Resources for Addiction

Videos:

Addiction in It’s Simplest Form – A Short Animation
A striking short animation by Andreas Hykade uses a bird and a golden nugget to simply and powerfully illustrate how addiction—and other compulsive behaviors—quietly takes hold and becomes harder to escape over time.

Addiction: A Story of Stigma, A Story of Hope | Scott McFadden
Scott McFadden shares a powerful, firsthand account of recovery and incarceration, calling for honest conversation to dismantle shame and stigma as essential steps in addressing the opioid epidemic.

How Marijuana Affects the Brain & Body | Dr. Andrew Huberman
An expert perspective: Dr. Andrew Huberman explains how cannabis affects the brain and body, drawing on neuroscience research and clinical insight.

The Power of Addiction and The Addiction of Power: Gabor Maté at TEDxRio+20
Gabor Maté reframes addiction as a human response to pain and disconnection, urging compassion, self-understanding, and a return to one’s true nature as the foundation for healing.

The Stigma of Addiction – Ted Talk by Tony Hoffman
Tony Hoffman shares a firsthand account of how addiction, incarceration, and stigma shaped his life—and how recovery, purpose, and mentorship led to redemption and impact.

Wasted: Exposing the Family Effect of Addiction | Sam Fowler | TEDxFurmanU”
Sam Fowler shares a personal reflection on how her brother’s addiction reshaped her family’s life, illuminating addiction as a disease that affects far more than one person.

“We do recover”: More evidence that tens of millions of adults in the United States have recovered from a substance use problem
Drawing on nationally representative National Survey on Drug Use and Health data from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, this study shows that tens of millions of U.S. adults have resolved a substance use problem, underscoring that recovery is common and takes many paths.

What Is Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)?
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) describes the often-invisible, longer-term psychological symptoms that can emerge after detox and quietly increase the risk of relapse if not understood and managed.

Articles & Other Resources:

Cannabis for coping? Why it may trigger paranoia
An example of emerging research: a study finds that using cannabis to cope with pain or emotional distress may increase the risk of paranoia, anxiety, and heavier consumption, especially among those with past trauma, highlighting the importance of understanding why people use cannabis and its potential mental health implications.

How Yoga and Exercise Help With Addiction Recovery
An example of long-term recovery: how treatment, support, and yoga helped one man move from addiction and crisis to stability, purpose, and 16 years of sobriety.

What is Codependence? – CoDA website, Am I Codependent patterns & Recovery Patterns (handout)
Co-Dependents Anonymous introduces codependence as a pattern of destructive relationships and self-neglect, emphasizing honest self-reflection and shared support as the starting point for recovery.

Why I Embrace 12-Step Principles as a Therapist
A therapist explains how 12-Step programs and psychotherapy work in parallel—addressing harmful thinking patterns and root causes—making them complementary tools for treating both addiction and mental health challenges.