EP 389: Interview with Dr. Adi Jaffe
Host: Michal Charles aka MMC13
Guest: Dr. Adi Jaffe
Join host Michal (MMC13 on IAS) on this episode of Sobertown Podcast as she sits down with Dr. Adi Jaffe, a renowned expert in mental health, addiction, and recovery. Dr. Jaffe shares his personal journey from addiction and incarceration to becoming a UCLA lecturer, author, and founder of IGNTD Recovery. Together, they discuss the roots of addiction, the importance of addressing underlying issues like shame and anxiety, and why recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Discover how technology and personalized care are transforming access to support, and why honesty and self-acceptance are key to lasting change. Whether you’re in recovery or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope, practical insights, and a fresh perspective on what it means to heal.
Dr. Adi Jaffe, Ph.D. is a #1 bestselling author (The Abstinence Myth) with an upcoming book Unhooked from Hachette. A nationally recognized expert on transformation and crisis communication, he specializes in career, mental health, addiction, and relationship challenges.
Dr. Jaffe was a UCLA Psychology lecturer for nearly a decade and co-founded one of the country's most progressive mental health treatment facilities before launching IGNTD, where he helps clients overcome shame, discover purpose, and create fulfilling lives.
His unique perspective stems from personal experience: after struggling with addiction during his UCLA undergraduate studies, he spent four years in LA's drug-dealing world before a SWAT arrest and jail sentence prompted his life transformation. He returned to earn his Ph.D. with honors from UCLA's top-rated psychology doctoral program
Dr. Jaffe's addiction research and insights have been published in dozens of journals and featured on CNN, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, and KTLA. He writes for Psychology Today and other publications, combining personal experience with rigorous research to help those affected by addiction.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradijaffe
The Abstinence Myth: https://www.theabstinencemyth.com
Unhooked: https://www.readunhooked.com/
IGNTD Recovery Program: https://www.igntdrecovery.com/
About Michal:
Michal is an American podcaster and sober warrior who believes every recovery journey is as unique as the individual traveling it. With over a decade of sobriety garnered through various systems, programs, and support networks, she's passionate about breaking down stereotypes and smashing through the guilt and shame that can keep those suffering with addiction in the dark. Michal is an animal lover, rescue enthusiast, and motorcycle chick who loves helping others, whether in her personal or professional life.
Contact Michal at: EarlydaysPC@gmail.com
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