Open Your Mind:
A Podcast to Guide You Through Your Journey
Join Dr. Jeff Sandoz for in-depth conversations exploring addiction, recovery, and spiritual wellness. Drawing from over four decades of clinical experience, these episodes feature expert insights, practical strategies, and compassionate guidance for sustainable healing. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or seeking professional development, these conversations provide valuable evidence-based perspectives for your journey.
Insult. Anger. Determination. Oh, My!
Sometimes the spark that ignites transformation doesn’t come from encouragement — it comes from pain. A careless word, an insult, or a moment of humiliation can either break us or build us. What we do next determines which it will be. Freshman year of high school. The smell of cut grass and sweat hung in the late-afternoon air as I walked toward the track field for my first practice. My shoes squeaked on the asphalt, my heart pounding with that awkward mix of nerves and excitement only a freshman knows. A cluster of upperclassmen stood near the shot-put ring, joking…
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Episode 3: Navigating Early Recovery – Practical Tools for Success
Early recovery presents unique challenges that can overwhelm even the most motivated individuals seeking sobriety. In this episode, we discuss practical strategies for managing cravings, building healthy routines, and creating supportive environments that foster stability during those critical first ninety days when relapse risk remains highest for most people. Licensed counselor Jennifer Thompson joins us to share real-world applications of cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and relapse prevention planning. We explore how small daily choices compound into significant lifestyle changes, emphasizing the importance of patience, self-compassion, and professional support throughout the early recovery process and beyond.
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Episode 2: Trauma and Addiction – Understanding the Connection
Join us as we delve into the complex relationship between trauma and substance abuse with trauma specialist Dr. Michael Rodriguez. Research shows that up to 75% of individuals with addiction have experienced significant trauma, making this connection crucial for effective treatment planning and long-term recovery success in clinical practice. We explore evidence-based trauma-informed care approaches that address both conditions simultaneously, preventing the revolving door of relapse that occurs when underlying trauma remains untreated. Dr. Rodriguez explains how EMDR, somatic therapies, and integrated treatment models create pathways to healing that honor the whole person’s experience and journey.
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Episode 1: Breaking Through Denial – A Conversation with Dr. Sarah Mitchell
In this powerful episode, we explore the psychological mechanisms behind denial in addiction with renowned psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Mitchell. Together, we examine how denial serves as both protection and prison, preventing individuals from recognizing the severity of their condition while simultaneously shielding them from overwhelming shame and fear. Dr. Mitchell shares practical strategies for breaking through denial barriers, including motivational interviewing techniques and family intervention approaches. We discuss how loved ones can effectively communicate concerns without triggering defensive responses, creating opportunities for honest self-reflection that can lead to the crucial first step toward recovery and healing.
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