This post is a revised and expanded version of an earlier post, “The Negative Emotions behind Addictions,” which was published here last October. In this version, I go into the heart of the emotional experience of the “helplessness trap” which addictive personalities experience … [Read more...] about The Helplessness Trap in Cravings & Addictions
self-regulation
Obesity and the Dopamine Fallacy
Neuroscience Adds Excess Weight to the Obesity Epidemic The Flip Wilson Show was America’s second most-watched TV show for its first two seasons in the 1970s. In his role as the sassy Geraldine Jones, Wilson, a comedic genius, had a trademark line, “The devil made me do it,” … [Read more...] about Obesity and the Dopamine Fallacy
The Secret Allures of Pornography
Lots of people, men in particular, are addicted to pornography. They are sexually aroused by the visual stimulation, and they return compulsively to the activity, looking for that pleasure. However, it’s often a pleasure that comes with a price. Many feel shame after feasting on … [Read more...] about The Secret Allures of Pornography
The Negative Emotions Behind Addictions
I read this definition of an addiction on the internet: "An addiction is an unconscious way of coping with emotions." Yes, that's true, but a more precise definition is called for: An addiction is a self-defeating reaction to, or consequence of, unresolved negative … [Read more...] about The Negative Emotions Behind Addictions