Rewiring the Addicted Brain: Dopamine, Healing, and Hope with Kate Vitela, RN

This Episode is Sponsored by Kava HavenSOBER IS DOPE × KAVA HAVEN ✨ All the buzz, none of the booze ✨ Get 15% OFF your first order ⁠http://kavahaven.com/dope⁠Happy Labor DayIn this special Labor Day episode presented by Kava Haven, Pop Buchanan reflects on the journey of 2025 and shares an inspiring vision for the months ahead. He discusses the launch of Sober Brain Publishing and his new book Sober Brain Reset, which offers insights on healing the brain after addiction and unlocking the power of neuroplasticity. Pop also closes out his impactful Sober Mixology campaign and introduces his upcoming work Zero Proof Culture, exploring how non alcoholic beverages empower recovery and support a healthier lifestyle. Listeners will gain practical tips for brain health, learn about the growth of the Sober is Dope Foundation, and hear what is ahead as we move into the final stretch of the year and prepare for 2026. How To Heal The Brain After Addiction BookEarly AccessSBR: https://soberisdope.mysamcart.com/the-sober-brain-reset/#HTHTB: https://soberisdope.mysamcart.com/heal-the-brain-after-addiction/#Zero Proof Culturehttps://soberisdope.mysamcart.com/zero-proof-culture/Drunk and Depressedhttps://soberisdope.mysamcart.com/drunk-and-depressed/# 

Sober Mixology: The Art of Enjoying Nonalcoholic Life In this special episode of Sober Is Dope, I explore the exciting world of Sober Mixology, sharing the best nonalcoholic and alcohol-free beverages that help you unwind, stay social, and enjoy life without drinking.This episode is sponsored by Kava Haven, one of my favorite nonalcoholic spirits with refreshing hints of lemon and ginger. Whether you are sober curious, living a health-conscious lifestyle, or in long-term recovery, you will discover how to level up your nights out, self-care routines, and celebrations without alcohol.Better Sleep and Energy – Wake up refreshed without hangovers.Mental Clarity and Focus – Stay sharp and creative.Emotional Balance – Reduce anxiety and mood swings.Health and Longevity – Protect your liver, heart, and immune system.Fitness and Weight Friendly – Lower calories and no empty sugar spikes.Confidence in Social Settings – Enjoy the night without impairment.Supports Recovery and Sober Curiosity – Build a lifestyle of freedom and wellness.Benefits of Going Nonalcoholic

After losing her husband in March 2020, Nicky Wake transformed her personal journey through grief, loss, and alcohol-free reinvention into a mission to help others find love and connection. On Sober is Dope, Nicky shares how she created platforms like Chapter 2 Dating (for widows and widowers ready for love), SoberLove (a dating app for those choosing alcohol-free relationships), and WidowsFire, which explores intimacy and desire after bereavement. Nicky’s story is a powerful testament to how we can turn pain into purpose and build meaningful connections, even after unimaginable loss.HighlightsFacing grief head-on and rebuilding a life after lossWhy sobriety became a turning point on her healing journeyLaunching multiple platforms to help others find love and connectionCoping with loneliness and the stigma around grief and datingHow Nicky continues to inspire others through advocacy and community

Known to more than a million followers as the Crappy Childhood Fairy, Anna Runkle has spent 30 years helping people heal symptoms of childhood trauma and break free from isolation. In this episode, Anna shares her personal story, her groundbreaking techniques for regulating the nervous system, and lessons from her upcoming book, CONNECTABILITY: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, and Feel (At Last) Like You Belong. We discuss how disconnection often stems from early trauma, why so many people struggle with relationships, and daily strategies for building secure, lifelong connections.Highlights • Understanding how early trauma affects adult relationships • Identifying and overcoming “covert avoidance” • Daily nervous system regulation tools that change lives • How to repair trust, set boundaries, and build confidence • Ending isolation and developing deep, meaningful relationships

Chris LaCorata, founder of Graasi Organic Barley Water, joins Sober is Dope to share how he built the first certified organic barley water brand in the United States with a mission rooted in wellness and sustainability. In this episode, we dive into Graasi’s clean-label, plant-based approach to hydration, its immune-boosting benefits, and how it became the official hydration sponsor of Borroka 3, a high-intensity MMA event. Chris talks about his journey as a veteran of American manufacturing, the importance of supporting rural communities, and how daily hydration and immune support can transform mental and physical health.HighlightsGraasi’s health-forward mission and American-made rootsVitamins C, D, and Zinc for immune support without added sugarWhy hydration matters for the brain and nervous systemLessons from building a sustainable wellness brandThe connection between mindful hydration and recovery

In this powerful episode of the Sober is Dope Podcast, host POP Buchanan sits down with Kate Vitela, RN, Certified Addiction and Mental Health Nurse, founder of Rewired Sober, and a passionate sobriety coach helping people rebuild their lives from the inside out.Kate shares her deep medical knowledge and lived experience to break down how alcohol affects the brain and nervous system, how to heal dopamine pathways, and how neuroplasticity can be your greatest ally in long-term recovery.You will learn:How dopamine dysfunction plays a role in addiction and recoveryWhat alcohol really does to the brain and nervous systemWhy your brain can heal — and how neuroplasticity worksTools for rewiring the brain in early recoveryThe story and mission behind Rewired Sober, Kate's transformative podcast and coaching practice🎧 Listen to Kate’s Podcast: Rewired SoberApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewired-sober/id1781739552📲 Follow Kate on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/katevitela

In this profound episode of the Sober is Dope podcast, we welcome nationally recognized grief and trauma expert Dr. Jennifer R. Levin, PhD, LMFT, FT to explore the complex emotional terrain of sudden and unexpected loss. Whether it’s a suicide, overdose, accident, or sudden medical event, the aftermath of traumatic death can derail even the strongest among us.Dr. Levin is a Fellow in Thanatology, the highest distinction in the field of death, dying, and bereavement brings over 30 years of clinical expertise to this critical conversation. Together, we unpack the distinctions between traumatic grief, PTSD, and post-traumatic growth (PTG), and how these challenges intersect with sobriety and addiction recovery.From coping with “grief attacks” to rebuilding a sense of emotional safety, Dr. Levin shares actionable strategies for those navigating overwhelming grief, as well as for those supporting them.🆕 About the Book:Dr. Levin’s new book, The Traumatic Loss Workbook: Powerful Skills for Navigating the Grief Caused by a Sudden or Unexpected Death, drops on July 1, 2025 (New Harbinger Publications).This compassionate and practical guide offers tools based on CBT, mindfulness, and narrative therapy, and is an essential resource for those facing grief, as well as the professionals who serve them.🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How sudden or traumatic loss differs from "normal" griefWhat to say (and avoid) when someone dies suddenlyThe unique challenges of grief in sobriety and recoveryHow trauma shows up in the body and brain after lossTools to stabilize, find meaning, and move forward after traumaStrategies for dealing with grief in the workplaceWhy we often feel “unsafe in the world” after sudden death — and how to reclaim that safetyUnderstanding “grief attacks” and how to cope in the momentInsights into Dr. Levin’s proprietary workplace grief response modelThe concept of being “untethered” — and how to reconnect with life after loss📘 Grab the Book:The Traumatic Loss WorkbookAvailable July 1, 2025, wherever books are sold.Publisher: New Harbinger PublicationsGrab Book Here: ( https://traumaticgriefsolutions.com/the-traumatic-loss-workbook )📞 Connect with Dr. Jennifer Levin:💻 Website: https://www.TraumaticGriefSolutions.com🎙 Podcast: Untethered: Healing the Pain From a Sudden Death💬 Book 1-on-1 sessions or speaking engagements:https://DrJenniferRLevin.OnlinePressKit247.com📧 Media Inquiries: Michelle Tennant, Publicist – [email protected]

In this groundbreaking episode of Sober is Dope, we sit down with Dr. David Clarke, President of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS), to uncover how unresolved trauma and deep stress can literally rewire the brain to create chronic pain, illness, and suffering.Dr. Clarke shares how Neuroplastic Recovery Therapy (NRT) is helping thousands find relief — outperforming Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in clinical studies — and offers hope for people in recovery who are still battling invisible illnesses like fibromyalgia, migraines, IBS, and more.If you or someone you love is sober, but still suffering from chronic pain or fatigue with no clear diagnosis, this episode is a must-listen.⸻🔥 What You’ll Learn: • What neuroplastic symptoms are and why the brain is often the root of chronic pain • How adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to lifelong illness • Why traditional medicine is failing millions • How NRT works — and why it’s changing lives • The powerful mind-body connection in addiction recovery⸻🧠 Learn More + Resources:Dr. David ClarkePresident, Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS)🌐 Website: Symptomatic.Me📢 Media Kit: davidclarke.onlinepresskit247.com📧 Media Contact: Michelle Tennant — [email protected] | 828-749-3200📚 Therapy Resources + Annual Conference Info Available on Website⸻💬 Connect With Us:🔗 Sober is Dope | Hosted by POP Buchanan📱 IG: @soberisdope📧 [email protected]🎤 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

In this powerful episode of the Sober is Dope podcast, host POP Buchanan dives deep into one of the most overlooked threats to recovery, stress. Stress isn't just uncomfortable; it’s a silent killer that can derail your sobriety, disrupt your mental health, and cloud your spiritual vision. But the good news? You have the tools to fight back and win.POP shares game-changing insights on how managing stress is the key to long-term clean and sober success. From embracing a higher power to reclaiming your inner peace through meditation, prayer, and smart supplementation, this episode is your blueprint for holistic healing.Key highlights include:Why prioritizing self-love and self-care isn’t selfish, it’s survival.The power of cutting toxic people out of your life to protect your peace.How pampering yourself and finding joy in creativity can help soothe the soul.The importance of patience on the healing journey and knowing when to seek help from a mental health professional.POP's tips for smart nutrition and using your diet as a weapon against anxiety and depression.This episode isn’t just motivation, it’s a movement. Tune in to learn how to build a sober lifestyle that’s not just about avoiding relapse, but about thriving with peace, power, and purpose.

📘 Transform Your Life with Sober is Dope🌟 Begin your journey to healing, freedom, and lasting sobriety with two powerful guides from Sober is Dope:Sober is Dope Book — A daily companion filled with over 365 affirmations and prayers to help you stay motivated, grounded, and spiritually strong in your recovery journey. https://www.amazon.com/Sober-Dope-Affirmations-Attracting-Happiness-ebook/dp/B0BTHWDLYRSober New Year's Book — 100 powerful resolutions to kickstart a clean slate, stay focused, and take control of your life—any time of year. https://www.amazon.com/Sober-New-Years-Resolutions-Clean/dp/1734679867🎙️ Tune into the Sober is Dope Podcast on Spotify — featuring recovery stories, motivation, spiritual empowerment, and practical tools for anyone battling addiction or maintaining sobriety. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/soberisdope/✨ Whether you're starting over or staying strong, these resources are your daily dose of faith, focus, and empowerment.Start today. Stay sober. Stay dope.