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b"There are a lot of negative consequences that can come from behavioral addictions. They include everything from financial problems to legal repercussions to health issues. Whether it\\u2019s gambling, gaming, sex, or pornography, it\\u2019s important to understand why some people are susceptible to certain behaviors. In fact, the same mechanism that influences chemical addiction could be responsible for behavioral addiction as well.\\n\\nOn this episode, Duane speaks with Amanda Giordano, a licensed professional counselor and associate professor at the University of Georgia, who specializes in addiction counseling both in chemical addiction and behavioral addiction. Amanda is the author of a clinical reference book titled A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions.\\xa0\\n\\nToday, she imparts her expertise in this field, explaining how the changes in the brain associated with behavioral addictions are actually very similar to the changes associated with chemical addictions.\\xa0\\n\\nIn other words, instead of becoming addicted to a chemical that originates outside of the body, the body is addicted to the release of its own neurochemicals (dopamine in particular). Once the brain\\u2019s reward system is activated, it releases neurotransmitters which can become very difficult for some people to abstain from as they become their primary means of regulating their emotions.\\n\\nHence, for some susceptible individuals, a rewarding behavior can become an addiction where there\\u2019s a loss of control over that behavior. The behavior is continued despite negative consequences and it becomes compulsive for that individual. They experience cravings or a mental preoccupation with the behavior when they're not engaging in it.\\xa0\\n\\nWhen we understand the neuroscience behind it, we can have a lot more empathy for people with addiction because we can now understand that their experience might be very different from the experience of someone who is not genetically predisposed to addiction.\\n\\nAmanda also talks about how to distinguish behavioral addiction from just a high involvement in the behavior by looking for the 4 C\\u2019s of addiction.\\xa0\\n\\nIn this episode, you will hear:\\n\\nHow a rewarding behavior can become an addiction\\n\\nDifferent types of behavioral addiction\\n\\nResetting the brain takes time\\n\\nThe 4 C\\u2019s of addiction\\n\\nThe behavior becoming the salient part of their life\\n\\nProven effective methods of treatment\\n\\nFactors that influence the susceptibility to behavioral addiction\\n\\nPositive reinforcement vs. negative reinforcement\\n\\nThe three circles technique to identify the warning signs\\n\\n\\nFollow and Review:\\nWe\\u2019d love for you to follow us if you haven\\u2019t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We\\u2019d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select \\u201cRatings and Reviews\\u201d and \\u201cWrite a Review\\u201d then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.\\nSupporting Resources:\\nNovusMindfulLife.com\\nEmail: amanda.giordano@uga.edu\\xa0\\nAmanda\\u2019s blog:\\xa0\\nhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/contributors/amanda-l-giordano-phd-lpc\\xa0\\xa0\\nA Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions:\\nhttps://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Guide-Treating-Behavioral-Addictions/dp/0826163165\\nDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5):\\nhttps://www.amazon.com/Diagnostic-Statistical-Manual-Mental-Disorders/dp/0890425558\\nIrresistible by Adam Alter:\\nhttps://www.amazon.com/Irresistible-Addictive-Technology-Business-Keeping/dp/1594206643\\nEpisode Credits\\nIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.\\n\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices"