Thanks for coming to the Coaches Corner today! Beside the recap below we discussed some books📚 we are all reading. We talked about Addictive Thinking. Recap: Addictive Thinking (Put sugar as a psychoactive substance here) 1. Definition and Brain Function Addiction involves a specific style of thinking that allows continued substance use despite negative consequences. Research (The Journal of Neuroscience) suggests addicts may process long-term consequences differently and show higher brain impulsivity. This leads to distrust in relationships and isolation, both of which feed the cycle of addiction. 2. Pleasure vs. Pain Human behavior is motivated by seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, regulated by the limbic and autonomic nervous systems. Addictive substances hijack these systems, reinforcing behavior through anticipated and experienced pleasure. Craving and obsessive thoughts follow, which cause emotional discomfort, leading the addict to use again for relief. 3. Patterns of Addictive Thinking Chemical brain changes create intense cravings and predictable thought patterns: * Impulsivity, difficulty delaying gratification * Pleasure-seeking and feeling "unique" * Stress, fear of exposure, victim mentality These patterns are sustained by: * Denial – Unawareness or refusal to see reality * Self-obsession – Over-focus on personal thoughts/feelings * Irrational decisions – Illogical and unreasonable choices 4. Consequences: Distrust, Isolation, Continued Addiction * Addictive behavior strains trust with others; the addict often chooses substances over relationships. * Friends and family pull away, increasing the addict’s isolation. * This loneliness pushes the addict deeper into substance use. * Denial and self-justification protect the addiction and worsen the pattern. 5. Treatment Importance * Addictive thinking warps reality and decision-making. * Without Group Support and a Multidisciplinary team patterns are very difficult to break on one’s own.

Posted by Tia Reid at 2025-07-10 22:25:43 UTC