Maia Szalavitz is an American reporter and author who has focused much of her work on the topic of addiction. She is the co-author of Born for Love and The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, both with Dr. Bruce D. Perry. Her latest book is Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction  

In this paradigm-shifting interview, Maia Szalavitz explains that addiction is a learning disorder, a developmental disorder, which is a different way of thinking of addiction than it being a disease or a moral failing.

Need help with completing your goals in 2019? The One You Feed Transformation Program can help you accomplish your goals this year.

But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite over!! We continue the conversation and you can access this exclusive content right in your podcast player feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!

In This Interview, Maia Szalavitz and I Discuss…
Her book,  Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction
That your brain becomes what it does – that the more you repeat an activity, the easier it becomes
How addiction is a developmental disorder and how learning is critical to addiction
The problems with discussion about addiction as a disease
Arguing that addiction is a disease and then treating it like a moral failing
Addiction resets your priorities and causes one to make different decisions
Addiction = compulsive behavior that continues despite negative consequences
How illogical it is then to try and address addiction by focusing on implementing additional negative consequences
The complexity of addiction, genes + culture + timing
The developmental history that gets you to addiction
How the drug isn’t the problem and our efforts to get rid of it isn’t a helpful solution
Addiction as a learning disorder that is characterized by a resistance to punishment
The problem with “rock bottom” is it’s not helpful scientifically, and it implies a moral component of having to reach a point of extreme degradation before you can stop.
What the motivation is that turns people to recovery
How addicts keep using because they can’t see how they can survive any other way
Recovery begins when you start to see that there are other options
People with addiction are living at a point of learned helplessness
The role of hope and other ways of managing their life
Addiction as a coping mechanism
The pleasures of the hunt vs the pleasures of the feast
Wanting vs Liking
Different motivational states
Addiction as escalating wanting
Stimulants and chasing that satisfaction
The effectiveness and usefulness of 12 Step Programs
The role of medicine in a developmental disorder
Looking at addicts as students who need to learn better coping skills rather than sinners who need to be forced to repent.

Maia Szalavitz Links:

maiasz.com

Twitter 

Calm app – Reduce your anxiety and stress and help you sleep better. Meditations for anxiety, adult bedtime stories, soothing music, calm masterclasses with many One You Feed Guests. Visit www.calm.com/wolf for 25% off a Calm Premium Subscription

Peloton – Looking for a new way to get your cardio in? The Peloton bike will make you rethink the way you look at cycling classes!  Visit onepeloton.com and enter Promo code “WOLF” to get $100 off of accessories with purchase of a bike.  

Westin – Westin resorts have wellness offerings that are curated just for you to help you eat, move and sleep well. Explore at westin.com

If you enjoyed this conversation with Maia Szalavitz, you might also enjoy these other episodes!

Dr. Gabor Mate’

Judson Brewer

Maia Szalavitz is an American reporter and author who has focused much of her work on the topic of addiction. She is the co-author of&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2iizDV4" target="_blank">Born for Love&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2A4vkF6" target="_blank">The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog</a>, both with Dr. Bruce D. Perry. Her latest book is&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2ikQqqD" target="_blank">Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;In this paradigm-shifting interview, Maia Szalavitz explains that addiction is a learning disorder, a developmental disorder, which is a different way of thinking of addiction than it being a disease or a moral failing.<a href="https://oneyoufeed.net/2019" target="_blank">Need help with completing your goals in 2019?&nbsp;The One You Feed Transformation Program can help you accomplish your goals this year.</a>But wait – there’s more! The episode is not quite over!! We continue the conversation and you can access this exclusive content right in your podcast player feed.&nbsp;<a href="https://oneyoufeed.net/support" target="_blank">Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month.&nbsp;</a>It’s that simple and we’ll give you good stuff as a thank you!In This Interview, Maia Szalavitz and I Discuss…<ul><li>Her book,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/2ikQqqD" target="_blank">Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction</a></li><li>That your brain becomes what it does – that the more you repeat an activity, the easier it becomes</li><li>How addiction is a developmental disorder and how learning is critical to addiction</li><li>The problems with discussion about addiction as a disease</li><li>Arguing that addiction is a disease and&nbsp;then treating it like a moral failing</li><li>Addiction resets your priorities and causes one to make different decisions</li><li>Addiction = compulsive behavior that continues despite negative consequences</li><li>How illogical it is then to try and address addiction by focusing on implementing additional negative consequences</li><li>The complexity of addiction, genes + culture + timing</li><li>The developmental history that gets you to addiction</li><li>How the drug isn’t the problem and our efforts to get rid of it isn’t a helpful solution</li><li>Addiction as a learning disorder that is characterized by a resistance to punishment</li><li>The problem with “rock bottom” is it’s not helpful scientifically, and it implies a moral component of having to reach a point of extreme degradation before you can stop.</li><li>What the motivation is that turns&nbsp;people to recovery</li><li>How addicts keep using because they can’t see how they can survive any other way</li><li>Recovery begins when you start to see that there are other options</li><li>People with addiction are living at a point of learned helplessness</li><li>The role of hope and other ways of managing their life</li><li>Addiction as a coping mechanism</li><li>The pleasures of the hunt vs the pleasures of the feast</li><li>Wanting vs Liking</li><li>Different motivational states</li><li>Addiction as escalating wanting</li><li>Stimulants and chasing that satisfaction</li><li>The effectiveness and usefulness of 12 Step Programs</li><li>The role of medicine in a developmental disorder</li><li>Looking at addicts as students who need to learn better coping skills rather than sinners who need to be forced to repent.</li></ul>Maia Szalavitz Links:<a href="http://maiasz.com/" target="_blank">maiasz.com</a><a href="https://twitter.com/maiasz" target="_blank">Twitter&nbsp;</a>Calm&nbsp;app&nbsp;– Reduce your anxiety and stress and help you sleep better. Meditations for anxiety, adult bedtime stories, soothing music,&nbsp;calm&nbsp;masterclasses with many One You Feed Guests.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.calm.com/wolf" target="_blank">www.calm.com/wolf</a>&nbsp;for 25% off a&nbsp;Calm&nbsp;Premium SubscriptionPeloton –&nbsp;Looking for a new way to get your cardio in?&nbsp;The&nbsp;Peloton&nbsp;bike will make you rethink the way you look at cycling classes!&nbsp;&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.onepeloton.com/" target="_blank">onepeloton.com</a>&nbsp;and enter Promo code “WOLF” to&nbsp;get $100 off of accessories with purchase of a bike.&nbsp;&nbsp;Westin – Westin resorts have wellness offerings that are curated just for you to help you eat, move and sleep well. Explore at&nbsp;<a href="http://westin.com/" target="_blank">westin.com</a>If you enjoyed this conversation with Maia Szalavitz, you might also enjoy these other episodes!<a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/gabor-mate/" target="_blank">Dr. Gabor Mate’</a><a href="https://www.oneyoufeed.net/judson-brewer/" target="_blank">Judson Brewer</a>

Embark on a transformative journey with "The One You Feed" podcast, hosted by Eric Zimmer. Drawing wisdom from the old parable of the two wolves within us, this show explores growth and well-being. Through insightful interviews with thought leaders and experts in development, Eric delves into topics like mindfulness, resilience, and positive habits. Gain practical advice and reflective insights to navigate life's challenges and nurture your inner strength. "The One You Feed" is a valuable resource, offering inspiration and actionable strategies for a more fulfilling existence. Join Eric as he shares wisdom, fostering the growth of the positive wolf within you. Feed your curiosity and embark on a transformative path with "The One You Feed"!

Embark on a transformative journey with "The One You Feed" podcast, hosted by Eric Zimmer. Drawing wisdom from the old parable of the two wolves within us, this show explores growth and well-being. Through insightful interviews with thought leaders and experts in development, Eric delves into topics like mindfulness, resilience, and positive habits. Gain practical advice and reflective insights to navigate life's challenges and nurture your inner strength. "The One You Feed" is a valuable resource, offering inspiration and actionable strategies for a more fulfilling existence. Join Eric as he shares wisdom, fostering the growth of the positive wolf within you. Feed your curiosity and embark on a transformative path with "The One You Feed"!

The One You Feed

Embark on a transformative journey with "The One You Feed" podcast, hosted by Eric Zimmer. Drawing wisdom from the old parable of the two wolves within us, this show explores growth and well-being. Through insightful interviews with thought leaders and experts in development, Eric delves into topics like mindfulness, resilience, and positive habits. Gain practical advice and reflective insights to navigate life's challenges and nurture your inner strength. Every episode is a valuable resource that offers inspiration and actionable strategies for a more fulfilling existence. Join Eric as he shares wisdom, fostering the growth of the positive wolf within you. Feed your curiosity and embark on a transformative path with "The One You Feed"!

Embark on a transformative journey with "The One You Feed" podcast, hosted by Eric Zimmer. Drawing wisdom from the old parable of the two wolves within us, this show explores growth and well-being. Through insightful interviews with thought leaders and experts in development, Eric delves into topics like mindfulness, resilience, and positive habits. Gain practical advice and reflective insights to navigate life's challenges and nurture your inner strength. Every episode is a valuable resource that offers inspiration and actionable strategies for a more fulfilling existence. Join Eric as he shares wisdom, fostering the growth of the positive wolf within you. Feed your curiosity and embark on a transformative path with "The One You Feed"!

Maia Szalavitz on Addiction - Re-Release

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/356e63b1-fe7a-4892-ab3c-aea0014c0f5a/transcript

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