Colette Baron-Reid & Dr. Bob Weathers (Part 2) – Humanizing Addiction, Sustaining Long-Term Recovery: Healing Effects of Trauma, Stigma & Shame, and Forging Lives of Connection, Service & Gratitude

Ep. 111 (Part 2 of 2) | Colette Baron-Reid and Dr. Bob Weathers shine a bright light on the big picture state of addiction in our fragmented culture today—how people have become addicted to disconnection, dissociation, and identifying as victims in addition to substance use and other more traditional addictions—as well as sharing the essential elements and practices that have made their sustained long-term recovery possible. Dr. Bob explains that the first step in addressing addiction is to humanize the conversation around it and why. Our tendency toward addiction is universal, embedded in human nature itself, for one. And research shows that people who have suffered childhood trauma are five to ten times more susceptible to becoming addicts—their stress threshold five to ten times lower than other people’s, their stress hormones five to ten times higher. Studies also show that addiction is the most highly stigmatized mental disorder of all. It is humbling to realize what addicts are up against, calling us to compassion, understanding, and action.Both Colette and Bob are solidly grounded in long-term sobriety and deeply dedicated to helping others out of their suffering. Top down, intellectual information is clearly not adequate to sustain recovery—so what is? Spiritual connection, social connection, shadow work, healing shame, surrendering. As Colette says, “In recovery, you discover there is something greater than yourself, your pain, your story, and your limitations—this is the solace.” There comes a turning point when it stops being all about us, and the desire to serve arises. With service comes the all-important experience of belonging. As Bob relates, “It’s not just about not drugging or drinking—I want a vital life.” And what is missing on a global, universal level? Again, connection and community. Recorded August 28, 2023. “Gratitude is the abracadabra that creates our reality. Forgiveness is essential too.”(For Apple Podcast users, click here to view the complete show notes on the episode page.)Topics & Time Stamps – Part 2Trauma feeds directly into addiction: studies show childhood trauma victims are 5 to 10 times more at risk for addiction (00:59)Shadow work is absolutely required to sustain sobriety (05:07)Dealing with the shame element of shadow (06:58)Surrendering, letting go, opening up to other individuals and to your higher power (09:40)Living in 24-hour compartments (13:52)The effects of COVID on addiction: living in uncertainty and disconnection and how fear isolates us (15:07)Ideology addiction (20:40)The spiritual aspect of recovery (22:37)Colette’s practices today: conscious connection with a higher power, therapy, EMDR, cultivating humor, and more (25:39)  Bob’s recovery practice and how it evolved (30:09)The bedrock of forgiveness practice and gratitude practice (31:29)Service and love: you matter (37:23)Resources & References – Part 2CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experience studies John Bradshaw, Healing the Shame that Binds...