Addiction. That’s a heavy subject. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I try really hard not to be too heavy in life. I’ve also always struggled with the idea that addiction is a disease…that seemed like a cop-out to me. For that reason, I have never been willing to call my particular addictions a disease.
To begin with this topic, I had to do some reading and have a discussion with a qualified mental health professional. Well, to be totally honest, I first had to channel my inner Penelope Garcia (any fellow Criminal Minds fans picking up what I’m putting down?). I started my investigation distraught with all the serious material I was finding. I had to change my mindset. “Addiction humor” it is! I was pleasantly surprised to find useful materials. There was everything from humorous quotes and cartoons to scientific studies of the benefits of humor in treating addiction!
One video I found particularly interesting was: Laughing at Addiction – the science of using humor to heal. | Jessica Landon |
In it, Jessica covers some basics in her own words and through the lens of her own experiences with addiction.
She lays out the 4 “Cs” of addiction:1. Compulsive use2. Loss of Control3. Continued use, despite harm4. Cravings
Here are some further highlights from my addiction education deep-dive:
- Addiction, in any form –food, gambling, sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.– creates changes in the reward circuitry of the brain.
- Addiction fundamentally changes the brain’s natural dopamine levels and creates other neuroadaptations that ultimately lead to an inability to resist or to even have a choice about using.
- Genetic factors can make up to 50% of predisposing factors toward addiction vulnerability.
- Environmental factors are also significant indicators, for example:
-40% of kids who begin drinking by age 15 will become alcoholics. To put that in perspective: only 7% of individuals who begin drinking at age 21 become alcoholics.
In short, I discovered that I had to change my point of view about the word “disease” from something you’re born with and in which you have neither choice nor responsibility – likeCerebral Palsy, for example – to something caused by a combination of genetics and poor choices – like smoking-induced lung cancer or alcoholism.
How about you?
What are your thoughts and beliefs about addiction?
Does any of this information change how you view yourself or others who may struggle with certain addictions?
Who might you know that may be struggling with addiction?
Could you benefit from more education on this subject?
Let’s digest these questions this week and reflect on our own life and surroundings when it comes to “addiction” then dive back in next week for more scientific and therapy-driven techniques on addressing addictive behaviors in ourselves and others.
**Here is something to make you laugh today:
John Mulaney – All the Different Types of Addiction – YouTube
If you feel you struggle with any sort of addiction that you need help conquering -big or small- please come visit our clinic in Prairieville or call 225-254-9589 to set up an appointment via telehealth.