Episode - 134 Are Addicts Really Powerless Over Their Substances?
Episode - 134 Are Addicts Really Powerless Over Their Substances?

Recovery Is Possible

The idea that addicts are powerless over their substances is one of the great questions and mysteries. Powerlessness is a concept commonly referred to in the 12-step community and can be hotly debated. This concept suggests that addicts have lost the...

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20:33•1 May 2023

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About this podcast

Recovery Is Possible

Michael Van Meter

Michael has seen first-hand the devastating effects of addiction on the public, his profession, and himself. Michael began his career as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy. After eight years, he became a Corrections Officer, Washington DC Police Officer, and then FBI Agent. In 2010, Michael became an instructor at the FBI Academy. In 2013, he created a course titled “Leading At-Risk Employees” geared toward Police Executives to help them understand alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, PTSD, suicide, and domestic violence as it relates to policies and procedures for their agencies worldwide. In 2019, Michael retired from the FBI but his passion for helping others continued. In August 2022, he graduated with a Master’s in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. He currently works full-time as a Behavioral Health Therapist at a large nonprofit hospital. Pulling from his personal and professional experience, Michael shares his thoughts on this sensitive, complex, and controversial subject.

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Are Addicts Truly Powerless? Unpacking the Debate with Mike Van Meter

Episode Overview

Addiction is a disease that affects the mind and body, leading to powerlessness over substance use.
Understanding the impact of genetic predisposition and altered brain chemistry is crucial in addressing addiction.
Comprehensive treatment and community support play a pivotal role in the recovery journey.
Acknowledging the moral aspect of relapse and the tendency to minimize addiction is essential for sustained recovery.
Seeking professional guidance and embracing a program of recovery are instrumental in overcoming powerlessness in addiction.

“If you are someone that has even needed to consider stopping, you probably do need to stop. And that really is the definition of powerlessness over this. Because if we could stop of our own willpower, we would have, but we can't. And that's why we need help. We need support. We need guidance. We need community. That's what recovery is all about.”

Is it true that addicts are powerless over their substances? In this thought-provoking episode of 'Recovery is Possible', Mike Van Meter tackles one of the most debated concepts in addiction recovery. Drawing from his extensive experience, Mike explores the idea of powerlessness as understood in the 12-step community and beyond. He delves into the disease model of addiction, genetic predispositions, and how substances alter brain chemistry, making it incredibly challenging to resist cravings and impulses.

By explaining neuroplasticity and the role of dopamine, Mike helps listeners understand why addiction feels so overpowering. He also touches on the moral complexities of relapse, denial, and minimization that often accompany addiction. Mike stresses the importance of comprehensive treatment, community support, and professional guidance in the recovery journey. This episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with addiction or supporting someone who is, offering a compassionate yet realistic view on the road to recovery.

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