Addiction Rewire Your Brain for Recovery With Addiction Specialist Erica Spiegelman By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. Learn about our editorial process Published on January 10, 2022 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Meet Erica Spiegelman Why Erica Spiegelman Is Mentally Strong What You’ll Hear on the Show What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength Quotes From Erica More About the Podcast Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Meet Erica Spiegelman Erica describes herself as a recovering alcoholic. When she stopped drinking, she learned that she needed to learn some new skills to aid her recovery. She chose to become an addiction specialist so she could help other people address their struggles with addiction and dependency. As a certified drug and alcohol counselor, she helps people combat addiction through private sessions, workshops, and online courses. She’s written several books including, "Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction & Recovery." In it, she explains how people can rewire their brains, change their behavior, and create positive changes in their lives. How to Find the Right Addiction Recovery Program for You Why Erica Spiegelman Is Mentally Strong Erica learned a lot about recovery from her personal experience. She decided to become an alcohol and drug counselor so she could help other people create positive changes in their lives. She talks openly about her personal story as well as the struggles she experienced along the way. The information she shares about things like boundaries and time management can help anyone who is looking to build mental strength. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. What You’ll Hear on the Show What most people misunderstand about addiction The similarities and differences between chemical addictions and behavioral addictions Why recovery isn’t just about not engaging in an addiction Why authentic relationships are such an important part of healing and how to establish them Why individuals with an addiction need to learn how to set healthy boundaries How to work on time management skills and why this is an essential component to recovery How to create an impact list and how this helps Why there are so many different paths to recovery and how to know what can work for you How to create a priority list and why it’s important to know your values How gratitude can rewire your brain What to do if you have a loved one with an addiction How to Communicate With Someone Who Has an Addiction What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength An addiction isn’t a sign of weakness. But being addicted to something can certainly drain you of the mental strength you need to be your best. Mental health and addiction can also be a two-way street. Sometimes people self-medicate with substances or behaviors because they’re experiencing a mental health issue. At other times, people develop mental health problems after developing an addiction. They may develop problems, like relationship issues or legal problems, that affect their daily lives. Consequently, their mental health may suffer. Quotes From Erica Erica Spiegelman Our brains can rewire. We have different pathways and we create those pathways through habits and ways of thinking and patterns. We can create new patterns. Just like we create bad habits, we can create good habits. — Erica Spiegelman "One of the biggest misconceptions is that we're stuck in this identity of being an addict [for] the rest of our lives. We do have to be mindful that we have had an experience with addiction and we are susceptible [to] going back down that route, but at the same time, we're all capable of change." "When somebody watches porn, there's a dopamine surge, just like when you're about to do a drug. That's the reason why it feels like I can't stop." "Being in an addiction usually impacts our relationships, impacts our jobs, impacts our physical health, and impacts our mental health." "No matter where you're at on your journey, if you think you're at the worst or at the bottom, you can climb up. There is hope for everybody." What Is Pornography Addiction? More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Download the Transcript Links and Resources Visit Erica’s website Follow Erica on Instagram: @EricaSpiegelman The Four Stages of Alcohol and Drug Rehab Recovery If You Liked This Episode, You Might Also Like These Episodes How to Get Help That Actually Works With Multi-Platinum Singer Bryan Abrams Secrets to Stopping Alcohol Cravings With Dr. John Umhau Discover Self-Help Strategies That Work for You With Dirty Heads Vocalist Jared Watson The Benefits of Quitting Alcohol By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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