How To Start The Healing Process
This week the Agents discuss healing from addiction and how they have taken on the process. You have seen that there is a lot of information out there about addiction recovery, and there are always new theories and science that lead to new programs. It’s important to know that there is no right or wrong approach – in fact, the only right approach is the one that works for you. Keep fighting the good fight. You are worth it!
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One on One with Coach Blu: Approach is Everything
Welcome to our weekly live show, One on One with Coach Blu. Coach Blu is a licensed mental health therapist and certified substance use, disorder counselor. Today's cohost is Addict II Athlete's own Athletic Director, Marisa Robinson. Marissa is a Certified Recreational Therapist. This is an open topic, so by which you, the listener, can participate by submitting your questions through direct messaging or jumping on the zoom link provided to be a guest and participant on the show. We discuss addiction, recovery, mental illness, health and wellness, and much more. This week we discuss how to truly help a friend or family member while they are getting help.
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Unhooked with Jason Coombs
In this week's episode Coach Blu speaks with Author, Ironman, and Industry Leader Jason Coombs. Listen as Jason speaks about this path to recovery and the lessons he heard about turning his diagnosis into his superpower. Jason is the author of 'Unhooked: How to Help an Addicted Love One Recover'. He shares great insight into recovery and how a family member can assist a loved one on the path to healing. Jason has a message of healing from addiction by understanding you are the creator of your own story.
Our listeners can receive a free copy of Unhooked: How to Help an Addicted Loved One Recover by going to this link. Jason will mail you a copy of his book.
https://ineedyouraddress.com/brickhouserecovery/
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Developing Your Recovery Plays
In this week's episode, the Agents talk about the plays you need to make in order to maintain your forward recovery progress. When dealing with a substance abuse disorder, it may seem like there’s no easy escape. Most of these disorders are related to other mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, both of which are difficult to treat or even talk about. Even if you manage to become sober, triggering situations can drive you right back to substance abuse, which can make your odds of long-term recovery seem impossible. Learn how making a plan, calling plays, and learning from your past will help you in your own field of battle!
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Repairing Relationships After Addiction
In order to start rebuilding and repairing relationships after addiction, you have to rebuild yourself into a new person. Listen as the Agents talk about how they have established relationships and what tools they use to bridge the gaps. Remember it’s significant to take into consideration what your actions have done to others before repairing relationships with them. If you aren’t able to see how you’ve hurt the ones you love, how can you fix what was broken? Taking steps to repair every relationship is different, and often depends on how the relationship was impacted by addiction. Some friends and family members set hard boundaries during active addiction, while others encourage codependence. Listen to these great relationship tips and how to build relationships after addiction.
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Signs of Childhood Trauma in Adults
In this week's podcast, Coach Blu and Marissa discuss childhood trauma and how it manifests in adults. Childhood trauma also results in feeling disconnected and unable to relate to others. Studies have shown that adults who experience childhood trauma were more likely to struggle with controlling emotions, and had heightened anxiety, depression, and anger. Listen as we share a Ted Talk from Nadine Burke Harris says childhood trauma isn’t something you just get over as you grow up. Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect, and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues has real, tangible effects on the development of the brain. Deep insight and excellent talking points on how to assess yourself using the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) assessment.
ACE's Ted Talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ovIJ3dsNk
NPR Article
ACE's Quiz
https://www.theannainstitute.org/Finding%20Your%20ACE%20Score.pdf
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My Brothers Keeper; Men and Mental Health
In this week's podcast, the Agents discuss men's mental health. Men are less likely than women to be diagnosed with any of the most common mental health disorders, and those who have received a diagnosis are less likely to seek treatment. Yet nearly four times as many men as women die by suicide. Listen and help deepen your understanding that help is available. Reach out, talk to someone, and seek treatment. Call 988 for help!
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One on One With Coach Blu; Grit and Spirituality
Welcome to our weekly live show, One on One with Coach Blu. Coach Blu is a licensed mental health therapist and certified substance use disorder counselor. Today's cohost is Addict II Athlete's own Athletic Director, Marisa Robinson. Marissa is a Certified Recreational Therapist. This is an open topic, so by which you, the listener, can participate by submitting your questions through direct messaging or jump on the zoom link provided to be a guest and participant on the show. We discuss addiction, recovery, mental illness, health and wellness, and much more. Today's topic is on grit, resilience and spirituality.
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How Do I Know If Recovery Really Working?
In this week's podcast the Agents of Recovery touch on the concept of knowing if and when you are in “recovery”. Are you making progress in your recovery and if so how are you tracking it? Listen as Brock poses a powerful question as Max and Blu assist in seeking answers for you to ponder. The Agents understand the principles of sobriety, when you need to ask for assistance, and how to take a step back and see how far you have come. Whether you are in rehab, outpatient treatment, or individual therapy these coaching tips the Agents cover will keep you on that path of recovery.
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Becoming Mentally Tough
In today's episode, Coach Blu dives into what is means to develop mental toughness. Most people define mental toughness as the ability to produce consistent results regardless of the situation. Mental toughness is a personality trait that determines your ability to perform consistently under stress and pressure and is closely related to qualities such as character, resilience, grit, and perseverance. There are many habits you can develop to improve your mental toughness. In fact, the hallmarks of mentally tough people are actually strategies that anyone can practice every day.
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Brain Chemistry, Your Mood, and Recovery
In this week's episode, Coach Blu and our Athletic Director Marissa deeply dive into the human brain and the hormones that can make addiction recovery challenging. The brain is the most complex organ in the body. This three-pound mass of gray and white matter sits at the center of all human activity—you need it for everything. The brain regulates your body's essential functions, enables you to interpret and respond to everything you experience, and shapes your behavior. In short, your brain is you—everything you think and feel and who you are. Listen as they talk about D.O.S.E., the four chemicals we as humans strive for.
D is for doapmine. Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter. Your body makes it, and your nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells. That's why it's sometimes called a chemical messenger.
Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It's a big part of our uniquely human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting.
O is for oxytocin. In the brain, oxytocin acts as a chemical messenger and has an important role in many human behaviors including sexual arousal, recognition, trust, romantic attachment and mother–infant bonding. As a result, oxytocin has been called the 'love hormone' or 'cuddle chemical'.
S is for serotonin. In the brain, serotonin helps with mood regulation and memory, but it also has important jobs in other parts of the body. In fact, most of the serotonin in your body is found in your gut, not your brain. The intestines produce almost all of the body's serotonin supply, and serotonin is required to promote healthy digestion. In other places in the body, serotonin helps with sleep, sexual function, bone health, and blood clotting.
E is for endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain. They work similarly to a class of drugs called opioids. Opioids relieve pain and can produce a feeling of euphoria. They are sometimes prescribed for short-term use after surgery or for pain-relief.
Blu and Marissa will share tips on how to increase these 4 vital chemicals in your daily life so that you can recover even more quickly from substance use disorders or mental health struggles.
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One on One with Coach Blu; New Foundations and Moving Forward
This week on One on One with Coach Blu, we discuss the foundations of our new facility and the importance of integrity. Coach Blu also speaks from the heart concerning the passing of his mother. This is an emotionally raw podcast and offers insight as to how we are shaped as a result of our experiences.
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What Is Sobriety?
In this week's episode, the Agents of Recovery talk about what sobriety is and if the word or definition should be changed as the many avenues of recovery are being developed. As it stands,
Sobriety (noun) – 1. The state or quality of being sober 2. Temperance or moderation, especially in the use of alcoholic beverages 3. Seriousness or solemnity.
Sober (adj) – 1. Not intoxicated or drunk, 2. Habitually temperate, especially in the use of alcohol.
It's an interesting take, and If you are a member of sober communities, chances are you joined because you recognize that there is or might be a problem with alcohol or substances in your life. If you are on the path to sobriety, the end goal will be total abstinence. Yet, they are so many variables to recovery and we would love to get your input as well.
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September Rising
Today On this week's podcast, Coach Blu speaks with September Frogley as she discusses the passing of her brother, Robert Dilgard, his battle with addiction and mental health, and turning the mess of losing a loved one into the message of connecting individuals to find a cure. They discuss suicide, spirituality, purpose, love and more. This is a very powerful discussion and one that should be listened to with loved ones who also struggle or who have people in their lives who they love dearly. Learn more about Connection is the Cure and how you can help the mission.
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One on One With Coach Blu; What's Sobriety?
On this week's episode of one on one with Coach Blu, we take a deep dive into what is real sobriety, what is real recovery and who makes the definitions of either one? We discuss what happens when a loved one or family member decides to continue using but still have a relationship with you. We talk about boundaries and being able to be supportive but avoid toxic relationships. This is a very deep conversation, and I want to thank Coach Holly for posing the question.
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What's Emotional Intelligence?
In this week's episode, Coach Blu talks about the foundations of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence (otherwise known as emotional quotient or EQ) is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Emotional intelligence helps you build stronger relationships, succeed at school and work, and achieve your career and personal goals. It can also help you to connect with your feelings, turn intention into action, and make informed decisions about what matters most to you. To develop a better foundation, give this a listen.
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Creating New Paths
In this week's episode, Coach Blu is interviewed as a guest on Live On Purpose Radio with Dr. Paul Jenkins. They discuss the foundational aspect of creating this new path of recovery known now as Addict to Athlete. Dr. Paul Jenkins and Coach Blu Robinson have a deep history together, and when they discuss addiction recovery, mental health awareness, and living on purpose, great connections are made.
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Connection Is The Cure
This weeks episode the Agents of Recovery discussed the Connection is the Cure movement. Coinciding with this Thursday's concert in Mesa, Arizona hosted by Victory recovery, Max Hall and Brock Bevell. Listen as the Agents discuss why connection is so important and how to get involved in your own community.
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What is a Pain Threshold?
In this week's episode, The Agents discuss the emotional pain threshold. While in active addiction we can pretend our painful feelings don’t exist. We do our best to ignore them. We can judge and resist them. And so many of us do because we think that this will soften the blow. This will help us bypass the discomfort of our hurt, sorrow, agony, anger, and anxiety. We assume the feelings will just go away (and they might, but only temporarily). Listen and discover why it is important to heal these feelings and increase your experience on the path of recovery.
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Medication Assisted Treatment: Solution or Substitution?
In this week's podcast, the Agents take a deep dive into the MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) method of addiction recovery. Blu offers his thoughts as Max and Brock take another look. Despite the viewpoints, they offer the listener a better path to understanding this path to recovery. The term medication-assisted treatment refers to the use of medication as part of the treatment plan for those with substance use disorders. This form of treatment is intended to be used in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies. For those in treatment for opiate use, MATs either work as opioid agonists or antagonists. In other words, they either produce the effect of an opioid in some capacity or block the effect of the opioid completely.
Those against the use of medication-assisted treatment generally make two arguments. The first argument is that certain MATs have the potential to be abused because they do, after all, produce the effect of opioids in some cases. The second is that abstinence should always be advocated first following along with the idea that if someone really wants to abstain from drugs they will seek forms of treatment that do not include taking more drugs. In many cases, physicians apply the “fail first” criteria when considering medication-assisted treatment, meaning they try other therapies and keep MAT as a last resort option.
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