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I’m fighting alcoholism. It ruined my relationship with my wife and family. It started in college and i downplayed it. I’m 6 months sober and healing everyday. Cheers!

*Childhood trauma can lead to an adulthood spent in survival mode , afraid to plant roots , to plan for the future , to trust , and to let joy in . It's a blessing to shift from surviving to thriving . It's not simple , but there is more than survival .*

"I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom." Edgar Allan Poe

“The question is not why the addiction, but why the pain.” ~ Gabor Mate

There are cases when a child grows into a loving family, but it's destroyed by the corrupted system and sick society that cut his wings and brainwashes him into losing self-confidence and accepting society's sick rules.

*”You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius*

"Not all addictions are rooted in abuse or trauma, but I do believe they can all be traced to painful experience. A hurt is at the centre of all addictive behaviours. It is present in the gambler, the Internet addict, the compulsive shopper and the workaholic. The wound may not be as deep and the ache not as excruciating, and it may even be entirely hidden-but it’s there. As we’ll see, the effects of early stress or adverse experiences directly shape both the psychology and the neurobiology of addiction in the brain." - Gabor Maté

Just 22 days ago I dug myself out of a 10 year Opiate addiction with the following phrase: “No One Can Save You; You Can Only Save Yourself.”

Its a wonder that any of us get through childhood alive - let alone to become functioning adults.

This comment section is like a great therapy session for all of us. It's really nice to see so many people opening their troubled hearts. It seems like all we need is love, indeed.

To me, addiction is the result of the shame and pain felt from sustained psychological injury caused by physical and/or psychological trauma that isn't accepted as a legitimate injury by society. The shame that comes from such trauma stems from the fact that society finds one to be weak if such trauma causes a psychological injury. It's embarrassing to express painful feelings as the result of a traumatic experience of a psychological nature. This results in the individual using coping mechanisms that are addictions to mask these injuries to give society the facade that you are impervious to such injuries. Eventually the addiction overwhelms the injured and it becomes detrimental to everybody causing trauma to the injured and to those around the addict. Now the cycle continues and multiplies.

“The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most on yourself.”

My mom was a neglectful Narcissist who covered up the abusive methods of our psychopathic rather. Both were diagnosed later in life. I was an alcoholic until age 32, when I forgave my parents and discarded them forever. My father recently died and I was able to properly mourn instead of hate him thanks to having forgiven him. Haven't had a drink in 2 years. Mom's addiction was abusing religion, worshiping herself. Dad's was booze. They were both addicted to their horrendous methodology.

Man up, deal with it, move forward. You wouldn't believe the crap I've been put through and done. Your brain is able to repair nearly any trauma. You can do it. It will suck. But you'll be better. That's how it is.

Indulging in addictive behaviour to flee from the reality in our lives. It just shows how intense life really is.

Painfully poignant as ever. Not going to be too obvious but this cuts deep. Best of luck to the others that know the horror of the cycle.

Using psychedelics with intent helped me more than I ever imagined they could... they're so much more than the party I thought they were when I was a kid

I know a man who smoked heavily all his adult life. Around 60 he got throat cancer. He gave up smoking. He told me he'd tried many times to give up and constantly failed. But when he got sick he succeeded and he said "It was the easiest thing I've ever done". I think habits and addictions seem big when we have them and smaller when behind us. Addictions are truly crippling, and are definitely a part of us trying to tell us something.

I have a food addiction. It is absolutely killing me. I need to focus and conquer this. I've been suffering my whole life.

To leave addiction behind is to learn to be comfortable while being uncomfortable.

Trust is beautiful: Betrayal, heartbreaking. At the heart of every traumatic human experience in private or public it becomes an act of betrayal. A jealous vindictive friend, the adulterous husband, or cheating wife, a promiscuous lover, are some of the most hurtful experience in relationships! No matter how strong you think you are betrayal and cheating are desimating... Broken heart crushed soul... That pain can paralyze spouses into a depressive state of bitterness apathy and retribution.

Starting at 13 I got blind, falling down drunk whenever possible. I did every drug I could find. I’m now 55 and still haunted by my fathers tyrannical, narcissistic, cruelty.

Thank.you. I've been attempting to get people to understand what causes addictions for years. What most don't understand is that emotional neglect is child abuse/trauma as well. Being a gas lighted scapegoat is child abuse/trauma as well. Every scapegoat that I've ever known had fantastic character and strong personality. Don't allow anyone to bring you down

To the *incredible person* seeing this, I wish you all the best in life❤ don't over blame yourself, accept things and go forward. Don't let others define what “success” is for you. Get up, learn the skills needed and get after it, all the keys to a happy life is in your hands. Keep pushing.

Biblical fasting (resisting something for at least 3 days) helps me overcome anything that consumes my attention on a daily basis. My conviction in prayer and my "having no masters before God" mindset cements my consistency during the fast. Jesus is not only the best mentor for a fulfilling life, he is the only path to salvation.

Fighting a life of opiates. I narrowed it down to difficulty dealing with the new world. I’m clean now, and using delta 8 as an anti depressant to help me appreciate what’s out there.

This month, the month of November 2021, I'll be 6 months clean from xanax after nearly 7 years of physical dependency that started when I was 15 And it makes me glad that I've been able to quit as I see people who I went to middle school and high school with who've been taking the stuff since age 14 and have never quit, and some even moving onto harder drugs.

Now imagine a society that creates environments and catalysts that become childhood trauma purposely.

Ouch. This video hits hard. Growing up as a person with ADHD, OCD, giftedness, general health problems, failure to thrive, and the list goes on is too much for a kid to cope with. The mocking, rejection, and constant disbelief from others is enough to scar a child. Any time I remember these times I seek comfort in whatever flavor of the week addiction I might have.

When i ended 10 years of opiate addiction i was so happy that i could feel sadness stress excitement ... Again i rather feeling depressed or anxious than feeling nothing ,living like a zombie , we can't emotionally evolve and grow and heal if we don't feel Deep change only happens when you see and feel something with seriousness then your mind moves and grows , an addict lacks of emotional which is created by substance prevents him to change his life ,which creates a unsolvable loop

The DUI crash that almost killed me (Broken neck, four broken ribs, two months in Shock Trauma hospital) Saved my life . He’s right, one part of my mind watched helplessly as the other forged ahead on the four decade plus alcohol addicted path to destruction. 3+ years sober now.

"My sharpest tool is my broken mind. Can it fix itself, be realigned?" -Me

The uncovering of trauma has been a major theme in my life for the past few months, and I've been doing a lot of self therapy, writing, memory analysis and shadow work to try and figure it out and deal with my neurotic tendencies/ addiction(s). So good timing on the video once again, and hope this helps some people out.

I'm so grateful for the perspectives that exist that tell me I'm not alone.. not that I'm addicted but that I'm not the only one who sees the condition of our falling western society.. thank you sir.

I've been watching Gabor's material since my teenage years, and no one has ever helped me as much as he and his work did. I faced my addictions from another perspective, with another awareness of myself, and with amazing results. Last month I started watching his lectures again, and I actually have In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts in my personal library, and i'm planning to read it soon. Now when I saw the notification on my phone with the title of the video, I knew immediately that it would be related in some way to Gabor's work. Thank you so much for making all these amazing videos! I am currently financially broke, but will become a member as soon as I can 🙏

What sets my mind on fire is silent weapons for quiet wars against the family

I know exactly how addiction begins, being very susceptible myself. I've had alcohol, sex and gambling addictions and am currently addicted to the Internet - it's obsessive. As I conquer one addiction, the next one always kicks in. In everything that can be addictive there is a moment of elation that strikes you. The makers of casino games use that moment, when even a small win on a slot machine triggers a bell or tune. Then, like a lab rat, they forever chase that moment, but it's never the same elation as the first time you experience it, so you keep chasing it trying bigger and bigger doses of whatever triggered it the first time. There is a thing in animal conditioning called 'intermittent reward. If the behavior is only rewarded at random times, the animal becomes even more desperate and learns the behavior quicker. Now, if you want to talk about how one develops the type of personality that is stimulated to that degree, so easily, then I might attribute it to childhood trauma, abandonment, being an outcast. I have no idea how that link to addiction, but every addict, of any habit or substance that I've ever met shares that past.

All so true. Thank you, Academy of ideas for addressing this. I am lucky to have survived a childhood of profound trauma, very frequent beatings, physical torture, psychological torture, molestation and rape all well underway before I was in grade school. The trauma led to a variety of addictions that wasted so much of my life and talent. Healing, however, is possible.I am still not exactly sure quite how I have mastered all my addictive habits and behaviors. I experienced some profound moments of self-compassion that helped me make better choices. Vigilant self-care is required. For me, a balanced approach including exercise, diet, sleep, meditation, creativity, radical self-acceptance and plenty of time in mother nature are all key. I wish you every success on this path. I love you! I believe in you! You are worth it and you deserve it!❤️

I'm a recovering addict of 6 years, an addiction counselor, a recovery coach, a man who is passionate about recovery....and I approve this message.

As Alan watts said- the very act of obsessing over quitting an addiction is just another form of the trap. Universal knowledge makes these things make sense & people need to realize that they have free will. If we weren’t so afraid of death and didn’t see ourselves as separate from nature and all of the greed and duality of society, we wouldn’t need drugs.

I have it together as far as work but beyond that I fail so often. The issue that eats me the most is my 5 year daughter not having a sober daddy. I can tell she can tell I'm a mess . She doesn't live with me but I see her most days as she lives only couple min ride away..... I'm 41 , veteran , been in fatal car crash that my friend died and I absorbed the impact suffering massive head trauma and it changed me forever, that was Feb 23 , 2002. It occurred right after I came home from 1/75th Ranger battalion which often times I point to as a major culprit for my shortcomings. One time in 2008 I believe I stayed sober 11 months . I've been using something the rest of the time. Beer daily , I am currently using stimulants. I became addicted to opiates while serving in army and its remained a struggle to this day although I went 10 years without touching an opiate into 2016 an oxy was put in front of me and as of today I'm on suboxen. Been to detox and rehab a number of times and what a waste of time and effort that circus is. Oh well. I guess i am pretty functional as I said the only thing in life I'm responsible about is my work (I also take good care of my teeth) , I try to be a good daddy , she will be here in about 2 hours and I believe she will spend night. I don't know what to do with her when it's just she and I. Her mommy is such a great mom , I struggle to find ways to keep her occupied.

I'm glad that y'all said the truth, that addiction can come from ANYWHERE (especially in mine and my dads experience) and not just videogames, some people tend to forget that excessive time spent playing videogames isn't the only issue society has today.

I smoke pot. It's my last vice. I have a deep hatred for my addictions. I've fought and defeated alcoholism(4 years), nicotine(7 years), video game obsession(lifelong and although i still play on occasion i have moderation now), facebook(3 years), and energy drinks(7 years). My spine hurts to a degree that i have difficulty breathing and i force myself to suffer through it daily. The loneliness keeps me smoking pot but i will defeat it. It's always a matter for another day in better circumstances. Each time i buy more i feel disgusted and weak, I really wish i had more strength to face this world uninhibited.

I just finished some reading material for a psychology course, and one thing about addictions: those that keep failing are the ones who often believe that they won’t be able to do it in the first place (ie low self-efficacy). This also applies to overcoming disorders as well. There is so much power in believing in yourself. Cheers to everyone commenting about their experiences, I’ve had addictions to relatively innocuous things (social media); I can’t imagine the will power that goes into the more serious cases. You’re all proof that it can happen!!

This sounds like my life - my parents had the problems from their parents who went thru WW1, the Great Depression, WWll, with one parent being orphaned due to a major earthquake in 1931 . It was 'fun' growing in a whole community like that - PTSD, STRESS & more were daily events. My dads addictions were tobacco & alcohol, mum stayed off both as she had 4 miscarriages to live with. Surprised I turned out as good as I did - no alcohol, or addictions to pharmacutical drugs nor other drugs that come out of a laboratory. Hemp, is a herb & medicinaly useful, without addiction.

This video corroborates a fact that is ongoing in my circle of friends. I'll try to summarise... I lived with a friend who has a daughter in her early teens. He had a very difficult childhood and became an adult addicted to alcohol, a lot of alcohol and one other illicit drug, besides being prone to violence. I talked to him a few times, but he didn't even want to know. His daughter, who tried to commit suicide five months ago, spent five days in hospital detoxing. She spends most of the day locked in her room or in the bathroom, putting on make-up and surfing the Internet on her mobile phone. Once again, thank you very much for posting another video and spreading knowledge.

Yea Gabor’s Mate’s book was so good. I never looked at homeless and drug addicts the same. He really persuaded me to not look down on anyone. Epigenetics, toddler’s brain being 80-90% the size of an adult etc is brushed under the rug and the pull your boot straps myth that’s perpetuated in culture was implemented to get Institutions and social structures off the hook because of laziness and it saves money. Nobody likes the idea that they are a good person because they were lucky being born into the family, situation, and life experiences. Ego ego ego 🐍 CAN’T WAIT FOR HIS NEXT BOOK BREAKINGN ANOTHER MYTH OF CRAZINESS ✨ He’s so real 🔥

I don't know who is behind those videos,but you bring light in a world of darkness.

You are spot on. I look back, shake my head, and realize I'm only half the man I could've been. I wonder how I was able to get through and hold down good jobs. Childhood trauma left me vulnerable to addiction. I don't want to feel sorry for myself nor blame my parents when I realize they did the best they could. It's time to take personal responsibility and reclaim what's left of my life.

I am the Scapegoat of my family but my parents were never abusive, nor became angry with me unless I did something knowingly wrong or stupid. I had a wonderful child hood but I am alcoholic and I started drinking in high school and then in college via my fraternity, consuming beer. The consumption with my Frat Brothers contributed to my drinking momentum at around Mach 1. I never married and experienced difficulty maintaining long-term relationships with women. The glitter of being a bachelor has been long gone for decades @ Age 56.

This video perfectly describes me, everyone I know and maybe even humanity itself.

in a world where it feels out of control in so many aspects, the last thing i want to lose control of is myself. to be honest that concept is what gives me the drive to fight any addictions, & avoid new ones. I refuse to live a slave to impulse.

*”Success is based off of your willingness to work your butt off no matter what obstacles are in your way.”- David Goggins*

I've been drinking and smoking myself to death on a daily basis.. I'm dying.. I can feel it

Solution: Sit in silence, observe your internal state, deduce which thoughts are yours and which are not, discover that the observer is not the mind (thoughts). Once you find your real point of reference you can divest yourself of thoughts that are not conducive to survival. Thoughts remain, but they don't catch. The hidden problem is that not all thoughts are generated by us.. we are susceptible to external influences that can trigger or inject thoughts i.e. possession.

To be strong one must first be broke as it's during the repair where one finds their strength, courage and wisdom. One will not know one's true potential without the suffering and repair.

Being a product of an alcoholic and emotionally distant mother, I do understand the facts that are stated in this video, quite well. I've been sober for 5 years now myself. But, my addictive behaviors play out in other ways of my life, such as compulsive exercise. The feeling of it all is trying to feel the void; the deep, dark, black hole, that can't be filled.

Very well presented, Sir. Addiction is one of the most misunderstood topics i come across in society. As a budding biologist, it's troubling to see not just the common people but authorities as high as the judiciary see addicts for their desposition rather than their despair. I will do my part to share this video & again, thankyou!

As a prior addict to multiple different substances at different stages, I appreciate this video very much. Thank you.

Thank you for creating these videos, this channel is a favorite of mine. Gabor Mate's work about childhood trauma and its ties to addiction has given me a deeper insight into how my early life evolved into its current state. Being an emotionally neglected and abandoned child I became the epitome of the addict as depicted in the video. From substances, media, pornography to alcohol it has all been a way for me to manage the chronic emotional pain within. At 27 I feel as though my whole life has been a perpetual cycle of emotional pain, self soothing through addictions which then leads to poor decisions and actions turning into intense guilt and shame, then the final stage ends up being loneliness, isolation, chronic anxiety and depressive episodes. The cycle then starts again, with the added negative emotions exacerbating the original problem. All the while I've been able to create a business and have success in it. I have my own place and am blessed with many passions and creative outlets. So I suppose I'm high functioning, my addictions don't paralyze me from normal adult responsibilities I guess. But it does feel like being in a constant state of fight or flight, alone trying to survive. I'm ambitious and often hopeful, but I know with a strong conviction that I cannot make lasting changes alone. Tried it, time and time again, it doesn't work. I have mentioned some of my internal world to family yet I'm met with reactions that feel like my words just wisped right through them and it meant nothing. I sense their silence to say okay change the subject, buck up and deal with it kind of thing. Therefore I have a strong sense that it's time to seek out a therapist who has the professional training and knowledge to help. I don't expect family or friends to be expert level therapists but I do find it quite sad how calloused and out of touch that many are when it comes to the emotions of others and themselves. I pray for a continuing cultural shift with our relationship to mental health, in particular for men. The stereotype that men keep quiet, mask their true feelings and deal with all of this alone may be true, but it's not doing any of us any good fellas. I hardly ever comment on anything, a few times a year maybe, but I felt compelled to comment here today. This is a vital topic to bring up, and if you relate to any of the above, know that this is a battleground that many of us are walking on. It's time for us to break the silence.

This video made me think about my abusive ex who came from a dark place of toxic parenting. She had an history of multiple addictions. I feel sorry for her and wish her to one day be able to leave her survival mode to actually live her life.

Ok. So i tried 3 times this year to quit smoking. It lasted for nearly a month, and then i was slowly, but surely, sucked back in. Mostly because i felt a void, because i couldn't connect with others. Perhaps, because most of my friends are smokers. Most of what you're talking is pretty clear to me, but the part that struck the most was the void filling thing. Maybe it's our society, that is running like mad, put us under constant pressure and never give us the space to fully articulate our soul and spirituality, that is stopping me. Maybe i should quit one more time and try to fix my inner problems and get more aware of my spirituality. Hopefully this will be the missing link, i never truly understood. You guys doing fantastic work. Keep it up. I will try your course the next days, maybe you got more insights i didn't truly see. But let me first finish my last cigarette. Love you guys

As a social media addict, which I am currently working on, the words of Gabor Maté were special. I dont know why but hearing the words of Gabor Maté made felt like those words of compassion were like hugs. Like showing where one went probably wrong but not in a degrading way rather out of a place of love to heal the wounds of the past. Thank you for this great video and I wish everyone the best of luck on their journey to a fulfilling life.

Grew up in an abusive household where my development was slightly stunted by 2 years due to my parents control. Now I struggle with putting down reefer.

hits different when you've just came back from rehab, the human library.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS! Addiction is such a complex topic when considered in context with the full scale of the human mind, yet so many dismiss those most heavily afflicted as being 'beneath them' whilst denying the potential for or presence of addiction within themselves, so much so that there is little shared understanding or, consequently, compassion for the afflicted within our current culture. Videos like this NEED to be made, seen, and understood.

4:52 If you've ever heard the song "Sober" by Tool: "Mother Mary, won't you whisper? Something but the past and done." Addiction has roots in the past, and no amount of substances or behaviors can truly fix it (no pun intended).

I see the pain and self medication motivation. I didn't drink until my second marriage where I proceeded into the bottle and stayed for ten years. I realized what I was doing to myself and I stopped drinking. Three months later I left my spouse and didn't touch a drop for ten years. Now I can enjoy a class of wine without the need for another. I have not been drunk since I walked away from the marriage 25 years ago. I wasn't an alcoholic, I was living in a bad situation for me and I medicated myself. Alcoholism was a choice and not a medical condition in my case--I needed to escape. I faced the problem, beat it, and the "addiction" went away. The cure is your force of will and willingness to change be it internally or externally.

Best quote by a psychiatrist: “You are doing this to yourself”

If ever a video sums addiction up this is it. Listened 4 x times now and agree totally . Ffwd this clip to my family that also suffered due to my addiction. This is not an excuse to them for my addiction. But to beat this we must all understand it. And i am beating this at the moment. Mostly due to a renewed sense of taking RESPONSIBILITY for my life. It doesn't owe me ANYTHING. My thoughts are with the suffering person if it is you. I know it is a prison of the mind. May you stand up, take this and BEAT this. You are better,,,, than you think....

Thanks for this. I am an addict, and two months sober.

Day 1 of quitting a particular drug. Here we go. Thanks for the vid. They help.

Another really great video from my favorite Patreon creators! As someone who spent a lifetime suffering from the effects of abuse and attendant addictions, this video really hits home. I spent much time in therapy trying to find a way out. Yet all I did was better understand what caused it. I never found a way out of that hole...until I learned the art of Mindfulness. My mind came up with a thousand reasons why I shouldn't learn this, but eventually I stopped resisting after reading the excellent book "Why Buddhism is True" by Robert Wright. The common belief that addiction is a lack of self-control and one chooses to engage in it is patently false. Until you learn to clearly see the poisonous thoughts that well up from your subconscious that triggers the emotions you use addictions to escape from , you are never really free. All we experience is the painful emotions. We never see the thoughts that generate them. Attempting self-control, I have seen some just switch an addiction not accepted by society, like alcohol or drugs, to one that is, like work or religion. Mindfulness is learned through consistent and constant meditation. It helps you clearly see those poisonous thoughts before they trigger painful and negative emotions, and once you get very good at this (it takes a lot of practice), those thoughts disappear under the weight of your conscious recognition. Your addictions then start to slide away.

Thank you for this video. This is a very important subject that we all deal with either directly or indirectly. For anyone reading this, understand that addiction largely stems from trauma. Heal the trauma, and kicking the addiction will be 100X easier.

life is boring, stressful, anxiety-inducing, and depressing when sober.

As an ex-addict, I have to admit, I had a fantastic childhood and life. I just always had to push things as far as I could. I loved to party. What helped me get clean was getting on methadone, staying away from 12 step programs or any sort of out patient program, and just seeing how disgusting and degenerate addicts are after I had a little “clean time” with the help of the methadone. I didn’t take the doctors advice and continually up my dose. No, I regularly lowered it instead. I refused to go to any of the therapy sessions because being around addicts made me want to use. All the “proven” methods didn’t work at all, for me or 90% of people. Rejecting the idea that it’s a disease also helped because it just makes addicts hopeless. It’s just as bad as someone constantly giving the addict money to get high. It’s equally enabling to the addict.

My man CG Jung.. i can recommend the current publications released by his son Lorenz Jung. Those are essentiell works. On the other hand i think the true cause of addiction cant be fully understood without looking at the biological factors of the human body. Everything from missing neurotransmitters to constant bloodsugar imbalances can deepen addictions.

When you REALLY understand this reality you begin to realize addiction is nothing more than demon possession

“Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.” -Augustine Og Mandino LOVE FROM A SMALL KZfaqR .

Would love to hear more on Childhood Trauma Survival that doesn't necessarily involve addiction. There's alot of misinfo out there. Lots of stigma. Bessel van der Kolk is a good resource. 👍

No human interbeing is beyond redemption. The possibility of renewal exists as long as life exists on spaceship earth. A new way of life; Not a new system of belief- This alone is de only sykological reality of redemption.

I recently partook in Jordan Peterson's "Self Authoring" program. It really sorted out a lot of pain and trauma I experienced as a kid living in a home with a Borderline father and an alcoholic mother. They were so immersed (addicted) in their toxic relationship that they had little interest in parenting, or that I even existed. That atmosphere defined my life in a profound way I had not realized. I thought it was normal and it wasn't.

I could not agree more with the points made in the video. Wishing everybody who struggles with addiction the power to overcome the "hungry ghost".

Thank you! This is such an important topic that is destroying so many in this world. This brought me to tears , knowing what a vicious cycle this is. I'm so thankful that I have been able to conquer myself! 🙏🏽💕

It can create a chain, suffering addicts creating suffering addicts - my thought on it in any case. Great video. Thanks.

Posted on my birthday...how fitting. Thank you for touching on this critical subject.

I needed this. I'm still struggling with alcohol addiction and working to beat it everyday.

4 1/2 years sober. My sober date is my second child’s birthday. I guard my sobriety with all my strength. ‘The tree that grows to heaven must send its roots to hell’. Be well and if you’re fighting addiction, more power to you.

Good job bringing up Mate message, when I grew up I always thought "it can't be that everyone except me is crazy - so I must be the problem" but it turns out that our entire culture is based on trauma and is deeply sick. But try to open with his line in a party see what it gets you.

This is your best video yet. I love your studies of philosophy but combining that with drugs, addiction and Gabor ticks all my boxes. Thanks dude.

Exercise is a great, healthy option. It's extremely hard to replace something with nothing. Much easier if there's another focus to work towards.

I'm addicted to KZfaq and it's finally damaging my real life. I'm getting so much bad and so much good out of it (Like this video) that I don't know how to quit.

Great video once again! I have learned the best way to deal with a problem is to acknowledge it. I am the Son of a Heroin addict and feel I have learned addictive behavior from Him. Although I never tried that Drug even though I have been offered many times, I have struggled with Alcoholism, excessive thinking, even Shopping. The past 2 years or So have added many stressors that have prompted me to indulge in my vices, but This Channel and many others help me get back on track. Thank you!

I've been addicted to gaming since I was 9. I'm 21 now and don't play games often but it's sadly the only thing that really gives me happiness. I'm numbed to everything else. Nothing else motivates me even though I want to do something else so bad but I just don't know what.

The difference between religion and spirituality is that religion tells us hell exists and to fear it.. Those who become spiritual have been there. Fear is the energy most easily created en masse... Thing is fear is not real. We are the sum of our thoughts... Keep them light, attitude of gratitude, abundance mindset, go within and access true joy. Free yourself. Only love is real.. Oneness, unity consciousness, soul family, meditation... You are not alone, I love you x

Always synchronous when these episodes drop. Ive been noticing this phenomenon recently, staring at the hallowness i feel after i gave into them, how apathetic, regretful and sad. Like i was outside of myself after the fact.

I am forever grateful for all the work that goes into putting each and every single one of your videos up. Of all the channels that I am subscribed to, this is literally the only one that I have have the bell on to be notified the moment there is a new video. Amazing work, and awesome insight with every video without fail! thanks you.

Excellent work. My mind was in a cage for thirty years. The substance used or behavior enacted was irrelevant as long as the common denominator was satisfied: a release of dopamine in my brain. Somehow the words of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and The Dark Philosopher inspired something within me and I am now free. Thank you.

im an addict God helps a ton but i'm just a wreck from the life I lived... I described drugs as a haunted house "You go in and come away with so much, but you always leave something behind" i left so much behind