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Do we addicts have a disease? For real? How do we know that?
Whether it's opiates, cocaine, alcohol, methamphetamines, nicotine, gambling, food, or any other possible addiction whether behavioral or substance originated...this video CONVINCED me addiction is a brain disease. I have already been doing extensive research to better understand myself , other addicts in my life and addiction in general, but this video??? It's the bomb diggity, guys! I mean it......it made me laugh, cry, understand things I have ALWAYS questioned.
How do we KNOW it's a disease? Are we a dependent abuser/user or truly an addict? Why do we have cravings?
What makes the cravings intensify and drive us crazy (like for me the past few weeks?) Really? For Real?
Why do our personalities and interests change? Why do we do things we would never find ourselves EVER doing if it wasn't for the addiction? Behaviors and things considered "morally wrong"?....are we bad people?
I have two addicts in my family that I love with all my heart and soul. I helped them both A LOT when I was newly clean....almost too much...risking my own recovery by wearing myself out. But you know what, they both CONVINCED me they wanted their children back....and they were gonna stay clean when they got out of jail/prison THIS time. One is back in jail being held by the feds....the other is MIA and out using again and making no contact with our family or his children. I was really trippin about this....and I'M A DRUG ADDICT MYSELF, guys!! But I allowed myself to develop "an attitude" and it's been creating TONS of stress. I love them SO MUCH....and after I watched this video, I balled my eyes out.....and I told my husband..."Honey, I can't believe it....I understand them NOW" You see, they are both methamphetamine addicts, one has been since she was 12 yr old and she's 38 now!
I thought I understood A LOT before......but now, guys? You just gotta find an hr in your life to watch this.
It is a long video, yes. About 1:12:38 running time. But I promise, it will be the best hour you could spend if you have an interest in addiction. There is an introductory speaker at the beginning because the keynote speaker is at a seminar of some kind. I was GLUED to it. I learned SO MUCH. This information has just been published in the last 3 to 5 yrs so some treatment centers and outpatient facilities are most likely using it. But what about all of us that don't know about it? Every single person, addict, non-addict, wife, husband, parent, that loves an addict or IS an addict HAS to watch this. I've seen clips of this guy's videos before...but not THIS ONE!!!
I feel transformed after watching it....like an enlightenment. Blessed me BIG TIME. Don't let the title throw you.....it's about addiction being provable as a disease.....it starts off a tad slow....but watch it ALL.....please. I'm sending the link to every person I know. Some, maybe most, may not carve out the hr of time to watch it.....but at least I passed it on. Right? Can't control others....only me, myself and I.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hz6-2NwRzE
It makes me appreciate every struggling, suffering, addict ALL THE MORE.
God bless you all, each and everyone of you~
Connie
How do we KNOW it's a disease? Are we a dependent abuser/user or truly an addict? Why do we have cravings?
What makes the cravings intensify and drive us crazy (like for me the past few weeks?) Really? For Real?
Why do our personalities and interests change? Why do we do things we would never find ourselves EVER doing if it wasn't for the addiction? Behaviors and things considered "morally wrong"?....are we bad people?
I have two addicts in my family that I love with all my heart and soul. I helped them both A LOT when I was newly clean....almost too much...risking my own recovery by wearing myself out. But you know what, they both CONVINCED me they wanted their children back....and they were gonna stay clean when they got out of jail/prison THIS time. One is back in jail being held by the feds....the other is MIA and out using again and making no contact with our family or his children. I was really trippin about this....and I'M A DRUG ADDICT MYSELF, guys!! But I allowed myself to develop "an attitude" and it's been creating TONS of stress. I love them SO MUCH....and after I watched this video, I balled my eyes out.....and I told my husband..."Honey, I can't believe it....I understand them NOW" You see, they are both methamphetamine addicts, one has been since she was 12 yr old and she's 38 now!
I thought I understood A LOT before......but now, guys? You just gotta find an hr in your life to watch this.
It is a long video, yes. About 1:12:38 running time. But I promise, it will be the best hour you could spend if you have an interest in addiction. There is an introductory speaker at the beginning because the keynote speaker is at a seminar of some kind. I was GLUED to it. I learned SO MUCH. This information has just been published in the last 3 to 5 yrs so some treatment centers and outpatient facilities are most likely using it. But what about all of us that don't know about it? Every single person, addict, non-addict, wife, husband, parent, that loves an addict or IS an addict HAS to watch this. I've seen clips of this guy's videos before...but not THIS ONE!!!
I feel transformed after watching it....like an enlightenment. Blessed me BIG TIME. Don't let the title throw you.....it's about addiction being provable as a disease.....it starts off a tad slow....but watch it ALL.....please. I'm sending the link to every person I know. Some, maybe most, may not carve out the hr of time to watch it.....but at least I passed it on. Right? Can't control others....only me, myself and I.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hz6-2NwRzE
It makes me appreciate every struggling, suffering, addict ALL THE MORE.
God bless you all, each and everyone of you~
Connie
I think the most important reason to 'officially' classify addiction as a disease has many implications. It is likely that helping the addict is not the central goal of the argument. I think this information will influence doctor's view of addicts more than addicts view of themselves. With all the ideas and theories from Dr. Silkworth and Dr Bob to Dr Freud and Terence Girski we have developed skills to regulate dopamine. those tools work. What I see is an attempt to stop punishing addicts and treating them like everyone else. Rosa Parks stubborness was not about riding a bus in a particular seat, she was standing up for equal services, rights, human dignity. it is irrelavent if we think it is a disease, but it sure would change how doctors behave. perhaps they will be held accountable for the drugs they sell. Who knows but father time? I think that video and his legal approach is needed. The knowledge, even if I chose the disease, helps me understand how I could have done so many bad things. It does not justify, but it helps me know myself better. That is what recovery is all about. Great discussion.
I took the liberty of taking notes to write a short summary for those who find the video to long to watch. I will do my best to be objective.
Dr. Kevin McCauley has spent many years researching the "Choice" VS "Disease" argument pertaining to addiction.
Dr. McCauley talks about a portion of our brain called the "Midbrain" and how studies were done on mice all the way up to large primates where these animals were given cocaine and were able to push a button to get more. They monitored the animals who became addicted to the substance and neglected eating etc.
McCauley then pointed out that "mice have no personality" so the argument that people use drugs because they have no morals or dont care or have family issues, etc... is wrong but the mice used regardless. (As well as other test subjects)
correlation from causation
You dont need to be bad to turn into an addict.
At around 53 minutes into the video, McCauley says:
"Addiction is a stress induced defect in the brains ability to properly perceive pleasure"
He says our pleasure threshold has been raised and therefore when we arent using we are incapable of feeling pleasure.
He says, "Anhedonia: Pleasure "deafness" The patient is no longer able to derive normal pleasure from those things that have been pleasurable in the past.
McCauley then talks about the Frontal Cortex which is where we form morals. He says that when addicts are placed into an MRI and shown video of drug use that the Frontal Cortex of there brain that controls things like morals...shuts down and the Midbrain lights up. This is the part that tells the addict it must use to survive and since the Frontal Cortex has shut down, its why addicts do things that land them in jail.
The Dopamine Hypothesis of addiction.
Very compelling video and argument...hope people can watch it
Thanks again Clean_In_Kansas!
Dr. Kevin McCauley has spent many years researching the "Choice" VS "Disease" argument pertaining to addiction.
Dr. McCauley talks about a portion of our brain called the "Midbrain" and how studies were done on mice all the way up to large primates where these animals were given cocaine and were able to push a button to get more. They monitored the animals who became addicted to the substance and neglected eating etc.
McCauley then pointed out that "mice have no personality" so the argument that people use drugs because they have no morals or dont care or have family issues, etc... is wrong but the mice used regardless. (As well as other test subjects)
correlation from causation
You dont need to be bad to turn into an addict.
At around 53 minutes into the video, McCauley says:
"Addiction is a stress induced defect in the brains ability to properly perceive pleasure"
He says our pleasure threshold has been raised and therefore when we arent using we are incapable of feeling pleasure.
He says, "Anhedonia: Pleasure "deafness" The patient is no longer able to derive normal pleasure from those things that have been pleasurable in the past.
McCauley then talks about the Frontal Cortex which is where we form morals. He says that when addicts are placed into an MRI and shown video of drug use that the Frontal Cortex of there brain that controls things like morals...shuts down and the Midbrain lights up. This is the part that tells the addict it must use to survive and since the Frontal Cortex has shut down, its why addicts do things that land them in jail.
The Dopamine Hypothesis of addiction.
Very compelling video and argument...hope people can watch it
Thanks again Clean_In_Kansas!
Great Evan ! Annie also an awesome post ! I really do not care whether it is a disease either. I personally don't think that it is in league with heart disease or cancer and others. I just really like the science behind it. It is somehow comforting to know a part of myself better. I guess that's the only way I can describe it. I am thinking that if you just split the word in half and make the roots DIS -EASE meaning lack or abscence of ease then yes,my history and desire for escape through substance is definitely that sometimes. ;)
clean_in_ks, thanks for opening up this discussion. I viewed this thread when you first posted it but wanted to watch the video before I responded. The video was long so I had to make time for it. I just finished watching it and took notes throughout it.
I think Dr. McCauley gave an awesome presentation and was very convincing. I personally dont have an opinion on whether addiction is a "disease" or a choice. I know that growing up....I was told that it was a disease by my parents and in programs but never really took the time to research it. I just rolled with it. Ive read the "A Million Little Pieces" book by James Frey that McCauley referred to that addiction is a choice as well as other literature in that aspect. I watched "intervention" last night and the interventionist talked about treating the underlying problem which was allegedly why this girl was using. Not because of dopamine shortage or anything physiological, but rather family issues she was having. Just because he says its so does it make it so? Probably not! Can there be truth to it? Probably so!
I can only speak from my own life's experiences....nobody elses. I do know that Ive managed to stay clean for 3+ years but by only addressing my "underlying" issues. The argument that McCauley makes is that when we use, our dopamine threshold rises and therefore we as addicts are incapable of experiencing pleasure and therefore crave drugs. He then goes on to say that many addicts replace drugs with others like nicotine and caffeine which release dopamine to replace our DOC. Like said above, Im only talking about my own life experience but I dont smoke at all or do anything in excess for that matter so if this theory is true...then how can I be clean AND happy? Am I not really an addict? Am I one of the addicts that can just stop after getting in trouble as McCauley referred to a man stopping after 1 DUI? Well, in examining mine own history I have done things like share needles knowing I could catch disease and have gotten high knowing Id test dirty at parole they next day...I couldnt stop. So, in McCauleys definition, Id have the disease of addiction. If so, then how do I live my life with no cravings and Im happy?
Im not saying addiction isnt a disease or that it is...Im saying for me, I dont have an opinion on the matter. The only thing I know is that above all else...its a PROBLEM that needs constant attention and awareness.
I think Dr. McCauley gave an awesome presentation and was very convincing. I personally dont have an opinion on whether addiction is a "disease" or a choice. I know that growing up....I was told that it was a disease by my parents and in programs but never really took the time to research it. I just rolled with it. Ive read the "A Million Little Pieces" book by James Frey that McCauley referred to that addiction is a choice as well as other literature in that aspect. I watched "intervention" last night and the interventionist talked about treating the underlying problem which was allegedly why this girl was using. Not because of dopamine shortage or anything physiological, but rather family issues she was having. Just because he says its so does it make it so? Probably not! Can there be truth to it? Probably so!
I can only speak from my own life's experiences....nobody elses. I do know that Ive managed to stay clean for 3+ years but by only addressing my "underlying" issues. The argument that McCauley makes is that when we use, our dopamine threshold rises and therefore we as addicts are incapable of experiencing pleasure and therefore crave drugs. He then goes on to say that many addicts replace drugs with others like nicotine and caffeine which release dopamine to replace our DOC. Like said above, Im only talking about my own life experience but I dont smoke at all or do anything in excess for that matter so if this theory is true...then how can I be clean AND happy? Am I not really an addict? Am I one of the addicts that can just stop after getting in trouble as McCauley referred to a man stopping after 1 DUI? Well, in examining mine own history I have done things like share needles knowing I could catch disease and have gotten high knowing Id test dirty at parole they next day...I couldnt stop. So, in McCauleys definition, Id have the disease of addiction. If so, then how do I live my life with no cravings and Im happy?
Im not saying addiction isnt a disease or that it is...Im saying for me, I dont have an opinion on the matter. The only thing I know is that above all else...its a PROBLEM that needs constant attention and awareness.
Well back in Sept when I saw the first video from this DR it got me on a runner to learn all I can about this disease and it does help me to understand alot more now. But the damage is done and all I can do is Pray that my God will keep healing me. So I do have to keep going to my meetings and talk with other addicts too! I now am more focused on my God. Like good and evil. This is a on going process and it does take a lot of work to keep it this way.The info has been a good one for me to realize how much damage these Substance can do and how the Pleasure part of the brain can get so going again with Just One! But as addicts we know this can happen at any given moment anyway. So I am just moving on toward my Recovery with others, But the info has been a life savior too! But like I said too..Should of..Could of..Maybe if I new this way back when things might have been different.But the past is the past and it is time to get out of the Addict thinking to the Clean thinking. I will always try to learn anything and everything about this area of our disease. But like I said it is time to move forward too!!!
Bless
Bless
Sarah, That's an Excellent Question!
This has definitely underscored the importance of the ways I deal with stress/drama (life-time bugaboos for me.) It's also made me rethink the people I'm willing to allow into my life/surround myself in terms of stress levels & emotional vampirism.
But, most importantly, as I mentioned above, it Underscores the futility of the fallacious notion that I might ever be 'safe' in taking anything because of the way my brain is wired. Far from giving me an excuse (because I find the term 'disease' useless & it's an old, tired & fraught argument in this context.) it removes it. Besides, if I had cancer or diabetes, I'd be fighting back there, too. I'm convinced that attitude/outlook & not simply giving in go a long way in separating those who succumb & those who don't (naturally, there are other factors!) Anyway, so far, those are my thoughts re: the video.
Thanks!
Annie
This has definitely underscored the importance of the ways I deal with stress/drama (life-time bugaboos for me.) It's also made me rethink the people I'm willing to allow into my life/surround myself in terms of stress levels & emotional vampirism.
But, most importantly, as I mentioned above, it Underscores the futility of the fallacious notion that I might ever be 'safe' in taking anything because of the way my brain is wired. Far from giving me an excuse (because I find the term 'disease' useless & it's an old, tired & fraught argument in this context.) it removes it. Besides, if I had cancer or diabetes, I'd be fighting back there, too. I'm convinced that attitude/outlook & not simply giving in go a long way in separating those who succumb & those who don't (naturally, there are other factors!) Anyway, so far, those are my thoughts re: the video.
Thanks!
Annie
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