Dr Gabor Maté on Why We Are All Addicts

CAUTION ADVISED: This podcast contains themes of an adult nature.

This week, I’ve decided to re-release a conversation that I had over 2 years ago, yet one that still remains one of the most important conversations that I’ve had to date on this podcast. Since I first released this conversation back on episode 37 of the podcast, the number of listeners has grown exponentially and I’m really keen that all of my new listeners hear this conversation. For those of you who have already heard the conversation, I think you will still get a huge amount of value from re-listening. Dr Gabor Maté is one of the world’s most revered thinkers on the psychology of addiction, his radical findings based on decades of work with patients, challenged by catastrophic drug addiction and mental illness are reframing how we view all human development.

Dr Maté firmly believes that addiction is not a choice, neither is it all about drugs and illicit substances. Instead, he believes that addiction affects most of us – whether it be to alcohol, nicotine, sugar, work, or exercise…the list is endless. According to Dr. Maté, the source of addiction is not to be found in our genes but in our early childhood. He calls for a compassionate approach toward addiction, whether in ourselves or others. As he puts it, the question we need to ask is not why the addiction, but why the pain.

We also talk about how we now live in a culture that doesn’t meet our human needs. Indeed, the conditions necessary for healthy child development are increasingly under threat in today’s society. We delve into how our emotional stress can translate into physical chronic illnesses. Loneliness and a lack of meaningful connection are on the rise, as are the rates of autoimmune disease and addiction.

It was a real honour to sit down and talk eye-to-eye with Gabor about his truly revolutionary work. This was a deep and powerful conversation and I hope it helps you in your life.

Disclaimer: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.*

Click here for more information on our sponsor foursigmatic.com/livemore

Find out about our sponsor blublox.com/livemore

Click here for more information on our sponsor athleticgreens.com/livemore

Watch the video version of this interview in full below.

'Personality itself is a defensive structure that we develop as a way of dealing with our pain.'
Click To Tweet

Connect with Gabor:

Website    Facebook   

YouTube     Twitter

Gabor’s books:

In the Realm on hungry ghosts: Close Encounters with AddictionScattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit DisorderWhen the body says no: the cost of hidden stressHold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers

Further learning:

You can find many of Dr Maté’s lectures via his YouTube channel When the Body Says No — Caring for ourselves while caring for others. Dr. Gabor MatéGabor Maté: Consequences of Stressed ParentingTrauma, Healing and The Brain: Community Learning Event, Dr. Gabor MateA Q&A with Dr. Gabor Maté: The Essential Elements of Successful Teen
TreatmentAmerican Academy of Pediatrics – The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic StressThe Journal of Paediatrics – Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Fussing and Crying Durations and Prevalence of Colic in InfantsInternal Family SystemsJohann Hari – Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression and the Unexpected Solutions

Related Feel Better Live More podcast episodes:

#106 Gabor Maté: Is Coronavirus Showing Us Who We Really Are?

#94 Is Everything You Know About Depression Wrong? With Johann Hari

Subscribe to my new newsletter

Click here to subscribe to Friday Five

Dr Chatterjee’s books and resources:

Feel Great Lose Weight is available to order now. Click here for the UK version† and click here for the US & Canadian version†Dr Chatterjee’s book Feel Better in 5 is out now. Click here for the UK version† and click here for the US & Canadian version†Order Dr Chatterjee’s book The Stress Solution†Find Dr Chatterjee’s 4 Pillars of Health in The 4 Pillar Plan†Available in the US & Canada with the title How to Make Disease Disappear†Click here for Dr Chatterjee’s YouTube channelJoin the Dr Chatterjee 4 Pillar Community Tribe Facebook page

para

*DISCLAIMER: Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

†Disclosure: All books marked with a † are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We take part in Amazon’s affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon’s website. You are not charged any extra by using these links to purchase books.

The post Dr Gabor Maté on Why We Are All Addicts appeared first on Dr Rangan Chatterjee.