Addiction

Dr. Gabor Maté is a physician, author, and lecturer who has specialized in the study of addiction for over 25 years. In his work, he has come to view addiction as a biopsychosocial problem, meaning that it is caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Biological Factors

One of the most important biological factors in addiction is stress. When we experience stress, our bodies release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can lead to changes in brain chemistry that make us more susceptible to addiction. For example, cortisol can suppress the activity of the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is important for memory and learning. This can make it difficult for us to learn from our mistakes and break the cycle of addiction.

Psychological Factors

In addition to biological factors, addiction is also influenced by psychological factors such as childhood trauma and emotional neglect. People who have experienced trauma or neglect in childhood are more likely to develop addiction problems as adults. This is because trauma and neglect can damage the brain's ability to regulate emotions, leading to feelings of emptiness, anxiety, and depression. These feelings can then be self-medicated with drugs or alcohol.

Social Factors

Social factors such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of opportunity can also contribute to addiction. People who live in poverty are more likely to have access to drugs and alcohol, and they may also be more likely to experience stress and trauma. In addition, people who are discriminated against or marginalized may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their feelings of isolation and despair.

Treatment

Dr. Maté believes that the best way to treat addiction is to address all of the factors that contribute to it. This means providing medical treatment for any underlying biological problems, addressing psychological issues such as trauma and emotional neglect, and creating a supportive social environment.

In addition to traditional forms of therapy, Dr. Maté also advocates for the use of mindfulness-based approaches to addiction treatment. Mindfulness-based therapies such as yoga and meditation can help people to learn how to regulate their emotions and cope with stress in healthy ways.

Recovery

Recovery from addiction is a long and challenging process, but it is possible. Dr. Maté believes that the most important thing is to never give up hope. He also emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community of people who understand what you are going through.

Afterthoughts

This is the perspective Catalyzing Courage takes when working with addiction. If you want to know more about Gabor's perspective on addiction and his research, a great place to start is the book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction. He synthesizes a lot of great work and understanding around addiction, which is very counter to the modern day myth that addiction is a disease.