In this episode, we define addiction as a chronic brain disorder and discuss its far-reaching impact on families. Arishma provides clinical context for how addiction alters brain circuits related to reward and self-control, highlighting the emotional toll on the family unit. She also shares her perspective on the complex biological and neurological bonds children have with addicted parents, which can lead to “humanizing” them for the sake of survival. Raja shares his personal journey navigating his father’s struggles with alcohol and gambling, exploring themes of hyper-vigilance, parentification, and financial manipulation.

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