The Root Cause Of Addiction Is This! - How To Heal Your Trauma & Change Your Life | Dr. Gabor Maté

Dr. Gabor Maté is a retired physician who spent 20 years in family practice and worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. He is the bestselling author of five books published in thirty languages, including his latest book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Gabby Bernstein is a #1 New York Times Best Selling author and has written books such as “Super Attractor“ and “The Universe Has Your Back.” She is also the host of the popular “Dear Gabby” podcast where she provides real-time coaching advice as well as conversations with inspirational guests.
Peter Crone is known as "The Mind Architect" and is a life transformation expert and human performance coach who helps people overcome their limiting beliefs and reprogram their subconscious mind so that they can reach their full potential. His clients have included world class entertainers, elite professional athletes and top level business executives.
Dr. Nicole LePera is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestselling Book "How To Do The Work” and the recently released Bestselling “How to Meet Your Self” Workbook. She is the creator of the #SelfHealers movement and founded SelfHealers Circle, the first virtual self-guided healing membership where members in over 100 countries are joining together to heal in community. She is the host of the weekly ad-free podcast “SelfHealers Soundboard” with over 5 million downloads.
Dr. Julia DiGangi is a neuropsychologist, who completed her residency at Harvard Medical School, Boston University School of Medicine, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She has nearly two decades of experience studying the connection between our brains and our behavior. Dr. DiGangi has worked with leaders at The White House Press Office, global companies, international NGOs, and the US Special Forces. Her understanding of stress, trauma, and resilience is also informed by her work in international development and humanitarian aid, where she served some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠
Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help:
Emergency Medical Services-911
If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or suicideprevent....
SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and www.samhsa.gov

[@ChefBurns1]

Addiction is a hard thing to beat when you feel so down in life. It’s not easy. When you’re down which a lot of us are. You go towards pleasure. Even just a little amount is sometimes better than feeling awful all day.

[@Turtleback8024]

100% true!!!

[@Dementia-gq9hc]

MY MAN

[@jessecole1011]

I am an alcoholic and opiate addict. I've been clean for 5 years. I go religiously to AA. At the beginning of this talk, Dr. Mate hits the nail on the head. I had a very good relationship with my father. He remarried when I was 12. He and his wife were a match made in hell. Our relationship was crushed. This loss of my father, as I knew him, was a major reason for my need to drink and drug later in life. I had years of psychotherapy when I was in my 20's and 30"s. That helped immensely to focus on where my bad choices were coming from. EVERYONE CAN HEAL. If we do the work (psychological, medical, AA and NA) we can conquer our addictions.

[@tiagociriaco7380]

Addiction is being a solution to get free from the anxiety caused by the unconscious pain.

[@uapnewdiscoveryimages]

Apart from the trauma, perversely addiction creates a predictable routine that in itself can create comfort for the suffering addict. Even if it’s a chaotic routine it still provides some form of predictable outcome. It’s also frequently about an individual trying to establish (at the very least) a modicum of control when they actually feel like they don’t have any most of the time. Control is an illusion anyway, but psychologically self control or working towards something long term in positive ways leads to hope. Lack of hope, leads to anxiety which people seek to escape from and so they become stuck in an addictive cycle of repetitive addictive behaviors. Reminds me of OCD and repetitive rituals and distraction.

[@zeitakulobusta]

I feel some truth in this.....'just give me a direction, some kind of path. Stop the second-guessing and insecurity....even if it's a 'wrong' answer'

[@AmbientShores]

Very wise comment.

[@AlMawridHind]

Trauma is inner pain, a psychic wound, a wound on your soul invisible to medical world, only visible to you. Acknowledge it, be with it, accept it, lean to it with compassion, feel it fully, welcome the pain, breath in and breath out on top of it, make prayers for this wound, bring this wound to your consciousness, it feels like another part of your psyche integrate with this part, talk to it, embrace it...... isn't it all the healing modalities listed below addressing the same simple principle of feel the feelings fully and let it complete in your body and experience:- 1. TRE (Trauma Release Exercise) 2. Somatic Experiencing 3. Somatic Practicing 4. FOCUSING 5. VIPASANA 6. Embodying 7. Eckhart-shining light of consciousness 8. Shadow integration 9. Completion exercise 10. Compassionate Inquiry 11. Tapping 12. WuWei wisdom Acceptance 13. EMDR 14. Yoga 15. Inner Child healing 16. Gratitude Journal 17. CBT 18. Talk Therapy 19. IFST 20. IFST 21. Nervous System regulation

[@amelittaberretta9109]

Thank you Dr. mate for your words. Running from loneliness, lack of being understood!

[@shawn2350]

Best explanation I have ever heard of addiction and trauma!! Thank you!

[@anetagola5985]

This was, without a doubt, exactly what I needed today! You cannot be thanked enough, Dough, for bringing these extraordinary people and ideas to us. Thank you!

[@billsmith3593]

Thank you so much for this. It's exactly what I needed to hear on this Saturday.

[@BetaBuxDelux]

Alcohol (which I love) works until it doesn’t. It gives relief from the emptiness and the pain in my chest. :)

[@yoursofunnyman]

I also get a heavy weight and pain in my chest 💔 I’m always looking for things to ease that pain

[@ManBolo5432]

Relief

[@zeitakulobusta]

I did until I didn't. It did until it didn't. Stopping alcohol was the beginning of finding the clarity so things could start getting better. It took years but holy hell was it worth it. I love life every day, rain or shine. Even at 58 I relish and love and am so grateful for every single good day I have and have not a single regret for all the rest. If that was what it took, that was what it took.

[@AmbientShores]

"The Cure of Alcoholism" - by Roy Eskappa

[@Wishing_you_peace]

Is it depression ​@@yoursofunnyman

[@afterthestorm221]

Why is it so many of us still continue to struggle to understand the concepts covered the first five minutes of this podcast?

[@ShSy-ni6zq]

I know as an addict Addicts are dumb We also- if we get it-.. Amazing !!

[@afterthestorm221]

@@ShSy-ni6zq I guess I meant all the doctors that seem to be so puzzled as to why someone's addiction happens.

[@RobertaFierro-mc1ub]

Because we are living inside our limbic brain. It's also about the reward factor.

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

Guilt. Guilty feelings unconscious. The feeling of needing to flee the present; the past holding you hostage. _bc of GUILT._ Want to solve it? See a good hypnotherapist.

[@alanalycan3986]

Because sadly, so many people lack that level of intelligence & insight 😬. Maybe some of it is just the genes they were given, we can't expect deep thinking from someone who's not got that level of Cognitive ability 🤷‍♀️ bless'em.

[@bradleyriddell4745]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="88">1:28</a>:08: “The Observing Self” a book by Arthur Deikman, 1982…worth buying as its very relevant today, far more so than it was 40 years ago & puts flesh on the bones of this idea of observing your thoughts, feelings & emotions…👍🤗👌👏

[@governordog]

Thank you I'm adding it to my library

[@wanderer7437]

Thanks Doug for the fantastic speakers but mostly for the great questions!

[@piwemkhize6032]

Authenticity is not a luxury - thank you, Doc❤

[@Heretolearn21]

Good stuff! 🙌🏻

[@zeitakulobusta]

Fascinating. As someone well along in recovery from child/teenhood emotional trauma followed by long-term alcohol and drug abuse this absolutely makes sense. A side-question though - how does this tie in with non-addicted people who become addicted to opiates via prescribed drugs? Is it that those drugs finally soothed some trauma pain the user hadn't fully realised and they then keep coming back to relieve? Or is there a grey area where less critical trauma combines with the pharmacological 'pull' of the drug once used?

[@Audiobook876]

أعرف أنه سيكون فيديو رائع مادام مع دكتور جابور ماتي Thanks ❤

[@mediastudiesnetwork]

My addiction is KZbin. It stems from not having cable. What’s the cure?

[@robgau2501]

I had already thought, years ago, that it might work the way he describes it here. I almost started crying when he explained it because he affirmed what I'd thought. But this terrifies me. Am I going to live the rest of my life sober (5 years now) but miserable without fulfilled opiate receptors?

[@alanalycan3986]

The lovely blonde lady understands spirituality 🙏♥️ she is very connected, she understands

[@ReginaLefkos]

Beaten my a bf for 5 yrs at 18 Unloved and rejected by husband (not the abuser) for 7 years… went from being physically violated to not been touched at all. Cancer after 2nd baby at 30yrs old Divorce 2017 Father and soulmate dies after suicide attempt 2018 Covid 2019 Mother dies suddenly - past conversation was an argument. 2020 …. Locked in alone, home schooling 2 kids solo, not dealing with grief or anything else above (though I have actively attempted to through mental health professionals). Barely can finish a drink these days. Buy the drugs but barely have any in a single sitting… but enough to not feel the pain directly but enough knowing to be aware of the darkness sitting, idle but there always. No short term gains from any substance anymore, but feel like letting this empty, self harming, hopeless go would be another loss. Why? Don’t want to live a life wasted any more. Want to wake up, smile and feel peace. I want to live.

[@ysnaggle4712]

Bro looks like a mf bloodhound he badass af ngl acdc ilysm

[@thecrazycelt5143]

Ugh, I'd have to write a book if I talked about my trauma as a kid. I went to therapy after my dad died. After 3 years I felt good. I had forgiven an moved on. Then I got sick. I'm confused again. There's way more of a story, but I'd have to write a book. Pretty sure I would never get support.

[@robertwilson822]

Great info... Kinda click bait with pic of Dr. Gabor Maté but he only talks for 15 mins ...

[@GeraldineDevlin-y8u]

I wonder how prevalent that a one year old child would be negatively affected by a few months separation from mother. Wondering does this mean that the child was subject to neglect by the temporary carer ? ? ?

[@boxelder9167]

The child feels abandoned by the mother. The caregivers could do nothing wrong and the child could still interpret the mother’s absence as abandonment. The bond starts in the womb. My father was adopted at birth and struggled with feelings of rejection his whole life. He didn’t find out he was adopted until after he turned 18. Turns out that his mother was in an orphanage when she was pregnant with him and couldn’t keep her baby. It had nothing to do with his mother rejecting him only that she didn’t have any other options. My dad’s adoptive parents were some of the best people I ever met in my life. They raised him as their own. Back then they thought telling him would make him feel more traumatized so they tried to protect him from the feelings of rejection. I hope that helps clarify. My dad eventually found his birth mother but even though he understood that part of him never completely found peace with it.

[@rezkidgamingyt4725]

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this guy and I completely agree with him about addiction

[@Tr1pperz]

Can we get some timestamps please

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

1:23 5:53 10:12 28:54 33:24 1:33:56 1:55:12 You're welcome

[@RobertaFierro-mc1ub]

I know nothing about Mr. Probst. I did not know he was on oxy. Wow!

[@joanniemuskett3266]

Protectors naturally become less extreme and become their more natural 'selves' when they are unburdened. They don't need to be told what to do, the opposite is true, protectors will argue with other parts if you come at them with the same sort of energy.. See 'no bad parts' by Dick Schwartz for more info.

[@ciarraibuzz]

2 hours and 10 minutes. Couldn't this be cut down considerably?

[@bldsprt518]

Sure, in youtubes settings you can speed it up to 2X if you want..

[@RottenChain]

The headline is misleading I expected only Dr. Maté

[@healthylife4eva]

Is this an old podcast?

[@lizabrown6458]

What about addiction to prescription pain killers - you are taking them for pain relief maybe from surgery for example… there might be no trauma prior to that… it might be that withdrawal is too painful due to chamical changes in the body.

[@EdifyFM]

Great podcast. Unfortunate that the channel monetised this with gaming, plastic surgery and other addictive adverts every 5 minutes.

[@governordog]

😂

[@tQnOW]

youtube premium takes the ads away

[@TyroneCLove]

@@tQnOWfor a ridiculous fee

[@jasminfromgermany7960]

What about people who haven't got enough money to pay a therapist ? Are there therapists out there who help a few patients a month for less or no money because they have a good heart and want to help everybody, not only rich people? And I consider people rich who can afford a therapist.

[@-Finlander-]

In Finland therapy is Free. The happiest people in the world. 🇫🇮

[@jasminfromgermany7960]

@@-Finlander- thats wonderful! Health care is a human right so it should be free everywhere. - Therapists who can affotd it, should have the wish to help everybody and as an act of justice or act of human kindness should help also some people for less money or for free especially when they became rich.

[@tiagociriaco7380]

Solo therapy, helps

[@tiagociriaco7380]

If you are motivated to evolve, you will find rhe money.

[@chaoswitch1974]

​@@tiagociriaco7380 not all therapists are worth the money

[@ja8304]

The victim mentality and admitting your are powerless to your addiction in the 12 steps is the reason most fail at rehab. Drugs and alcohol are fun at for a while until there not . How do you get through rehab if you didn't have any trauma in your life to use as a reason for poor choice?

[@yamilelara3795]

I DM you because I can’t do this on my own I hoped you would help save a life But you never once even messaged me. There are cases in one’s careers that make a difference mine is that one. Does it hurt when you lose people that need you most

[@LeslieFlowerChildOfGod]

Yes it hurts- start at about 3:00 min.

[@LeslieFlowerChildOfGod]

This is teaching video. I understand you’re struggling so you need to find a trauma therapist where you live. Ask your doctor for immediate appointment and ask your doctor for a Referrel for therapist specializes in what your suffering from -loss & trauma probably. and ask for a psychiatrist especially if it’s affecting how you feel in the days & affecting your sleep (temporary)

[@ifkq]

Sorry you are feeling so rough. You are already consuming this great content, so I know you will make it through this tough time. Like the other person said, find a therapist locally to you. Seems you are using manipulation, saying you might die because this one guy doesn't message you back. You know that is not real. Don't expect this guy to respond to private messages. He has so much going on and so much input, it is impossible to add more conversations and input to his week. Find a therapist near you and love yourself every day. Please look up 2 things... 1. vagus nerve reset 2. Reddit no zero days post Wishing you calm and relief. You can do it.

[@ShSy-ni6zq]

Internet Yeah BUT I CAN STOP ANY TIME I WANT🤓

[@mariee.5912]

😂

[@DanaSCain]

You don’t have to experience trauma to be addicted to something. For some of us, addiction is the result of boredom.

[@bldsprt518]

True but why do some people that are bored read a book or take a walk rather than put poison in their bodies? not judging, boredom is difficult for me as well.

[@DanaSCain]

@@bldsprt518 Yeah, that’s why I said, “for SOME of us”…. different strokes for different folks. I’m no longer an addict. I’m now very busy working on my purpose.❤️ 🙏

[@jonsnow911]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1790">29:50</a>

[@Demegogue]

I don’t agree. Trauma’s emotional consequence may have self destructive or addictive responses, however, the environmental, genetic, and personal development all contribute to an addictive tendency. Furthermore, the addictive substance or behavior creates a mental disability. The individual may not find any pleasure or reason for the behavior due to this mental disability and disconnection. Usually, it is the preservation of one’s own self which needs to be re-established. It should be understood that some chemicals turn off the self preservation mental state.Self preservation has been lost in many cases due to lack of an empathetic environment and society. True psychological and physical mental health methods should be developed to properly address the issue.

[@C1schecter101]

What happen to his eye

[@Ndogg012]

He has had a stroke in the recent past, and his health is going down hill

[@sunnysaz30]

THIS!!! 🙏🏼🕊️

[@dayannahkali]

Good important conversation. Not everyone can spare 2 hours though, timestamp would have been nice.

[@faithklingsporn8679]

Right but if your intentional about learning what the root cause is, 20 minutes a day is a short time😊

[@dayannahkali]

@@faithklingsporn8679 Oh no, I was just being polite, I just like timestamps. Me, I have all the time in the world. Plus, as a autistic person, I do not really buy this "universal root cause for everything mental"

[@joshc6576]

I totally agree.

[@RobertaFierro-mc1ub]

You can listen to it in parts or while you're doing your dishes..

[@dayannahkali]

Oh no, I was just being polite, I have all the time in the world, I just like timestamps, it's useful. As an autistic person, I don't quite buy the trauma thing as universal root for everything.

[@lotus-lotus]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="93">1:33</a>:20

[@JamesRoe-w8v]

I know addicts that had loving parents and a good health life. Hmmm

[@boxelder9167]

That’s why it’s not really about what happens to us but rather about how we interpret what happens to us. Realize that when we are children we interpret things as children do and not as adults do. We have very black and white thinking and little understanding of the actual cause and effect. I remember my first day of school and I thought that I was there because my mother didn’t want me around her anymore. I hid inside a locker all day and didn’t come out until school was over. I was so scared and disoriented that I couldn’t find my way home even though I was only a couple blocks away.

[@arsenal1787]

And people are very good at keeping personal experience private. People instinctively hide things to appear less vulnerable. If you gave a person everything they ever wanted….they may experience trauma when they find they still aren’t happy.

[@ChrisLeather-y2s]

Why is suicide significantly higher since the start of psychology and the diagnosis of mental health?

[@LP50-e8s]

Because we know what is it and how difficult and complex is to fight It and if You f.i. have 45 -50 y o....you find less and less inspiration for the fight itself ...at least in my case...obviously I was on ADs..

[@ChrisLeather-y2s]

@@LP50-e8s completely understand to certain degree as I don’t personally know you. I can relate though. Sometimes I wonder though weather that’s our personality (adhd, depression, autism) the more you label it as (suffering from mental health) then educate people to diagnose it as a problem and then start medicating those that are “ill” surly that makes the situation allot worse. Only we can heal our minds by finding comfort in the pain of life and conquering our own minds rather than running away from it and labelling it as an illness. I stopped all meds and I feel free I embrace my personality and walk with my demons not fight them I meditate and exercise. I hope you find piece in life too my brother. Just something to think about ❤️

[@LP50-e8s]

@@ChrisLeather-y2s my issue was childhood...I was like Sheldon ( I do not like the guy ). The point was that the teacher wanted me in third not in the first grade...nobody from my family did nothing...my life happened by f accident...and in one period in later life you do realise what is all about, I did not get parent's love..its f hard...but one thing and step ( easier ) , to realise the problem. But to get rid of the actuall problem ( the very same root of ptsd and depression ), is completely of course old-new problem, and there is still the question are we able to do it at all. Is it gonna drag...or stay in the shadow...or any other option....The main point is that just to know what bothers you, problem will not go away, and even with hard work the very same question stays..Are we able to do it through various psychological or maybe some traditional processes...or combos.....It is a fight

[@LP50-e8s]

​@@ChrisLeather-y2swell, Only, The One and only thing to say to you personally is bravo! Fighting, accepting, is the right way...there is a saying in Bhagavad Gita vedic philosophy : The very same God will never put you in a situation we can not ultimatively handle, and most important to learn and grow and get out stronger....which is of course natural consequence ! Take good care...and thank you for the comment! Greets from sunny Croatia....Viva la Knowledge 😉❤

[@ChrisLeather-y2s]

@@LP50-e8s strange! I was in foster homes too. I seen and suffered Allot of trauma from this. I spent 11 years in prison and whilst in there I lost my whole family Litrally, gone, dead. Broke me to pieces still does. But like I said I cry when I need to i smile she I’m happy and I look at life in a beautiful but realistic way and that just that. You need to suffer to feel the power of hope. You need to cry to feel the power of happiness And you need the pain in order to heal. We don’t cry because we are weak we cry because we are human ❤️

[@throttlebuff]

I dunno. I like getting fucked up and i like the energy gain i get from doing meth. I was born three months premature and have ADHD like a motherfucker. I think my trauma is living with it and the frustration i get from living with myself. Ok what he just said hit home. I am the scapegoat of my family and after my dad died when i was 15, i watched my mom and sister become really close while i went the off and partied with friends. I have been a drug user for 35 years. I did stop drinking.😊

[@amanda-clairebennett6132]

INTERESTING...I HAVE HAD SOME BAD EXPERIENCES THAT SOME MAY TERM AS 'TRAUMA' INTERESTING DELUSIONAL OPINIONS......NONETHELESS..FOOLISH PEOPLE SAY WHAT THEY DONT KNOW.... HOWEVER POINT IS IT NEVER HAPPENED TO ME. INTERESTING TALK THOUGH.....

[@chaoswitch1974]

It doesn't happen to everybody, but it happened to everybody who is an addict.

[@kellyblake5630]

Why the black eye?

[@hawgslam4]

hes a ufc fighter

[@sozl]

He is a jiu jitsu trainer

[@omg_wtf]

He didnt listen the first time

[@Ap-sy5nt]

His gently parented kid did it to him

[@gjthomas9770]

Because he has a black eye

[@brooke8645]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="474">7:54</a>

[@Adw822]

Is everyone just going to ignore his black eye?

[@shellyraine1964]

Pause

[@astralcowboy6231]

So you frame the argument to prove your point? Not exactly a good argument

[@haikeaintiaani9183]

Jogging addict gym? Sauna addict aargh

[@amelittaberretta9109]

Loliness!

[@amelittaberretta9109]

Escaping loliness lasting for decades……….

[@MichelleHargis-zz5mk]

Who cares?

[@domiboi6713]

Jesus christ cares.

[@DonnaTkachukBlancodTb]

The first core lesson across Canada for all Grade 9-12 students Forbidden, Curriculum FEED delivery platform of scolding, self-righteous behavior, authoritarian stances NOT PERMITTED by Public School Administrations and Members of Staff. If one does not know how to do Seek Mentor(s)🐱

[@DonnaTkachukBlancodTb]

In our mirrored world one's intelligence is advanced, not diminished with Gabor Mate's compass. Though still a negative term, 'previous substance addiction' ...shopping is under the radar to the point of being worshipped though not our indigenous peoples regalia as if the same plane of existence. So deep an addiction one goes through withdrawal of the same magnitude as a street drug. Think about it all marketers, stock brokers CEOs School Administrators and the like. Be open to lowering your defense mechanism as I will listening to this KZbin

[@takewithbr3ad244]

Find God. You will then cheris life. After that you will respect others(your family or persons that sacrifice or care about you). Then you will love yourself. Man up. Don't seek excuses or explanations . Just do ot, but not with nike. Eat healthy, do exercises. Healthy mind, in healthy body. One more time, Healthy mind, in Healthy body.

[@kathybjorn1001]

A lifetime of too many many CPTSD triggers. For me I think. A life time of it. Was just trying to find my peace and Trump comes along.

[@kathybjorn1001]

My addictions were smoking, quit years ago, eating to cope with stress and shopping out of my need to be loved, to feel loved. None of it helped, none of it ever does. I gave people the love I needed and even that didn't work. Very sad.

[@domiboi6713]

Maybe you needed to change something else. Also Trump isn't your problem. You are your problem. The people who are in your personal life could be aswell. You must look into yourself

[@domiboi6713]

​@@kathybjorn1001just being loving isn't the solution. Make real steps to actually experience self love and maybe you'll see things and people differently

[@kathybjorn1001]

Working on it.

[@chaoswitch1974]

I agree that Trump is so abusive and he gaslights and lies so much that it's triggering for victims of abuse. People who like him are prone to be abusive, imo.