Is your phone just a tool, or is it training your brain to keep reaching for the next scroll, notification, like, or hit of novelty?

In this episode of Recovering Relationships, Janice Johnson Dowd explores Digital Dopamine and the psychology behind problematic technology use, compulsive phone checking, social media habits, and excessive screen time. She breaks down how dopamine, anticipation, and unpredictable rewards can create powerful habit loops that keep adults, teenagers, and children coming back to their screens.

Drawing from her own experience with social media and her background in addiction and recovery, Janice looks at something deeper than screen time: Why do we reach for our phones when we’re bored, lonely, anxious, uncomfortable, or frustrated?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

3:01 - Why dopamine is about motivation, learning, and anticipation - not simply pleasure

5:50 - The Emotional Connection to Technology

8:56 - The Impact on Children

11:50 - Shifting the Conversation around Technology

14:45 - Practical tips for managing Technology

18:06 – Reflections on technology

This conversation isn’t about declaring technology bad or telling everyone to throw away their phones. It’s about becoming more intentional about how technology affects our brains, emotions, relationships, and ability to tolerate discomfort.

Essential listening for parents, educators, behavioral health professionals, people in recovery, and anyone who wants a healthier relationship with technology.

Please like and subscribe, and check out my website for more resources, a blog, and links to free downloads at https://www.janicejohnsondowd.com/

If you are interested in learning more about or purchasing the book, Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D11SD3PJ?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Social media accounts include

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

https://www.instagram.com/janicejohnsondowd/

https://www.instagram.com/recoveringrelationshipspodcast/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-dowd-b748b141/

#DigitalDopamine #PhoneAddiction #SocialMediaAddiction #ScreenTime #DigitalWellbeing #TeenMentalHealth #ProblematicTechnologyUse

When addiction damages trust, rebuilding it takes more than an apology. It takes time, consistency, honesty, and actions that family members can begin to rely on again.

Katie and I originally recorded this conversation a year ago, but the message feels just as important today. We’ve condensed it into this 25-minute episode focused on what it really takes to rebuild trust after addiction. We share both sides of rebuilding trust after addiction. Janice brings her perspective as a social worker, author, and mother in long-term recovery, while Katie shares what rebuilding trust looked and felt like from an adult child's perspective.

Together, they talk about what trust really means, why forgiveness and trust aren't the same, and how small, consistent actions can gradually rebuild a sense of safety in relationships.

You’ll hear practical strategies for rebuilding trust, including setting reasonable expectations, communicating more clearly, making meaningful apologies, respecting another person’s feelings and boundaries, and making regular deposits into what Janice calls the “trust bank.”

Most importantly, this conversation reminds us that trust isn’t rebuilt through promises about what we’re going to do. It’s rebuilt by what we consistently do over time.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction
02:45 – The Importance of Rebuilding Trust
06:09 – Defining Trust in Relationships
10:47 – Steps to Rebuild Trust
13:56 – Tips for Making an Apology
17:17 – Building Trust: Practical Examples
23:51 – Call to Action

Janice Johnson Dowd, LMSW, is the author of Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery and brings both professional and personal experience to conversations about addiction, recovery, and family healing. Katie Dowd Walker brings the perspective of an adult child affected by addiction and shares candidly about what helped their relationship heal.

Please like and subscribe, and check out my website for more resources, a blog, and links to free downloads at https://www.janicejohnsondowd.com/

If you are interested in learning more about or purchasing the book, Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D11SD3PJ?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Social media accounts include

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

https://www.instagram.com/janicejohnsondowd/

https://www.instagram.com/recoveringrelationshipspodcast/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-dowd-b748b141/

How do you convince someone you love to get help for addiction? The answer may be the opposite of what you think.

When we’re frightened, angry, and desperate for someone to change, it’s easy to believe that if we can just make them understand how much damage they’ve caused, they’ll finally agree to treatment. But shame may actually make it harder for someone to ask for help.

In this episode, Janice Johnson Dowd explores a different approach, one built on compassion, honesty, accountability, and hope.

You’ll learn:

• Why shame may already be hiding beneath denial, anger, and defensiveness
• How to address destructive behavior without attacking the person
• The important difference between accountability and shame
• How compassion and firm boundaries can exist at the same time
• Why hope matters when someone is considering treatment
• Practical ways to make saying “yes” to help a little easier

Compassion doesn’t mean ignoring the damage addiction has caused, removing consequences, or pretending everything is okay. You can tell the truth, protect yourself, and set strong boundaries while still communicating one powerful message:

You are more than your addiction. You are worthy of help. And recovery is still possible.

Sometimes the first step toward treatment isn’t a dramatic breakthrough. Sometimes it’s simply helping someone believe they’re worth saving—and making the next step feel possible.

#AddictionRecovery #FamilyRecovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #AddictionTreatment #RecoverySupport #FamilyHealing

Please like and subscribe, and check out my website for more resources, a blog, and links to free downloads at https://www.janicejohnsondowd.com/

If you are interested in learning more or purchasing my book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D11SD3PJ?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Social media accounts include

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

https://www.instagram.com/janicejohnsondowd/

https://www.instagram.com/recoveringrelationshipspodcast/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-dowd-b748b141/