311, Nick Hexum, Part 2: Anxiety & Benzodiazepine Addiction Recovery with Michelle Naidenoff, LMFT episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 9, 2026 · 1H 1M

311, Nick Hexum, Part 2: Anxiety & Benzodiazepine Addiction Recovery with Michelle Naidenoff, LMFT

from CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians

Mari Fong interviews Nick Hexum of 311 and expert Michelle Naidenoff, LMFT on anxiety and benzodiazepine addiction recovery, Part 2.Welcome to the CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast where notable musicians and experts share stories and solutions for mental help and addiction recovery. I’m your host Mari Fong, and today we have Part 2 of our interview of Nick Hexum of 311 and also his side solo project, with his latest album “Phases of Hope and Hollow.” Most people know Nick from the band 311, a band together for 35 years, but was once in jeopardy due to Hexum’s hidden addiction to benzodiazepines and alcohol. In Part 2, Nick shares his holistic solutions for anxiety, his experience with going “California Sober”, the difficulty and importance of facing your fears, and the freedom he felt after getting off his addiction to benzodiazepines, with brand names like Xanax, Ativan and Valium, along with getting sober from drinking and managing his recovery for decades. At the end of our episode, we’ll play a clip of a 311 Nation favorite, “Homebrew.”For our featured expert, I’ve paired Nick’s story with Michelle Naidenoff, a licensed therapist with over 15 years experience working with those with mental health and substance abuse issues, and we talk about holistic solutions for those who’ve used benzodiazepines in the past, along with natural ways to soothe anxiety. As a bonus, Naidenoff is also a musician, having played percussion and a backup vocals for a variety of bands in the San Diego area. Say hello and give us feedback! We love hearing from our Superhero fans ❤️🤘Support the showCHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with our mission to educate, normalize, support, and provide mental health and addiction recovery solutions for the music industry. Participate in our mission and become a CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast Superhero! Feel good when you make a donation to our cause, knowing we're fighting the good fight to improve and save lives for musicians and music fans worldwide. Donate on our website, where we also provide the largest online list of free and affordable mental and addiction recovery solutions on  http://checkyourheadpodcast.comFollow Us! On social media @checkyourheadpodcast and Watch & Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@checkyourheadpodcast5174You rock and we love you at checkyourheadpodcast.com ❤️🤘The information shared during this interview is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for any individualized medical concerns.

Mari Fong interviews Nick Hexum of 311 and expert Michelle Naidenoff, LMFT on anxiety and benzodiazepine addiction recovery, Part 2. Welcome to the CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast where notable musicians and experts share stories and solutions for mental help and addiction recovery. I’m your host Mari Fong, and today we have Part 2 of our interview of Nick Hexum of 311 and also his side solo project, with his latest album “Phases of Hope and Hollow.” Most people know Nick from the band 311, a b...

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311, Nick Hexum, Part 2: Anxiety & Benzodiazepine Addiction Recovery with Michelle Naidenoff, LMFT

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How long is this episode of CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians?

This episode is 1 hour and 1 minute long.

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This episode was published on June 9, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Mari Fong interviews Nick Hexum of 311 and expert Michelle Naidenoff, LMFT on anxiety and benzodiazepine addiction recovery, Part 2.Welcome to the CHECK YOUR HEAD Podcast where notable musicians and experts share stories and solutions for mental...

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