RR - Chatting with Dr. Nancy IrwinRR - Chatting with Dr. Nancy Irwin
Radio Rehab with Dayna Keyes
Today on the program, Dayna chats with Dr. Nancy Irwin, a Recovery Specialist and Author of the new book, "Breaking Through! Stories of Hope & Recovery" If you're just tuning in, or haven't listened in a while, Radio Rehab is a Daily Show with a brand new Episode dropped to you every weekday... Each week, Dayna will welcome a special Guest Co-Host, and they will share stories and discuss topics around their experiences with addiction and recovery. To learn more about Dr. Nancy Irwin, visit her website: www.DrNancyIrwin.com To contact Dayna & Radio Rehab: Email - RadioRehab@Go-ToProductions.com Facebook, Instagram & Twitter - @RadioRehabDayna Text & Voicemail - 415-496-9511 Radio Rehab is brought to you by Go-To Productions, for more information visit www.Go-ToProductions.com
16:22•14 Mar 2017
Breaking Through Relapse Shame with Dr Nancy Irwin and Dayna Keyes
Episode Overview
- Relapse is framed as a normal part of change, a chance to learn where someone is vulnerable and adjust their recovery plan.
- Trauma-focused methods like brain spotting and EMDR help release stored pain so people can remember events without being overwhelmed by them.
- Hypnosis is used as a therapeutic tool to access the subconscious and replace limiting beliefs with more helpful ones chosen by the client.
- SMART Recovery offers a logical, non-spiritual approach that many agnostic or atheist people prefer over traditional 12-step programmes.
- Recovery works best as a mix of tools, with individuals encouraged to try different methods and build a flexible, personal toolbox for sobriety.
“Failure is built into the process of recovery. We don't look at it as a negative. We look at it as a stepping stone to your success.”
How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober? Radio Rehab with Dayna Keyes brings a warm, straight-talking conversation with Dr. Nancy Irwin, a recovery specialist and author of "Breaking Through! Stories of Hope & Recovery". The chat blends brain science, psychology, and very human honesty about relapse, trauma, and what actually helps people change. Dr.
Irwin breaks down trauma-focused tools like brain spotting and EMDR in plain English, explaining how "trauma gets stored in the brain like a block of ice" and how certain methods can gently "melt that away" so the memory stays, but the sting doesn't. She also talks about hypnosis as a practical way to "access the subconscious mind" and unplug limiting beliefs like "it's impossible to get off heroin". Relapse is handled with rare kindness. Dr.
Irwin states, "Failure is built into the process of recovery," comparing sobriety slips to falling off a bike or quitting smoking multiple times. Dayna shares how her past "doing it wrong" shaped the strong sobriety she has now, giving chronic relapsers a powerful sense that they're not broken, just still learning. The episode also walks through different recovery paths, from 12-step programmes to SMART Recovery, which Dr.
Irwin calls a very logical option for people who prefer an intellectual approach over a spiritual one. She stresses choice: "We don't shove anything down anyone's throat… there's something for everyone." This one suits anyone in recovery who’s tired of shame-based talk, as well as friends, family, and professionals wanting a clear, relatable explanation of modern treatment options.
You’ll hear terms like "breaking-through moments", "I am not my thoughts", and the idea that cravings are "a thought away" turned into practical, everyday tools. If you've ever wondered whether you can unlearn self-destruction and retrain your brain, this conversation might be the nudge you need to keep going.
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