Resolutions and Addiction
(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)
Addiction is about not being able to maintain boundaries, follow though on commitments and being able to self-soothe in a healthy way. When we are unable to say no and follow through on the no......(such as over-commiting ourselves to things), when we are unwilling to sacrifice an extra hour of sleep on a cold morning to go to the gym, or when we say "just one more time" or I will start this next week, we are engaging in a dangerous addictive cycle. We become stuck in the same behaviors to which Sisyphus was condemned by the ancient Greek Gods. His punishment for crimes against the Gods, was to eternally roll a large boulder up a hill and upon reaching the summit of the hill with great exertion, the boulder would roll to the bottom of the hill. This was considered by all to be not only backbreaking work, but the added frustration of the fruitlessness of the effort in the end.
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Addiction Treatment and Neuroplasticity
(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)
Neuroplasticity is the alteration of neural pathways due to changes in behavior, environment and thinking processes. New research is making discoveries about brain functions that were previously believed to be impossible in relation to neuroplasticity. It was not so long ago that the scientific community thought neuroplasticity within an adult brain was impossible.
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Losing Weight, Rock Bottom, Addictions, and Resolutions
(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)
To better care four ourselves we need to pay attention to our physical, mental, social, and spiritual health and strive for a healthy balance amongst each of these dimensions. Caring for our physical health involves more than just exercising. We need to get adequate amounts of sleep, eat a healthy diet, and maintain good hygiene. Caring for our mental health includes reducing stress, finding healthy and positive experiences in our daily life, being mindful of the present situation, and doing things that help us stay mentally sharp. To care for our social needs we must engage in healthy activities with people who build us up and are positive influences on us; social isolation can lead to unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. Finally, caring for our spiritual health involves being able to see beyond ourselves and see the big picture. Spirituality involves being hopeful, recognizing our values, and doing things for the benefit of others. People may connect with spirituality by reading religious or inspirational texts, meditation or prayer, or by being in nature.
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(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)
At some point a person will come up against the question of “Am I out of control or could I control my behavior if I really desired to?” Many have come across this question and paused because there is no clear answer. It may be that they have been able to compartmentalize problem behaviors, telling themselves specific behavior does not affect the rest of their life or those around them- therefore they are in control. It may be that one is deeply shamed by what they have done and even admitting their behavior is unthinkable. Countless reasons exist for why it is be hard to define if a person is addicted or convince themselves they behave in ways of their own choosing.
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Tiny Habits Better Than Focusing on Big Changes
BJ Fogg, an instructor at Stanford, shares the idea that you can change by focusing on making super tiny changes instead of big ones, and then celebrating.
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Please share your thoughts about tiny habits in the reply area below.
(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)
The more I learn about the brain, the more I am in awe of how it explains human behavior and thought processes. Research on the brain helps us understand better why a person with an addiction can't just quit, and why it seems sometimes that we are hardwired to continue certain patterns despite their negative consequences. I am amazed at the hope that comes from understanding addiction in terms of a brain disease.Today I am going to focus on the neuron, which is the basic building block for the brain.
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What You Know About Addiction Might Be Wrong
In this TED talk, Journalist Johann Hari questions the real cause of addiction. Having a family history of addiction, he realized that he lacked answers to questions like: "What really causes addiction? Why do we carry on with this approach that doesn't seem to be working? Is there a better way out there that we can try instead?" So he went in search of answers, travelling thousands of miles and talking to a variety of people. What was his conculsion? "Almost everything we think we know about addiction is wrong."
[av_video src='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9DcIMGxMs' format='16-9' width='16' height='9' av_uid='av-o999']
Please share your thoughts about Johann Hari's talk in the comments below.
(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)
Here at the Institute for Research and Treatment of Addictive Disorders we take a keen interest in the topic of addiction. We witness on a daily basis the devastating impacts of addictive behavior in individual lives and in families, we observe the extraordinary struggle of the journey toward recovery, and we celebrate in the insights and victories that line the path of healing. As a result we want to understand, and help others to understand, what addiction really is.
How might we define addiction? Read More . . .
To Those Who Suffer Addiction, May You Rebuild Your Lives, Gain Hope, and Heal
Paradise Creek Recovery Center is associated with The Institute for Research and Treatment of Addictive Disorders (IRATAD). Here is a segment of their introductory blog post:
Our hope, dreams and desire is that we can aid those individuals and families that are suffering from the depths of addiction, to rebuild their lives, to gain hope for a better future and to heal from this devastating illness that holds them bound. We want to disseminate information to the world that addictions are a brain disorder and have literally changed the way that the brain functions. We wish to offer hope, through education and treatment, to all those suffering or who have loved ones suffering from an addiction, that healing is possible.
Read more of the blog here...
The Biochemistry of Addiction
There are many different parts of the brain with literally billions of different cells. As the different parts of the brain work together in harmony, optimal levels of functioning is achieved. Emotional and psychological trauma can changes the literal cellular structure of the brain. Addiction is a sign that some type of trauma has occurred, even if it is the substance or addictive process itself.
This handout discusses different parts of the brain. Research shows that each of these parts of the brain are involved in addictive and trauma process. Understanding the role that each part of the brain plays will help you as you engage in your healing process.
The cerebral cortex - This is the smart part of the brain. This is the brain that knows what to do in certain situations. This type of the brain knows how to avoid the addiction.
The limbic system - This is the emotional brain. It is made up of the following parts:
- Amydala - This influences areas that meet the body’s needs such as eating, sex, and the emotion of anger.
- Hippocampus - This part of the brain is involved in learning, memory, recognition of new things, and spacial relationships. This part of the brain helps to sort out what relevant aspects of events or facts will be stored.
- The Thalamus - This is the relay station of the brain. This part of the brain sorts, interprets, and directors sensory signals received from the spinal chord and midbrain to the cerebral cortex.
- Nucleus Accumbens - This part of the brain is what is known as the “reward” or pleasure center of the brain. This part of the brain is reinforced by neurotransmitters to help insure that life sustaining activities are repeated. When ever an individual eats, drinks, or engages in sexual activity, dopamine is released into this part of the brain and the individual experiences the sensation of pleasure. This is what is done when you engage in the addictive process.
Due to the biochemistry of addiction and trauma, an individual can experience a trigger and the emotional brain can react before the cognitive brain has a chance to even interpret what took place. This is the addictive and traumatic process. Treatment is about retraining the brain to employ the entire system of the brain so that it can all work together and hence increase an individuals ability to be healthy.