About this episode

Dr. Eric Garland discusses how to retrain the brain for joy in addiction recovery through mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal.

Addiction can gradually disconnect people from the ordinary pleasures, relationships and experiences that once made life meaningful. In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen help make the science of addiction recovery practical and accessible with Dr. Eric Garland, a clinical researcher, psychotherapist and leading expert in mind-body therapies for addiction and chronic pain. Dr. Garland is the developer of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, or MORE, an evidence-based treatment that combines mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy and positive psychology. Why do alcohol and other addictive substances begin to feel more rewarding than everyday life? How are addiction, chronic pain, depression, anxiety and trauma connected? Dr. Garland explains how substance use changes the brain’s dopamine and reward systems, why cravings can become automatic, and how mindfulness can create a pause between an urge and an action. He also discusses relapse prevention, emotional pain, moderation, harm reduction and the role of meditation in 12-step recovery. The conversation breaks down the three pillars of MORE: mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal and savoring. Dr…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sonia Kahlon, Kathleen Killen

Guest: Dr. Eric Garland

Topics covered

• addiction recovery
• mindfulness
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• positive psychology
• relapse prevention
• emotional pain

Keywords

• addiction
• mindfulness
• dopamine
• cravings
• relapse prevention
• 12-step recovery
• savoring
• emotional pain

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement

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