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Part 2:
While in lockdown, me and my partner decided to invest in a games console (so we could have more interactive fun together) and I wanted to nostalgically reconnected with the PS1 game 'ISS Pro 98' (International Superstar Soccer Pro 98, for those uncool enough not to know.)
After adding a replacement football game to our collection, it wasn't long before I started to feel the uncomfortable resurfacing of familiar patterns; the cravings, the longing to find relief in difficult situations, using this game as a coping mechanism for the difficulties in real life.
I was very quickly reliving those addictive impulses all over again.
In my late teenage years, I became heavily addicted to the football management simulation game 'Football Manger' (what else would it be called?) It dominated my days and nights, often skipping meals, not seeing friends, staying out of the sunlight, transfixed by the allure of this management imitation experience.
This isn't a football heavy podcast, it's simply an entry to talk about a universal subject from a different angle.
Addiction can be found in all activities.
It's not only alcohol & drugs - smoking, gambling, caffeine, sugar, chocolate, eating, work, sex, pornography, masturbation, gaming, the internet, shopping, spending money, your phone, social media, exercise, codependent relationships - even thought patterns & cheese.
If any of those spoke to you, perhaps this one's worth a listen.
Dr. Gabor Mate's definition of addiction is 'any behaviour (substance or not) that a person craves, finds pleasure & relief in, despite experiencing the negative consequences & cannot give it up despite those negative consequences.'
Throughout these episodes, I'll be discussing things like:
The different types of addiction
How addiction can be present in everything
My relationship to addiction
The addiction cycle
The psychological, biological, spiritual & social factors that make us susceptible to addiction
How it relates to childhood trauma
Potential solutions and finding ways of coping
Whatever you are experiencing, no matter how acute, how heavy, how far gone you feel - there is always hope. There is always a solution and there is always another chance.
LINKS:
The Savage Balance Podcast is a weekly podcast offering a new story, essay, interview, thought or leftover scribble from the back of a napkin.
You can subscribe and listen further on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean or YouTube.
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