The A in PLEASE: The Neurobiology of the Addicted Brain

In this episode of Wise Mind: A DBT Podcast, we tackle the “A” in PLEASE skills—Avoid mood-altering substances with curiosity, compassion, and a little humor. Instead of zooming in only on drugs and alcohol, we take a big-picture, Marsha Linehan–style look at addiction, including anything we use to numb out, escape, or emotionally duct-tape ourselves together.We talk about emotional regulation and that familiar inner voice saying, “Okay… get your shit together.” Spoiler alert: it’s not that simple. Using the disease model of addiction, we explain what’s actually going on in the addicted brain, why cravings feel so intense, and why stopping is hard, even when you really, really want to.This episode kicks off our deeper dive into the neurobiology of addiction, breaking down how the brain’s reward system gets hijacked and why willpower alone rarely works.We also bring the hope: recovery is real. We share solid stats, including a 75% recovery rate, and introduce a self-assessment tool to help you figure out your own risk level.If you’ve ever wondered why your brain does what it does and how DBT skills can help you work with it instead of yelling at it or shaming it, this episode is for you. 🎧Want to know the best way to support us and help us to keep providing free content?! Like, follow, react, comment on Wise Mind - A DBT Podcast on Apple, Spotify and social media!!Find all details, resources and trainings at : www.wisemindcollective.com.au⁠www.wisemindcollective.com.auwww.wisemindcollective.com.auContact us:wisemindcollective.com.auOrInstagram + Facebook - Wisemind DBT PodcastCrisis SupportWe are not a crisis service, If you or someone you know is in crisis, we encourage you to reach out to:Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7)Beyond Blue – 1300 22 463613YARN – 13 92 76 (A 24/7 national support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)Emergency Services – 000 (if you are in immediate danger)Acknowledgment of Dr. Marsha M. Linehan and the Origins of DBTWe honor Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, psychologist and professor who created Dialectical Behavior Therapy.It’s thanks to Dr. Linehan that DBT has become a proven intervention for a range of mental health challenges.Wise Mind A DBT Podcast gratefully acknowledges that DBT is Dr. Linehan’s work, not ours, and we honor her legacy.