Interpreting the Polyvagal Theory and How Safety Impacts Addiction Recovery: Part II Artwork

Surviving Opioids - Beyond an Epidemic

Suriving Opioids - Beyond an Epidemic is a show about life beyond opioid addiction. You'll hear from guests who have lived through, researched, experienced, or been working along side folks at the ground level. These lived experiences are raw, honest, and you're going to get incredible perspectives and conversations from a diverse group of people. This show is for anyone interested in opioid addiction and interested to hear that although we have lost hundreds of thousands of people this past decade, we also do recover. Jeff Simone is a Doctor of Pharmacy, Certified Professional Recovery Coach (CPRC), Advanced Dietary Supplements Adviser and person in long-term recovery from opioid addiction. Dr. Simone works one on one as a behavior modification coach with Reaction Recovery and hosts group coaching sessions with the Reframe Thrive community. His focus is on identifying behavioral changes and lifestyle adjustments that integrate safely and appropriately with any current pharmaceutical or nutritional approach to treatment. He believes that recovery happens in the trenches of every day life. Inch by inch, day by day, and with a little accountability and encouragement, we do recover!

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Surviving Opioids - Beyond an Epidemic

Interpreting the Polyvagal Theory and How Safety Impacts Addiction Recovery: Part II

July 23, 2021 • Jeff Simone • Season 1 • Episode 8

Whether we’re recovering ourselves and trying to carry a message, dealing with a family member or friend, working in the treatment industry, the one thing that everyone wants to do is to help.

And the only way that we can help evoke an actual change - that is something beyond forceful intervention, coerced treatment, or incarceration - is through safety.

If the person does not feel safe with us, we can't help them.

That’s all there is to it.

Once we can digest and process that fact, the blame shifts away from the addicted person themselves, and now we can look at the situation with compassion and intrigue and wonder “what is it that I could be doing that will help this person feel safe?"

That’s the question we’re asking.

That’s the first question.

* Follow on IG at ReactionRecovery and check out Dr. Stephen Porges' 'Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory' for more about safety, trauma, and the interplay with addiction treatment.