Episode 145: Addiction: Separating fact from fiction episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 12, 2026 · 40 MIN

Episode 145: Addiction: Separating fact from fiction

from Life Lived Better · host Joseph Massey and Paula Garland

Addiction Series, Part 1: Separating fact from fiction.In the first episode of their series on addiction, Joseph and Paula dig into one of the most important topics they explore on the show: addiction — what it really is, what it isn’t, and why compassion matters so much. They break down common misconceptions, unpack the ongoing debate about whether addiction is a disease, and explore the many factors that contribute to it, including brain changes, genetics, trauma, environment, and social influences. Above all, the hosts emphasize that addiction is not a moral failing, but a complex human condition — and that recovery is absolutely possible.They will continue the conversation in the next episode as they look deeper into the important aspects of addiction, recovery, support, and what healing can truly look like.Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.Resources for this episode: Addiction Center: Definitions Of Addiction: Historical Views Versus Today’s ViewsCleveland Clinic: What Causes Addiction? Psychology Today: The 10 Most Common Myths About Addiction 

Addiction Series, Part 1: Separating fact from fiction.In the first episode of their series on addiction, Joseph and Paula dig into one of the most important topics they explore on the show: addiction — what it really is, what it isn’t, and why compassion matters so much. They break down common misconceptions, unpack the ongoing debate about whether addiction is a disease, and explore the many factors that contribute to it, including brain changes, genetics, trauma, environment, and social influences. Above all, the hosts emphasize that addiction is not a moral failing, but a complex human condition — and that recovery is absolutely possible.They will continue the conversation in the next episode as they look deeper into the important aspects of addiction, recovery, support, and what healing can truly look like.Do you have any questions? If you have a question for Joseph and Paula to answer during a future episode of Questions for Counselors, reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.Resources for this episode: Addiction Center: Definitions Of Addiction: Historical Views Versus Today’s ViewsCleveland Clinic: What Causes Addiction? Psychology Today: The 10 Most Common Myths About Addiction

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Episode 145: Addiction: Separating fact from fiction

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This episode was published on February 12, 2026.

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Addiction Series, Part 1: Separating fact from fiction.In the first episode of their series on addiction, Joseph and Paula dig into one of the most important topics they explore on the show: addiction — what it really is, what it isn’t, and why...

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