TAM+ EP64 The Game of Recovery: Why Living Your Values Beats Hitting Goals

TAM+ EP64 The Game of Recovery: Why Living Your Values Beats Hitting Goals

Imagine being offered an instant win in a game without any of the sweat or struggle. Would you take it? In this episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore why many would decline such an offer. They introduce the 'Scoreboard Metaphor' from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), illustrating the difference between goals and values in addiction recovery.

While goals like '30 days sober' are important milestones, they often leave a void when they don't bring lasting fulfilment. Through lively discussion, the hosts share how focusing on values like honesty and courage can lead to a more meaningful recovery journey. Duane and Eric use sports analogies to highlight the importance of effort and values over mere achievements. They emphasise that goals are destinations, but values are the paths we walk.

This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own recovery process and consider whether they're living in alignment with their values, even when facing setbacks. The podcast offers practical steps to apply this metaphor in daily life, urging listeners to identify goals, explore embedded values, and reframe setbacks as part of the game. Duane shares how adopting a value-based mindset has personally helped him become more compassionate and resilient.

If you're tired of chasing goals that don't fulfil you or have hit a recovery milestone only to feel empty inside, this episode is a must-listen. It’s about finding meaning beyond the scoreboard and living a life driven by values, not just victories.