In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with , a clinical psychologist, licensed alcohol and drug counselor, and co-founder of the Psychedelic Society of Vermont. With decades of experience in addiction, anxiety, and depression treatment, Rick bridges traditional recovery models with modern psychedelic-assisted therapy, drawing from both personal recovery and clinical practice.

We touch upon topics of:

• Rick’s early addiction and path into recovery (00:50–05:30)
• Addiction, youth, and the challenge of getting sober early (03:50–06:00)
• Replacing addiction with meaning, purpose, and spirituality (07:48–11:00)
• Psychedelics, sobriety, and common fears around relapse (12:14–16:05)
• Therapy vs retreat models and why multiple paths can work (17:02–19:30)
• Integration, spiritual bypassing, and real long-term change (21:08–26:00)
• AA, community, and where recovery models succeed or fail (33:05–36:40)
• How psychedelics disrupt addictive patterns and cravings (37:46–40:37)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com

Find more about Rick Barnett at vermontpsychedelic.org, on LinkedIn and Instagram at @DrRickBarnett, and through the Solquinox conference in Vermont.