Are you addicted… or just constantly distracted?

In Episode 58 of The Struggle, we dive deep into the world of addiction, compulsive behaviour, and the modern epidemic of distraction. Whether you’re battling a harmful habit or simply find yourself endlessly scrolling, this episode will help you understand the hidden drivers behind your behaviour—and offer practical, compassionate tools to reconnect with yourself.

Drawing on insights from Dr. Gabor Maté, Dr. Anna Lembke, Joe Hudson, and Ryan Soave, this episode explores:

• The spectrum of addiction and the myth that “addiction” only applies to hard substances

• How dopamine and the brain’s pleasure/pain balance fuels compulsive behaviour

• The Dopamine Audit: A practical framework for identifying unhealthy rewards

• How to explore the emotional roots of your habits using introspective tools

• Practices like the Emotional Weather Report and Building Space to break the cycle

• Why connection, not willpower, is the real path to healing

This is not about shame or self-punishment—it’s about understanding, compassion, and growth.

Referenced Experts & Resources

Dr. Anna Lembke

• In Context – Episode 19: Dopamine, Addiction & Consumption with Gregor Thomson

Watch on YouTube

• Huberman Lab Podcast – Understanding and Treating Addiction with Dr. Anna Lembke

Watch on YouTube

• Anna Lembke Website

Dr. Gabor Maté

• The Rich Roll Podcast – Dr. Gabor Maté On How Trauma Fuels Disease

Watch on YouTube

• Gabor Maté YouTube Channel

Joe Hudson

• Modern Wisdom Podcast – Episodes 695 & 845 with Joe Hudson (Emotional Mastery & Self-Awareness)

Watch How To Master Your Emotions on YouTube

Watch How To Win The War In Your Head on YouTube

• Joe Hudson YouTube Channel (Art of Accomplishment)

Ryan Soave

• Huberman Lab Podcast – Tools for Overcoming Substance & Behavioral Addictions

Watch on YouTube

• Ryan Soave Website

Bonus Resource

• The “How We Feel” App – A free tool to help identify, understand, and track emotions:

https://howwefeel.org/

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🎵 Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

References & Further Resources

Books & Authors

• Lembke, A. (2021). Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence. Dutton.

• Maté, G. (2008). In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction. Vintage Canada.

• Burkeman, O. (2021). Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Scientific Concepts Referenced

• Dopamine & the pleasure-pain balance (Lembke, 2021)

• The role of trauma in addiction (Maté, 2008)

• The concept of “digital drugs” and compulsive consumption (Lembke; Huberman Lab)

• Emotional repression and self-disconnection (Joe Hudson, Modern Wisdom)

• Somatic processing and trauma (Ryan Soave, Huberman Lab)

AI & Writing Support

• Content structure, references, and phrasing guidance in this episode were supported by ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI.