In this episode, host and economist Austin Frakt talks about the behavioral science of addiction and desire, citing a study that showed people on cocaine rated their sexual desire much higher than those not on the drug. This leads to a discussion on the therapeutic implications of understanding the relationship between addiction and desire.
The pleasure-pain balance greatly depends on the baseline level of dopamine and the readily releasable pool of dopamine, and huge increases in dopamine can lead to addiction. Even for non-addicted individuals, a peak in dopamine can cause a substantial drop below baseline, which affects motivation to pursue other activities, but there are ways to keep the baseline at a healthy level.
The speaker shares his struggles with addiction, recounting a time when he was repeatedly arrested and spent time in jail, while still continuing to abuse substances for several months afterwards.
Sean Doherty shares his personal journey of overcoming addiction and how it led him to a path of personal transformation. He advocates for the use of psychedelic substances as a means of healing and personal growth.
Kim S's caregiver instincts kick in when Jamie moves in next door to her and Rick Senior, and they begin to help Jamie with his addiction struggles, while Rick Senior's son, Ricky Jr., grapples with substance use disorder and frequent convictions related to drug possession and theft, ultimately leading to a collapse in the relationship.
In this episode, the speaker emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our addictions and changing our mentality from "I can't stop" to "I'm choosing not to stop" in order to face the reality of the damaging effects of our actions.
The speaker uses an analogy of introducing people to cocaine as a way of explaining how people become addicted to meeting new people.
The speaker suggests acknowledging both the numbing effects and potential pitfalls of addictive behaviors. Over time, giving strength to a healthier perspective can lead to more power and wellbeing.
The podcast discusses stories about sex addiction and the places it led one of the hosts. While some stories are funny, most of them are sad.
The speaker shares their experience with addiction to opioids and how it led to feelings of shame and mediocrity, but eventually led to a renewed determination to succeed in all areas of life, including completing an Ironman.
The power of momentum can help overcome addiction and bring positive changes in life. Journaling, meditation, exercise, and healthy eating habits can all contribute to building healthy momentum.
The Unwinding Anxiety, Eat Right Now, and Craving to Quit apps are helping people overcome negative addictions and find peace in their lives.
The speaker argues that giving addicted individuals a margin of error and grace can go a long way in helping them overcome their struggles with drugs or gambling.
Comedian Chelsea Handler reflects on the deaths of two uncles from alcoholism and the role of alcohol in her own life.
A story of overcoming addiction and finding a path to success.
The video game discussed in this podcast fosters a sense of community among players who take care of each other and discourage drug abuse. The game's emphasis on group behavior helps addicts looking to get clean.
The speaker talks about his experience using cocaine and how it affected him at a young age, using drugs to change the way he felt about himself while affecting his joy for DJing.
The speaker discusses their experience with addiction and the dangers of pain medication and also talks about the negative effects of warning children to not trust or rely on men without giving an example of a good man. They also make a joke about drinking ginger ale being cannibalism.
The speaker discusses his addictive personality and how it manifests in playing golf and winning club championships. He also talks about his experiences managing his family's restaurant business.
The host of a television show confesses to never really getting sober despite documenting his journey to sobriety, and jokes about using the alcoholic calendar to extend opening day celebrations.
The podcast discusses the difficult conversation someone might have to have with a family member dealing with addiction and offers advice on how to support them through the recovery process.
A man struggles with his alcohol addiction and seeks help by attending AA meetings after injuring himself in a drunken incident.
A recovering addict shares her experience of being in a long-term rehabilitation program, the privileges that came with it, and her struggles of wanting to break free but not wanting to leave others behind.
The speaker shares their experience with addiction and how they had to let go of a toxic relationship to get sober through therapy. They express admiration for women entrepreneurs who have successfully turned challenges into opportunities.
A woman gets pulled into addiction and despite everything in her life that taught her decency she succumbs to it when offered drugs and sex.
The speaker recounts a story of addiction and repeated arrests while driving under the influence, resulting in six months of imprisonment.
Lillian is not happy that Velma is addicted to pills and dislikes who she's become. Velma, whom Lillian's dating, is going through tough times according to her family.
The age gap between the characters in the story makes the juvenile behavior seem out of place. The protagonist struggles with realizing her partner's addiction to methamphetamine despite his productivity at his job and the subtle clues she finds, such as suspect cufflinks.
A comedian shares a story about attending an AA meeting and encountering a man who was high on heroin and making inappropriate comments.
A man reflects on his addiction struggles and how it affected his relationships with family and friends.
A personal story of how someone overcame alcohol addiction after getting a clean bill of health.
