Addiction can be understood as a failure of socialization, where impulsive self-gratification becomes a dominant personality trait.

When people drink, the prefrontal cortex and top-down inhibition are diminished, leading to increased impulsive and habitual behavior.

Regular drinking alters the neural circuits that control habitual and impulsive behavior, making individuals more impulsive even when not drinking.

At the heart of addiction and a challenged life is a lack of distress tolerance, which is crucial for managing life's challenges effectively.

Addiction can be defined as the pursuit of positive emotions over a very short time frame, which is evident in how social media platforms optimize for immediate gratification.

Chronic drinking, even if not daily, can lead to a decrease in top-down inhibition, resulting in heightened impulsivity and habitual behavior.

Addiction is defined by continued use despite negative consequences, and it can manifest in various forms, including loss of control and compulsive behavior.

To effectively address addiction, it's important to help individuals recognize when their state is shifting towards substance use, allowing for intervention before the behavior becomes inevitable. This requires a deep understanding of their mental and emotional states.

Building resilience and connection early on is crucial to prevent addiction, as these factors are deeply related to adverse childhood experiences.