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IndoctriNation

Redefining Recovery: Addiction Myths with Mark Scheeren

IndoctriNation

IndoctriNation

Religion & Spirituality

4.8566 Ratings

🗓️ 22 October 2025

⏱️ 66 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, host Rachel Bernstein sits down with Mark Scheeren, co-founder of the Baldwin Research Institute and co-author of 'The Freedom Model for Addictions.' Mark shares his personal journey through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and his subsequent realization of the program's flaws. He discusses the creation of the Freedom Model, a non-12-step recovery approach, which focuses on autonomy, factual education, and challenging myths around addiction. Mark critiques the traditional 12-step model, emphasizing the importance of understanding personal motivations for substance use and the detrimental effects of labeling individuals as powerless or diseased. Rachel and Mark explore various aspects of addiction recovery, societal misconceptions, and the advantages of a more individualized, empowering approach to overcoming substance dependence.


Mark’s Links

Website: https://www.thefreedommodel.org/about/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Model-Addictions-Treatment-Recovery-ebook/dp/B077MFMV4M?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1


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Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:

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Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation: 

https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm

Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook:

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4

Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here:

https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html

IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Welcome to indoctrination, a weekly conversation series about protecting yourself from systems of control.

0:11.1

I'm your host, Rachel Bernstein.

0:13.8

You are not alone.

0:16.7

And now there are two resources that I've put together specifically for your journey.

0:29.6

This is your host, Rachel Bernstein.

0:32.6

I am an educator and a therapist and a cult specialist,

0:40.8

and I am very excited to announce restart and restore a journal for survivors of manipulation and a companion notebook that I've put

0:51.2

together to go with it that has people's stories that they've shared

0:56.9

with me, that they wanted to share with you, and some wonderful quotes from people whose

1:03.6

thoughts I truly admire, and more pages and writing prompts for you to continue with the writing that can help you along your

1:14.9

healing journey.

1:17.0

This isn't just another blank journal.

1:20.7

It's a trauma-informed recovery companion, and it offers psychoeducation on the mechanics of manipulation and control and therapeutic

1:31.0

writing prompts to explore your history and your strengths, practical exercises that transform

1:38.8

insights into some actionable steps, and the freedom to heal at your own pace.

1:45.4

You can do it in the time frame that works for you without any judgment or pressure.

1:53.4

Whether you joined the organization or the relationship that was controlling as a teen or as an

1:59.2

adult, restart and restore provides the structure and I think validation needed

2:05.6

to process your experiences safely.

2:09.0

I'm also excited to share beyond the journal and its companion notebook

2:14.0

that I'm currently working on a second journal specifically for those born and raised

2:19.3

in high control groups or high control family units, as their healing journey often involves

...

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