Addiction, Attachment, and the Myth of Normal With Dr. Gabor Maté

Nov 1, 2023

Esteemed physician Dr. Gabor Maté discusses addiction as a response to childhood trauma, the impact of modern life on mental health, and the concept of reconnection through self-examination. He explores coping mechanisms and the importance of understanding underlying reasons for addictive patterns, societal influences on human nature, and the fundamental needs for healthy child development. Collaborating on a bestseller, Dr. Maté and his son aim to guide individuals back to their true selves and navigate societal pressures.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Exploring Addiction and Mental Illness as Coping Mechanisms

01:58 • 12min

Exploring Human Nature Through Evolution and Social Context

14:09 • 4min

Understanding Children's Essential Needs for Healthy Development

18:25 • 21min

Exploring Compassionate Inquiry and The Myth of Normal

39:17 • 4min

Exploring a New Book and Workshops on Trauma and Healing

42:51 • 3min

Emily is delighted to welcome back Gabor Maté, MD, the esteemed physician and author best known for his breakthrough analysis of addiction as a psychophysiological response to childhood trauma and emotional loss.

Gabor co-wrote his latest work, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, alongside his son Daniel Maté. It became an instant New York Times bestseller, and the duo is already working on their next project, Hello Again: A Fresh Start for Parents and Their Adult Children. Emily and Gabor explore the pain behind addiction and the promise of wholeness.

Gabor touches on addiction as an attempt to solve a problem of pain, cites the demands and technical diversions of our modern lives as catalysts of the current mental health crisis, and invites readers to embark on a journey of reconnection through compassionate self-examination.

About Gabor Maté

A renowned speaker and bestselling author, Dr. Gabor Maté is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics, including addiction, stress, and childhood development. Rather than offering quick-fix solutions to these complex issues, Dr. Maté weaves together scientific research, case histories, and his own insights and experience to present a broad perspective that enlightens and empowers people to promote their own healing and that of those around them. After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Dr. Maté worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness.

His book on addiction - In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction - received the Hubert Evans Prize for literary non-fiction. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing, he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver.

Learn More:

To read the full show notes and discover more resources visit https://www.narmtraining.com/podcast

***

NARM Training Institute

https://www.NARMtraining.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://narmtraining.com/schedule

Join the Inner Circle:

https://narmtraining.com/online-learning/inner-circle

***

The NARM Training Institute provides tools for transforming complex trauma through: in-person and online trainings for mental health care professionals; in-person and online workshops on complex trauma and how it interplays with areas like addiction, parenting, and cultural trauma; an online self-paced learning program, the NARM Inner Circle; and other trauma-informed learning resources.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @NARMtraining

YouTube

Instagram @thenarmtraininginstitute