331: Overcoming Trauma and Addiction: Sam Thomas's Journey of Resilience and Healing
04/28/25 • 62 min
1 Listener
Growing up, Sam Thomas faced the harsh realities of bullying, leading him to battle bulimia in his teenage years. This challenge was only the beginning of a tumultuous journey through addiction and recovery, marked by a critical diagnosis of complex PTSD. As we sit down with Sam, the writer, speaker, and campaigner from Brighton, UK, he opens up about the intricate dance between dual diagnosis and addiction transference, shedding light on how unaddressed trauma can fuel dependency and how confronting it can become a powerful catalyst for change.
Together, we navigate the maze of Sam's early struggles, from seeking help at just 18 years old amid a landscape of limited resources and misunderstanding, to eventually confronting alcoholism in his twenties. Sam's story is a profound reminder of the resilience required to overcome challenges when support systems are lacking or misunderstood. Through volunteering and writing, Sam found purpose and community, illustrating how connection can foster healing and build self-esteem, especially for men facing eating disorders—a topic that remains under-discussed.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Sam Thomas's journey from battling bulimia as a teen to overcoming alcohol addiction in his twenties.
- The role of unaddressed trauma and dual diagnosis in addiction transference.
- Early struggles with bulimia and depression amidst limited support systems and societal misunderstandings of male eating disorders.
- Transition from eating disorders to alcoholism as a coping mechanism following significant life events.
- The challenges and realizations of acknowledging alcohol dependency and the path to recovery.
- Healing through unique passions, such as caring for exotic pets, as a metaphor for confronting fears and trauma.
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Supporting Resources:
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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Growing up, Sam Thomas faced the harsh realities of bullying, leading him to battle bulimia in his teenage years. This challenge was only the beginning of a tumultuous journey through addiction and recovery, marked by a critical diagnosis of complex PTSD. As we sit down with Sam, the writer, speaker, and campaigner from Brighton, UK, he opens up about the intricate dance between dual diagnosis and addiction transference, shedding light on how unaddressed trauma can fuel dependency and how confronting it can become a powerful catalyst for change.
Together, we navigate the maze of Sam's early struggles, from seeking help at just 18 years old amid a landscape of limited resources and misunderstanding, to eventually confronting alcoholism in his twenties. Sam's story is a profound reminder of the resilience required to overcome challenges when support systems are lacking or misunderstood. Through volunteering and writing, Sam found purpose and community, illustrating how connection can foster healing and build self-esteem, especially for men facing eating disorders—a topic that remains under-discussed.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Sam Thomas's journey from battling bulimia as a teen to overcoming alcohol addiction in his twenties.
- The role of unaddressed trauma and dual diagnosis in addiction transference.
- Early struggles with bulimia and depression amidst limited support systems and societal misunderstandings of male eating disorders.
- Transition from eating disorders to alcoholism as a coping mechanism following significant life events.
- The challenges and realizations of acknowledging alcohol dependency and the path to recovery.
- Healing through unique passions, such as caring for exotic pets, as a metaphor for confronting fears and trauma.
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previous Episode
TAM+ EP66 Beyond Survival Mode: Living Your Values
Beyond Survival Mode: Living Your Values Through Recovery's Toughest Challenges
When life gets turned upside down in recovery, what keeps you moving forward? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane Oline and Eric Osterlind explore how reconnecting with your values can be the anchor you need when emotional pain threatens to pull you under.
We've all been there – stuck in survival mode, consumed by shame, fear, or anger after a setback in recovery. The hardest part? Feeling disconnected from yourself, like you're just going through the motions of someone else's life. This episode dives into what value-based living really means and why it matters so much on your healing journey.
Drawing from the work of Dr. Steven Hayes (founder of ACT Therapy) and Brené Brown, Duane and Eric offer practical wisdom on how values serve as your "North Star" during life's storms. Unlike goals that can be checked off, values are ongoing qualities that give your life meaning and direction.
The hosts emphasize that valued living isn't about perfection – it's about direction, not destination. Even small steps toward what matters count as success. They also remind listeners that values can evolve over time, especially during challenging experiences that clarify what truly matters.
This episode includes a step-by-step walkthrough of a worksheet designed to help you reconnect with your values when you're struggling. From identifying challenges to taking small, intentional actions that realign you with what matters most, Duane and Eric provide a practical roadmap for living authentically even when it's hard.
Whether you're facing a relapse, dealing with intense emotions, or simply trying to hold your life together, this conversation offers compassionate guidance on using your values as a compass to find your way forward again.
Click Here to Join the TAM + Community. Get the support you need.
Key Topics
- What value-based living means and why it matters in recovery
- How emotional pain can disconnect us from our values
- The difference between values and feelings in guiding our actions
- How values serve as your "North Star" during challenging times
- A practical worksheet for reconnecting with your values when struggling
- Small, intentional actions that can realign you with your values
- How community support can help you live according to your values
Timestamps
[00:01:48] Introduction to the importance of values in recovery
[00:03:24] How emotional pain disconnects us fromrom our values
[00:05:02] Values as ongoing qualities that give life meaning
[00:07:08] The question: "What kind of person do I want to be in pain?"
[00:08:37] The difference between values and feelings
[00:11:51] Step-by-step walkthrough of the values worksheet
[00:15:32] How values become your guide when the path is unclear
Support TAM+ Subscribe and Review: We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy, please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center.
We want to hear from you. Please leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
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Next Episode
TAM+ EP67 The Four Archetypes of Happiness
In this enlightening episode of "The Addicted Mind," hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind dive into the fascinating world of the four archetypes of happiness based on the work of Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar.
These archetypes offer a roadmap for understanding happiness and its pivotal role in addiction recovery. The discussion spans the spectrum from the "Rat Racer," who postpones present joy for future gains, to the "Hedonist," who seeks immediate gratification without pondering future consequences. The hosts also examine the "Nihilist," who doubts the very possibility of happiness, and ultimately, the "Happy Camper," who balances immediate pleasure with long-term goals—the ideal state for sustainable recovery.
This episode not only decodes these archetypes but also provides insights into how adopting the Happy Camper mindset can enhance one's recovery journey and overall life satisfaction.
Download: THE FOUR ARCHETYPES OF HAPPINESS WORKSHEET
Join our Deep Dive in the TAM+ Community.
Click Here to Join TAM + Community.
Get the support you need.
Key Points
- The concept and impact of the four happiness archetypes in recovery.
- The pitfalls of living as a Rat Racer or a Hedonist in the context of addiction.
- Understanding the detrimental outlook of the Nihilist and strategies to overcome it.
- The benefits of embodying the Happy Camper for balanced, long-term happiness.
- Discussion on the importance of community in supporting recovery and mental health.
Support TAM+ Subscribe and Review: We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
If you live in California, Idaho, Vermont, or Florida and are looking for counseling or therapy, please visit Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center.
We want to hear from you. Please leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
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