NEUROSCIENCE and ADDICTION Marc Lewis is the neuroscientist who recently stated in an interview with the Globe and Mail that addiction is not a disease, but is, rather, an exaggerated form of learning, an example of very normal brain activity. Lewis has just written a book (to be released on August 4th), titled “The Biology of Desire” and which looks at the neuroscience of addiction, mixing personal narratives with scientific data. His interest in addiction sprang from his addiction to opiates when he was in his 20s. Lewis says that the … [Read more...]
Facing Addiction
If you are ready to face an addiction – or any other obsession – then here is my challenge to you: In order to get back to a place of trust, you will have to learn to trust in other people, trust in yourself, trust in your own definition of God, your Higher Power, or Creator. If trust is a “bad” word for you, then find your own word that means or implies reliance on another person or entity. Please answer this: What might trust have to do with the solution to your current problem? At the very least, in order to be free of an unhealthy … [Read more...]
Gambling Addictions
What is moderate risk gambling? Gambling Addictions can effect anyone. There is increasing recognition that gambling problems follow a scale, ranging from no gambling related problems to those with minor problems, to those experiencing severe problems. Moderate risk gambling refers to a level of gambling involvement that is starting to have a negative impact on the gambler and/or their family. At this point, the gambler or a family member may have some thoughts or feelings that begin to question the level of gambling involvement. The answer … [Read more...]
Obsessions Part Two
More Obsessions continued from Part One The Signs of Problematic Computer Use A person who is "addicted" to the computer is likely to have several of the experiences and feelings on the list below: How many of them describe you? You have mixed feelings of well-being and guilt while at the computer. You make unsuccessful efforts to quit or limit your computer use. You lose track of time while on the computer. You neglect friends, family and/or responsibilities in order to be online. When you are not on the computer, you think … [Read more...]
Obsessions (and how to deal with them)
Do you have any obsessions? How do you deal with them? Alcohol The words “alcohol dependence” or “addiction” are often used without a definition. Alcohol or drug addictions means that a person’s alcohol or other drug use has reached the point that the person cannot use without loss of control through overuse, which can produce adverse consequences in significant life areas. The addicted person often develops a psychological and/or physical dependence upon the substance. An addicted person will continue to use the substance in the face of … [Read more...]
Cutting Bad Habits & Addictions – Part Two
Cutting Bad Habits & Addictions As we said in part one of this post, it’s not the brain that does it; your brain is simply the organ that shows the effects of what you believe. Like a chart. That is why NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) is so effective compared to other methods that don’t get to the mental root of the problem. It allows smokers to change what they believe about smoking and about themselves. NLP habit-change programs use statements and word pictures that paint mental images designed to get you to stop getting the … [Read more...]