The Neuroscience of Addiction - with Marc Lewis

Neuroscientist and former addict Marc Lewis makes the case that addiction isn't a disease at all, although it has been recently branded as such.
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Marc's book "The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction is Not a Disease" is available now - geni.us/U3BzJ
In recent decades doctors have branded addiction a brain disease, and treated it as such. But in this riveting and provocative talk, neuroscientist and former addict Marc Lewis makes the convincing case that addiction isn’t a disease at all. Using personal stories and robust science, he explains how addiction really impacts our brains, and how neuroplasticity and a developmental approach to treatment can help to overcome it.
Marc Lewis is a neuroscientist and professor of developmental psychology, recently at the University of Toronto, where he taught and conducted research from 1989 to 2010, and presently at Radboud University in the Netherlands. He is the author or co-author of over 50 journal publications in psychology and neuroscience, editor of an academic book on developmental psychology, and co-author of a book for parents. More recently he has written two books concerning addiction.
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[@anastasiafromdp]

I don't care whether Marc is a good or bad lecturer, whether he did or did not do a line before the speech as many commented. All I care about is - this is the best explanation of addiction that I've ever encountered. And I will probably have to watch it many times and write down all important points and suggestions because I am sugar and food addict. Nothing I read or watched before helped me understand what is happening with me and now that I do, I feel empowered to change it. Just want to thank Marc Lewis for this great speech!

[@Heisen-burgerr]

Nastya Tru huge tip. Read “awaken the giant within by Tony Robbins. Top psychologist. Changed my life

[@isaiasatitegustaelwinnie666]

That was the same thing I was thinking when listening to his way of speaking. I was going to post a comment whether he took a bump before the seminar.

[@jamesmarcussolzan5490]

Asuhh Dude Robbins is a hack, in my opinion.

[@Heisen-burgerr]

James Marcus Solzan is you would read his book / try out one of his seminars you wouldn’t believe that (:

[@sarahfawcett4513]

Take a look at ACEs and their effects in adulthood, most of the neuropathways are set in childhood up to the age of 25, although these can be changed later in life. ACEs can have a massive impact on adult behaviours as during childhood the reptilian brain triggers more often and the fight or flight response is activated, this can lead to toxic stress. Check out Dr. Karen Treisman.

[@toesonmypillow]

I seriously appreciate when someone with a Ph.d refrains from unnecessarily complexifying data/ideas just to prove themselves as an intellectual. Marc's humility and relatability (using his own personal stories) is so refreshing in the medicalized world of addiction. Not to mention his integration of behavioral changes, pharmaceutical intervention, meditation, psychotherapy, and the idea that the brain can always change gives the addict many tools and hope.

[@ianmasters9208]

I am an addict. I have never watched this sort of thing before as if felt uncomfortable. I am in a situation where I could loose everything I hold dear. I’m glad I have watched this.

[@stevepatey6397]

Keep on track I am in the same boat just make a list and focus on fixing one thing at a time I also Wright down my issues never thought it would help but it did for me best of luck

[@TheAmaraHorton]

🙏🏾💗You can do anything you put your mind to. 🧠

[@reprogrammingmind]

Lose the extra 'o' while you're at it.

[@lisalillie13]

try SMART recovery. great alternative to AA, unless AA or NA works for you.

[@TTTCWW]

It is all physical biochemistry. Most addicts and alcoholics do not process the drug the same as the rest of society. A.A. tells folks they need to change all of their thinking through new action. Anything that you can commit to for the long term, will set you on a course that will lead to permanent sobriety. A.A. offers the shared experience and the understanding of others while suggesting you will get immediate relief by helping others with their problem. Addiction creates its own false reality. That is what makes it so frustrating to those that have it and those trying to help those who have an addicition.

[@dennismoore7895]

As an addict who has said "This is day one!" many times and has sat in the Anonymous meetings having to say I'm powerless and give myself to god (which is all the more fun when you arent religious), it was really inspiring to once not feel a death sentence. To hear that there is a way out and that I can get past it. This is of course my next "Day One" and very well may not be my last, but it's certainly the first one where I truly felt hopeful about my future.

[@jimmahgee]

I'm also not religious. I attend AA. The thing about being powerless is, as I understand it, that we have to accept that when we drink or drug (whatever it may be) we make ourselves vulnerable to extremely poor decision making. As addiction is progressive and our behaviours become more and more dangerous over time, that's what we don't want. Basically, we lose the ability to look after ourselves when we use, and it will only get worse with time. Unless someone convinces me otherwise I strongly believe that we have got to accept that as fact. At the same time as far as I'm concerned God isn't anything to do with it - it is partially a hangover from the origins of AA and partially a clumsy understanding of our need for connection and the effectiveness of making yourself useful, accountable, and integrating into a group of people. You know, the kind of stuff that gives us goals, meaning, etc.!

[@thomaslynch5182]

How is it going for you?

[@azula3906]

Yeah. How's it going? I always hated AA because of the whole God thing.

[@ryanrobin12]

@@jimmahgee look at the Freedom Recovery model. It dispels this myth that you don’t have control. We feel like we don’t because of a belief system that has soaked into us by the recovery and 12-step community. You DO have control. You have the choice. You have to reach a point where you sincerely believe that you do have a choice and that you are not powerless

[@jimmahgee]

@@azula3906 It’s been pretty good. I’m now a year and three months sober, and I stick by what I said in my comment before. Though before I say anything else - there’s different ways of getting and staying sober, and I don’t think AA is for everyone. Other options can be more effective. And I just flat out disagree with a lot of what AA says, and even for myself I choose to identify as a “person with Alcohol Use Disorder” rather than “alcoholic”. But I still go to meetings and I have a sponsor. I do one, sometimes two meetings a week. I’ve made connections with people and we support each other and encourage one another to figure out what kind of person we are/want to be, and live the values that we admire in others. For me it is about being in fellowship with decent people. We all just happen to have AUD/be alcoholics. These people have supported me a lot. So yeah, it’s not perfect but it is still helpful to me!

[@oriolagullo9800]

I am an addict too. I have been studing addiction for several years and I find the content of this lecture of very high quality. Thank you!

[@iimsoxo]

People should always read his book “ memoirs of an addicted brain “ i just finished reading it a week ago and he talks about him as an addict and what he went through! Really good !

[@hybridepigenes]

I had bought into the disease model. It was drummed into me. How absolutely enlightening this talk was. Empowerment and compassion focused therapy are always missing from all the programs I have seen.

[@kalwinderkaur8900]

Sir ur vedios have help me recovering from drug addiction. I had hit flat rock bottom emotionally financially n mentally n had no choice but to face it brutally but honestly. I relapsed n had no idea of why. u explained brain n it's pathological role in addiction thx from the bottom of my heart

[@gingerisevil02]

I suffered from addiction as a result of abuse and poverty and social isolation. I view this as a normal response to trauma and a learned behavior. Exactly. He is spot on.

[@markc5960]

Thanks, I haven't watched this yet though I've read his book, it's interesting to look at the comments because along with yours someone else was saying the fact that he has a PhD probably means he's privileged and has nothing to say about the content of the lecture at all.

[@mrsjokerstout]

You made a choice, and the BDM makes an excuse for your choice.

[@fransahm1956]

Good info ... He sounds like he had first hand experience before the presentation. Better than listening to people that have no idea what they are talking about. Thanks Marc

[@notyetskeletal4809]

This is gold. It makes me want to learn more. I have been told sections of this in some of my addiction recovery but its so refreshing to hear an expanded version now. I think there are pathways from this knowledge to ponder on to remain more self away in critical times. This brings me immediate hope. I will to listen to it again, take notes and implement this into my life. I want to help others too and to find how.

[@mayloma2143]

I'm really addicted to youtube.

[@nougatbitz]

May Loma Not by coincidence. Former data scientists having worked for KZbin said the recommendations are tailored not to satisfy what a user wants to actually see but slightly miss the mark and keep people clicking the next video to drive up watch time.

[@ericray7173]

That’s exactly how slot machines are designed

[@hwago123]

Tech companions are drug dealers.

[@tobiaszb]

Me too. That is why I watch this. But also interested in neuroscience, because of jhanas and nirodna.

[@carolina_grace5721]

It's not bad for you so its not an addiction but a habit. And it's a good habit because you like to learn and be informed ;)

[@1life_Only]

Finally and finally I found something that perfectly, logically and scientifically explains addiction & recovery after multitude of research. Thank you.

[@prometeo_X]

Tough crowd, I found his jokes funny. Entertaining and informative, excellent talk!

[@BreakFreeAddiction]

me too.. lol

[@recoverednation5627]

Matteo Rivera yes sir entertaining, funny, but he's the worst kind of fraud. He shows the improvement in the prefrontal cortex because that fits his opinion. But science is not opinion. It's factual evidence. He doesn't talk about the changes to the primitive brain which is what drives everything we do. If you want easy to understand facts watch parts 1-5 Dr Montes. Here's part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6CmhH16lsSJfLs

[@recoverednation5627]

Matteo Rivera but you should watch it when you can watch the whole lecture

[@nk3382]

BreakFree Addiction no

[@thethe6003]

Recovered Nation - First off, you've stolen Dr Montes' video, the real link is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZfbhHRnnbydgK8 ; second, "the worst kind of fraud", seriously!? Marc Lewis used to be a HARD CORE drug addict, is now fully recovered, and a highly respected neuroscientist and psychologist. Is that not science? Dr Montes's lecture is both educational and helpful, absolutely, but is a pure disease model in reference to actual recovery. Dr Monte and Marc Lewis seem to agree on the science of what's going on in the brain (which Dr Monte explains brilliantly), but disagree on the recovery solution. From personal experience of 12 steps, rehab centres etc., and having studied and applied in my own recovery, I agree with Marc Lewis 100%. He gets it. He's been there. And it works! Dr Monte is empathic and understands what's going on in the brain, but has never been there. It's all theory. Plus his company 'The Treatment Centre' makes a fortune from addicts, he has an agenda to boot by following the disease model. Final note: Marc Lewis's books on addiction are pure brilliance, and extremely readable. Highly recommended.

[@varunpro1]

The overlap of unacceptable (drugs , over indulgence ) & the acceptable ( smoking , drinking , binge eating maybe) is uber important to understand in its subtlety / variableness; and Marc Lewis gave very good tools to envision them ; hence practically take ownership in why & how and what can be done at individual level thereon ... Simply Brilliant ... Two Thumbs up !

[@simonwiltshire7089]

ThIs is a superb talk. Techy enough without excluding a general audience.

[@matamorosa]

his book "memoirs of an addicted brain" is absolutely amazing, hands down the best book i've ever read

[@JanetArnold1257]

Fascinating, and as a physician I totally agree!

[@markmanning1870]

OUTSTANDING WORK BREAKING THIS TRUTH OUT OF THE BOX

[@Jlborowy]

I agree that addiction is NOT a disease... I see it, as do many in the addiction field, as a mental illness, or mental disorder, not unlike bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, clinical depression, etc. It's treatable, not "curable". It's absolutely possible to "rewire" your brain enough to cope with the illness/disorder, and live a functional life, without using drugs, or whatever else your addiction focus is. You were an addict before you used drugs, or whatever, but whatever you're addicted to does make the illness worse over time, as any mental illness/disorder does, if left untreated.

[@jdubrey1527]

Excellent! Thank you for the detailed explanation. I’m a Chemical Dependency Counselor, so this topic really sparks my interest!

[@jessebobonweed5999]

i find the classes i am taking rather frustrating because they blame their action son the disease of addiction ... like a pit for blame of why they made poor choices . as i go through the class i find my self more and more in disbelief of the process . which is why i found myself at this video and looking for supporting information.

[@darkchocolategirl51]

This gave me so much understanding of addiction. Excellent.

[@robertrankin7304]

Thank you for the presentation. It really has helped me understand some things.

[@nazsiwagemelas9359]

This is such an incredibly powerful and useful presentation and I just want to thank Marc Lewis so much for sharing his incredibly insightful knowledge. This truly is life changing and life saving stuff. As an addict, I have such deeply immense gratitude for having this been shared. Godspeed!

[@monica_richardson]

Thank you for your work and book and speaking out .

[@spiralsun1]

This was awesome 😎-one of the best and most helpful videos I have ever seen. Just brought everything together in an unforgettable and neuroanatomic heuristic. I now fully understand all the other videos and what is wrong with many of them. If you don’t talk in an evolutionary sense about overcoming human limitations and obstacles then you really can’t be truly helpful. Because that’s the why and the how of everything. Literally everything. Thanks so much !!! 🙏🏻💖

[@manoftheworld1000]

Thumbs up to Marc Lewis! Not only because he gives a brilliant talk on a highly controversial topic - in my view the only reasonable perspective (addiction as neural learning). He is also willing to leave his neuroscience lab in order to reach out to 'ordinary' people in the open public. I read his excellent book "Memoirs ..." and I'll soon acquire his latest book with lots of anecdotal cases of genuine drug addicts.

[@Mdmathemovie2016]

Excellent! Thank you for your work.

[@richardthompson86]

I wouldn't say that the 12-step programs are the only way to recovery, but I will say that it works very well for me, and has for many years. A common misconception about AA and NA is that the people who utilize those means of recovery are in a constant state of barely holding on their recovery, needing constant reminders of what might happen if they use again. That's not been my experience at all. It's true that in early recovery, those are helpful, but an addict who only focuses on what would happen as a result of relapse is an addict who is much the same person as they were before, only without the drug flowing through their system. The 12-step programs are frameworks for real change. All one has to do is look at the other steps after the first step. It is a process of getting out of an extreme self- obsession and thereby learning to have a more rational, balanced sense of self. It's a reintegration with society. I don't care what anyone says, there is no person that can relate to addiction like someone who has experienced it themselves. A major part of the 12-step programs is addicts who have time in recovery working with other addicts. We have a saying; "You have to give it away to keep it". It would be great if people could go to a counselor every day, but that's generally not possible unless one is very wealthy. There are NA meetings every day of the week where I live, and even after years, I still average five each week. Not because I have to make that many to stay clean, but because I WANT to! I want to be there for those who come brand new (or come back after brutal relapse) I consider it a tremendous blessing to have the opportunity to help these people, to be an example to them, and it is such a wonderful thing to watch people have positive change in their lives, re-enter the job force, mend relations with families, and turn into such different people than they were, to the point that they become almost unrecognizable compared to their former selves, physically, mentally, and yes, spiritually. I should note here that the twelve-step programs are not religious programs. There is no compulsion for religious affiliation of any kind, and AA and NA are in no way allied with any religious or other outside entities. Each person is permitted and encouraged to form their own opinion of a "higher power". Powerless over my addiction? You bet! I've proved that enough to know beyond any shadow of a doubt that if I take any mood-altering substance, I will be right back on that other track, and the results are going to be devastating and immediate. It's black and white, night and day for me. What's odd is that the simple undeniable knowledge of that fact is not enough in the long run for me to manage to stay clean long-term. I have to guard myself against falling into that self-centered mindset that is so prevalent with people like me, and the best way I know how to do that is to be meaningfully involved in other people's lives and becoming a responsible, acceptable and productive member of society. NA has given me a way to do that within the framework of the 12 steps, and a wonderful group of extremely close friends who know me well enough and care enough about me go out of their way for me. We stick together. We don't do it alone.

[@mattgraves3709]

Exactly :) thank you for posting this.

[@seansmith5547]

It is very religious when "God" is on every other page of the books. I have over a year clean and recently came back to the rooms for fellowship. I do not believe in God nor do I believe in the disease of addiction or alcoholism. I'm struggling with literature and limiting my sharing because of my views. Therefore limiting my experience. I've replaced people places and things. I've replaced my bad habits with healthy ones. I'm doing 90 in 90 to find my meetings and people but I feel like imposter even though I have earned that sear many times over. I have an amazing testimony and I have hope to share. I have returned to college and I immerse my self in these lectures which are the latest and greatest in the science but conflict with the spiritual malady expressed in literature. In short I'm learning how to interpret and constructively express my emotions, and maintain a healthy self esteem/ personal inventory. I journal. I 10th step every night. But I do not believe God has anything to do with the breath in my lungs.

[@jukle89]

Tricia

[@wednesdayschild3627]

I found 12 step program al anon helpful. It helps my ocd aka compulsive behaviors. I think my church helps me too. I get help by praying the rosary. I do not take any medications for my ocd.

[@wednesdayschild3627]

@@seansmith5547 I wonder if alcohol is a compulsion. So, with ocd, I get anxiety from a thought, the compulsion is anything that lessens the anxiety. The way out is to resist the compulsion, and allow the anxiety.

[@SriRam-oi2hs]

Two points of clarification: The Twelve Steps never say "don't do" anything. They are about do this, do that... do an inventory, list character defects, make amends, pray, meditate etc. Also, AA says don't worry about never drinking again; just don't drink today.

[@strooom546]

Yup. Y did he bash AA? Ugghhh

[@Jablicek]

I've thought for years that the medical model of addiction was underplaying the role of the psychological. This was a fascinating lecture and has given me much to contemplate.

[@bobbycecere1037]

The medical model of addiction includes the psychological component

[@kindredessex3827]

Great talk. Thank you, sir!

[@joemalik575]

Awesome talk. I have been addicted to various drugs through out my life. I was a complete mess until I decided on my own that it wasn't a disease but a habit. I still do drugs occasionally but not habitually. Somethings that helped me was deciding to never doing drugs when I am in a bad mood, never going out of my way to find them and being mindful of when and why I have a craving. Also, hitchhiking through Kansas.

[@doodoobrn]

Sounds like a plan, Stan. Those are good rules to live by for people who can get through the first hurdles of sobriety. "...neither abstinence nor excess ever rendered a man happy"- Voltaire

[@cailin5309]

You are not an addict if you can use substances recreationally. Not everyone’s an addict. I get your insight because as a recovering addict of one specific drug myself.. I could use other drugs and put them down but god forbid I get ahold of my drug, it’s like I no longer possess any form of self control.

[@michaelnunns6577]

@Richard Balliet WELL SAID. I'm the same way. Did dope for over 20 years and I tried numerous times to use other drugs and not dope it always brought me back to my drug choice..... Maybe not right away.. but eventually I was back shooting dope. And congrats for the 1.5 years for an addict that's a miracle.

[@SilentGuyX]

​@Phantom Jerker You cant generalize YOUR experience. And yes of course it registers the difference between drugs. Just because you cannot use anything does not mean that the brain works that way in general.

[@bryanalilvguitars]

"I used to do drugs...I still do, but I used to too"

[@drvinu4u]

Very Informative talk. His effort to explain this complex topic is commendable. The profound psychological basis of addiction is clearly explained. The role of Mindfulness meditation (Vipassana) in alleviating addiction is scientifically proved and his emphasis on this is great 👍

[@soberhippie]

Great talk! Does ring a lot of bells for me.

[@radoslawjasionowski9950]

Absolutely correct and evidence based approach towards addictions. It is all about habits and skills and neuroplasticity. Love is addiction like amphetamine, food is addiction, anything is addiction that rewards us, even going to gym. Look how many people run each day 5 km and become hooked and addicted to it. Their knees and joints become problem, they cant stop! Spend thousands on new gears, cant feel relaxed without running or going to gym, where often they do it with wrong techniques, but everyone tells them that they are "healthy, sporty people"- but if nature wanted you to be a racing horse then it would provide you with better joints;)

[@christopher8616]

You must've really missed the slide with the definition of addiction on it, eh?

[@gavine2363]

@@christopher8616 what r u talking abt?

[@scorpiostwo]

I've been working as an addictions counselors in an intense 8 weekend substance abuse treatment facility for federal parolees in Canada and I never bought the "addiction is a disease" modality. Here, our treatment philosophy is based on the social learning theory in that addiction is a learnt behaviour. When Mark wrote The Biology of Desire, it reinforced exactly how we approach addiction. We'd be doing the parolees a disservice if we told them they were sick and they're was no cure. We're even encouraging our clients to read it. We need more people like Mark Lewis to destroy this house of cards that's been built and the crap the medical establishment has been peddling since the 1950s.

[@bobbycecere1037]

Please explain how your theory that addiction is a learned behavior contradicts the disease model of addiction. Of course it's a learned behavior. I don't see how that dispels the disease model in any way

[@AB-wf8ek]

@@bobbycecere1037 You obviously didn't watch the whole video. He talks about why the disease model is harmful @ 48:40

[@bobbycecere1037]

@@AB-wf8ek Cute. You clearly didn't read my comment. Where did I say anything about The disease model being harmful or not harmful?

[@williamm6446]

The American Medical Association recognized addiction as a disease back in the 1950's. There is no "cure" it is simply put in remission by continued abstainance. I learned long ago, from experience, that one drink will send me right back to my active addiction ( last bottom) , and through CBT, group self help ( A.A,) and staying away from that first drink, I have managed to keep clean and sober for 24 years. I have no desire to drink today, but I am convinved that one drink will start the cravings leading to total destruction. No alcholic ever recovers control.

[@josepha.4072]

Good stuff. ~44mins where he points out that just turning down an addiction once, or sometimes begins to rewire the brain very interesting and a good take to take the pressure off an addict from the all or nothing approach

[@SamiTakayama]

This was the most empowering ever! Thank you:)

[@zolee6357]

I've quit cocaine few months ago, but struggling with alcohol, that's the tough shit, especially when you're alone af

[@derfizzy9532]

hope u made it :)

[@zigmasj6572]

It's so bizarre that alcohol is legal.

[@zolee6357]

@@zigmasj6572 yeah it's a crime against humanity to allow alcohol, literally in every bloody corner of the town

[@missjuut]

Cross addiction... happens very often, we replace the one drug for another. The addiction part is that as soon as you take the first, you cant stop. I advice you kindly to go and attend a nice AA / CA meeting in your area. You are not alone in this and it does help you get out of this dark place. Good luck!!

[@davidk3009]

Beautiful work. Well done.

[@edbrown4254]

I would like to say, respectfully, that the recommendations made here for rehabilitation are EXACTLY in line with 12 step programs. I won't list examples, but, each of his SUGGESTIONS are the same as ones given to me by a sponsor in AA.

[@DRVBPATILFOUNDATION]

Informative and helpful video. I agree with you

[@stephaniepearson3949]

This is wonderful!!

[@AlcoholTreatmentRecovery]

I really want you to know I love your stuff. It’s great. Thank you for simplification and your thought process. John The addiction guy

[@michaelhunt6388]

Learned a lot from this lecture!

[@Beencouraged777]

31 years ago, I was addicted to cocain...I quit cold turkey, to this day have never relapsed...I do not go to meetings, or counseling, ...I never ever crave for it. Have no desire what so ever!

[@squidsquid285]

Then you were not truly addicted or you’re god

[@SneakyBadness]

Must be nice

[@hollybratton5668]

Your not a addict

[@smarterworkout]

It wasnt you...God helped you whether you know this or not.

[@markg.4246]

Yvette, you must have changed something about the way you were living. Which from my own experience, is how I continue to recover from alcoholism and drug addiction. A day at a time, I started moving my feet differently and began to believe in the process of living in the solution, instead of the problem. Best wishes to you!

[@georgbreckmann584]

I once attended an NA meeting with a girlfriend who was fighting pot / ecstasy addiction. I was really put off that, at the beginning of the meeting, she had to open with, “I’m Clare and I’m an addict.” On the way back to her house, I told her that this was beginning the session of getting away from the drugs with an AFFIRMATION. The AA meetings do the same thing. This is simply wrong. They should at least change it to say, “Hello, I’m Bill and I WAS a heroin addict, but I’m living sober now.”

[@astrodad656]

I know of some that use the phrase, "I am a recovered addict".

[@ramdhiwakarseetharaman5989]

What a marvelous and addictive lecture ! Really informative and engaging.

[@ehudsonification3811]

Memoirs of An Addicted Brain - Marc Lewis. He knows his stuff.

[@khagendralimbu8426]

This is an interesting talk show about drug abuse, amazing !

[@switch616]

Thank you so much Sir! It helps me a lot. People treated me with the brain decease model but didn't work.

[@tmstani23]

This is great information. But therapy is often very expensive and not available to many addicts. Especially semi-functioning addicts who aren't low income enough to qualify for state funded therapy.

[@carolina_grace5721]

Thank you for this video :) God bless you all!

[@elaineandrepont]

Excellent! Bravo! Finally the solid truth and not manipulation for continued maintenance/profiteering schemes.

[@gthomas9490]

About halfway through he talks about addiction cycle, around 48:00 he starts talking about recovery

[@ahikam546]

Thank you sir for this great lecture.

[@Ryn94lls]

Thankyou for this... it is appreciated .

[@margaretphillips3576]

Very interesting, bought the book.

[@travisb9507]

He is saying things I’ve been trying to say for the last year but is back by Science

[@ericbelsterling8186]

Lewis is quite the inspiration; a human being who overcame his addictions and transformed himself into a world class neuroscience. His model of addiction as being a “pathological overlearning” is excellent and I believe is a great addition to the body of research already established in addiction science. I’m also an avid fan of Dr. Kevin McCauley, who explains what constitutes something as a disease. According to McCauley the disease model developed through Germ Theory, which states there is a defect in the organ which leads to signs and symptoms. The defect would occur in reward pleasure pathway, and can be amended. This would then impact the signs and symptoms. I really like Lewis, however, the argument if we say it is a pathological overlearning, still requires the same type of treatment, CBT at first, then the deep trauma, attachment wounding repeat and resolution. I look at disease as dis-ease. Again, Lewis is a powerhouse and an inspiration.

[@makerous]

Excellent analysis.

[@toni4729]

A lot of good information. Thank you.

[@ninefourteensix]

Thank you so much for helping to dispel the widespread BS notion of the "disease model" in a really articulate and personal way.

[@ross-sound-journal]

Amazing lecture and information

[@kristineshahoyan2841]

Amazing talk! Science rocks))

[@Neuronalchannel]

Thanks for a great video.

[@SunyataMaanyata]

Thank you

[@pas9ify]

"You never hear let's get high next week". Actually, that is exactly what I do, wait until the weekend. But then, I am not an addict. This talk is very helpful in understanding addiction from the non-addicts standpoint. I don't think you can ever understand addiction completely if you aren't one, on the other hand, I don't think addicts fully appreciate the level of stress and energy drain it takes to deal with them, regardless if it is a disease or not!

[@bobbycecere1037]

What you are describing is an indication that you are not addicted.

[@tejara01]

Did you miss the fact that he was an addict? He is talking from an ex-addict point of view. Why comment on something like this when you have no idea of the context...

[@mindofown]

Very Helpful Thanks

[@caffeineEU]

Great talk. Just one thing to clarify. 55:26 Baclofen is not a benzodiazepine as structurally does not have a diazepine ring fused with benzene ring (to be precise - does not have diazepine ring at all!) . Baclofen may be helpful in the short-term management of craving and withdrawal in patients with BZ, alcohol dependence. Thanks

[@strooom546]

Yeah... im not sure if bashing AA was the right thing to do either 🤔

[@kamaleshpramanik7645]

Awesome lecture ... Thank you very much.

[@sandyhowell9633]

Awesome perspective

[@jeremybotner1213]

Wow this explains alot. I wish I could get people to understand this stuff.

[@dianeterry4261]

Thank you very helpful.

[@jimjohnhaywire]

"The density of connections is lost over time."

[@3245james]

My experiences with heroin/cocaine among other substances labeled as "addictive" left me feeling like its meaning is somewhat fictional. In the 19th century the word addiction had no negative connotations at all. It was just a love for something you do often. Then in the 20th century with the drug war taking off it became a part of the propaganda arsenal. My experience with addictive drugs was that addiction is not what I thought it was. I realized I was lied to and that people with serious problems with drugs have traumatic sorrowful lives often filled with different forms of abuse. Its fundamentally wrong that our loving governments try to encourage us to hate these people. I think if drug prohibition were to end everybody would be able to have that first hand experience and grasp exactly what is going on. There would be much more understanding and ability to authentically care for our fellow citizen. Don't be lied to. End drug prohibition. Have your first hand experience. Realize they are waging a war over fuck all. Get those innocent people out of jail.

[@BavonWW]

My thoughts exactly. Thankfully your comment has shown me that there are others like myself. Perhaps there's only the two of us but, it's a start.

[@tomryan9827]

Addiction IS a permanent condition. Any addict who has relapsed after years or even decades of sobriety can tell you it picks right back up where it left off. Alcoholics will be back to a 12 pack a day within a week of relapsing. Or by the very next day. You may regain brain matter that allows you to reflect on your decisions more, but the powerful neurocircuits that form during addiction never fade. Relapsing is like a time machine that brings the compulsion back as powerfully as if it never left. I agree that AA is not a good model for everyone. Most alcoholics get sober on their own, according to the largest study ever conducted by the NIH. The reason is similar to what this guy describes: AA demands too much effort. It works when a person is able to define their life as being about sobriety. But it comes at the expense of some of your other goals, your free time, your personal autonomy and identity, and the constant mental effort of "living god's will." It's an enormous drain that asks more than most people are willing to give. Recovery does demand a lot more than abstinence. But personal growth can happen many ways. AA seems to work best for people who are conformist, social, and capable of religiosity. There aren't many good options outside of AA, so most of us just find our own path. I'm glad I did. I don't "work" to be sober. I work to improve my life because I want to, not because I have to. That's a much less demanding effort in the long run. I was never able to stay sober in AA. Just did not like the lifestyle at all.

[@kellytrowhill681]

Motivational interviewing, cognitive behavior therapy/addiction, and dialectical behavior therapy have high rates of efficacy when employed in a therapeutic setting with persons presenting with addiction. That being written, I suspect this lecturers assertion that addiction isn't a disease is largely shaped by the material he presented that represents that there are structural changes that account for long term abstinence. His assertions are grounded, also, in that he believes that the brain (which is always seeking homeostasis) learns new ways to achieve a dopamine response to the external stimuli. We know from several studies, both longitudinal and constellar, most people suffering addiction relapse at least three to five times before achieving total sobriety. The key difference in the lasting sobriety is the conscious seeking of and implementation of alternative behaviors to meet the big three of triggers: people, places, and things.

[@yusufjorgenz5951]

hated AA. didn't help only made me worse. I quit on my own when I made up my mind I was not going to stop at a store and buy any more.

[@gil-juniorriseabovebetraya5972]

Yup all that it will probably do for me is meet someone who has very good prices and that will trigger me to buy some because it brings me pleasure when I find a cheaper plug with good quality

[@SilentGuyX]

Maybe you should watch the video before commenting.

[@sethsballs8479]

No it isn’t. It’s the belief in the disease idea that causes more harm than anything. Hence people who are in formal recovery groups and attend rehabs binge eat harder than they relapse. My drinking spanned about 10 years and my usage through out varied from moderate to daily to frequent blackouts to everywhere in between. I stopped without any formal help and had 3 slips my first year. None of these slips resulted in return to use, let alone heavy use. People need to know they’re completely capable of adjusting or quitting with the right information and right mindset. Our brains are hijacked by misinformation far more than they are by drugs and alcohol.

[@ioa1024]

Great lecture

[@420MusicFiend]

Fantastic stuff!

[@jenniferhenderson4650]

Thanks!

[@supernova11491]

Inclusive of some very powerful messages!😀

[@bp9644]

Brilliant.

[@michaelball4676]

I find it interesting he unaware of Sinclair Method (for alcohol) that specifically addresses the 40+ week time period slide (earlier in lecture) for the brain to gain back (reconnect) self control. It specifically addresses alcohol as a brain skill (reward system) not a disease.

[@PreciousBoxer]

Like how kids will con their parents into rewarding them for another cookie without doing what was intended in the first place. I don't think more studies or rhetoric is necessary. Addiction is what you make of it. Depression is an adverse side effect of oppression, primarily derived from economical abuse, but any of the forms of abuse will produce the same results. Psychologists are looking for intrinsic evidence to support things which are caused by existential factors. They should stick to studying things instead of insisting their work is some kind of important science. Psychometrics is just used by the government to socially engineer people for the sake of special interests. Economics, education, and politics also are not real sciences. They're just used for marketing purposes. "Fundamentally people have a great misconception. Physical capital is not really very important. What's really important is human capital." -- Milton Friedman About 8 minutes into his Tyranny of the Status Quo talk here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGrcg5egadmdeZY

[@mathijsvanesch2835]

@@PreciousBoxer wowwwww everything alright?

[@kentshultz6157]

Exactly. The Sinclair Method (TSM) uses medication (naltrexone) to block the reward from drinking alcohol, thereby helping you unlearn the addiction. Once you have unlearned the addiction, you don't have to take naltrexone anymore. The naltrexone wasn't correcting some pathological dysfunction in the brain (i.e. as the disease model would suppose); it was just an adjunct to help you return your alcohol-reward circuitry to its pre-addicted state. Of course, TSM does not help with the underlying psychological pain that drove you to drink in the first place. But it does get you out of the hole so you can be relatively free of addiction while you work towards wholeness. Really wish more addiction counselors and rehab facilities knew about TSM. They'll never accept it because it is not Abstinence Only. But it works! Rehab centers may prescribe naltrexone, but they don't use TSM; they follow the disease model, which says, "You have a problem with your brain. Here, take this medication every morning forever just like a diabetic takes insulin." But this just isn't how it works. Sinclair was a genius.

[@phase66]

And it absolutely works.

[@astrodad656]

The disease model has been pounded at me [I am an addictionologist] but I could never explain why the treatment [i.e.,wanting to get better] could put "the disease" in remission. We don't tell cancer patients that they will get better if they want it bad enough. 3:00

[@TTTCWW]

Does the cancer patient refuse to show up for treatments or refuse to do what the doctor suggest? The "want it bad enough" has a very low success rate. Most seriously addicted people very much want to quit. Many would give anything to stop. The disease of alcoholism and addiction is not a model. Please tell me folks are not teaching it as a "model". The disease explains the symptoms, why they need to be treated, and describes why they use drugs or alcohol differently than normal people.

[@astrodad656]

@@TTTCWW I have always considered return to use formerly known as relapse to be non compliance with treatment recommendations. So I suppose one can construe the non-compliant diabetic or cancer patient in that light. I don't blame my patient's for having this illness but I do hold them responsible for return to use and I do believe that is a choice. The thing that most puzzles me is that non-compliance with cancer patients for example is quite low and yet non-compliance rates with a substance use disorder appear to be pretty high. Maybe one day I will find the Holy Grail: a way to get my clients to be compliant with treatment recommendations.

[@Staticaged]

@@astrodad656 the difference between "non-compliant cancer patients" and substance addicts, is that when the substance addict chooses "non-compliance", they are getting what is generally a euphoric feeling, a ceasing of the craving, and some time to forget about their problems. When a cancer patient chooses not to comply with treatment, does that give them a euphoric high? Do they crave not complying with treatment? Does non-compliance with treatment somehow allow them to forget all about their problems? Obviously not. This should have been obvious to you.

[@ginsing1455]

Wonderful explanation! So to overcome we basically want to strengthen the connection between the Prefrontal Cortex and the Striatum. Does anyone have any references (videos, books, links) to therapy that focuses on this idea?

[@zacharyzimmerman5721]

Point being I beleave addiction is complex and many diff models can be applied too it. I love though the freshness of this learned behavioral model. It's exciting and informative. I don't though beleive it's the single only all encompassing explanation 100%. But it is a big and very informative explanation in general indeed.

[@geraldgaddy1333]

That's the most critical point of being in denial which is repeated behavior pattern. It only makes sense to people who carry it out. Especially if the masses continue to do it.

[@anikyt7570]

Beautiful lecture ... Thank you very much.

[@paulhall9713]

People don't understand that getting sent or made to go by law or guilt from family is not going to rehab that's just being sent away. You ain't stopping till you want to when you want to go the rehabs work amazingly well for those ready to learn and learn how to quit

[@paulhall9713]

Never thought of it as a disease but it fits all the requirements for being one.

[@tracycarroll8698]

Amen brother preach it!!!

[@notatheist]

34:46 - delayed gratification bookmark

[@anthonywandowicz8084]

Life is a spiritual experience! We are here to reach our full potential. Drug addiction reveals an immense amount of pain and misery and depending on the person over time an amazing spiritual awakening occurs achieving a higher level of consciousness and enlightenment. This doesnt occur with all addicts but I can ensure understanding the mechanisms of the brain will not prevent or solve the core problem. Back to my point , life is a spiritual experience and some of use have to suffer through the means of addiction and what it brings is to achieve enlightenment, ability to know truth , and the understanding having a conscious contact with God was and is the solution. As an addict I've learned God didnt give me a choice. If I dont live by spiritual principles which represent love and truth I self destruct through drugs. I've tried every other method . Knowing oneself and knowing God and spiritual principals and practicing them is part of the solution.

[@traviswald2034]

I'm in drug court now and the out come if I were to use would be a lot of years in prison and I've been a everyday several times a day meth user for years but now I'm clean and don't even think about it so I think mark is right and I would like to know how to become a part of his study

[@Josh-rn1em]

Same, but with opiates. We dont need it, only want it. Its a compusion that will slowly fade away. We are learning to reward from long term goals.

[@bobbycecere1037]

@@Josh-rn1em You literally just described recovery

[@mreese8764]

Stellar audio quality, again. ASMR as you don't want it. (That goes to the audio guy or the person who decided an audio guy was not necessary)

[@mindofown]

Excellent

[@Gregoz987]

Interesting perspective 🤔 the data even shows some actually mature out which goes against everything I learned about this disease... of addiction.

[@anima8450]

I'm a recovering addict from alcohol. Thankfully for me cognitive behavioral therapy completely made me recover. I sometimes get cravings and imagery and think damn it would be so nice to have a drink right now but my prefrontal cortex is strong enough and I can inhibit myself from doing it

[@haroldlee8568]

True I like this video, it explains a lot simply

[@BreakFreeAddiction]

he is very good!

[@BreakFreeAddiction]

are you an addict? If I may ask..

[@haroldlee8568]

BreakFree Addiction yes I am

[@clairNshane]

13:25 Synaptic growing and synaptic pruning