In today’s episode, we will be continuing our discussion on addiction. Today we’ll learn more about how addiction affects our brains, physically, chemically, and behaviorally, and the greater impact it has on individuals and the lives around them.    My guest today, Alyse Walker is a licensed professional counselor, with over 10 years of experience in areas such as crisis intervention, child welfare, trauma, and addiction. Alyse is trained in Addiction, ASI, T-ASI, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, CRA/A-CRA, Crisis Intervention, and Suicide Prevention. Alyse strongly believes your past doesn’t define who you are and there’s hope and healing.  [00:01 - 03:00] Opening Segment I introduce my guest, Alyse Walker   We talk about Alyse’s private practice, Heart For Change, LLC  Alyse talks about the loss of hope she witnesses in those around her that need healing, help, and change   

[03:01 - 14:30]  Further Understanding How Addiction Affects A Person  In our earlier podcast, we discussed how addiction can be defined as a habit that turns into behavior that helps us avoid feelings, trauma, discomfort, etc.   Why do we turn to things that have nothing to do with what we are avoiding? We’re looking for instant gratification to relieve us  Asking for help is an incredibly brave action to take   Addiction modifies and affects our brains to keep us trapped Physically changes our brain Raises our dopamine to unhealthy levels  How do guilt and shame come into play?      Addiction manifests in all sorts of ways, things, and people; not just alcohol or drugs   Be careful of replacing addiction Alyse talks about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study and screening her clients for childhood trauma  People with an ACEs Score are more likely to experience addiction and disease than those without an ACEs Score 

[14:30 - 23:11] How Addiction Affects Those Around Us   The ripple effect of addiction  While on the surface it may seem that addiction only affects one person, it causes tension, worry, stress, grief, mental, physical, and financial burden on families, friends, and workplaces.   What are addictions you see that people don’t even realize they are addicted to?   The importance of addressing the child that experienced trauma which snowballed into addiction years later  Some examples of “unconventional”  but common addictions  Relationships, codependency, gambilng, perfectionism, shopping, social media What can families do to intentionally stay healthy?  Involving them in family and individual therapy, doing things together, staying open with honesty and communication     How do you deal with individuals who are trapped in the shame and guilt cycle?   

[23:12 - 27:35] Closing Segment  Alyse’s words of advice for someone who is coming to grips with struggling with an addiction Admit you have a problem and reach out for help. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek professional help; these people are trained to help you take back your power   There is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel  Reach out to Alyse (Links and contact info below)  Final Words

Tweetable Quotes: “There is hope, there is healing. Don’t give up because you will come out on the other side.”  - Alyse Walker “Research has shown that addiction is not just a behavioral thing, it actually does affect our brains.” - Alyse Walker “It takes a strong person to say I have a problem. I like to call it ‘Taking your power back.’ Not giving over your power and taking your power back over that addiction.”  - Alyse Walker

Resources Mentioned:  Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):...