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Breaking the Chains: Addiction Science & Recovery Strategies That Work

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Discover why willpower isn't enough and how brain science, connection, and evidence-based strategies offer real hope for breaking addiction's grip.

Breaking the Chains: Addiction Science & Recovery Strategies That Work
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How This Personalized Podcast Was Made

This podcast was created using BeFreed’s AI, based on selected books, the creator’s learning goals, and their preferred tone.

Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25898167-unbroken-brain
Contingency Management for Patients Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: Systematic Review & Meta-analysis
link
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2782768
FDA approves RiVive 3 mg naloxone nasal spray for OTC use
link
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-second-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray-product
DEA & HHS: Third Temporary Extension of Telemedicine Flexibilities through Dec 31, 2025
link
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/19/2024-27018/third-temporary-extension-of-covid-19-telemedicine-flexibilities-for-prescription-of-controlled
FDA approves Narcan 4 mg nasal spray for OTC, nonprescription use
link
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/03/29/2636825/33240/en/U-S-FDA-Approves-Over-the-Counter-Designation-for-Emergent-BioSolutions-NARCAN-Nasal-Spray-a-Historic-Milestone-for-the-Opioid-Overdose-Emergency-Treatment.html
Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder
link
https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD012880_alcoholics-anonymous-aa-and-other-12-step-programs-alcohol-use-disorder
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts-by-gabor-mat
Modern Wisdom (Chris Williamson)
link
https://podme.com/no/modern-wisdom/765104
FDA takes action to restrict unlawful import of xylazine
link
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-restrict-unlawful-import-xylazine
CDC/SAMHSA allow federal funds to purchase fentanyl test strips
link
https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/media/releases/2021/p0407-Fentanyl-Test-Strips.html
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/dopamine-nation-by-anna-lembke
Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation
link
https://www.cochrane.org/about-us/news/latest-cochrane-review-finds-high-certainty-evidence-nicotine-e-cigarettes-are-more-effective
Johann Hari — Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong
The Urge: Our History of Addiction
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693451-the-urge
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39937469/
Judson Brewer — A simple way to break a bad habit
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/judson_brewer_a_simple_way_to_break_a_bad_habit
The Peter Attia Drive
link
https://peterattiamd.com/annalembke/
Neurobiologic Advances from the Brain Disease Model of Addiction
link
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1511480
Liking, Wanting and the Incentive-Sensitization Theory of Addiction
link
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5171207/
Words Matter: Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking About Addiction
link
https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/health-professions-education/words-matter-terms-to-use-avoid-when-talking-about-addiction
Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
link
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2811435
Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40940163-never-enough
Huberman Lab
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/dr-anna-lembke-understanding-and-treating-addiction/
Mortality risk during and after opioid substitution treatment
link
https://www.euda.europa.eu/drugs-library/mortality-risk-during-and-after-opioid-substitution-treatment-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis-cohort-studies_de
National Response Plan to Address Fentanyl Combined with Xylazine
link
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing-room/2023/07/11/in-continued-fight-against-overdose-epidemic-the-white-house-releases-national-response-plan-to-address-the-emerging-threat-of-fentanyl-combined-with-xylazine/
Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45304165-good-habits-bad-habits
Drug Dealer, MD: How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28364178-drug-dealer-md
The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22928838-the-biology-of-desire
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Input question

How does science explain addiction and what recovery strategies actually work?

Podcast Style
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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likes4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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comments37
likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments12
likes117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments96
likes4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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comments201
thumbsUp16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments37
likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
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