The Truth About Addiction Recovery No One Talks About | Jason Shiers

E444 of Inner Voice – A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan features a powerful conversation with Jason Shiers, founder of the Infinite Recovery Project and author of the book Infinite Recovery. In this episode, Jason shares a compelling alternative perspective on addiction recovery. Drawing from his lived experience with addiction, trauma, and personal transformation, he challenges traditional addiction treatment models that focus on pathology and lifelong labels. During this heartfelt discussion with Dr. Foojan Zeine, Jason explains why many current addiction recovery programs fail long-term and why he has shifted his work toward training therapists, clinicians, and treatment centers in a more transformative recovery approach. The conversation opens the door to a new understanding of addiction, healing, and sustainable long-term recovery. Jason explores the limitations of the traditional medical and pathology-based model of addiction treatment. Instead of viewing people as broken or diseased, he explains how addictive behaviors often emerge as intelligent attempts to regulate a dysregulated nervous system. Through the Infinite Recovery Project, Jason advocates for a holistic approach to addiction recovery that focuses on emotional regulation, trauma healing, and reconnecting individuals with their natural resilience. He also critiques the overreliance on “evidence-based practices” that can overlook deeper psychological and emotional roots, which may lead many individuals to replace one addiction with another more socially acceptable behavior. Sharing his personal recovery journey, Jason reveals that he has been free from addiction for over 10 years and now considers himself fully recovered. He discusses the psychological impact of identifying as a lifelong “addict” and how labels can reinforce shame, limit personal growth, and keep individuals stuck in recovery cycles. Dr. Foojan Zeine reflects on her professional experience in therapy and addiction recovery work, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and understanding addictive patterns as coping strategies rather than defining identities. Together, they explore how reframing addiction can empower individuals to move beyond shame and rediscover their capacity for healing. The conversation dives deeper into different models of addiction, comparing the traditional pathology model with what Jason calls the “intelligence model.” While the pathology model can sometimes reduce shame by framing addiction as a disease, Jason explains that it can also prevent deeper healing by overlooking the trauma responses that often drive addictive behaviors. He describes his work with individuals who have tried conventional recovery programs—such as therapy, treatment centers, or 12-step programs—yet continue to struggle with relapse. His approach focuses on creating psychological safety and helping people reconnect with their inner experience to address the root causes of addiction. Jason explains how his therapeutic approach helps clients develop deeper self-awareness and compassion toward their internal experiences. Rather than suppressing cravings or fighting urges, clients are guided to explore physical sensations, emotional patterns, and nervous system responses often connected to early life experiences and trauma. Through curiosity, mindfulness, and non-judgmental awareness, individuals learn to understand what their addictive impulses are trying to regulate. As clients become more connected to their internal world, Jason notes that the intensity of addictive urges often naturally decreases. The episode concludes with a discussion about trauma healing, self-discovery, and the non-linear nature of recovery. Jason explains that healing is less about fixing what is broken and more about unlearning false beliefs, simplifying inner experiences, and rediscovering one's authentic self. The process involves building a deeper relationship with oneself rather than creating new recovery identities. Dr. Foojan Zeine highly recommends the book Infinite Recovery for anyone interested in alternative addiction recovery approaches, trauma healing, and personal transformation. #mentalhealth #Wellness #Relationship #PersonalGrowth #Self-Development