Dopey 483: Brace Belden Returns! "One of my favorite things was being on MDMA and Heroin at the same time. It rules and is It's not talked about enough." Chris Paulson on Recovery!

Dopey: On the Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction and Recovery

In this episode of the Dopey Podcast, David Manheim discusses his recent experiences and travels, including a political tribunal in the Philippines. He also talks about his struggles with sleep and the importance of having a sponsor in recovery. The conversation touches on serious topics such as addiction, racism, and human rights abuses, but is infused with David's signature humor. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss their experiences with addiction, rehab, and politics. They share personal stories and anecdotes, including their interactions with famous individuals. They also touch on topics such as the Biden family, the future of the economy, and the state of American politics. The conversation is filled with humor, sarcasm, and candid reflections on their own journeys. In this part of the conversation, David and Brace discuss their experiences with different drugs, including ketamine, Ibogaine, ayahuasca, LSD, mushrooms, ecstasy, and heroin. They share personal anecdotes and preferences, highlighting the effects and experiences they had with each substance. They also touch on the topic of God and spirituality, with Brace expressing his skepticism and David sharing his belief in a higher power. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted game of choosing between two options. In this final part of the conversation, David and Chris discuss the challenges of answering questions about drug use during treatment intake calls. They also explore how to find the right therapist and the importance of the therapeutic relationship. They touch on topics such as spiritual trauma, the different age groups and substance use patterns, and the potential dangers of new drugs like kratom. The conversation ends with David sharing his recent cravings and Aurora joining in for a brief chat. KeywordsDopey Podcast, addiction, recovery, sleep issues, politics, Philippines, racism, human rights abuses, addiction, rehab, politics, Biden family, economy, American politics, drugs, ketamine, Ibogaine, ayahuasca, LSD, mushrooms, ecstasy, heroin, God, spirituality, treatment intake calls, finding the right therapist, therapeutic relationship, spiritual trauma, age groups and substance use, new drugs, cravings Takeaways

• David shares his recent experiences and travels, including a political tribunal in the Philippines.
• He discusses his struggles with sleep and the importance of having a sponsor in recovery.
• The conversation touches on serious topics such as addiction, racism, and human rights abuses.
• David's humor adds a lighthearted touch to the conversation. Rehab romances can be complicated and often lead to relapse
• The hosts express their disillusionment with the current political landscape
• They discuss the need for radical changes in the economy and society
• The conversation highlights the challenges and guilt associated with addiction and recovery
• The hosts share personal stories and anecdotes, providing a candid and humorous perspective on their experiences Different drugs have different effects and experiences, and individuals may have different preferences and reactions to them.
• Personal anecdotes can provide insight into the experiences and effects of various substances.
• Beliefs about God and spirituality can vary among individuals, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
• Engaging in lighthearted games and discussions can add a fun element to conversations. Answering questions about drug use during treatment intake calls can be challenging and may require balancing honesty with potential consequences.
• When looking for a therapist, it's important to consider what you're looking for and ask questions about their approach and theoretical orientation.
• Spiritual trauma can be a real issue for individuals who have experienced a disconnection from their faith or culture.
• Substance use patterns can vary across different age groups, with alcohol being more prevalent among older individuals and fentanyl/methamphetamine among younger individuals.
• New drugs like kratom can present unique challenges, and it's important to consider the potential risks and lack of quality control.
• Cravings for drugs can still arise even after years of recovery, and it's important to utilize support systems and coping strategies to navigate these urges.

Titles

• The Importance of Having a Sponsor in Recovery
• From Political Tribunals to Sleep Issues: David's Recent Experiences Rehab Romances and the Challenges of Recovery
• Disillusionment with the Current Political Landscape The Skepticism and Belief in God
• A Lighthearted Game of Choosing Between Options Managing Cravings and Urges in Recovery
• Substance Use Patterns Across Different Age Groups

Sound Bites

• "Welcome to another episode of Dopey, the podcast on drugs, addiction, and dumb shit."
• "None of us are alone when we're together."
• "I love coming back."
• "I just want to be accountable to the dopey audience right now."
• "I'm going to break it to you, Dave. I don't think he wants to do the show."
• "I think a lot of people understand right now there's a shift happening, uh, in when it comes to technology, when it comes to the economy, that is, is something like the industrial revolution."
• "Anytime I ever heard a description of Ibogaine, I would rather have diarrhea for four days in like a detox surrounded by a bunch of crack heads than like a shaman."
• "One of my favorite things was being on MDMA and heroin at the same time. It's like one of the greatest combinations. It probably rules. It's not talked about enough."
• "I believe in the power of human beings working together in a concerted effort to help other human beings."
• "Treatment what you know had I been to treatment ones the last time I went to treatment whatever whatever Nora gets in the car and the next question is How much cocaine were you using?"
• "Well, are you in any kind of ongoing group? Like, are you a member of Narcotics Anonymous? I was like, lady, it's fucking anonymous. I'm not gonna tell you on the phone."
• "How would you advise a horrible drug addict on how to answer that? Let's have this be the first ask a therapist question. You're coming up on nine years of abstinence."

Chapters 00:00Introduction and Dopey Podcast Theme Song 11:54The Importance of Having a Sponsor in Recovery 42:48Addiction, Rehab, and Personal Reflections 48:33Disillusionment with Politics and the Economy 54:56Hunter Biden's Behavior and Self-Sabotage 01:06:39A Listener's Journey through Alcoholism and Rehab 01:19:16Unconventional Solutions and Rehab Romances 01:25:18Exploring Different Drugs and Personal Experiences 01:32:27A Lighthearted Game of Choosing Between Options 02:07:52Navigating Questions About Drug Use During Treatment Intake Calls 02:13:11Finding the Right Therapist: Considerations and Questions to Ask 02:19:51Exploring Spiritual Trauma and its Impact on Recovery 02:27:01The Rise of New Drugs: Understanding the Challenges of Kratom 02:34:55Managing Cravings and Urges in Recovery