Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy Overrated?

Nick and Tom discuss different ways of thinking about addiction and why it matters for tackling one of the world's most important challenges.

Show Notes:

• Common misconceptions about addiction
• The 3 fundamental addictive behaviors
• Are addicts fundamentally different than non-addicts?
• Is addiction a habit?
• Addiction, loss of control, and the gun-to-the-head test
• How important is self-control and willpower in overcoming addiction?
• Cravings, Urge Surfing (Alan Marlatt), and Confidence
• Transforming desire
• Addiction as a relationship, not a thing (Stanton Peele, Love and Addiction)
• Should we legalize and/or decriminalize recreational drugs?
• The world’s first self-help books (Nichomachean Ethics)
• Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies professionally vetted self-help books
• Addictive personalities
• Positive addictions
• Slips vs relapses and why the distinction matters
• The opposite of addiction is connection (John Hari)
• St. John’s College 
• How to help someone who’s struggling with addiction
• Smart Recovery
• Beyond Addiction
• Practical Recovery

You can follow Tom and learn more about his work here:

• Website
• Book: Sex, Drugs, Gambling, and Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming Addictions

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