We map addiction across three lenses—brain changes, attachment trauma, and choice—and show how they fit together without shame. Practical tools, meds, and nervous system skills make healing doable, from habit loops to co-regulation to TMS.

• defining addiction as impaired control despite harm
• substance and process addictions sharing brain mechanics
• dopamine spikes, downregulation and anhedonia
• prefrontal cortex as brakes and how it weakens
• attachment wounds and substitute relationships
• co‑regulation, safety cues and nervous system repair
• the “beast” voice vs agency without shame
• habit loops, delay windows and urge surfing
• Pavlovian reversal and neural pruning
• medications, TMS, NAC and GLP‑1 research
• building adult secure attachment and daily practices
• reframing recovery as reconnection and consistency

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Here are the links to the books we referenced in this episode:

Rational Recovery: https://www.amazon.com/Rational-Recovery-Cure-Substance-Addiction/dp/0671528580

Addiction, Attachment, Trauma, and Recovery: https://www.amazon.com/Addiction-Attachment-Trauma-Recovery-Interpersonal/dp/0393713172

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Core Self

www.coreself.org

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com