The 5 Lies Addiction Tells You — And Why They Sound So Reasonable

That voice in your head — the one that shows up right before a relapse — isn't random. It's patterned. It's predictable. And once you can name it, it loses most of its power.

In this episode of Recovering Out Loud, Anthony breaks down the 5 lies that addiction tells you — the cognitive distortions that sound completely reasonable in the moment but are quietly setting you up. Whether you're new to sobriety, years into recovery, or currently in active addiction, these thought patterns have likely already shown up in your life.

What you'll hear in this episode:

These patterns are what researchers call cognitive distortions — thinking errors documented in addiction research going back to the work of Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis. Anthony isn't quoting the papers. He's telling you what they sound like at 2 a.m., or on the patio, or in a hotel room alone.

If even one of these landed for you — that's the one to sit with this week. Not to fight it. Just to notice when it shows up. Because naming the lie is most of the work.

Anthony's sobriety date: January 12, 2025 Recovery background: Came into recovery in 2015 got 7.5 years sober, relapsed on ADHD medication, steroids, and secrecy — and came back.

Recovery resources mentioned / related:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and cognitive distortions in addiction
• Aaron Beck's cognitive distortion model
• Accountability partners and sponsor relationships
• Marlatt's Relapse Prevention Model (related episode framework)

Anthony is a person in recovery sharing lived experience. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please reach out to a qualified professional or call SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7).

Subscribe to Recovering Out Loud on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. If this episode resonated, share it with one person who needs to hear it.