Veteran counselor Faust Ruggiero, with over four decades of experience, joins Crosstalk Podcast to dismantle the myths of addiction recovery. He explains why simply removing the substance is just the first step, and why the real work begins with confronting the "undercurrents"—the personality traits and unresolved traumas that fuel addiction. Faust provides a raw look at the challenges of early recovery, the subtle arrogance of both addicts and their families, and the critical importance of not trying to heal alone.

Discover a unique therapeutic approach where a psychologist actively coordinates with a client's 12-step sponsor to create a unified front against manipulation and relapse. Faust offers practical advice for those contemplating change, for families navigating the turmoil of a loved one's addiction, and for anyone in recovery who feels stalled. Learn how to move beyond being "dry" and into a life of genuine, sustainable health, and why the 12 steps are not just for addiction, but a powerful program for life itself.

Access our website for the full notes for this episode at crosstalkofficial.com

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