Tools for Overcoming Substance & Behavioral Addictions | Ryan Soave

My guest is Ryan Soave, LMHC, a leading expert in addiction recovery with extensive experience helping people heal from all types of substance and behavioral dependencies. We discuss actionable tools for breaking out of the addictive cycle and staying free of obsessions and compulsions. We also examine the relationship between trauma and addiction. We explore the full recovery process—from detoxing and physical stabilization to building distress tolerance. We review evidence-supported tools to structure your life at each stage of recovery and highlight the power of learning “self-directed state shifting” through yoga nidra (NSDR), breathwork, meditation and prayer. We explain how to recognize signs of addiction in yourself and others, and the treatment options available across all levels of resources, from residential programs to 12-step. If you or someone you know is struggling with any kind of addiction, this episode offers practical steps to break free and stay free. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Levels: https://levelshealth.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Ryan Soave 00:01:32 Addiction, Addictive Behaviors, Relief 00:06:10 Rehab, Detox, Physical & Emotional Stability 00:13:33 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Levels 00:16:08 Recognizing Addition; Video Games, Parents & Responsibility 00:23:38 Experiencing Real Life vs Addictive Behavior; Dopamine Dynamics 00:29:38 Drugs & Feelings; Reordering Your Life; Roles, Kids vs Parents 00:40:03 Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT 00:43:13 Tool: 30 Days Abstinence & Addiction; Impact 00:46:10 Creating a Life Post-Addiction, Jellinek Curve 00:55:30 Tool: Emotional Weather Forecast, Gratitude, Plan, Strivings 01:02:48 Connection with Others, Mental Willpower Throughout Day, Defining Best Self 01:08:39 Emotional Weather Map, Navigating Life 01:10:16 Sponsor: Function 01:12:03 Tolerating Stress, Sailing Analogy, Discomfort 01:16:03 Building Distress Tolerance, Proactive Behaviors, Cold Plunge 01:23:55 Stilling Leads to Seeing, Tool: Recognizing Stress Response; Relationships 01:30:56 Yoga Nidra, Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NDSR) 01:38:54 Yoga Nidra & Authenticity, Breaking Patterns 01:45:45 Yoga Nidra Timing, Regulation of Autonomic Nervous System; Breathwork 01:52:53 Sponsor: Waking Up 01:54:28 Alcoholism, Social Acceptability, Community, AA, Powerlessness 02:02:23 Gambling, Kids & Susceptibility 02:08:58 Transmuting Energy, Running, Dopamine, Feelings 02:15:41 Cocaine, Amphetamine, Stimulant Addiction 02:18:21 Overcoming Porn Addiction, Shame 02:30:03 Struggle, “Discomfort Appetite” 02:36:09 Addiction Treatment, Detox, Rehab Centers, 12-Step Meetings, AA 02:46:54 Is Addiction the Problem?, Trauma, Stress & Addiction Cycle 02:49:05 GLP-1 Agonists & Addiction Treatment?, HALT; Addicted to Stress? 02:52:44 Sugar Addiction, Caffeine; Ibogaine, Psylocibin & Considerations 02:59:56 Helping Someone With Addiction 03:04:58 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures