Dr. Gabor Mate on how addiction changes the brain - full sho

How does addiction change the brain? According to Dr. Gabor Mate, it's a difficult struggle for hard core drug addicts to kick their habit because their brains are impaired. In a new book, he looks at the common roots of addictive behaviours and what can be done about them. It's called "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction".

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[pattipants]

Yes he is brilliant and a very kind compassionate man. We so need the wisdom he is sharing. I cannot help but wish he had been around when the idiotic "just say no" anti-drug campaign got started. I can still remember thinking that ppl especially teens would not be saying no to

altering their conscienceness if they were growing up in abusive/unstable or neglectful homes that create so much emotional trauma during such vulnerable years. It sounded like the dumbest thing I had ever heard.

[Canadis]

Dr. Gabor Mate, thank you for your wisdom, compassion and care on the subject.

[TheWhoLive73]

Sorry for the comments but I really have a problem here at 50yrs old. You see my previous comment that I got addicted to Cocaine and had a 9yr binge starting at 40. Well my family is not happy that a well known psychiatrist in the Hollywood area(Ca) has put me on Adderall for the last year knowing I have a addiction problem. To tell you the truth Adderall helps alot. I can focus sit still and complete tasks at hand. What are the long term effects? Physically I'm very healthy.

[TheWhoLive73]

I agree with you there. I WAS a drug addicted AND HAD a very stable upbringing. No one in my family had a drug problem or alcohol. I never did drugs as a teenager. I started using when hit 40yrs old and had 9yr binge with Cocaine I didn't drink smoke or use any other drug,. just Sniffing Cocaine. I found out at 50yrs old I had A severe case of ADD. Found out people with ADD #1 DRUG OF CHOICE IS COCAINE BECAUSE ITS A STIMULANT. Cocaine actually made me focus and had a calming effect on me.

[MalfoyHatesIslam]

LOL....an addiction to classical CDs....that is a new one. 

Cool stuff though.

[HIR5032]

Great information! We need this kind of awareness and education about addiction to fight against it. Worth sharing!

[Snake8418]

Nice!

[Jesse Kaellis]

It wasn't as dumb as you think. You can always find a reason to use but after 35 years of use and abuse starting when I was 13 I stopped and I have 9 years now.

I saw my future coming up fast and I didn't want it. I didn't want to end up on the street or in prison or in a mental institution. Not everybody that started using drugs and got addicted had a bereft childhood. That is so patronizing. I actually had a very difficult and abbreviated childhood, but that's not why I used.

[Carol Cullen]

Excellent !! 

[Snake8418]

So you're saying that Peter Joseph has ulterior motives...?

[Dilwhite4president]

Control of those who follow the religion, if you want to control people control what they believe. Its basic, knowledge. If you go to school i mean...