By Tom Horvath, PhD
Given that I will speak to as many audiences as feasible on topics like addiction treatment, understanding addictive problems, and the self-empowering approach, I was pleased to be invited for this podcast. Its website says:
Sixty Plus Uncensored is a bold, funny, and unapologetically real podcast for people who refuse to fade quietly into the background. Designed for adults over 60 who are smart, active, and still full of fire.
I am indeed over sixty and I like to think the rest of the description fits me as well.
Themes in this interview included:
-the reality that many individuals will not seek outside assistance for addictive problems because they assume that assistance is entirely oriented around the 12 steps and the disease model, which they object to for various reasons
-the value of exercise in the addiction change process (and for almost any behavioral health change)
-the importance of emphasizing “make a decision” to change, rather “get help;” help is of little value unless a decision to change has already been made, and once the decision is made only a little help or no help at all is needed
-the value of monitoring one’s change process, in the first few months, daily
-considering what you like about your addictive problem, so you can learn to provide those benefits in other ways (e.g., if you drink to relax, learn other ways to relax)
-how addictive problems are a matter of degree, and the all-or-none labels addict and alcoholic are therefore misleading
-the value of learning how to control your environment, to control yourself (e.g., it’s easier not to overeat when certain foods are not in the house)
-living well as an older adult, and addressing addictive and related problems directly
-an especially relevant related problem is social anxiety. There are many ways to deal with it. Alcohol or other substances can work well in the short run, but they can be increasingly problematic over time.
-the range of resources available if one seeks outside assistance, including 12-step groups (the powerlessness approach), and SMART Recovery and Practical Recovery (both using a self-empowering approach)
The interviewer, Seb Frey, was a very active interviewer and did not hesitate to offer his own opinions. This was a useful aspect because it allowed me to clarify many points.
Episode 30: Breaking the Chains of Addiction, 47 minutes, recorded 9/24/25, released 2/18/26.
Available at:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-0030-dr-tom-horvath-breaking-the-chains/id1829157921?i=1000750315816
Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/YcG7GzSwe1b
YouTube: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=42mIpUSlVIU&si=RffdYjlVuBS1HNLv