Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Dr Gabor Maté on Why We Are All Addicts #169

Mar 30, 2021

Gabor Maté, an acclaimed expert on addiction and mental health, engages in a profound dialogue about the nature of addiction, asserting it’s rooted in emotional pain rather than choice. He explores how unmet needs from childhood contribute to various forms of addiction—ranging from substances to behaviors like work and exercise. The conversation emphasizes the significance of compassion in addressing these issues and critiques societal constructs that exacerbate addiction. Maté also highlights the interconnectedness of personal trauma and broader social factors affecting health.

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INSIGHT

Addiction as a Response to Pain

Addiction is not a conscious choice, but a response to pain.
The legal system wrongly assumes addiction is a deliberate decision.

INSIGHT

The Universal Addiction Process

All addictions stem from a universal process of regulating internal states through external means.
This involves stimulating the brain's reward circuitry, regardless of the addiction's target.

INSIGHT

Defining Addiction

Addiction is any behavior offering temporary pleasure or relief, leading to negative consequences.
The inability to quit despite these consequences marks it as addiction, extending beyond substance abuse.

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CAUTION ADVISED: This podcast contains themes of an adult nature.

This week, I’ve decided to re-release a conversation that I had over 2 years ago, yet one that still remains one of the most important conversations that I’ve had to date on this podcast. Since I first released this conversation back on episode 37 of the podcast, the number of listeners has grown exponentially and I’m really keen that all of my new listeners hear this conversation. For those of you who have already heard the conversation, I think you will still get a huge amount of value from re-listening. Dr Gabor Maté is one of the world’s most revered thinkers on the psychology of addiction, his radical findings based on decades of work with patients, challenged by catastrophic drug addiction and mental illness are reframing how we view all human development.

Dr Maté firmly believes that addiction is not a choice, neither is it all about drugs and illicit substances. Instead, he believes that addiction affects most of us – whether it be to alcohol, nicotine, sugar, work, or exercise…the list is endless. According to Dr. Maté, the source of addiction is not to be found in our genes but in our early childhood. He calls for a compassionate approach toward addiction, whether in ourselves or others. As he puts it, the question we need to ask is not why the addiction, but why the pain.

We also talk about how we now live in a culture that doesn’t meet our human needs. Indeed, the conditions necessary for healthy child development are increasingly under threat in today’s society. We delve into how our emotional stress can translate into physical chronic illnesses. Loneliness and a lack of meaningful connection are on the rise, as are the rates of autoimmune disease and addiction.

It was a real honour to sit down and talk eye-to-eye with Gabor about his truly revolutionary work. This was a deep and powerful conversation and I hope it helps you in your life.

Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/169

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.