Are you tired of being stuck in the same painful cycle? You know the one – where you can’t deal with what’s happening, you’re angry at the world, and you keep hoping things will magically change. Maybe you’re fighting with your spouse, holding grudges, or just feeling completely overwhelmed by life.
Here’s the truth: all that fighting against reality is actually making your addiction, anxiety, and depression worse. But there’s a way out, and it starts with something called radical acceptance.
In this episode, Duane and Eric break down this powerful tool from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) that’s been helping people escape the addiction cycle for decades. You’ll discover why accepting painful situations doesn’t mean giving up – it’s actually the first step toward real change.
They’ll walk you through exactly what radical acceptance looks like, share simple statements you can use when emotions feel overwhelming, and give you a clear three-step process to start practicing today. You’ll learn why the creator of DBT said “the path out of hell is through misery” and how this counterintuitive approach can finally give you the peace you’ve been searching for.
Whether you’re dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, or just feeling stuck in life, this episode offers hope and practical tools you can start using immediately. Don’t miss the free worksheet that goes with this episode to help you put these concepts into action.
Key Topics
- What radical acceptance really means and why it’s not giving up
- The difference between pain and suffering – and why fighting reality increases both
- Three simple steps to start practicing radical acceptance today
- When radical acceptance isn’t appropriate (like abusive situations)
- Powerful statements to use when emotions feel overwhelming
- How this Buddhist-inspired therapy tool breaks the addiction cycle
- Why accepting grief and loss is essential for healing
Timestamps
[00:01:19] – Warning signs you need radical acceptance in your life
[00:04:00] – The origins of radical acceptance and DBT therapy
[00:05:13] – What “radical” really means (hint: it’s complete acceptance)
[00:08:00] – “The path out of hell is through misery” – powerful quote explained
[00:12:00] – Practical acceptance statements for difficult emotions
[00:15:00] – Three-step process to start practicing radical acceptance
[00:17:00] – How acceptance leads to real change and transformation
Follow and Review: We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center
We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind