On today’s episode of “Harder to Breathe'', host and founding drummer of “Maroon 5” Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian “Duck” Maillard for a riveting conversation with Dr. Robb Kelly: a psychologist, speaker, life coach, and author with some controversial opinions regarding addiction.

In what is perhaps the most respectfully contentious episode of the podcast yet, Dr. Rob Kelly and Ryan have the chance to debate the definition of addiction– specifically in how it relates to alcoholism. Dr. Kelly’s stance is that alcoholism is not a lifelong condition, and that it is something that can in fact be cured. That the alcohol itself doesn’t control the mind, but instead the mind rewires itself to believe that alcohol is necessary. That “alcoholics are born, drug-addicts are made”.

Ryan’s real-life experience stands in opposition to Dr. Kelly’s stance. Ryan never had a family history of alcoholism, and simply drank in moderation for the first decade of his time drinking. It was only when he started to really use it as a method of coping, that he ultimately found himself unable to go a certain period of time without drinking at all.

Ultimately, the three men agree on the most important thing: that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to addiction, and that every individual needs to take a different approach to their recovery. It’s a fantastic episode of the “Harder to Breathe” Podcast that will make you examine how you define addiction for yourself.

0:00:00 Introduction & Speaking to Gen Z at NYU

0:04:51 A More Open & Vulnerable Generation

0:09:38 Music That Goes Straight to the Heart`

0:17:45 Adam Levine and Phil Collins

0:18:52 Today’s Guest: Dr. Robb Kelly

0:23:12 Dr. Robb Kelly joins the Podcast & Shares his Background

0:26:15 A Revelatory Moment on Addiction

0:29:04 Managing Addiction while Living on the Street

0:30:55 Drug Addiction vs. Alcoholism

0:34:50 Ryan’s Respectful “Push Back”

0:41:13 Acknowledging the Family Member’s Perspective

0:44:00 Validating Emotion & Choosing Compassion

0:49:25 Making an Inventory of Fears & Resentments

0:51:28 A Frustrating Day in Graduate School

0:54:10 Can Each Person Have Their Own Sobriety Journey?

0:59:10 The “Matrix” Model of Understanding Addiction

1:00:53 How Dr. Kelly Works with Families

1:05:34 Dealing With Trauma… After Dealing with Addiction

1:06:25 When is the Appropriate Time to Deal With Trauma?

1:11:25 Applying Addictive Tendencies to Career Success

1:17:15 Dr. Robb’s Elton John Story

1:19:35 Where to Find & Contact Dr. Robb Kelly

1:22:38 Wrap Up & Conclusion

More on Dr. Robb Kelly:

Official Website: https://robbkelly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addiction_doctor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-addiction-doctor-07718133

Ready to Dive Deeper?:

https://www.ryandusick.com/

BenBella Books Author Page - https://benbellabooks.com/authors/dusick-ryan/

Amazon Book Page - https://www.amazon.com/Harder-Breathe-Memoir-Finding-Recovery/dp/1637742339/

WWSG Speaker Page - https://wwsg.com/speakers/ryan-dusick/

Psychology Today Therapist Profile - https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/937599

Stay Up to Date on the Podcast: @hardertobreathepodcast

Follow Ryan on Social Media:

IG - @ryan_michael_dusick

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-dusick-ma-amft-26460894/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ryan.m.dusick

Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick/

X / Twitter - @DusickRyan

Follow Duck on Social Media:

IG - @Newyorkduck

X / Twitter - @DuckMaillard