Real Medicine

Episode 6: Productivity, Praise, and Pain: Rewriting the Story of Addiction

Dr. Jennifer Anderson MD, CCFP Season 1 Episode 6

What if addiction isn’t just about substances — but about the habits we use to survive?

In this episode, I invite you to get curious about the ways addiction shows up in all of us — in our work, our need for approval, our phones, and even in the drive to constantly be productive. These behaviors often begin as coping strategies, but over time, they can quietly take control.

Through personal stories and insights from Dopamine Nation, we begin to unpack what addiction really is — and why the key to healing isn’t shame or willpower, but curiosity and intention.

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t stop a certain pattern, or felt stuck in habits that no longer serve you — this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and begin taking control of the habits that have been controlling you.

Because the first step to freedom is not fixing yourself — it’s understanding yourself.

Music copyright 2025 Jason Houghton 

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