and share your transformation!#AddictionRecovery #HeroJourney #JordanPeterson #CarlJung #JosephCampbell #SpiritualRecovery #PersonalTransformation #ShadowWork #AddictionHelp #RecoveryStory #MentalHealth #SelfImprovement #DragonSlayer #HeroicRecovery

Beating Addiction with the Law of Attraction

Struggling with addiction? Discover how the Law of Attraction can transform your recovery journey in this powerful episode of The Last Relapse podcast. Hosts Jason Rigby and Duane Yardman-Frank dive deep into five tough-love truths inspired by Abraham-Hicks’ teachings that can help you beat addiction and reclaim your inner power.

Hear Duane’s powerful story of how Abraham-Hicks’ teachings shaped his life from a young age, and learn why you’re not doomed or broken, but a powerful creator who’s been focused in the wrong direction. As Esther Hicks says, “You are the only one who creates in your experience—no one else. Everything that comes to you comes by the power of your thought.”

In this episode, you’ll explore:

• How to shift from victim to creator mindset

• Why the universe responds to your vibration, not just your prayers

• Connecting with your Inner Being for unshakable strength

• Climbing the emotional scale from despair to hope

• Taking radical responsibility for lasting freedom

This isn’t fluffy recovery talk—it’s a wake-up call to rewrite your story. Whether you’re new to the Law of Attraction or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers actionable insights for overcoming addiction, spiritual growth, and self-empowerment.

Tune in now and start your journey to lasting sobriety and inner peace. Subscribe for more empowering content on addiction recovery and spiritual transformation!

follow us now: https://www.instagram.com/recoveredaddictpodcast/