Is Addiction Really a Disease? Dr. Kevin McCauley

[@bturner2858]

After 17 yrs in AA I became addicted to opiate pain pills. Even with my knowledge from AA I couldn't figure out what was happening to me! The depths of depression when I tried to abstain were crushing. I saw this video and realized what was happening in my brain driving me back to using. It changed everything for me and I was able begin recovery. Thank you, Dr. McCauley!!!

[@keeskoekert6358]

Really? After 17 years of experience in AA? You must be kidding. Or AA is teaching you recovery in a very wrong way, since they only focus on alcohol. We are addicts. Substance doesnt matter.

[@jasonwillett2126]

12 step has an abysmal success rate. I'm not surprised at all

[@keeskoekert6358]

@@jasonwillett2126 AA is for simple addicts, not complex ones.

[@jasonwillett2126]

What's the difference bro?

[@keeskoekert6358]

@@jasonwillett2126 People who missed church and got addicted find their believe and faith in 12 steps most times. NA, AA, CA all the same. Happy for those people, but it aint the only truth ofcourse, which they think it is, typical religious behaviour. Religion is also a form of addictive behaviour, so little surprises there. Problem is, it costs addicts lives. AA and co promote black and white thinking. Addicts already do their whole lives. I dont like them as long as they say its the only solution. Dont get me wrong, the Big Book is a book I love, because its the life story of every addict out there, but AA isnt the only solution. No way.

[@christinepierre1176]

absolutely brilliant! coming from a family filled with addicts. i can honestky say this is tbe first time in my entire life that i have heard someone speak so brilliantly and passionately in defense of an addict. today you are my hero and i hope in my lifetime or my children in their lifetime will see addicts treated with the same empathy and respect as a cancer patient. this was / is your purpose. i am so thankful this fell upon me today. thank you. thank you for responding to your passion. thank you for delivery this so wonderfully. in my opinion judging the addict is absolutely no different the beating the hell out of a wounded animal. this subject and this world needed to hear every bit of your discovery and the beautiful way you delivered it.

[@TelecasterLPGTop]

He's not alone Dr Gabor Mate has been telling us this for decades.

[@dhw14]

Coming from a family of addicts....seems like it might be learned behavior. Only one addict in my large family, and he blames everyone but himself. I don't believe it is a disease at all.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Hi D Winslow - Thanks for sharing your observation. McCauley addresses this as well. Blaming other people is something addicts do. They have a loss of insight and can't see themselves as others see them. Check out McCauley's lecture at VCU in my Addictions Playlist: The Neuroscience of Addiction.

[@derickrob4681]

Ive recently realised the reason for my addictions was undiagnosed ADHD,4.5 years sober from alcohol but I realised this was only the start of understanding my brain constantly needing a stimulus .I can physically feel my brain wanting relief or a "pick me up".its extremely powerful lately.when im under stress these days I fear of relapse.its great theres so much understanding for the future generations . Nice work sir.

[@kevinwilusz7767]

Derick rob .. hold on brother if u can try to add some physical to your life especially running it helps with some natural pick me up we are out here we understand your not alone I recently let go n threw away what took me years to build only to relearn DONT LET GO !!! It started with stress then became overwhelming until letting go for some relief became a great idea!! Hold on!!

[@cptsmash1]

A MUST WATCH..... brilliantly laid out, evidence based and delivered by a very credible individual

[@shawnmcconnaughay319]

This is an absolutely wonderful educated and thought through explanation. I am a pastor, counselor, and one in recovery. this documentary is the bridge of understanding between addiction, Faith and recovery. this documentary is a must for any one desiring understanding between the science of the addiction and personal responsibility. thank you so much!

[@nathanedwards2064]

This was a great video for the anyone suffering from addiction and families of the addicted.

[@williampaterson3291]

A Wonderful video. Full of great information and full of hope in what is a seemingly hopeless situation. The judicial system should be made to listen to this great man. Tell me the name of ONE PERSON who, DELIBERATELY DECIDES to become an addict? Thank you Sir. you ARE a credit to your profession and a true humanitarian.

[@pamelabrinker]

Fantastic presentation. Thank you Dr. Kevin McCauley for your diligent daily research, broad-based education and bright hope! Brilliant and enthusiastic. I'm a mom of 2 young adults who have struggled greatly for a decade--also an author and psychotherapist--and this is one of the best videos anyone who loves someone with substance use issues can watch. Also see Kevin's video Pleasure Unwoven.

[@joannaanderson7767]

Sugar aka plants need to be added to the list of addictive substances. Ever seen a kid highly addicted to a sugar high. Ever seen an obese person who couldn’t stop overeating.. It should definitely also be in the danger zone bc it also causes many mental illnesses & diseases

[@craig900w]

BEST I HAVE EVER HEARD

[@fightington]

Get McCauley on TED!!

[@hope0251]

Awesome job Dr Kevin McCauley! I heard you speak in Laguna Beach California way back in 2001. You were amazing then & even better now. I really do appreciate you & your work .

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

McCauley indicates that you have to replace the drug with something more emotionally meaningful to you in the survival hierarchy. A three piece intertwined approach is what I offer my clients: 1) a method to manage their emotions: Inner Bonding by Margaret Paul and Emotional Flow by Karla McLaren; 2) mindfulness meditation practice (Vipassana); 3) Life Purpose / Vision / Gift that they have to bring to the world, i.e., why are they here? Which addresses McCauley's prescription. I believe that McCauley would also say that it takes time for the brain to heal and reset itself. I would point you to Rick Hanson's work on neuroplasticity and rewiring the brain with positive experiences as an outlet. Check out his Foundations of Well-Being program.

[@susancarol6780]

If this is so how come addicts can not stop for the love of their children? They are something else which is more emotionally meaningful in the survival hierarchy. The body of an addict reacts differently to the norm whenever they put a mind altering substance in them, setting of a unstoppable craving and they also fight an overpowering obsession that it will be different this time. The only thing that helped me stop and stay stopped was a 12 step programme.

[@argoncanon]

This is pure gold!

[@johnmagee5664]

I was lucky enough to get to see him speak at western carolina university last year. And whoever said this " If I had a client in treatment for only one day, I would show him this video and teach him to do mindfulness meditation (Vipassana)." --- I totally agree!

[@QU3ST1337]

I really enjoyed this talk. This Dr did a really great job.

[@vetreferee]

This perspective is well suited to those who live with addicts and alcoholics. It confirms their core beliefs that addiction is a choice. It is not. Addiction is deep rooted and yes indeed is a disease. There is however treatment but that treatment is far too complex for simple minds that like the choice argument

[@bobsolo55]

I've only seen the first part but I know type 1 diabetes begins mostly in young people and seems unpreventable. But what about type 2 diabetes and all we hear about how bad nutrition, lack of exercise, etc can cause diabetes. Same for heart disease, lung cancer, etc. We hear we can prevent these things- diabetes, high blood pressure, mouth cancer etc- if we make better choices and engage in healthy behaviors, so then does that mean those things are not diseases?

[@JezzaDJ8]

i always thought i was just an 'alcoholic addict with anxiety". Now i know what is really wrong - what is really going on underneath: 4 decades of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD. My brain is dopamine deficient. This has caused my addiction. It is genetic.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Part of your addiction is genetic as it is for everyone. A new field of study is epigenetics which means "over the genes". These are environmental factors that turn on or turn off genes and can also be passed on inter-generationally. Dr. McCauley talks about this in one of his new videos on Neuroscience and Addiction kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6OxZmuEl66SbtE this video also talks about epigenetics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2TFd6d6e8-ggMU If you have ADD/ADHD you may also be interested in Dr. Gabor Mate's work. I have several of his videos in a playlist and he has written a book on the subject: drgabormate.com/book/scattered-minds In my estimation ADD/ADHD is a function of Anxiety. If I treat the underlying anxiety the ADD/ADHD goes away. I believe that Anxiety is the underlying cause for everyone's substance abuse - when I make this statement to clients they readily agree.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Belief is very powerful and I can create self-fulfilling prophecies based on my attachment to a belief. On the other hand if I am willing to suspend my disbelief I can actually experiment with alternatives and have a different experience. Dr. William Glasser (psychiatrist) would say that mental illness (that isn't organic brain damage) is really just a cluster of behaviors that people use to get their needs met. Dr. Mate gives an example of a child distracting themselves from their mother's pain as the process of how a coping mechanism turns into a learned behavior over time (ADHD). The fact is that I have had numerous clients that have an ADHD diagnosis that were stimulant addicts with anger management issues and came from a situation of domestic violence or abuse (all contributors to ADHD), come to treatment where I teach them mindfulness meditation and then teach them a method to address core recovery issues. When they address the core issues it is amazing to see the anxiety go away and the ADHD symptoms which are a function of anxiety (not the other way around) subside. If you are interested in the details of my approach please feel free to e-mail me at [e-mail].

[@derickrob4681]

Hi Jeremy,dito ,I totally agree about your point on ADHD ,ive recently realised the same conclusion ,im devestated no one seen this in me years ago . I was that mouse,constantly needing too feel relief and joy.

[@charlesovenstone2558]

when it is not a disease it's not an argument , is comparing apples and oranges , most addiction is psychological in nature and if we don't observe peoples behaviour in the environment in which they use and how they are responding to perceived stresses then doctors will be of little help in this area. Hard core addiction is a natural response to many threatening factors in the persons environment. Addiction is an ingrained reflexive pattern of behaviour and to get anywhere near solving this old reflex has to be unlearned and that takes time and the right informed compassionate people to support this.

[@11vinni11]

Charles Ovenstone there's no argument...what makes a disease a disease is progression to worsen ones health An life an death...addiction has great progression...

[@freedomrisinginc3958]

This is an awesome video!!!

[@lmkona]

Thank you!

[@jeremybullock7207]

So I’ve just got two questions… If addiction is a disease, though, why do most addictions end spontaneously, without treatment? Why did some 75% of heroin-addicted Vietnam vets kick the drug when they returned home? It’s hard to picture a brain disease such as schizophrenia simply going away because someone decided not be schizophrenic anymore. Let’s call it what it is, poor choices leading to poor habits.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Show me "schizophrenia" in a brain scan. You can't. There is no brain scan or blood test for mental health disorders. Addiction is a "disease" in only 1 out of 10 people. That means they've crossed the threshold into addiction where it is no longer a choice - they want to quit, but can't. The brain is in a state of hypofrontality meaning the choice part of the brain isn't functioning normally and the survival midbrain which only cares about three things safety, sustenance and sex is running the show. And as McCauley says, "It's not a good neighborhood." McCauley also discusses what disease is and what a narrow perspective people who aren't say a pathologist don't understand. Addiction is a "disease of choice" or of the choosing system of the brain.

[@nnenne1]

@@FIFTHDIRECTIONself inflicted disease

[@someFLman]

Ok, got it. Now what is the cure this disease? How do I bring down the threshold so I can enjoy the things I used to?

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

+Brett Allen I personally address "core recovery issues" - these are always emotional / beliefs about myself, others, and the world. When we are born we only want to feel unconditionally loved, safe, and accepted. When we don't feel we are getting this to the degree we want (and it is impossible for any parent to provide a child who doesn't have the cognitive ability to understand the limitation of life to understand), we develop beliefs about our selves, e.g., I'm not good enough, worthy, valuable, I'm powerless, unknown, misunderstood, alone, different, etc. Incidentally, anger is never a core recovery issue, it is a masking emotion that covers up fear/anxiety which covers our grief, loss, sadness, and disappointment surrounding core issues listed above. If I address the core issue, i.e., the real reason I am using drugs/alcohol/behaviors to cope (not feel my emotions), I can address the underlying reason and begin to love my Self. (Inner Bonding by Margaret Paul www.innerbonding.com is one method that I offer clients). Loving and accepting my Self is the final answer to addictive behavior. If I love my Self I won't do harm to my body/health, put myself at risk legally, or continue to do things that hurt people around me. A great technique that is 100% FREE of charge for you to learn is Vipassana Meditation www.dhamma.org. You can do a 10-day retreat which will be a great start. I refer clients to this after treatment. If you decide to apply feel free to contact me to get some insight on answering the questions on the application (particularly if you have a history of substance abuse). Feel free to e-mail me if you want feedback on your specific situation: [e-mail]

[@darkeyce02]

don't let doctors or anyone you have a disease. a disease cannot be cured just by wise decisions. your brain is no different than mine. you got addicted, that is all. you don't have a disease, you are a person with a brain who can make decisions on your own. there is no medical treatment needed. believe in yourself and set a goal.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

darkeyce02 If only it were that easy! "We don't all come to the table with the same brain" (McCauley). The stress your mother was (or was not under) impacts the way the child's brain grows together. We do not have near as much "free will" as we like to think. So many functions going in the meso-limbic area of our brains that are subconscious and instinctual. Yes, choice IS a part of addiction and if you watch McCauley's Pleasure Unwoven he begins with the statement that, "addiction is a disease OF choice." Our choosing mechanism (dopamine reward system) gets out of whack and falsely places a survival value on drugs where there is none. Once this survival tag is made it is very difficult to correct it. The addict will have to choose to do things that can reverse the hypofrontality that occurs with addiction.

[@darkeyce02]

FIFTH DIRECTION still no disease. just like a pianists brain changes. so does one addicted to drugs. or a race car driver. your brain caters to what you seek. by this theory of disease every one has a disease of addiction. I guess im addicted to telecommunications work cause im like really good at it and I love it. sounds silly eh

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

I agree with you. Most people have some addiction - an addiction being anything I use to avoid feeling my emotions. Could be a work, performance, anger, control, shopping, eating, gambling, video games, social media, sex, . . . . . Pretty much anything can be used as an addictive behavior. What is the difference with someone like yourself who enjoys their work? Intention. Check out Margaret Paul's Inner Bonding website: www.innerbonding.com/show-article/150/addiction-the-underlying-feelings-we-want-to-avoid.html

[@jackielee3061]

If it's a disease then why do courts convict people who drive under the influence to a harsher punishment than those who say have a diabetic episode while driving and cause the same wreck

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

That's a great question! In fact, we see that the compliance rate of people with substance addictions not using after they complete treatment mirrors that of diabetics complying with not eating foods that aggravate their diabetes and in taking their insulin. Thanks for putting that out there.

[@TelecasterLPGTop]

So you trust the corrupt legal system.

[@tommyc449]

The courts have nothing to do with medicine. It's separate from. Unfortunately we live in a punitive society. The society legalized a drug, and have decided to punish those who have had a negative reaction to it. This Dr is brilliant, but he can't fix our justice system.

[@markk8970]

Don't forget drink driving is a choice made after the event. You have to have been drinking first before making the decision to drive, which as we know is highly dangerous and therefore illegal. Best analogy I can think of would be someone who knows they are HIV Positive for example but then willingly engages in unprotected sex. Contracting Aids in the first place could have been unavoidable or entirely unfortunate. However, knowing you have the disease and not informing your partner while engaging in unprotected sex is illegal. No one is blaming you for becoming an alcoholic but knowing you have been drinking and still driving is against the law and rightly so. Being an alcoholic does not exempt you from breaking the law. This study is specifically about addiction. The way that the brain reacts to alcohol in people is very different. Some will have a drink and the brain processes that in a way that won't lead to addiction. An addict however, will experience an entirely different reaction and one which is clinically enabled & therefore difficult to stop without treatment of some kind. Driving after you have been drinking remains a choice to both casual drinker and alcoholic alike. To that end it should and will always be illegal. The argument here is that becoming an alcoholic in the first place is not necessarily a manageable choice for those predisposed. I think it is a fascinating and to be honest valid theory.

[@TTTCWW]

If the drunk driver is a problem drinker, a casual drinker, your assessment is correct. What people don't understand is the mental condition of the real Alcoholic. They don't have a choice to drink or not drink at all times. Today we know it is genetic, effects about 10% of the population, that the brain is different, the body is different and they do not process alcohol like the other 90% of the population. No one is suggesting they drive while drinking but your comment is the perfect example of why this is so hard to explain to the public in general not to mention the real alcoholic.

[@magnusjakobsen5970]

Tumbs up to dr. McCauley

[@Juniper9517]

well i hate to say this and i feel so confused about this whole scenario but i had to go back to the physiatrist to get tapered off. i feel so use less that i couldn't do it on my own. ugh!!

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

sharon g hi Sharon I don't give advice to my clients or medical advice especially. however it never hurts to be under a doctor's care and the fact that you are quitting is really all that matters.

[@Juniper9517]

I'm sorry i never intended it that way seriously very sorry''

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

sharon g No problem! I wish you well in your recovery!

[@vincentmackay4927]

Sharon do not feel bad that you could not stop because that "IS NOT"the way to get of methadone. You need to be patient and "SLOWLY"taper down and you will be able to do it.

[@charlesovenstone2558]

we also like to blow smoke up our own asses about how complicated we are as humans and love to believe long winded scientific arguments or explanations but will not accept the reasons why most people manage to quit on their own

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

+Charles Ovenstone The majority of people do quit on their own, without rehab/treatment, AA, or counseling. They "age out" of it and/or are able to "bring the negative consequences to bear" and change their behavior. I believe McCauley would suggest that these people did not have "addiction as a disease". They would fall into the "really bad substance abusers" category. I personally believe addicts are highly sensitive people (and highly spiritual people). This sensitivity makes it more challenging for them to quit. Part of what I teach client's is to see things from a larger perspective, to not take things so personally, and to become a "differentiated self" (versus an undifferentiated self - see Bowen Family Systems Theory).

[@donnagelina8548]

This post was from a year ago but hopefully you will see it. I am an example of someone who aged out of drinking. I am a 57 year old female who started drinking socially at 14 and progressed from there. And I absolutely was an alcoholic. I had the cravings and withdrawals, detoxes, rehabs, 2 DUIs, domestic violence, psych wards and ICUs, fired from jobs, eviction, family estrangement. I often drank 24 hours a day. If not, I woke up and the first thing I did was drink. Then alcohol turned on me and I got no pleasure from it, not even the first 15 minutes. For awhile I attempted to drink anyway, but time and time again, no PLEASURE. So I stopped altogether, thank God. My husband drinks heavily and asks me how I quit. I told him "because it didn't work anymore and I don't have the desire to do it". He tells me he loves the way it makes him feel (even though he's a raging lunatic while drunk). That is the difference. It makes him feel good and it makes me feel terrible. But I WAS an alcoholic, and now have no desire or craving for it. BUT, when I'm stressesd or sad or angry, I always think of "taking something" to block it out. But I don't. It IS an immediate response to the situation.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Got that! Interrupting that immediate response is a big piece of treatment. I then have to begin to rewire my brain which I have hijacked with drugs and alcohol. It takes 18 to 24 months for the brain to stabilize after being assaulted with the effects of drugs and alcohol. It seems if you have other questions or might like to chat more regarding your husband? If so, feel free to give me a call at 281-780-9014 or e-mail at [e-mail] and I will be glad to listen to your concerns. Thanks! - Dean

[@keeskoekert6358]

That were not addicts.

[@Juniper9517]

If one has been on methodone for 4 yrs ,my question is the doctors say it only takes 3-5 days but i still feel like i have with drawal and it's been 2and a half weeks , is this possible?

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

sharon g yes that is very possible in fact many people say methadone is harder to get off of than heroin. My colleague who was on methadone says they used to taper people off over 4 months.

[@vincentmackay4927]

Yes Sharon,If you have been on methadone for a period of time you need to slowly reduce your dose.Do not abruptly stop taking it.As a general guide say you were on a dose of 60mg you could reduce it by 3 to 5mg every week or every 2 weeks till you get down to 20mg. Then you should reduce it 1 or 2mg a week to 10mg. Then I would go down 1mg a week to zero.If you start to feel withdrawal symptoms reduce it 1mg every 2 weeks till you get to zero. You have to slowly taper off methadone or you will have withdrawl symptoms.I hope this can be of help to you.

[@boscorellie1]

Thank you

[@11vinni11]

Don't know why there's videos like this....it's already been well observed that addiction is a disease...progression to worsen ones health An life an death...addiction has great progression

[@Foxys1974]

Anyone from UKAT?! 2020?! 😁

[@emileyumyum]

The diabetic did have a choice, they ate sugar pumped food and lived an unhealthy lifestyle... up to a point, but most cases apperently area result of poor dietary decisions compounded over years...there are cases where its not, and Im happy to be corrected on this

[@tabitha3370]

+Emile De Wilde That is very untrue. Do more research on diabetes. If what you just said was true then newborns wouldn't be born with it.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Hi Emile, good observation. The diabetics use of food (in the case that you describe) is akin to the addicts use of the drug. The stressors (or anxiety) that stimulated that behavior probably weren't so much of a choice. Choice is a part of a diabetic remaining in compliance with their dietary needs just as it is for an addict complying with his or her relapse prevention program.

[@Imjustahuman78]

Emilie what about lung disease that comes from smoking, or heart disease that comes from not eating healthy? How come no one has ever challenged those to be diseases?

[@dhw14]

If you never try it, you won't become addicted. Simple as that. If you are not taught consequences you are more apt to try everything. You learn behavior that is either excessive or without consequences...but you cannot be addicted to something unless you consciously ignore what you know can be the results of consuming that drug. So calling it a disease only takes away responsibility for your actions in hopes that more people will get therapy.

[@bturner2858]

Wow! So simple... never try anything, do anything or go anywhere and there will be no problems.... (you should read this in a sarcastic tone)

[@sixgunsue8]

I knew my bio mother came form a long line addictive natured ancestors so guess what, I decided never to start ore vene experiment, so I never had addictions because I grew and developed my brain without addictions hindering that and eventually never "needed" anything. I have children who's bio father was heavily addicted and abandoned them very young. I tried to share with them what happened and never to start but guess what? They ALL refused to resist the temptation, decided to "try" stuff and all are addicted to various things, making my life a living hell. There is such a thing as self control, but it needs exercise as any discipline does. Had they never started they would have avoided all the hell.

[@cellist227]

So anybody who drinks alcohol or smokes a joint has been badly parented (they've not been taught consequences), and has chosen the possibility of becoming an addict ... really?? Connecting behavior to consequences involves a little thing called the frontal cortex, which doesn't fully develop until as late as the mid-20s (later for men than women).

[@jalenat7324]

If your going to put your opinion on here at least do your self a favor an have something factual that has and can be proven again by real scientific research or Data to back your rude ass statements up otherwise all your saying to ppl with your nonsense post is " I'm a rude judgemental idiot who's done no research I don't really have a clue why I believe my opinion to be correct because I clearly have no facts that make my opinion true and I'm so stupid I'm going to post my opinion with no supporting evidence below a video that consisted of nothing but facts with amazing supporting scientific evidence presented by a well educated man who's clearly spent countless hours researching this topic because I'm to full of myself and pompus to realise how stupid and rediculouse I just made myself look" and this reason is why no one really even aknowleges your posts or takes the time to argue with you or respond because it's painfully clear how much you don't know to the point of even almost feeling embarrassed for you. So say something intelligent instead of ignorant rude and obliviouse

[@Imjustahuman78]

Lol did you even watch the damn video?

[@barringtongilbert9230]

Did Kevin ever deal with his own alcohol addiction? I don't ask in a sarcastic way, but a genuine enquiry. When people who are deemed 'experts' in the addiction field are quoted as having credentials I argue that you don't need a PHd to know ones own emotions, you don't need a degree to know how ones past has affected our outlook on who we believe we are. I do respect Kevin but I do feel he is somewhat smug in this talk and shows little or no respect with regards to the man who he says was "eviscerated" by Oprah Winfrey. (I have not seen it so cannot comment) Addiction involves inner conflict. Addicts have a debate within every time they use. They know they will hurt loved ones but the inner addict will convince them with a range of excuses that it will be fine this time. Inside every addict, is the human being that was born with love and good intention and it is this human being that argues, and loses to the inner addict. Not 'bad people'

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

He was an opiate addict. His latest video is Memo to Self. It's about relapse prevention.

[@barringtongilbert9230]

@@FIFTHDIRECTION Ah, Thank you. Still doesn't make him right in my opinion. His thoughts and method worked for him. Some say it is connection to Jesus that made them stop. Either way, whatever we believe, only our own internal dialogue can achieve sobriety...it just depends what information we choose to believe. Jesus helped me stop I overcame my illness I just simply decided enough is enough Whichever works for the individual...more power to them but we should stop this 'who's right or wrong' argument. As Shakespeare said...Nothing ever is right nor wrong, only thinking makes it so.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

@@barringtongilbert9230 My definition of addiction is anything I use to avoid feeling my emotions. People may not have an addiction to substances, but they have some other behavioral addiction. That is some other way to avoid their emotions. Overeating is a big one. Addiction works the same in the brain regardless of belief.

[@seth5143]

All fine & good, but if science can't differentiate between true addicts & drug abusers-beyond the circular reasoning that those who simply quit were never true addicts to begin with-Occam's Razor leads us right back to self-control. If & until that difference is discovered, I don't think we're doing addicts any favors at all by removing autonomy from the discussion altogether.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Note that choice is one of the pieces that goes wrong with addiction. It is a disease of choice. The choosing mechanism breaks under stress. Science can't do a lot of things BTW.

[@seth5143]

@@FIFTHDIRECTION Yeah, I heard that. I watched the entire lecture which is why I can tell you that he clearly states there's no way to differentiate between the two groups. He doesn't highlight stress-the thing responsible for degrading the dopaminergic system-as being the difference, so I'm not entirely sure what your point is. But since you brought it up, decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex, even to the point of serious neuromodulation, doesn't completely negate choice. If you'd still like to insist otherwise, I'd love to see your data. To support _my_ position on this, I'd like to point out that nobody on planet earth thinks that men under 25 (minimum age at which prefrontal cortex fully develops) have *no* ability to make decisions. They have a decreased ability to make decisions relative to older men.

[@seth5143]

@@FIFTHDIRECTION Oh, & I'm aware of certain scientific limitations, but for the most part it should be very possible for professionals to differentiate between the diagnosed & undiagnosed...if the disease actually exists as such of course ;)

[@kiaramclendon9152]

This was a great video... but 55:07 is incorrect. Deaf people can drive.

[@bonnielizarraga7941]

Addiction is so confusing

[@barringtongilbert9230]

I don't agree. Drinking is a way of dealing with internal problems, be it self-esteem, frustration, loss etc. So, they have found drinking is a good, temporary relief from these internal struggles. Sure, out the gun there and when you take it away, they drink again because...nothing has changed! If you hold the gun there for a year, they will find other less harmful ways of dealing with things. Why doesn't anyone address smoking as a disease? Why don't we refer to them as 'Recovering Smokers'?

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

McCauley explains the physiological mechanism. The underlying cause is always emotional. Trauma and attachment disorder create anxiety. My hypothesis is that all addicts are self-medicating anxiety in some way shape or form.

[@barringtongilbert9230]

@@FIFTHDIRECTION Agreed. We really have to define 'disease' If a cancer patient had to do what an addict needs to do to stop drinking, they would bite their hands off. But coming from the angle of addiction, it seems like a mountain to climb. I have worked with people who have said, three days before dying, they are more frightened of stopping than dying. Clinging to his bottle telling me..."I'm cutting down" That was his inner addict convincing the man himself that it's ok.

[@11vinni11]

First, one needs to understand the definition of disease....what makes a disease a disease, is progression to worsen bad health An life an death...addiction has great progression....people don't even realize they aren't even putting up a logical argument over the choice thing... disease is defined by progression...hope you can better understand now

[@lancehowell3070]

Not a choice His career "now" depends on it.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

His career may now well depend on it, however, that is what people who are non-addicts don't get. Someone who has crossed that line into addiction will blow up their lives lose their job lose their family put themselves in high risk situations go to prison and KNOWING all this when they get stressed and that mechanism of addiction kicks in their prefrontal cortex turns off they're midbrain lights up and they go use. Not a choice. This is what AA is referring to when they say cunning baffling and powerful.

[@keeskoekert6358]

@@FIFTHDIRECTION You can tell that 10000 times too a non addict, they will never believe it, doesnt matter. They aint gonna save my life anyway.

[@seth5143]

@@FIFTHDIRECTION Your cute little ad hominem won't work on me. I drank an excessive amount of vodka daily for two years, knowing it was no good for me. But I still CHOSE to do it, consequences be damned, until I CHOSE to quit. Inability to access risk vs reward, inability to delay gratification, inability to balance short-term pleasure with long-term reward. These factors influence decision-making, but they don't completely uproot it. Feel free to prove me wrong with empirical evidence rather than 12-step dogma some guy whipped up in a hospital bed.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Definitely confounding. This is what many family members can't understand. I quit. Why can't you? McCauley touches on some of this, however, Dr. Gabor Mate covers the environmental piece more thoroughly. As Mate says, the reason addicts anger people so much is that it reveals so much about themselves. Who's not addicted in our culture he asks? My definition of addiction: ANYTHING I use to avoid feeling my emotions. People with substance use disorder just happen to have a socially unacceptable addiction. Overeating is probably the number one addiction in the U.S. Performance addicts aka workaholics, rageholics, working out / exercise, social media those are just a few.

[@joejokonya8662]

anyone from CWU watching this lol

[@hebafranklin4352]

Disease/choice/addict/Addiction of any kind ... call it what u will there are consequences and responsibility in life regardless...

[@dubbelkastrull]

32:11 bookmark

[@freedomofreligion3248]

Awful audio.

[@mrmookieburg]

Wow

[@dhardy6654]

911!! Ping for help...can anyone point me to the word Dr McCauley uses in one of his video lectures that describes a form of anxiety that describes a empath that suffers from two outside people perceived or actual conflict? He used it in describing drug of choice and personality....it started with an H.

[@ifukeverythingfodopeanmone6915]

This is Korrina Dominguez aka maiden Alvarez's so she's not a maiden she's married.my name is Arthur Dominguez.I had lived 31 years of my life with out meth but this last year and half ive ben battling meth even went to rehab.my wife got me to try it and ever since then it has destroyed me she cussed me of having a double life on social media only to find out it was her.ive known her since i was a boy.when i got whith her she was 80lbs looked like 40 and was rock bottom everyone warned me don't get with her i told them.she needs a hand and I'm gonna b there for her.now I'm struggling with addiction rock bottom and she's like figure. It out I'm her soul mate I love her but she love social media and i believe. Is addicted to it.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

maiden alvarez Feel free to give me a call. I do online counseling and think I could offer you some expanded perspective. 281-709-2105 : Dean

[@ifukeverythingfodopeanmone6915]

She wants to destroy me and use my kids as leverage she is probably high right now

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

maiden alvarez Addiction makes me do things that don't make sense. McCauley explains that in the video.

[@alexhuang8475]

31:05 LMAO

[@charlesovenstone2558]

evidence base is one of the most misused terms in science plus we have silly stories of mice and men

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

+Charles Ovenstone Definitely agree about the misuse of "evidence based" I took Psych 101 in college and found it laughable that the textbook was trying to argue that psychology can be a "hard science" (like physics). I didn't take any more courses because it seemed so ludicrous. I was reviewing the addiction treatment resources of TRI after hearing an interview with one of the principals on NPR. Their resources were a joke. He was touting their new and improved approach. It was warmed over relapse prevention. The substance abuse / recovery / treatment industry continues to grasp at straws because they don't have a good answer, so they throw more of the same at the problem. The "success" rate is so low it can't even be called that. Companies are willing to take people's money when they are at their most vulnerable and addicts (and their families) are willing to pay because they care about their family member and want to do "something." My professor told us that a 10% success rate was a "good program." SAMHSA's research (and I doubt it's accuracy because addicts are almost impossible to track long term) says 33% are able to maintain sobriety 1 year after treatment. That number obviously goes down with year 2, 3, etc. Thanks for your comments!

[@halwarner3326]

Charles Ovenstone so true.

[@jamesm5192]

Will Dr. Kevin admit that "choice vs disease" is a false choice if I ask him where obesity lies? If obesity is a disease, then he's a bad doctor. If obesity is a choice, then he's a bad person.

[@overcomer4226]

Some obesity is genetics. A lot of obesity is hormonal. But to be sure much obesity is the external evidence of food addiction and binge eating disorder. I know I battle that. It is very hard very hard to battle food addiction because with any other addiction you do not need it to survive but you must eat to survive. But I agree totally about what he says with stress and hedonic pleasure. My stepfather recently passed away after living with me for 18 months. Despite me adoring my stepfather I was Uber stressed out while he was here and my job is super stressful. In the 10 days after his death while I was making funeral arrangements and starting the process of settling his the state I was not working. My stress levels fell and I have never had such an easy time controlling my addictive eating. A soon as I went back to work my stress levels went through the roof. I know have plans to try to get me working less if not changing jobs altogether. This guy is brilliant. Now we need us we addicks need to learn to reduce stress and find other things that are that give us joy and pleasure to reset that set point

[@sparrow1222]

It sounds like Dr. MaCauley simply cherry picked the fringe aspects of some of the papers and studies on the choice model and presents them as mainstream. Absolutely laughable. To also say there are only two models is also not true. Many believe that it is a choice to begin initial use and then after regular use some become addicted.

[@jcmgc]

+sparrow1222 "Many believe that it is a choice to begin initial use and then after regular use some become addicted." That is exactly what he says at about 6:00

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

+sparrow1222 He says the choice argument is the best of the competing arguments to addiction as a disease, not the only one. The initial use may be a choice, however, prenatal stress of the mother impacts the way the child's brain develops giving them a vulnerability to addiction. And just because you don't have a socially unacceptable substance addiction doesn't mean you don't have a socially acceptable process addiction (e.g. workaholic, perfectionist, etc.) My definition of addiction is anything I use to avoid feeling my emotions. Most people have an addiction. I'm curious what is your expertise in the field? You seem to know and understand what is and is not mainstream. Thanks for posting.

[@bturner2858]

I will say that I was alcoholic from the first time I drank. With some it happens after regular use but with others it happens the "first time out of the gate".

[@bratbabyp9370]

Haha nice trick✌

[@dungeonmp3]

i cant agree with this guy. i think hes trying to teach people that addiction is a disease to protect his career. i watched the video up until he acted like everyone that consumes drug (or gets it into certain parts of their brain) is an addict and thats where i have to toot the horn for real and call bullshit :) i believe drug abuse is something that occurs by choice because someone is usually unhappy with the lives and if they truly want to quit they will do so & they wont relapse. the problem with treatment facilities is most people were forced to attend them as an alternative to staying out of prison, and treatment only works if people want it to work and decide to quit period.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Hi Rich - Thanks for sharing. I get where you are coming from and can feel your frustration. I'm wondering what is happening with you to make watching a video on Addiction as a Disease worth your time? Unfortunately, as you said, you didn't watch the whole thing. And it seems that as you were watching you might not have been listening to what he was actually saying, but rather hearing what he was saying through whatever is happening or has happened with you. I'm guessing you have someone close to you who is using drugs or alcohol and having negative consequences? I am an Addiction Recovery Counselor and have actual experience with both voluntary clients and court mandated clients. I see this on a daily basis and even almost all the ones that are mandated want to quit. Yes it is better than prison, but their lives are unmanageable and they know it. And, that is what McCauley says makes addiction a disease in 1 out of 10 people (the other 9 perhaps like yourself - the non-addict - can use drugs and even abuse drugs, but when they have enough negative consequences they stop; that 1 person out of the 10 has all the same negative consequences and they desperately want to stop and they can't quit on their own). If you are someone you know would like to chat about what is really going on in your or their situation, feel free to give me a call at 281-780-9014 (leave a message and I will return your call) or e-mail me directly at [e-mail]. Thank you again for the comment.

[@dungeonmp3]

have been talking with people some on social media and was skimming some material on youtube. i know its strange that people would watch something like this but understand i dont watch your normal programming :) i havent paid for cable in over a decade and prefer to watch or read things to educate myself. i just wanted to say that i think addiction is a choice and that its not a disease. you disagree with me on the aspect that treatment only works when people chose for it to work? as in if they seek the treatment not be forced to do it as an alternative to prison. i feel the best thing to do is to end prohibition on drugs all together and to help people afford treatment (should they chose to go that route). you also understand if people are forced into treatment centers, that in the end they relapse more often? idk if you guys keep up with those numbers but you should. we also need to look at these centers and their curriculum and their agenda trying to force people into slave labor situations.... ive not heard many good stories about these types of establishments and feel if theyre going to get tax payer funding, that they should be regulated.

[@dungeonmp3]

one more thing. i believe that test he is pointing at with the mice and the drugs was reconstructed. they had an area for the mice to do activities and play with others and they werent trying to use drugs anymore. i look at addiction kinda like this... www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Thanks for sharing the link! Was literally talking to a client and looking the info up for him yesterday (he had asked me to). You reminded me that I have seen this. I completely agree about the social piece of recovery. The ONLY piece of advice that I ever give to clients is: Stay Connected. If I don't feel like I'm part of something then I have no problem 'burning it all down.' That is what is happening for many addicts. Check out my website www.sirius-recovery.org to see my approach.

[@FIFTHDIRECTION]

Got it. And I completely agree with you about legalization or decriminalization. I think all drugs prescription or otherwise should be legal. I don't know what state you are in, but in Texas we are regulated. You may be referring to Therapeutic Communities that have a poor success rate. They actually had a huge success rate with the original one Day Top Village for adolescent boys. People saw that and took the behavioral techniques, but missed out on some underlying reasons why the program was successful. E.g., after completing the program if for any reason you needed more help with whatever in your life you could go back there. These boys that were neglected and abandoned were given a sense of family and belonging. That is why they success rate, not because you were manipulated into conforming. As you note, the 'success' rates are very low - even for the ones that want to get sober. That is why I am creating a model to change that - I figure even if I fail, I can get at least a 5% 'success' rate which is about what we see now. Wish me luck! Thank you for sharing.

[@argoncanon]

This is pure gold!