While the term “addiction” is generally associated with the misuse of drugs or alcohol, there is a wide range of substances or behaviors that have the potential to become addictive – including those that are generally considered positive, such as work or exercise. To prevent or heal from addiction of any kind and maintain a balanced relationship with the things you enjoy, it may be helpful to understand the neuroscience behind why we get addicted.

Clinician and scholar Anna Lembke, our guest in Episode 223 of The Mindset Game® podcast, is a professor of psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries and is the author of books including “Drug Dealer, MD: How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop” and “Dopamine Nation.” Anna sits on the board of several state and national addiction-focused organizations, has testified before various committees in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and maintains an active speaking calendar. In this week’s episode, Anna shares the following:

Why the overwhelming abundance of our modern world may leave us more prone to addiction, as well as other factors that may drive addictive tendencies, including genetics, psychiatric disorders, and the desire for control
An in-depth explanation of the science behind addiction, how it differs from a healthy passion or hobby, and why addiction to anything is harmful
Practical strategies for avoiding addiction triggers and either reducing or eliminating use of a substance or behavior you may be addicted to, as well as tips for supporting others in your life who may be struggling

To learn more, visit https://www.annalembke.com or look for Anna’s books on Amazon.

To learn more about The Mindset Game®, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com.

To subscribe to The Mindset Game podcast or leave a review, please visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

Season 11 Episode 2 - Mike Porteous (Confidence)