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Addicted Brains

A neuroscientist examines life on drugs.

Self-Control
How to "Just Say No" to Drugs with Self-Compassion

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on May 14, 2018

It's hard to keep saying no to drugs. Besides the strain of ego fatigue, the harsh internal critic makes you want to rebel. Changing the internal dialogue can work wonders.

It's hard to keep saying no to drugs. Besides the strain of ego fatigue, the harsh internal critic makes you want to rebel. Changing the internal dialogue can work wonders.

Relapse
The Rise and Fall of Craving

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on December 14, 2017

People return to their addiction again and again, and this "relapse" tendency is powered by craving. How can we hold out against it?

People return to their addiction again and again, and this "relapse" tendency is powered by craving. How can we hold out against it?

Addiction
Drug Habits Can Switch Way Too Fast

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on September 11, 2017

Addiction isn't permanent. It can be reversed -- with practice. Unfortunately, the habits that replace it may not be permanent either.

Addiction isn't permanent. It can be reversed -- with practice. Unfortunately, the habits that replace it may not be permanent either.

Addiction
How Your Addict Self Shares Your Brain

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on July 30, 2017

Our brains can switch modes of functioning, which may feel like slipping into different selves. But the fact that it's normal doesn't mean it's not serious.

Our brains can switch modes of functioning, which may feel like slipping into different selves. But the fact that it's normal doesn't mean it's not serious.

Addiction
Recovery (like Addiction) Relies on Neuroplasticity

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on December 7, 2015

Recovery requires changes in thinking and feeling — which rely on brain change or "neuroplasticity." Luckily, plasticity is a fundamental feature of the human brain.

Recovery requires changes in thinking and feeling — which rely on brain change or "neuroplasticity." Luckily, plasticity is a fundamental feature of the human brain.

Addiction
What's Wrong with Treating the "Disease" of Addiction?

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on November 11, 2015

Addicts need empowerment and self-direction in order to change. But the medicalization of addiction turns them into patients: obedient, passive, and powerless.

Addicts need empowerment and self-direction in order to change. But the medicalization of addiction turns them into patients: obedient, passive, and powerless.

Religion
Religion and Addiction: Void-Fillers?

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on May 26, 2015

When addicts face the prospect of permanent abstinence, they stare into a frightening abyss. But that's not so different from the experience of religious people who are losing their faith. For both, the neural circuitry of desire has been harnessed to a fundamental need for connection. And that's a terrible thing to lose.

When addicts face the prospect of permanent abstinence, they stare into a frightening abyss. But that's not so different from the experience of religious people who are losing their faith. For both, the neural circuitry of desire has been harnessed to a fundamental need for connection. And that's a terrible thing to lose.

Addiction
What if Addiction Is the Only Game in Town?

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on May 9, 2015

Giving up booze or drugs, getting sober, might sound like a good idea. Unless there's nothing else available to provide you with meaning and warmth. Without those alternatives, getting straight is like looking into a dust-storm. There's nothing to see except greyness and formlessness -- and that can be terrifying.

Giving up booze or drugs, getting sober, might sound like a good idea. Unless there's nothing else available to provide you with meaning and warmth. Without those alternatives, getting straight is like looking into a dust-storm. There's nothing to see except greyness and formlessness -- and that can be terrifying.

Dreaming
When All Our Dreams Come True

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on December 25, 2014

The warmth and closeness that come our way during the holidays can cast a long shadow: loss, loneliness, and alienation. That makes Christmas a difficult time for ex- and recovering addicts. Because drugs and other addictions promise to fill the hole.

The warmth and closeness that come our way during the holidays can cast a long shadow: loss, loneliness, and alienation. That makes Christmas a difficult time for ex- and recovering addicts. Because drugs and other addictions promise to fill the hole.

Trust
The Key to Quitting: Self-Trust Part 2, Delay Discounting

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on December 17, 2013

Delay discounting is the tendency to overvalue immediate rewards at the expense of long-term benefits, and addicts are particularly prone. Their messed-up dopamine system makes their drug, drink or behavior of choice seem way too attractive. To overcome delay discounting, addicts need to find a future self they can rely on.

Delay discounting is the tendency to overvalue immediate rewards at the expense of long-term benefits, and addicts are particularly prone. Their messed-up dopamine system makes their drug, drink or behavior of choice seem way too attractive. To overcome delay discounting, addicts need to find a future self they can rely on.

Trust
The Key to Quitting: Self-Trust Part 1, Ego Depletion

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on November 14, 2013

Self-trust is extremely difficult for addicts to find, but when they find it, they also find a pivot point in their battle against addiction. Self-control works very differently when you talk to yourself like a coach instead of a critic.

Self-trust is extremely difficult for addicts to find, but when they find it, they also find a pivot point in their battle against addiction. Self-control works very differently when you talk to yourself like a coach instead of a critic.

Addiction
Running on Empty: Eating Disorders as Addictions

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on July 22, 2013

Are eating disorders a type of behavioral addiction? Might they even constitute a special case of substance addiction? After all, food is a substance you put inside you to make yourself feel better. As far as your brain is concerned, it's the context that makes the difference between consumption and addiction.

Are eating disorders a type of behavioral addiction? Might they even constitute a special case of substance addiction? After all, food is a substance you put inside you to make yourself feel better. As far as your brain is concerned, it's the context that makes the difference between consumption and addiction.

OCD
The Common Denominator of All Addictions

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on July 1, 2013

Substance addictions and behavioral addictions are defined by compulsion—an urge that's very hard to turn off. So is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In fact, addictions and OCD appear to be members of the same family, whose characteristics include brain mechanisms underlying conditioned responses to recurring stimuli and the breakdown of cognitive control.

Substance addictions and behavioral addictions are defined by compulsion—an urge that's very hard to turn off. So is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In fact, addictions and OCD appear to be members of the same family, whose characteristics include brain mechanisms underlying conditioned responses to recurring stimuli and the breakdown of cognitive control.

Sex
Behavioral Addictions vs. Substance Addictions

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on June 17, 2013

All addictions—whether to drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, or internet games—have a lot in common. They not only feel the same to the person who can't seem to stop, but there's not much difference in what's happening in the brain.

All addictions—whether to drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, or internet games—have a lot in common. They not only feel the same to the person who can't seem to stop, but there's not much difference in what's happening in the brain.

Addiction
Addicts Don't Have a Monopoly on Craving, Say the Buddhists

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on March 25, 2013

Buddhism teaches us that giving into craving just reinforces the cycle of human suffering, and nowhere is this more apparent than in addiction. Neuroscience research provides a complementary message: the brain has to work extra hard NOT to do what's right in front of you. The take-home message? It's probably worth the effort.

Buddhism teaches us that giving into craving just reinforces the cycle of human suffering, and nowhere is this more apparent than in addiction. Neuroscience research provides a complementary message: the brain has to work extra hard NOT to do what's right in front of you. The take-home message? It's probably worth the effort.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Real Recovery is Always Developmental!

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on February 2, 2013

Maybe some 12-step groups promote a static state of anxiety to ward off addictive impulses. But for people to recover thoroughly, to move on from being an addict, stasis won't do. Real recovery must be a developmental process, whereby synaptic re-wiring and personal growth change the way you think and act.

Maybe some 12-step groups promote a static state of anxiety to ward off addictive impulses. But for people to recover thoroughly, to move on from being an addict, stasis won't do. Real recovery must be a developmental process, whereby synaptic re-wiring and personal growth change the way you think and act.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Does 12-step Treatment Work by Inducing PTSD?

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on January 16, 2013

Nobody really knows how the 12-step approach works. But some who've tried AA or NA don't like the price they end up paying. Like PTSD sufferers, group members may stay clean by remaining anxious and vigilant — too scared to go backward and too stuck to move forward.

Nobody really knows how the 12-step approach works. But some who've tried AA or NA don't like the price they end up paying. Like PTSD sufferers, group members may stay clean by remaining anxious and vigilant — too scared to go backward and too stuck to move forward.

Stress
Narcotics Anonymous Groups Give Out Opioids

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on November 25, 2012

You probably didn't think it was possible. It's scandalous! Providing opioids for the very people trying so desperately to get off them? But there have to be neurochemicals in the milk of human kindness, or our brains wouldn't get the point of connecting with other people.

You probably didn't think it was possible. It's scandalous! Providing opioids for the very people trying so desperately to get off them? But there have to be neurochemicals in the milk of human kindness, or our brains wouldn't get the point of connecting with other people.

Relationships
A 12-Step Rest Stop for Heroin Addicts

Marc Lewis Ph.D. on November 1, 2012

I'd become quite skeptical about the 12-step monopoly of the addiction field, based on gruesome personal stories and reportedly poor success rates. But joining a meeting of Narcotics Anonymous (in the north of England) brought on some new insights.

I'd become quite skeptical about the 12-step monopoly of the addiction field, based on gruesome personal stories and reportedly poor success rates. But joining a meeting of Narcotics Anonymous (in the north of England) brought on some new insights.