Rewiring Addiction: From Trauma to Recovery

30 min

Dec 29, 2025

Explore how childhood trauma alters brain chemistry, making people vulnerable to addiction through changes in dopamine, oxytocin, and stress response systems—and discover pathways to healing through neuroplasticity.

Best quote from Rewiring Addiction: From Trauma to Recovery

Addiction isn't just a brain disease or a moral failing; it is a complex condition often rooted in disrupted attachment and altered neurobiological systems that began early in life. The same neuroplasticity that allows trauma to change the brain also allows for healing through secure relationships and targeted therapeutic interventions.

Generated by Tiffany Jones

Input question

Beating addiction, dopamine pathways , fighting the urge , childhood trauma

Host voices

Lena

Miles

Knowledge sources

The Addiction Paradox: Why Willpower Alone Fails Against Brain Hijacking

The Dopamine Dilemma: Controlling Your Brain's Motivation Chemical

Treating Pornography Addiction (Book and CDs)

Rewiring the Addicted Brain: How Modern Science Changes Recovery

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

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@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

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@djmikemoore

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

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

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

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483

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

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

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

@Moemenn

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

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

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

@Raaaaaachelw

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

@Matt, YC alum

108

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

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

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

@djmikemoore

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

@Pitiful

4.5K

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

@SofiaP

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

@Jaded_Falcon

201

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

@OojasSalunke

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

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

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

@Cashflowbubu

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

@Moemenn

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

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

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

@Raaaaaachelw

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

@Matt, YC alum

108

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

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

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

@djmikemoore

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

@Pitiful

4.5K

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

@SofiaP

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

@Jaded_Falcon

201

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

@OojasSalunke

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

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

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

@Cashflowbubu

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

@Moemenn

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

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

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

@Raaaaaachelw

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

@Matt, YC alum

108

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

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

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

@djmikemoore

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

@Pitiful

4.5K

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

@SofiaP

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

@Jaded_Falcon

201

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

@OojasSalunke

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

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

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

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Rewiring Addiction: From Trauma to Recovery

30 min

Dec 29, 2025

Psychology Well-Being Relationships

Best quote from Rewiring Addiction: From Trauma to Recovery

Addiction isn't just a brain disease or a moral failing; it is a complex condition often rooted in disrupted attachment and altered neurobiological systems that began early in life. The same neuroplasticity that allows trauma to change the brain also allows for healing through secure relationships and targeted therapeutic interventions.

Part of a Learning Plan

LEARNING PLAN

Break Free From Porn Addiction

4 h 20 m•4 Episodes

LEARNING PLAN

Cocaine addiction

4 h 35 m•4 Episodes

Key Takeaways

Rewired: Trauma to Addiction

0:00

0:19

0:37

0:41

0:59

1:03

1:22

When Attachment Goes Wrong: The Neurobiological Foundation

1:35

1:52

1:55

2:13

2:14

2:37

2:40

2:57

3:06

3:30

3:32

3:50

3:53

4:09

1:55

The Dopamine Hijack: How Reward Systems Go Rogue

4:31

4:44

4:59

5:03

5:21

5:22

5:43

2:40

6:04

3:06

6:25

6:28

6:43

6:50

7:03

1:55

7:24

7:28

The Oxytocin Connection: When Bonding Systems Break Down

7:38

3:06

8:06

8:07

8:26

1:55

8:48

8:52

9:08

9:15

9:30

9:34

9:47

1:55

10:06

10:11

10:27

10:32

Stress, Trauma, and the Glucocorticoid Storm

10:46

10:56

11:09

11:12

11:28

1:55

11:49

11:51

12:04

12:07

12:24

3:06

12:44

12:47

12:59

1:55

13:22

6:28

13:38

10:32

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Revolution

13:55

14:07

14:23

14:25

8:06

14:41

14:59

15:03

15:16

1:55

15:39

15:03

15:59

3:06

16:23

16:26

16:46

2:40

Breaking the Cycle: Neuroplasticity and Hope

17:02

14:07

17:33

17:35

17:51

17:52

2:57

1:55

18:31

18:36

18:48

15:03

19:04

19:09

19:23

19:25

19:38

1:55

19:51

9:15

The Father Factor: Expanding Our Understanding of Attachment

20:18

20:28

20:43

20:45

21:02

21:03

21:20

3:06

21:40

21:42

21:55

21:59

22:11

1:55

22:29

22:34

Practical Pathways: A Playbook for Healing

22:45

23:05

23:22

1:55

23:38

23:43

23:59

24:01

24:16

24:19

24:34

24:37

24:52

16:26

25:11

3:06

25:35

25:39

25:53

26:01

Looking Forward: The Future of Addiction Understanding

26:14

26:26

26:45

3:06

27:05

27:08

27:27

1:55

27:47

27:52

28:04

28:09

28:27

1:55

28:47

28:57

29:15

29:31

29:44

3:06

30:17

More like this

Frontiers | Neuroplasticity and recovery of the brain affected by substance use disorder: multilevel mechanisms and new therapeutic strategies (2020–2025)

Effect of Natural Rewards on Substance Use Disorder: An Incentive Sensitization Perspective - ScienceDirect

Transforming Addiction Treatment: Advances in 2026

Addiction recovery | Description, Transtheoretical Model, Stages of Change, & Facts | Britannica

7 sources

Rewiring the Addicted Brain

21 min

Overcoming addiction by rewiring your brain book cover

26 sources

Overcoming addiction by rewiring your brain

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Rewiring the Addicted Brain: How Modern Science Changes Recovery book cover

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence

Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction

The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease

Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction

37 sources

Rewiring the Addicted Brain: How Modern Science Changes Recovery

BeFreed

13 min

Addiction: When Your Brain Gets Hijacked book cover

14 sources

Addiction: When Your Brain Gets Hijacked

20 min

Breaking the Addiction Brain Trap book cover

16 sources

Breaking the Addiction Brain Trap

16 min

The Hijacked Brain: Biology of Addiction book cover

Neurobiology of addiction: a neurocircuitry analysis - PMC

Neurobiology of Addiction - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

6 sources

The Hijacked Brain: Biology of Addiction

20 min

The Chemistry of Breaking Toxic Bonds book cover

26 sources

The Chemistry of Breaking Toxic Bonds

22 min

Rewiring Recovery: The Neuroscience of Grounded Confidence book cover

18 sources

Rewiring Recovery: The Neuroscience of Grounded Confidence

29 min

Generated by Tiffany Jones

Input question

Beating addiction, dopamine pathways , fighting the urge , childhood trauma

Host voices

Lena

Miles

Knowledge sources

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

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

@Moemenn

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

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

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

@Raaaaaachelw

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

@Matt, YC alum

108

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

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

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

@djmikemoore

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

@Pitiful

4.5K

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

@SofiaP

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

@Jaded_Falcon

201

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

@OojasSalunke

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

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

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

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

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

@Moemenn

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

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

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

@Raaaaaachelw

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

@Matt, YC alum

108

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

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

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

@djmikemoore

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

@Pitiful

4.5K

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

@SofiaP

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

@Jaded_Falcon

201

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

@OojasSalunke

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

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

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

@Cashflowbubu

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

@Moemenn

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

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

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

@Raaaaaachelw

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

@Matt, YC alum

108

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

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

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

@djmikemoore

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

@Pitiful

4.5K

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

@SofiaP

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

@Jaded_Falcon

201

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

@OojasSalunke

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

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

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

@Cashflowbubu

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

@Moemenn

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

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

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

@Raaaaaachelw

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

@Matt, YC alum

108

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

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

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

@djmikemoore

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

@Pitiful

4.5K

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

@SofiaP

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

@Jaded_Falcon

201

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

@OojasSalunke

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

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

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

@Cashflowbubu

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