TAM+ Episode 31: Thinking in Gray: Transforming All-or-Nothing Mindsets in Addiction

by | Aug 8, 2024 | Addicted Mind Plus, Addiction, Addiction Awareness, Intrusive Thoughts, Mindfulness

Welcome to the Addicted Mind podcast! Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m either a success or a complete failure”? This episode is for you.

In this episode, we dive deep into the pervasive issue of black-and-white thinking, also known as dichotomous thinking and its impact on addiction recovery. Join Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind as they explore how this rigid mindset can create emotional instability and hinder progress. Drawing on principles from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), they discuss practical steps to move from extreme thinking to a more balanced, nuanced approach. You’ll learn mindfulness techniques, how to challenge your thoughts, and the importance of embracing the gray areas in life. By the end of this episode, you’ll have valuable tools to help you think more dialectically and support your journey to recovery. Plus, don’t miss the downloadable worksheet in the show notes to further your practice!

Download: OVERCOMING BLACK OR WHITE THINKING WORKSHEET

Join Our Deep Dive, where we discuss this episode in depth.

Register Here: https://theaddictedmind.com/deepdive

Click Here to Join the TAM + Community Waitlist. Get the support you need.

Key Topics

  • Understanding black-and-white thinking and its impact on recovery
  • Introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Practical steps to shift towards dialectical thinking
  • Importance of mindfulness and self-compassion
  • Challenging extreme thoughts and seeking clarification
  • The role of language in shaping our perceptions

Timestamps

  1. [00:00:00] Introduction and overview of black-and-white thinking
  2. [00:02:15] The impact of black-and-white thinking on recovery and relationships
  3. [00:06:15] Why our brains default to black-and-white thinking
  4. [00:08:40] How to become a gray thinker: Practical steps
  5. [00:10:58] Seeking clarification and the role of community support
  6. [00:12:42] Reframing negative thoughts and focusing on positives
  7. [00:14:11] Call to action: Download the worksheet and join the community

      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

      NovusMindfulLife.com

      We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

      Disclaimer