Thank you for this important work to raise awareness of addiction. I really like what you said at the end of the video, "Addiction is an attempt to take care of oneself." This is by far the most compassionate definition of addiction that I've ever heard. I also resonate with what you said about socially accepted coping strategies that are addictive. I think most people turn to those strategies one way or another and to different degrees. I recently discovered the insiduous ways my brain got addicted to certain award-seeking behaviors that are actually condoned or even celebrated by our culture today. (I wrote about it here: https://lilypond.substack.com/i/137155862/sitting-alone-with-my-plight-made-me-realize-i-was-an-addict). I think if we can pass along the idea that addiction is the part inside us that tries to protect us--and therefore, like you said, its attempt to take care of oneself, then there won't be any more need to hide or stigmatize it.
You're welcome. Take your time! I'm excited to chat more about this and other mental health topics with you. Currently I'm learning about the Internal Family System and about the protective nature of the different parts of us inside. That really makes a lot of sense and is in line with what you said!
Thank you for this important work to raise awareness of addiction. I really like what you said at the end of the video, "Addiction is an attempt to take care of oneself." This is by far the most compassionate definition of addiction that I've ever heard. I also resonate with what you said about socially accepted coping strategies that are addictive. I think most people turn to those strategies one way or another and to different degrees. I recently discovered the insiduous ways my brain got addicted to certain award-seeking behaviors that are actually condoned or even celebrated by our culture today. (I wrote about it here: https://lilypond.substack.com/i/137155862/sitting-alone-with-my-plight-made-me-realize-i-was-an-addict). I think if we can pass along the idea that addiction is the part inside us that tries to protect us--and therefore, like you said, its attempt to take care of oneself, then there won't be any more need to hide or stigmatize it.
Thanks Louisa, I just had a look at your link and I'm going to read it in greater depth when I have space tomorrow - so much to chat about already!
You're welcome. Take your time! I'm excited to chat more about this and other mental health topics with you. Currently I'm learning about the Internal Family System and about the protective nature of the different parts of us inside. That really makes a lot of sense and is in line with what you said!