Episode 13: Dr. Adi Jaffe

Dr. Adi Jaffe is a UCLA-trained Psychologist and a renowned expert in mental health, addiction, and relationships. After receiving his PhD from UCLA, he lectured in the department for the better part of a decade. Dr. Jaffe’s personal journey includes overcoming addiction; he was once a meth addict and drug dealer but transformed his life after a SWAT team arrest and jail sentence.

He is the author of “The Abstinence Myth” and his new book “Unhooked,” where Dr. Adi destigmatizes addiction and uses habit change knowledge and tools to help you to unhook for an addiction-free life. Using the Unhooked Method, you won’t be labeled or told you’re powerless (you’re not). Instead, you will be empowered.

Dr. Jaffe is a regular contributor to Psychology Today and is known for his non-traditional approaches to addiction treatment and has been featured in numerous media outlets like CNN, Fox, NBC, and The Huffington Post. He currently leads IGNTD, focusing on reducing stigma around mental health issues through helping individuals who are released from prisons and jails find addiction and mental health help. 

Dr. Adi currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Sophie, their three children Kai, Leo, and Noa.

 

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Adi Jaffe

03:28 His Journey from Meth Addiction to Ph.D.

10:15 Understanding “Hooks” Behind Addictive Behaviors

17:02 Why Abstinence-Only Recovery Often Fails

23:45 The Role of Shame and How to Overcome It

30:30 How to Replace Destructive Habits with Constructive Ones (Unhooked)

38:12 Creating a New Identity Beyond Addiction

44:58 How IGNTD is Changing the Recovery Conversation

50:10 Final Thoughts from Dr. Jaffe

Transcript for this Episode

Episode 13 Transcript