ADDICTED TO EVERYTHING: How addiction starts, why it sticks, and how to let go

LATE BLOOMERS

Rich & Rox Pink

Self-improvement, Education

5.0 • 599 Ratings

🗓️ 30 July 2025

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox dive into the messy reality of addiction—far beyond the stereotypes of vodka bottles and rock bottoms. From alcohol and gambling to phone scrolling, comfort eating, and chasing validation, we explore the many ways addiction hides in plain sight.

We talk openly about our own experiences with compulsive behaviors, the childhood trauma that fed them, and the shame that kept them alive. We unpack why it’s so hard to stop: the relief it brings, the shame it creates, and the terrifying thought of life without it.

We also share what actually helped us heal. From the moment we admitted there was a problem, to the small, brave steps that pulled us out of the cycle—one day at a time. This episode isn’t just about sobriety; it’s about self-understanding, compassion, and change.

If you’ve ever wondered, why can’t I stop doing this thing I hate?—this one’s for you.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Today we are talking about the addictive brain, why we might chase highs, why we may be avoiding
0:08.1	pain and actually some simple things we can do that might help us stop.
0:13.1	This is late bloomers where we are getting our lives together.
0:17.7	Eventually.
0:19.0	Right. So we're talking about addiction, compulsion, shame and then getting better.
0:24.8	A nice, lighthearted one.
0:26.3	Lighthearted, happy episode.
0:29.3	But it is important to make that differentiation.
0:32.3	It's super important.
0:33.6	Because sometimes when people think about addiction,
0:36.2	we think about the worst possible
0:39.2	cases of heavy drug use or people unable to get out of bed, but compulsive behavior,
0:46.7	like shopping, eating can be really problematic for people too. Definitely. But even if you think
0:53.1	about an alcoholic, like we're both
0:54.9	alcoholics and the way that they're portrayed in the media, like that would lead you to believe
1:00.4	that it was somebody like waking up at two in the morning, like necking a bottle of vodka and
1:05.0	stuff. And it's just not, it's not like, not in my experience, it's not like that. No, it's very often
1:10.2	normal people. How it's portrayed in
1:13.3	the media is when people are at the absolute extreme end and that can stop us realizing
1:18.9	that we actually need help. So when we're looking at addiction or a compulsive behavior,
1:25.8	it's anything that's you're struggling to stop that's making your life more
1:31.6	difficult, that you want to stop, but you can't. And that might be shopping. Yeah. It often is.
	...

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