Many people have addictions. While much of the time we think of substance addictions, such as drugs or alcohol, there is an increasing rise in behavioral addictions as well, which are often not viewed in society as addictions however real they are and however many issues they cause. Where are these addictions coming from? How do they form? How can they be treated? In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Amanda Giordano, author of A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions, discuss just these questions and go into further details regarding the topics, including cyber sex addiction, genetic predispositions to addiction, and how the itnernet has affected the rise of behavioral addictions.

Key Takeaways:

• Our brains pay attention to what causes a release of dopamine and pay more attention to those behaviors, increasing the desire and motivation to seek out those rewards associated with that release.
• There is a difference between high involvement in a behavior and addiction in a behavior. If it doesn't hit the 4 C's of addiction (compulsion, loss of control, negative consequences, cravings) it may not be an addiction.
• There are resources available for behavioral addictions, like there are for substance addictions.
• We're seeing that online relationships don't take the place of the offline connection and that need to belong.

"For the longest time, addiction was seen as a moral failing or the result of a character flaw. Unfortunately, that view is still very present today. But we know that it's not a morality issue - it's a biological, psychological and social issue." — Dr. Amanda Giordano

Connect with Dr. Amanda Giordano:

Professional Bio: https://people.coe.uga.edu/amanda-giordano/

Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-addiction

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandaleegiordano

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Guide-Treating-Behavioral-Addictions/dp/0826163165

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Twitter: @CritiSpeak

Email: [email protected]

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