Ever notice how frequently the word “addict” is used? Just do a Google News
search on the word and you’ll be shocked just how often it’s used in a
headline. Articles are plastered with mentions of drug addicts, sex
addicts, gambling addicts, food addicts, shopping addicts, work addicts and
internet addicts. “These people” are painted as out-of-control and often
menaces to society who need to be stopped, jailed, medicated or otherwise
cut off. But what if those diseased people weren’t sick at all? What if you
suddenly realized you were one of them? Well, that’s what happened to me.
In preparation for this podcast, I realized I’m an addict. I’m an addict
who comes from other addicts, who has passed it onto my kids, too. I’m
constantly looking for a way to not be with myself, a way to avoid the pain
I have of not having meaningful bonds. In this chat with physician and
best-selling author, Gabor Maté, we talk about the shocking truth about
what causes addiction and the things we can do to address the problem.
What’s cool about Gabor is that he avoids quick-fix thinking when he
tackles things like addiction, ADHD, sickness and the human spirit overall.
Rather, he shines lights on the often uncomfortable truths that live at the
root of these things.