In this episode of In the Circle, I answer one of the most important and relevant inquiries I have ever received. Michelle asks, "How Can I Handle the Pain of Weaning Off Prescribed Medication?"
She shares the emotional tug-of-war between love and shame, wanting to reduce her dose of buprenorphine, but feeling defeated when pain flares up and she takes more than planned. Her honesty opens up a deeply relevant conversation about what it means to meet ourselves with compassion in the hardest moments.
I’ve seen again and again, in my own recovery and others, that the real struggle isn’t just physical. It’s the inner conflict: the part that wants comfort now, and the part that longs for freedom.
So many people carry guilt when they “slip” during tapering. But I believe it’s not about failure. It’s about learning to listen. And with the right tools, the right support, and a shift in how we relate to pain, I truly believe we can change, not just our dose, but our entire experience of healing.
If you’re in the middle of this journey or supporting someone who is, I hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not broken, and you’re not alone. We’re not here to rush or shame the process. We’re here to explore what’s possible, together.
Tommy Discusses:
- Withdrawal is a mental, emotional, and physical battle
- Shame is not all it seems to be
- Support and strategy are essential
- There is NO shame in needing medication, but it’s okay to wonder what’s possible without it
- Progression is not perfect
Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle
Further Links & Resources
- Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
- Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
- Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
- Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
- Visit our website
- Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events
Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!
- Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.
Connect with Tommy
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.