Claim OwnershipLiving Addy Free
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© Janet Oliva
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Addy Free is a way of life no longer dependent on Adderall and Vyvance. Join us every week to learn from trusted Doctors, Healers, and Health Coach's on how to cope and thrive #AddyFree
24 Episodes
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I’m beyond excited to share that an Addy Free community member bravely opened up her story on the Addy Free Podcast.Meet Maria—career woman, wife, mom, and friend to so many. She’s a “regular” (and extraordinary) person just like you and me, and she’s ready to walk us through her journey:Life before AddyThe reality of her addictionHitting rock bottomAnd her new life… Addy FreeHer story is raw, real, and full of hope. Tune in to listen!
Welcome to another episode featuring a professional whose perspective aligns perfectly with Addy Free’s mission—you don’t need medication to thrive. And this time, that message comes from a psychiatrist herself.This conversation may shift how you think about medication—not just our once-faithful (and now retired) friend Addy, but also SSRIs, which many of us are told will help ease the transition into life after Addy. I’ve walked that path myself.Dr. Lee offers a fresh approach, uncovering the root causes of ADHD and showing how to address them holistically—nurturing mind, body, and soul. It’s the approach I now embrace as well.My hope is that you’ll listen with an open mind, trusting the path you’re on and letting go of any shame when it comes to your way of getting off this medication. We’re all doing our best out here, one day at a time—this just offers a new perspective if you feel ready to live fully without pills. Know that there is no perfect solution, the key is having faith in yourself and your journey. Let yourself learn and evolve, without judgement in yourself and those around you. Be kind. Be proud of yourself.
In this episode, I hop on to share a quick message with the community as I celebrate 4 years Addy Free.This one’s not about everything I’ve learned—there’s too much to fit into one episode—but about something just as important: the power of keeping a promise to yourself.Whether it’s 4 years or 4 hours, every minute, hour, day, or year you choose not to take Addy is a celebration. That choice builds confidence, and that confidence builds momentum.This journey starts with a single promise—and if you keep showing up, one day you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come.Keep going, community. I believe in you.
This month on the podcast, I’m joined by Jesse, one of the moderators of Stop Speeding—a Reddit community of over 42,000 people navigating life beyond stimulant drugs.Stop Speeding is a recovery-focused, judgment-free space for anyone impacted by stimulant use—no matter the type, source, or level of use. The group isn’t anti-psych or anti-ADHD—it’s pro-recovery. It’s made up of real people who’ve been there, offering support, shared experiences, and helpful resources as we heal together.So who is Jesse, and how did this grassroots forum grow into one of the largest stimulant recovery communities online? Tune in Friday to find out!
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Vitale Buford—author of Addicted to Perfect—to explore her 10-year battle with Adderall addiction and how she broke free from the grip of perfectionism. In our conversation, we cover:How perfectionism and Adderall became intertwined in Vitale’s lifeThe early signs of dependency and how the “study drug” turned destructiveWhat chasing external success cost her mentally, physically, and emotionallyThe moment she knew she had to get off the drug—and what came nextHer 11-year journey of recovery and how she stays Addy FreeTools for healing from perfectionism in stimulant recoveryHow to stop tying your self-worth to productivity and performanceWhy authenticity—not achievement—is the real goalHow she now helps others reclaim their lives through coaching, leadership work, and speakingThis episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating stimulant recovery, struggling with perfectionism, or searching for what it means to be truly free.
We've got a lot going on in the Addy Free world... listen if you want to find out!
Here is the instagram post for your reel!when I get the opportunity to interview an Addy Free community member, I prioritize that more than any specialized doctor—because we’ve lived it, and we know what it’s like. That’s why I’m SO excited to have on Hayley Carver, who is officially 11 months Addy Free (we recorded this a month ago). WELCOME 🩵When I first realized I had a problem with Addy, all I wanted was to find someone else who felt like I did.Was I crazy for thinking I was addicted?Was it normal to take this much just to function?Why did no one else seem as obsessed as me?I just wanted to feel:✨ Seen✨ Heard✨ ValidatedThat’s why I started the Addy Free community—and now, a year and a half later, there are 11 of us, all in different stages of the journey, showing up weekly to support each other.Hayley was one of the first to find this podcast and join the Monday Zooms. Her story is real, relatable, and a powerful reminder that the first year is full of growth—and of facing that inner voice telling you to go back. But you can handle life without Addy. That’s why you’re here.Want to join the weekly Zooms? Mondays @ 8PM EST. DM me @addyfree or visit addyfree.comI hope you love this convo with Hayley
If you’ve ever found yourself deep in your Amazon cart at 2am with 17 rolls of washi tape, a Peloton, or—yes—even live frogs… this one’s for you.In today’s episode of the podcast, I’m diving into a habit that was heightened while on Addy, and I am currently working through my Addy Free Recovery— impulsive shopping. But it’s deeper than shopping. We talk trauma, impulse control, brain development, and how staying Addy Free means learning how to outgrow bad habits Addy fueled.I’m breaking down: Why Adderall made impulse control worse for meWhat childhood + trauma have to do with itActual strategies I use now (like the 24-hour rule + movement hacks)How to stop beating yourself up and start giving yourself graceThis isn’t just about breaking habits. It’s about healing, and learning coping mechanisms you were never able to develop while on a numbing substance Resource links:https://boardwalkrecoverycenter.com/how-addiction-stunts-emotional-growth/https://lakesidemilam.com/blog/emotional-maturity/https://recovery.com/resources/addiction-and-arrested-development/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3260977/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925492724000830https://brcrecovery.com/makana-path/
Struggling with ADD, ADHD, or stimulant addiction? You’re not alone. In Hocus Focus, author Kramer shares his raw, eye-opening journey of growing up with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and being prescribed stimulant medications like Adderall and Dexedrine from the age of seven. What started as a solution for focus turned into a decades-long struggle with dependency, impacting his identity, choices, and well-being.In this podcast, Kramer takes a deep dive into the realities of ADD, ADHD, and addiction, uncovering:The benefits and risks of stimulant medicationsThe mental and physical toll of dependency and withdrawalAlternative approaches—diet, exercise, meditation, and plant medicines How childhood trauma and an unconventional upbringing shaped his journeyThe road to healing, self-acceptance, and balanceThis isn’t just a personal story—it’s a powerful conversation about the effects of pharmaceuticals, mental health, and personal transformation. If you're navigating ADD, ADHD, stimulant withdrawal, or looking for holistic ways to improve focus and mental clarity, this podcast offers insight, inspiration, and real talk.
In this solo episode, I dive deep into the moment I truly realized Adderall no longer worked for me—and how that revelation became the key to my recovery. I share how shifting my identity from someone who needed Adderall to someone who simply doesn’t take it rewired my mindset and freed me from the cycle of dependency.This concept, known as identity-based habits, is backed by neuroscience and psychology, and it was the game-changer I didn’t even know I was using. If you’re struggling to quit, this episode will help you rethink your approach and give you a new way to break free.
In this episode, we learn how chiropractic care can speed up your body's recovery after Addy by focusing on regulating the nervous system.
Dr. Liv and Dr. Devin give an inside look at how the nervous system affects anxiety, depression, focus, digestion, and so much more... all issues our community feels in the first few years of Addy.
Good news... we have a tool to help!
In this episode, Dr. Kimberly Bell, Child Psychologist and Director of the Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development, explores the challenges our school systems face in helping children grow into resilient adults. She discusses why the system often turns to medication too quickly and emphasizes the importance of seeing each child as an individual, rather than assigning labels that can lead to self-limiting beliefs.
The Hanna Perkins School is dedicated to an individualized approach for every child, placing a strong emphasis on the parent-child relationship as a key component of development.
In this podcast we discuss the burnout and overwhelm moms can face and how Vyvanse was not the solution for her and how she is coping now.
In this episode, Janet opens up for the first time about her journey to becoming Addy Free, as she sits down with her brother and one of her biggest supporters, Jay Oliva.
Janet gets vulnerable, sharing how her addiction began and what led her to hit "rock bottom."
Join Janet and Jay for an honest and open conversation on a topic that’s rarely discussed: Adderall and Vyvanse addiction.
In this episode we discuss:
- The challenges doctors face due to medical insurance
- Misdiagnosis of anxiety as ADHD, leading to wrong treatments
- The importance of educating yourself and taking control of your health.
- Society’s obsession with quick fixes for long-term issues
And a reminder that it's okay to unsubscribe from society’s expectations and slow down to enjoy the moment.
In this episode, we discuss:
Laney's journey with disordered eating after gaining weight from stopping Vyvanse, and why she decided to make a change.
The importance of reframing our mindset around food.
Why weight gain shouldn't deter you from discontinuing stimulants.
Actionable tools to maintain a healthy mindset during your body's recovery phase after stopping stimulants.
In this episode with Sara, we talk:
How and when she started Adderall and why she decided to quit.
The link between comedians and addictive personalities.
Her old belief that she could never do her job without Adderall and how wrong she was based on her current success without the drug.
Finally, how once she stopped taking the drug her life drastically changed for the better breaking old destructive patterns and going viral .
I hope you enjoy Sara's motivational story of how becoming Addy Free has opened her life up to success and joy!
Ricki's journey in becoming Addy Free, from receiving a stimulant prescription at age 7 to discontinuing the medication at age 35, serves as a compelling illustration of the lasting impact Adderall and Vyvanse have on the body, mind, and soul.
In this episode, we discuss all the issues that Ricki faced while taking Adderall and Vyvanse throughout her 28-year medication journey:
- Unrealistic body image
- Disconnection with others
- Inability to process emotions
- Impacts on the nervous system
- Addictions that have followed
Now that Ricki is living Addy Free, she's able to come home to herself and rediscover who she is without the drug.
I hope this episode shares as inspiration to all that it's never too late to walk away from something that is no longer serving you!
In this compelling episode, we delve into Anne Oliphant's journey—a resilient mother of three from South Carolina—through her battle with Adderall addiction. Anne's narrative traverses the various stages of addiction, from how it began during her school days, to the realization of her dependence, the arduous process of breaking free, and ultimately, her triumphant emergence into a life free from Adderall's grip.
Anne's candid reflections resonate deeply, particularly her admission of being inherently anxious and a perfectionist. She found solace in Adderall, believing it granted her the control she craved. Yet, as her story unfolds, it becomes clear that the drug only exacerbated her struggles, leading her down a path of unhealthy habits and cognitive fog. It was only upon reclaiming her sobriety that she attained the clarity necessary to forge ahead.
Through Anne's journey, we glean invaluable insights into the power of vulnerability as a cornerstone of her ongoing sobriety. Join us as we uncover the resilience, strength, and hope that define Anne's inspiring tale of triumph over addiction.
In this interview, I'm excited to welcome Kenneth Dobbins, my therapist from Rehab. Based in Austin, TX, Kenneth is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in addiction and recovery. With a background in collegiate football coaching, he employs trauma-focused CBT, IFS, and EMDR in his therapy practice, focusing on a person-centered, trauma-informed approach.
In this episode, we discuss various topics related to stimulant addiction, including overcoming shame, coping without Adderall and Vyvanse, types of therapy to consider, and the role of community and connection in maintaining sobriety from stimulants.
Enjoy!
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