Understanding Addiction. Coping Strategies and Sober Dating Tips

This Complex Life

If you've ever wondered about the real reasons behind addiction or how to navigate social pressures around alcohol, this episode is for you. In this episode, I chat with Tara Herster, a psychologist specialising in addiction and substance use. Tara breaks down common myths about addiction and offers practical strategies for managing substance use, dealing with social pressures, and exploring sober dating. Her insights challenge the traditional views on addiction and provide a fresh perspective on coping mechanisms and building authentic connections without relying on substances.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Understanding Addiction Beyond the Myths
• Addiction isn't about weakness or moral failure; it's often a coping mechanism.
• Tara's path from high school to addiction specialist.
• Addiction Isn't a Disease
• Addiction as a learned behaviour for dealing with stress.
• Tara's experiences in an inpatient psychiatric hospital.
• Practical Strategies for Managing Substance Use
• The HALT method: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired (plus Hydrated and Health).
• “Anytime we are engaging in something that we don’t necessarily want to do though we just find ourselves doing it in a mindless way it’s because of HALT.”
• Navigating Social Pressures Around Alcohol
• Strategies for handling social pressures.
• “I appreciate, I’m just not drinking today,” or “I’ve got antibiotics.”
• Sober Dating: Building Authentic Connections
• Tips for dating without alcohol.
• The FRIES acronym: Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific.
• “You attract what you put out,” and “Building connections without substances can lead to more authentic relationships.”
• The Sober Curious Movement
• Exploring life without alcohol.
• The trend among younger generations.

Quotes from the Episode:

• Tara Hurster:
• “Anytime we are engaging in something that we don’t necessarily want to do though we just find ourselves doing it in a mindless way it’s because of HALT.”
• “Addiction is not an illness. It's not a weakness. It's not a disease. It is something that people have learned how to most effectively and most efficiently solve the problem of their experience.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 1800 250 015, ADIS Website

Connect with Tara Hurster:

• Website: Tara Clinic
• Instagram: @taraHurster

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Get the full transcript here

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