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I like the book “The Biology of Desire” on addiction. It views addiction as an instance of the same kind of desire-driven habit-forming learning that’s the core
by mbrock 5y ago
I like the book “The Biology of Desire” on addiction. It views addiction as an instance of the same kind of desire-driven habit-forming learning that’s the core of our motivational system. And so quitting an addiction is not exactly just quitting something bad. It’s more like a continuation of one’s general lifelong process of learning. This is a kinder framing and it’s thoroughly neuroscientific. And it reveals that addictions are actually very clever behaviors in some ways—so we can even learn from them as we try to develop healthier habits to replace the ones that harm us. It’s also a narrative perspective that respects the subject’s life story. The addiction was a part in my troubled human journey. And now my narrative needs to find a new charge, a new quest, a new act. Maybe I was drawn into addiction in part because my life story didn’t make sense, I felt disconnected from past and scared of the future, etc. Addictions also form around the need for connection: it’s not just the beer, it’s the pub. So I have to find other social contexts that center around something that doesn’t harm me.
- refurb 5y agoI like to draw a comparison to obsessive compulsive behavior. The compulsion (which is often what drives use and relapse) is a learned behavior and one that is reinforced by the reward. People with OCD often find the obsessive and repetitive behavior helps with anxiety, although the anxiety ends up reduced in the short-term, it worsens in the long term as the behaviors have negative consequences of their own (disruptive and time consuming, interfering with normal life activities, shame for lack of self-control). We wouldn’t tell someone with OCD to just “quit doing that” (and for the person it would just increase anxiety to stop doing what helps their anxiety), but provide an alternative that addresses the core cause of the behavior (anxiety) and “unlearns” the harmful behavior, replacing it with self-help tools to address the core problems (anxiety) in ways that are less harmful and likely more effective in the long term. That can be done through a number of approaches, none of which are surefire and often take a few attempts.
- mbrock 5y agoOh yeah, the book also describes the craving itself as an essential part of the addiction. It’s not just that the drug or whatever is so immensely pleasing when you take it, it’s also that the whole cycle of wanting, pursuing, and getting is addictive in itself. It’s a whole “dark liturgy.” Strong craving for a well-known thing might be preferable to vague indeterminate anxiety, or it might be a way to occupy one’s mind to avoid seeing something traumatic. Chasing a target is a thrill in itself.
- alexilliamson 5y agoThese three comments really hit home. Thanks!
- justinator 5y agoThank you for sharing your book recommendation! I'm going to seek it out.
- mbrock 5y agoI heard about the book in this lecture by John Vervaeke, so you might be interested in that too! https://youtu.be/vGB8k7jk1AQ https://youtu.be/vGB8k7jk1AQ
- justinator 5y agoAwesome, on my watch-later list!
- sirspacey 5y agoI found this helpful, thanks for sharing. I’m checking out the book. I’ve noticed finding ways to make my experience more friendly, easy, and kind seems to make the most progress in assessing patterns. Best quote I’ve heard on addiction: “Addiction is getting more of something than you want.”