Recovery in the Middle Ages - Two Middle-Aged Suburban Dads Talk About Recovering From Addiction to Drugs & Alcohol.

Episode 150: The Disease Model of Addiction

We hear it everywhere-addiction is a disease. It’s the foundation of rehab, recovery culture, and even how people talk about themselves. But what if that idea isn’t as settled as it sounds?

In this episode, we take a look at The Addictaholic Deconstructed by Doctor Nicole Labor and her persuasive case for the disease model. There’s real truth in it; brain changes, genetics, the feeling of...

Episode 149: Recovery 101-AI Sponsors, Real Life Problems

We discuss AI, sober apps, mental health,  and navigating the vicissitudes of life. We basically shoot the shit for an hour and a half. Also, Nat shares some bad news, we have three RITN articles, and we engage in our usual hijinks.

RITN: Nassau County bans 7OH

WIW: Does DMT open a portal to the source-code of life?

*This podcast does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, o...

Episode 148: Recovery 101-Back to Basics

In this episode we explore the foundational and advanced tools needed to build a lasting, fulfilling sober life. We start by dismantling the outdated stereotypes of the "bridge drunk" to embrace the nuance of the Alcohol Spectrum, while explaining why quitting in middle age offers unique advantages like a strong work ethic and immunity to peer pressure. 

Also, Nat shares some good news, we r...

Episode 147: Social Media Addiction and En$h¡tification

In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we dig into social media and the subtle ways it can take over our time, attention, and emotional life. Many of us have noticed that after putting down the drink, we picked up the phone, reaching for it when we’re bored, stressed, lonely, or just trying to take the edge off. We talk about how scrolling taps into the same reward lo...

Episode 146: The Journey of a Thousand Miles

New beginnings. Time marches ever onwards and so do Mike and Nat. What have they been up to? Let's take a peek. Recovery is not linear and sometimes you stumble, but you pick up where you left off and forge ahead. What the heck am I talking about? Tune in to find out.

RITN: Does drinking give you ass cancer? Does it make your guts leak? Yes, and yes.

*This podcast does not provide medica...

Episode 145: The Dog Days of Summer Recovery

While the calendar insists August is just 31 days, for Mike and Nat it felt more like 31 years. From seizures on vacation to shoplifting Kratom from a Connecticut gas station—while en route to bring a family member to detox—the guys have been through the wringer. How did they keep their sobriety and their sanity intact? Tune in to find out.

Plus, we dig into the latest news, stories, and...

In this midyear news roundup episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, Mike and Nat discuss the most significant addiction and recovery stories of 2025. From the federal crackdown on kratom’s potent opioid-like compound to San Francisco’s hard pivot away from harm reduction, we’re breaking down what these changes mean for people in and around recovery. We’ll also explore why New York’s overdose death rate just dropped like a rock, ho...

Episode 143: Recovery in the News

In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we run down the latest news from the world of recovery, giving our take on the headlines that matter to those on the sober path. We discuss the tragic passing of Melissa Trachtenberg, which may have been related to alcoholic liver disease. Then, we discuss The New York Times' long-overdue admission that red wine is not, in fact, the health elixir it w...

Episode 142: RMA, RFK and the San Patrignano Experiment

In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we take a look at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plan to address addiction in America, which leans heavily on his personal recovery experience and the model of Italy’s San Patrignano rehab center. Kennedy’s proposal centers around creating “wellness farms” across rural America, where people struggling with addiction can live and work in...

Episode 141: The Return of RMA-Recovery in the News Edition

It’s been a minute, we know — but Mike and Nat are BACK, rested, refreshed and ready to serve up a new episode packed with recovery bon mots, musings, and thought-provoking insights. This week we’re diving into the latest conversations around sobriety, cultural norms, and health, giving our take on three recent articles from The New York Times that challenge the narrative ...

Episode 140: The US of AA, Rethinking Addiction One Step at a Time

In this long-awaited episode of RMA, we give our take on Joe Miller's 2017 book, US of AA: How the Twelve Steps Hijacked the Science of Alcoholism. We discuss AA’s influence on addiction treatment and its implications for health policy, exploring the complex interplay between science, policy, and substance use treatment in America. Plus, we take a closer look at why...

Episode 139: Hillbilly Elegy-Rust Belt Realities and the Opioid Odyssey

Hey everyone! Remember us? Our last episode may have dropped on May 21st, but we promise we haven't been lost in the Middle Ages. We've been busy jesters, juggling our balls and brewing up some epic content! We're thrilled to be back. Thanks for sticking with us.

In this first episode of season 5, we take a wild ride through J.D. Vance's 2016 memoir "Hillbilly ...

Peeling Back Labels: Redefining Identity and Stigma in Recovery and Mental Health

On this week’s show we take a look at the complex interplay between labeling, identity, and stigma in addiction recovery. This episode, inspired by a critical look at mental health interventions for teenagers, examines similar issues within substance abuse treatment. We discuss how stigma and the labeling of individuals as "addicts" can hinder recover...

High Time for Change: Cannabis Rescheduling and Its Impact on Recovery

In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we explore a significant shift in cannabis legislation, focusing on the historical journey of cannabis from a Schedule I to a proposed  Schedule III substance. We explore the reasons behind this reclassification, the evolving perceptions of cannabis in society, and the science that influenced these legal changes. A...

RMA 136: Reel Recovery: Critiquing 'Intervention' and Exploring Addiction Genetics"

In this week’s episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we delve into the widely popular TV show 'Intervention.' We'll discuss both the praise and criticism it has received over the years, exploring how it portrays addiction and the recovery process. Does the show offer a realistic view of addiction, or does it sensationalize personal tragedies for e...

Episode 135: Calm and Connected: Navigating Sobriety in Turbulent Times

In this episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we wrestle with the critical topics of stress management and the dangers of isolation in sobriety. We explore practical strategies for maintaining emotional and mental balance through stress-busting techniques tailored for those in recovery. We also discuss the often overlooked risk of isolation—even when surround...

Semiglutides in Sobriety: A New Frontier in Addiction Recovery?

In this week’s episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, we delve into the groundbreaking realm of semiglutide medications, such as Ozempic, and their emerging role in addiction treatment. As science advances, so does our understanding of how these drugs not only aid in weight loss, but also show promise in the realm of addiction recovery. We'll explore the current sci...

RMA 133: The Prop 110 Debacle: A Deep Dive into Oregon's Legalization Experiment and the Nationwide Impact on Recovery

We are BACK! This week, we delve into the recent repeal of Proposition 110 in Oregon—a pivotal move that has sparked extensive debate and concern within the recovery community. We’ll explore how Oregon's challenges with drug legalization have not only affected local recovery efforts but also cast a long shadow acro...

RMA 132: The Suki Jones Interview

Join us this week on RMA, where we engage in a candid conversation with Suki Jones, author of the addiction and recovery memoir "Sea, Swallow Me." Suki takes us through her personal journey, detailing her experiences with drug addiction while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and a career in modeling during the early '90s in the Bay Area. She shares the challenges of maintaining a façade ...