[Applause] so lawyers can be kind of geeky and I
so lawyers can be kind of geeky and I
so lawyers can be kind of geeky and I got to confess that I get geeky about
got to confess that I get geeky about
got to confess that I get geeky about big questions and big problems and
big questions and big problems and
big questions and big problems and paradoxes like for example I’m a huge
paradoxes like for example I’m a huge
paradoxes like for example I’m a huge fan of Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson
fan of Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson
fan of Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was if you recall he was he was our
was if you recall he was he was our
was if you recall he was he was our original he authored the Declaration of
original he authored the Declaration of
original he authored the Declaration of Independence he led our country through
Independence he led our country through
Independence he led our country through very difficult times he was a business
very difficult times he was a business
very difficult times he was a business owner he was a deeply spiritual person
owner he was a deeply spiritual person
owner he was a deeply spiritual person even wrote his own version of the Bible
even wrote his own version of the Bible
even wrote his own version of the Bible he was wise he was intelligent and by
he was wise he was intelligent and by
he was wise he was intelligent and by all accounts he was supremely ethical
all accounts he was supremely ethical
all accounts he was supremely ethical but he had a blind spot when it came to
but he had a blind spot when it came to
but he had a blind spot when it came to slavery
slavery
slavery so does this diminish his greatness he
so does this diminish his greatness he
so does this diminish his greatness he was a great man but I do think that
was a great man but I do think that
was a great man but I do think that tarnishes him a little bit so I invite
tarnishes him a little bit so I invite
tarnishes him a little bit so I invite you to enjoy me on a little thought
you to enjoy me on a little thought
you to enjoy me on a little thought experiment think about how it is like
experiment think about how it is like
experiment think about how it is like thinking about the future a hundred
thinking about the future a hundred
thinking about the future a hundred years from now 200 years from now
years from now 200 years from now
years from now 200 years from now what is it that we’re doing today that
what is it that we’re doing today that
what is it that we’re doing today that our ancestors will judge us harshly for
our ancestors will judge us harshly for
our ancestors will judge us harshly for think about this idea that I mean we’re
think about this idea that I mean we’re
think about this idea that I mean we’re wives and we’re intelligent and we’re
wives and we’re intelligent and we’re
wives and we’re intelligent and we’re smart yet there are things that we’re
smart yet there are things that we’re
smart yet there are things that we’re doing today that will seem primitive to
doing today that will seem primitive to
doing today that will seem primitive to our great-grandchildren so what when I
our great-grandchildren so what when I
our great-grandchildren so what when I think about that the first thing that
think about that the first thing that
think about that the first thing that comes to mind my mind is just this
comes to mind my mind is just this
comes to mind my mind is just this ungodly amount of sugar that we feed
ungodly amount of sugar that we feed
ungodly amount of sugar that we feed children but uh but that’s not what I’m
children but uh but that’s not what I’m
children but uh but that’s not what I’m here to talk about I really do think
here to talk about I really do think
here to talk about I really do think that we’ll be judged rather harshly
that we’ll be judged rather harshly
that we’ll be judged rather harshly about how it is that we’ve Pete treat
about how it is that we’ve Pete treat
about how it is that we’ve Pete treat people with the disease of addiction
people with the disease of addiction
people with the disease of addiction because science is actually known for a
because science is actually known for a
because science is actually known for a very long time that addiction is a
very long time that addiction is a
very long time that addiction is a disease of the brain it interrupts an
disease of the brain it interrupts an
disease of the brain it interrupts an addicts ability to make good choices and
addicts ability to make good choices and
addicts ability to make good choices and make good decisions yet we generally
make good decisions yet we generally
make good decisions yet we generally expect an addict who has a brain disease
expect an addict who has a brain disease
expect an addict who has a brain disease to use that diseased brain to make
to use that diseased brain to make
to use that diseased brain to make better choices
better choices
better choices you know we accuse them of a lack of
you know we accuse them of a lack of
you know we accuse them of a lack of willpower they don’t understand the
willpower they don’t understand the
willpower they don’t understand the consequence of their actions
consequence of their actions
consequence of their actions they wear their morals kind of loud you
they wear their morals kind of loud you
they wear their morals kind of loud you know but we have healthy brains and what
know but we have healthy brains and what
know but we have healthy brains and what we don’t really stop to think about what
we don’t really stop to think about what
we don’t really stop to think about what is it where is it that this even
is it where is it that this even
is it where is it that this even processed in the brain now as a
processed in the brain now as a
processed in the brain now as a courthouse lawyer when I think about how
courthouse lawyer when I think about how
courthouse lawyer when I think about how it is we treat addicts I think about it
it is we treat addicts I think about it
it is we treat addicts I think about it through the frame of the criminal
through the frame of the criminal
through the frame of the criminal justice system and the way we treat
justice system and the way we treat
justice system and the way we treat addicts for a long time has been lock
addicts for a long time has been lock
addicts for a long time has been lock them up now that’s been really the
them up now that’s been really the
them up now that’s been really the dominant solution for probably 50 years
dominant solution for probably 50 years
dominant solution for probably 50 years and you know it isn’t really working
and you know it isn’t really working
and you know it isn’t really working very well now fortunately the science is
very well now fortunately the science is
very well now fortunately the science is catching up we have some more are more
catching up we have some more are more
catching up we have some more are more enlightened leaders and more in
enlightened leaders and more in
enlightened leaders and more in forward-thinking leaders are innovating
forward-thinking leaders are innovating
forward-thinking leaders are innovating and thinking of solutions but I really
and thinking of solutions but I really
and thinking of solutions but I really think that we have a long way to go so
think that we have a long way to go so
think that we have a long way to go so now and by the way I’m not I’m not
now and by the way I’m not I’m not
now and by the way I’m not I’m not pointing the fingers anybody I I’m an
pointing the fingers anybody I I’m an
pointing the fingers anybody I I’m an offender myself I started my legal
offender myself I started my legal
offender myself I started my legal career as an assistant district attorney
career as an assistant district attorney
career as an assistant district attorney and I am responsible for locking up many
and I am responsible for locking up many
and I am responsible for locking up many many people with the disease of
many people with the disease of
many people with the disease of addiction that probably would have been
addiction that probably would have been
addiction that probably would have been better served in a therapeutic setting
better served in a therapeutic setting
better served in a therapeutic setting but we didn’t know and by the way please
but we didn’t know and by the way please
but we didn’t know and by the way please do not hear me say that I think we
do not hear me say that I think we
do not hear me say that I think we should ignore people that break the law
should ignore people that break the law
should ignore people that break the law or that we should somehow hand out free
or that we should somehow hand out free
or that we should somehow hand out free passes it’s just we have to learn how to
passes it’s just we have to learn how to
passes it’s just we have to learn how to respond in a different and better way so
respond in a different and better way so
respond in a different and better way so when I was in the court house I handled
when I was in the court house I handled
when I was in the court house I handled all the big cases that you’d see on the
all the big cases that you’d see on the
all the big cases that you’d see on the media rapes robberies murders the kinds
media rapes robberies murders the kinds
media rapes robberies murders the kinds of cases that give the public an
of cases that give the public an
of cases that give the public an impression of what’s going on at the
impression of what’s going on at the
impression of what’s going on at the courthouse but I’m tell you the media
courthouse but I’m tell you the media
courthouse but I’m tell you the media really doesn’t scratch the surface of
really doesn’t scratch the surface of
really doesn’t scratch the surface of what’s really going on and statistics do
what’s really going on and statistics do
what’s really going on and statistics do not tell an accurate story well my
not tell an accurate story well my
not tell an accurate story well my message to you is this the vast majority
message to you is this the vast majority
message to you is this the vast majority of all criminal cases the underlying
of all criminal cases the underlying
of all criminal cases the underlying issue is substance abuse alcoholism and
issue is substance abuse alcoholism and
issue is substance abuse alcoholism and the disease of addiction my personal
the disease of addiction my personal
the disease of addiction my personal beliefs is if we can solve the puzzle
beliefs is if we can solve the puzzle
beliefs is if we can solve the puzzle that’s a disease of addiction we could
that’s a disease of addiction we could
that’s a disease of addiction we could cut the crime rate by over 50% so that
cut the crime rate by over 50% so that
cut the crime rate by over 50% so that today I represent
today I represent
today I represent moms and dads sons and daughters people
moms and dads sons and daughters people
moms and dads sons and daughters people that are suffering from the disease of
that are suffering from the disease of
that are suffering from the disease of addiction they’re they’re remarkably
addiction they’re they’re remarkably
addiction they’re they’re remarkably like us or normal people with normal mix
like us or normal people with normal mix
like us or normal people with normal mix of good and bad they do tend to have a
of good and bad they do tend to have a
of good and bad they do tend to have a quite a bit higher incidence of
quite a bit higher incidence of
quite a bit higher incidence of childhood trauma but otherwise they’re
childhood trauma but otherwise they’re
childhood trauma but otherwise they’re there they’re good people but they’re
there they’re good people but they’re
there they’re good people but they’re trapped in a body and a damaged brain
trapped in a body and a damaged brain
trapped in a body and a damaged brain that’s a version themselves but they
that’s a version themselves but they
that’s a version themselves but they have profoundly profoundly damaged
have profoundly profoundly damaged
have profoundly profoundly damaged brains now despite the fact that all I
brains now despite the fact that all I
brains now despite the fact that all I mean the vast majority of criminal cases
mean the vast majority of criminal cases
mean the vast majority of criminal cases that go before in the courthouse and the
that go before in the courthouse and the
that go before in the courthouse and the lawyers and the judges the ones that are
lawyers and the judges the ones that are
lawyers and the judges the ones that are tasked with you know solving you figure
tasked with you know solving you figure
tasked with you know solving you figure out what’s right to do in this case have
out what’s right to do in this case have
out what’s right to do in this case have zero training and addiction there’s no
zero training and addiction there’s no
zero training and addiction there’s no training in law school for addiction yet
training in law school for addiction yet
training in law school for addiction yet we’re the ones creating the dissolutions
we’re the ones creating the dissolutions
we’re the ones creating the dissolutions it would be a little bit like what if
it would be a little bit like what if
it would be a little bit like what if you went to a hospital to get cancer
you went to a hospital to get cancer
you went to a hospital to get cancer treatment and know that doctors there
treatment and know that doctors there
treatment and know that doctors there know anything about cancer well I think
know anything about cancer well I think
know anything about cancer well I think you got cancer but I don’t never had any
you got cancer but I don’t never had any
you got cancer but I don’t never had any formal training in cancer that’s kind of
formal training in cancer that’s kind of
formal training in cancer that’s kind of what we’re facing I’m gonna tell you
what we’re facing I’m gonna tell you
what we’re facing I’m gonna tell you this to you you can solve the criminal
this to you you can solve the criminal
this to you you can solve the criminal problem but if you don’t solve the
problem but if you don’t solve the
problem but if you don’t solve the underlying issue that got into the
underlying issue that got into the
underlying issue that got into the courthouse to begin with it’s a
courthouse to begin with it’s a
courthouse to begin with it’s a revolving door they’re just back again
revolving door they’re just back again
revolving door they’re just back again probation violation a new case one step
probation violation a new case one step
probation violation a new case one step closer to prison so now obviously not
closer to prison so now obviously not
closer to prison so now obviously not every addict gets involved in the
every addict gets involved in the
every addict gets involved in the criminal justice system I suspect most
criminal justice system I suspect most
criminal justice system I suspect most down so the problem is actually much
down so the problem is actually much
down so the problem is actually much larger than my small views which is the
larger than my small views which is the
larger than my small views which is the court house last fall the US Surgeon
court house last fall the US Surgeon
court house last fall the US Surgeon General did his report on addiction his
General did his report on addiction his
General did his report on addiction his release last fall and came up with some
release last fall and came up with some
release last fall and came up with some this is our first ever report on
this is our first ever report on
this is our first ever report on addiction what they said there’s 66
addiction what they said there’s 66
addiction what they said there’s 66 million people that involved in binge
million people that involved in binge
million people that involved in binge drinking in the last 30 days and 27
drinking in the last 30 days and 27
drinking in the last 30 days and 27 million people use illicit drugs or
million people use illicit drugs or
million people use illicit drugs or misuse prescription drugs
misuse prescription drugs
misuse prescription drugs that’s 93 million people now what is
that’s 93 million people now what is
that’s 93 million people now what is that 93 million people what does that
that 93 million people what does that
that 93 million people what does that look like that looks like if you were to
look like that looks like if you were to
look like that looks like if you were to take every man woman and child in the in
take every man woman and child in the in
take every man woman and child in the in the states in red that’s what that looks
the states in red that’s what that looks
the states in red that’s what that looks like now I’m not suggesting that these
like now I’m not suggesting that these
like now I’m not suggesting that these people are suffering from addiction
people are suffering from addiction
people are suffering from addiction there they’re dancing with addiction
there they’re dancing with addiction
there they’re dancing with addiction they’re dancing with
they’re dancing with
they’re dancing with flirting with very high risk activity
flirting with very high risk activity
flirting with very high risk activity but the Surgeon General says that people
but the Surgeon General says that people
but the Surgeon General says that people that have that can be clinically
that have that can be clinically
that have that can be clinically diagnosed that fit the criteria for
diagnosed that fit the criteria for
diagnosed that fit the criteria for substance abuse disorder that actually
substance abuse disorder that actually
substance abuse disorder that actually suffer from a brain disease of addiction
suffer from a brain disease of addiction
suffer from a brain disease of addiction it’s 23 million people and if you would
it’s 23 million people and if you would
it’s 23 million people and if you would plot it like this that’s every man woman
plot it like this that’s every man woman
plot it like this that’s every man woman and child in this area has a disease of
and child in this area has a disease of
and child in this area has a disease of the brain I mean this is this isn’t bad
the brain I mean this is this isn’t bad
the brain I mean this is this isn’t bad water in Flint Michigan this is a
water in Flint Michigan this is a
water in Flint Michigan this is a problem this is by any accounts it’s a
problem this is by any accounts it’s a
problem this is by any accounts it’s a it’s an epidemic
it’s an epidemic
it’s an epidemic so what’s going on before you can really
so what’s going on before you can really
so what’s going on before you can really tackle addiction you have to understand
tackle addiction you have to understand
tackle addiction you have to understand what’s going on that six inches between
what’s going on that six inches between
what’s going on that six inches between your ears the addiction is always it’s
your ears the addiction is always it’s
your ears the addiction is always it’s it’s a tension between these two areas
it’s a tension between these two areas
it’s a tension between these two areas of the brain the prefrontal cortex this
of the brain the prefrontal cortex this
of the brain the prefrontal cortex this guy right here prefrontal cortex that’s
guy right here prefrontal cortex that’s
guy right here prefrontal cortex that’s the cool part that makes this human this
the cool part that makes this human this
the cool part that makes this human this part down a little bit lower the nucleus
part down a little bit lower the nucleus
part down a little bit lower the nucleus accumbens that’s the midbrain that’s a
accumbens that’s the midbrain that’s a
accumbens that’s the midbrain that’s a more animalistic brain there’s a there’s
more animalistic brain there’s a there’s
more animalistic brain there’s a there’s this tension always between the nucleus
this tension always between the nucleus
this tension always between the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex
accumbens and the prefrontal cortex
accumbens and the prefrontal cortex now the prefrontal cortex this is the
now the prefrontal cortex this is the
now the prefrontal cortex this is the area that is the thinking brain this is
area that is the thinking brain this is
area that is the thinking brain this is you know like apes are faster than us
you know like apes are faster than us
you know like apes are faster than us and they’re stronger than us but because
and they’re stronger than us but because
and they’re stronger than us but because of what this does for us we’re the
of what this does for us we’re the
of what this does for us we’re the dominant species on this planet okay
dominant species on this planet okay
dominant species on this planet okay this is goal-setting
this is goal-setting
this is goal-setting this is executive function its
this is executive function its
this is executive function its determining the difference being good
determining the difference being good
determining the difference being good better and best
better and best
better and best it’s where suppression of urges happen
it’s where suppression of urges happen
it’s where suppression of urges happen now this other part of the brain this is
now this other part of the brain this is
now this other part of the brain this is the more animalistic part of the brain
the more animalistic part of the brain
the more animalistic part of the brain the midbrain this is the part that some
the midbrain this is the part that some
the midbrain this is the part that some people call it a lizard brain it’s not
people call it a lizard brain it’s not
people call it a lizard brain it’s not really as part of our subconscious it’s
really as part of our subconscious it’s
really as part of our subconscious it’s not really a thinking part it’s more of
not really a thinking part it’s more of
not really a thinking part it’s more of an instinctive part the little nucleus
an instinctive part the little nucleus
an instinctive part the little nucleus accumbens I also call the pleasure
accumbens I also call the pleasure
accumbens I also call the pleasure center and that’s that little structure
center and that’s that little structure
center and that’s that little structure there has really kept our species alive
there has really kept our species alive
there has really kept our species alive for about 200,000 years and what it
for about 200,000 years and what it
for about 200,000 years and what it would do is that it helps the brain
would do is that it helps the brain
would do is that it helps the brain obsess over things that would keep us
obsess over things that would keep us
obsess over things that would keep us alive food water sex past the genetic
alive food water sex past the genetic
alive food water sex past the genetic material of next generation and when it
material of next generation and when it
material of next generation and when it does that by releasing dopamine whenever
does that by releasing dopamine whenever
does that by releasing dopamine whenever it finds something it wants and and and
it finds something it wants and and and
it finds something it wants and and and helps it focus and concentrate on that
helps it focus and concentrate on that
helps it focus and concentrate on that but there are mood altering substances
but there are mood altering substances
but there are mood altering substances that massively overstimulate this and
that massively overstimulate this and
that massively overstimulate this and whenever you have a massively
whenever you have a massively
whenever you have a massively overstimulated nucleus
overstimulated nucleus
overstimulated nucleus company kiss accumbens takes over and it
company kiss accumbens takes over and it
company kiss accumbens takes over and it literally cuts off the prefrontal cortex
literally cuts off the prefrontal cortex
literally cuts off the prefrontal cortex from making a decision you literally
from making a decision you literally
from making a decision you literally cannot think about what it is you you
cannot think about what it is you you
cannot think about what it is you you know the answer you can talk to an
know the answer you can talk to an
know the answer you can talk to an addict all day long they know the answer
addict all day long they know the answer
addict all day long they know the answer they just can’t do it
they just can’t do it
they just can’t do it it’s because this part of the structure
it’s because this part of the structure
it’s because this part of the structure of the brain cuts it off and we all do
of the brain cuts it off and we all do
of the brain cuts it off and we all do this every one of us we have this
this every one of us we have this
this every one of us we have this dynamic tension between nucleus
dynamic tension between nucleus
dynamic tension between nucleus accumbens and and the prefrontal cortex
accumbens and and the prefrontal cortex
accumbens and and the prefrontal cortex so you know nooks accumbens or
so you know nooks accumbens or
so you know nooks accumbens or prefrontal cortex will say I’m gonna
prefrontal cortex will say I’m gonna
prefrontal cortex will say I’m gonna lose weight we’re gonna go a diet but by
lose weight we’re gonna go a diet but by
lose weight we’re gonna go a diet but by the end of day you’ve had an ice cream
the end of day you’ve had an ice cream
the end of day you’ve had an ice cream right prefrontal cortex says you know
right prefrontal cortex says you know
right prefrontal cortex says you know I’m gonna get up and go work out at
I’m gonna get up and go work out at
I’m gonna get up and go work out at seven o’clock and next thing you know
seven o’clock and next thing you know
seven o’clock and next thing you know it’s really warm cozy in bed and you
it’s really warm cozy in bed and you
it’s really warm cozy in bed and you don’t go it’s this we’re all doing it
don’t go it’s this we’re all doing it
don’t go it’s this we’re all doing it it’s just not the disease of addiction
it’s just not the disease of addiction
it’s just not the disease of addiction unless the nucleus accumbens takes over
unless the nucleus accumbens takes over
unless the nucleus accumbens takes over so now what are the little things what
so now what are the little things what
so now what are the little things what is the dopamine they do this with
is the dopamine they do this with
is the dopamine they do this with dopamine by giving us these little
dopamine by giving us these little
dopamine by giving us these little rewards so I want you to imagine like
rewards so I want you to imagine like
rewards so I want you to imagine like your favorite meal your favorite meal
your favorite meal your favorite meal
your favorite meal your favorite meal that you just have a great meal how does
that you just have a great meal how does
that you just have a great meal how does that make you feel it makes you feel
that make you feel it makes you feel
that make you feel it makes you feel good because you got a shot at dopamine
good because you got a shot at dopamine
good because you got a shot at dopamine that’s about 50% more than normal your
that’s about 50% more than normal your
that’s about 50% more than normal your dopamine level just went up that’s why
dopamine level just went up that’s why
dopamine level just went up that’s why you do it
you do it
you do it think about sex for a minute okay sex is
think about sex for a minute okay sex is
think about sex for a minute okay sex is great you know why it’s great because
great you know why it’s great because
great you know why it’s great because dopamine goes in your brain encouraging
dopamine goes in your brain encouraging
dopamine goes in your brain encouraging you to do it it’s 200 I mean it doubles
you to do it it’s 200 I mean it doubles
you to do it it’s 200 I mean it doubles them how to dopamine in your brain so
them how to dopamine in your brain so
them how to dopamine in your brain so here’s what I’m suggesting
here’s what I’m suggesting
here’s what I’m suggesting everybody in this room for the next year
everybody in this room for the next year
everybody in this room for the next year go with let’s let’s all go on a diet any
go with let’s let’s all go on a diet any
go with let’s let’s all go on a diet any only salad and there’s no sex for a year
only salad and there’s no sex for a year
only salad and there’s no sex for a year no sex for you who’s in for that no we
no sex for you who’s in for that no we
no sex for you who’s in for that no we want we want the dopamine right we’d
want we want the dopamine right we’d
want we want the dopamine right we’d love that dopamine imagine what you just
love that dopamine imagine what you just
love that dopamine imagine what you just felt like trying to give that up for a
felt like trying to give that up for a
felt like trying to give that up for a year and opposed to somebody who’s has
year and opposed to somebody who’s has
year and opposed to somebody who’s has the amount of heroin or methamphetamine
the amount of heroin or methamphetamine
the amount of heroin or methamphetamine it’s it’s it’s five times harder than
it’s it’s it’s five times harder than
it’s it’s it’s five times harder than giving up sex and none of us want to do
giving up sex and none of us want to do
giving up sex and none of us want to do that so this is we know a little bit now
that so this is we know a little bit now
that so this is we know a little bit now about what what’s going on in the brain
about what what’s going on in the brain
about what what’s going on in the brain and what the problem is but the what are
and what the problem is but the what are
and what the problem is but the what are one of the solutions I don’t really
one of the solutions I don’t really
one of the solutions I don’t really know what all the solutions are but
know what all the solutions are but
know what all the solutions are but there are some things that kind of
there are some things that kind of
there are some things that kind of inform the way that I go about with Mike
inform the way that I go about with Mike
inform the way that I go about with Mike working with my clients and one of them
working with my clients and one of them
working with my clients and one of them there’s a fascinating series of
there’s a fascinating series of
there’s a fascinating series of experiments that were done with recovery
experiments that were done with recovery
experiments that were done with recovery and addictions called the rat part they
and addictions called the rat part they
and addictions called the rat part they were done in the nineteen seventies and
were done in the nineteen seventies and
were done in the nineteen seventies and you probably saw these first round of
you probably saw these first round of
you probably saw these first round of experiments they would take a rat and
experiments they would take a rat and
experiments they would take a rat and they put a rat in a cage and they were
they put a rat in a cage and they were
they put a rat in a cage and they were given a choice between drug water and
given a choice between drug water and
given a choice between drug water and regular water and a little rat in a cage
regular water and a little rat in a cage
regular water and a little rat in a cage will do the drug water until it dies
will do the drug water until it dies
will do the drug water until it dies proof addiction lock everybody up that
proof addiction lock everybody up that
proof addiction lock everybody up that has that another researcher came along
has that another researcher came along
has that another researcher came along and there’s a flaw with this experiment
and there’s a flaw with this experiment
and there’s a flaw with this experiment I work with rats I know about rats rats
I work with rats I know about rats rats
I work with rats I know about rats rats are highly social creatures they hate
are highly social creatures they hate
are highly social creatures they hate being in small cages by themselves like
being in small cages by themselves like
being in small cages by themselves like humans so he reworked the experiment he
humans so he reworked the experiment he
humans so he reworked the experiment he created rat Park same experiment but
created rat Park same experiment but
created rat Park same experiment but lots of room not one rat but many balls
lots of room not one rat but many balls
lots of room not one rat but many balls tunnels little amusements part for rats
tunnels little amusements part for rats
tunnels little amusements part for rats and this time he gave him a choice
and this time he gave him a choice
and this time he gave him a choice between drug water and regular water and
between drug water and regular water and
between drug water and regular water and guess what the vast majority of rats
guess what the vast majority of rats
guess what the vast majority of rats never touched the drugged water didn’t
never touched the drugged water didn’t
never touched the drugged water didn’t even use it didn’t want to use it only a
even use it didn’t want to use it only a
even use it didn’t want to use it only a small number of rats used the drug water
small number of rats used the drug water
small number of rats used the drug water and none of them music compulsively till
and none of them music compulsively till
and none of them music compulsively till they died so because what they wanted to
they died so because what they wanted to
they died so because what they wanted to do is they wanted to have like a little
do is they wanted to have like a little
do is they wanted to have like a little rat fun with their little rat buddies in
rat fun with their little rat buddies in
rat fun with their little rat buddies in rat Park okay they they want what we
rat Park okay they they want what we
rat Park okay they they want what we want we want comfort and connection and
want we want comfort and connection and
want we want comfort and connection and fun so when you think about how it is
fun so when you think about how it is
fun so when you think about how it is that an attic how do they engage their
that an attic how do they engage their
that an attic how do they engage their life you have to create a life that’s
life you have to create a life that’s
life you have to create a life that’s full of fun and engagement and enjoy and
full of fun and engagement and enjoy and
full of fun and engagement and enjoy and so but this got me thinking about I’m
so but this got me thinking about I’m
so but this got me thinking about I’m back to this slide again sorry the so
back to this slide again sorry the so
back to this slide again sorry the so the bad news of this 23 million this 23
the bad news of this 23 million this 23
the bad news of this 23 million this 23 million people only 10 percent treatment
million people only 10 percent treatment
million people only 10 percent treatment and of the ones that get treatment only
and of the ones that get treatment only
and of the ones that get treatment only about 40 to 50 percent of them stay
about 40 to 50 percent of them stay
about 40 to 50 percent of them stay sober
sober
sober a year later I mean 50 to 50 to 60
a year later I mean 50 to 50 to 60
a year later I mean 50 to 50 to 60 percent relapse and it’s even higher for
percent relapse and it’s even higher for
percent relapse and it’s even higher for meth and heroin it’s the bane of
meth and heroin it’s the bane of
meth and heroin it’s the bane of treatment relapses were why haven’t
treatment relapses were why haven’t
treatment relapses were why haven’t clients they go to relapse are doing
clients they go to relapse are doing
clients they go to relapse are doing great they come back and a couple months
great they come back and a couple months
great they come back and a couple months later they relapse like what’s going on
later they relapse like what’s going on
later they relapse like what’s going on you know what do you have
you know what do you have
you know what do you have reason in the world to be sober what’s
reason in the world to be sober what’s
reason in the world to be sober what’s going on so it got me very curious about
going on so it got me very curious about
going on so it got me very curious about relapse prevention I wanted to do
relapse prevention I wanted to do
relapse prevention I wanted to do something and really focus on what is it
something and really focus on what is it
something and really focus on what is it that we can do in the area of relapse
that we can do in the area of relapse
that we can do in the area of relapse prevention the conventional wisdom is
prevention the conventional wisdom is
prevention the conventional wisdom is hey avoid your triggers and if you think
hey avoid your triggers and if you think
hey avoid your triggers and if you think about what’s the reason for the relapse
about what’s the reason for the relapse
about what’s the reason for the relapse there’s a lot of reasons for relapse but
there’s a lot of reasons for relapse but
there’s a lot of reasons for relapse but one of them is encountering triggers in
one of them is encountering triggers in
one of them is encountering triggers in your environment so what can you do well
your environment so what can you do well
your environment so what can you do well I’ll tell you a story I have a client
I’ll tell you a story I have a client
I’ll tell you a story I have a client he’s a very successful professional he
he’s a very successful professional he
he’s a very successful professional he had an addiction to methamphetamine he’s
had an addiction to methamphetamine he’s
had an addiction to methamphetamine he’s been sober now for well over a year he’s
been sober now for well over a year he’s
been sober now for well over a year he’s doing really well but he bought into
doing really well but he bought into
doing really well but he bought into this rat Park theory and we created a
this rat Park theory and we created a
this rat Park theory and we created a life there was just things he loved to
life there was just things he loved to
life there was just things he loved to do rebuilding the connections and the
do rebuilding the connections and the
do rebuilding the connections and the fun and and you know the thing that he
fun and and you know the thing that he
fun and and you know the thing that he loved more than anything he loved Kona
loved more than anything he loved Kona
loved more than anything he loved Kona oh you football games I mean there’s
oh you football games I mean there’s
oh you football games I mean there’s nothing better than college campus and
nothing better than college campus and
nothing better than college campus and fall putting on your crimson sweater and
fall putting on your crimson sweater and
fall putting on your crimson sweater and hanging out with like a hundred thousand
hanging out with like a hundred thousand
hanging out with like a hundred thousand members of your tribe I mean that’s cool
members of your tribe I mean that’s cool
members of your tribe I mean that’s cool the problem is that his trigger for use
the problem is that his trigger for use
the problem is that his trigger for use for meth was beer does anybody been on
for meth was beer does anybody been on
for meth was beer does anybody been on campus on a game day and had an urge to
campus on a game day and had an urge to
campus on a game day and had an urge to have a beer right right this is
have a beer right right this is
have a beer right right this is dangerous territory his rat Park is
dangerous territory his rat Park is
dangerous territory his rat Park is dangerous you can’t avoid your triggers
dangerous you can’t avoid your triggers
dangerous you can’t avoid your triggers there because you know what you can’t
there because you know what you can’t
there because you know what you can’t get to this until you go through this
get to this until you go through this
get to this until you go through this and this you know think about what if
and this you know think about what if
and this you know think about what if your advice is many engage in your life
your advice is many engage in your life
your advice is many engage in your life what if your I want you to imagine with
what if your I want you to imagine with
what if your I want you to imagine with me for a minute you’re a recovering
me for a minute you’re a recovering
me for a minute you’re a recovering addict and you’re trying to create a fun
addict and you’re trying to create a fun
addict and you’re trying to create a fun and interesting life and you love sports
and interesting life and you love sports
and interesting life and you love sports basketball football I don’t know what it
basketball football I don’t know what it
basketball football I don’t know what it is but chances are it’s sponsored by a
is but chances are it’s sponsored by a
is but chances are it’s sponsored by a beer a beer or a vodka what if you’re a
beer a beer or a vodka what if you’re a
beer a beer or a vodka what if you’re a live music person it’s like music
live music person it’s like music
live music person it’s like music anybody rent to the live music venue and
anybody rent to the live music venue and
anybody rent to the live music venue and seeing drugs or alcohol there right you
seeing drugs or alcohol there right you
seeing drugs or alcohol there right you know I think just avoid your triggers go
know I think just avoid your triggers go
know I think just avoid your triggers go home go home until you turn on the
home go home until you turn on the
home go home until you turn on the television even on social media I mean
television even on social media I mean
television even on social media I mean you’re saturated with images of really
you’re saturated with images of really
you’re saturated with images of really attractive people suggesting then the
attractive people suggesting then the
attractive people suggesting then the good life is over here what you need is
good life is over here what you need is
good life is over here what you need is a Heineken it hang out with a captain
a Heineken it hang out with a captain
a Heineken it hang out with a captain right I mean what about this dude okay I
right I mean what about this dude okay I
right I mean what about this dude okay I mean he who doesn’t want to be this guy
mean he who doesn’t want to be this guy
mean he who doesn’t want to be this guy right
right
right but I mean for I’m telling you for for
but I mean for I’m telling you for for
but I mean for I’m telling you for for millions of people with the disease of
millions of people with the disease of
millions of people with the disease of addiction this is the beginning of a
addiction this is the beginning of a
addiction this is the beginning of a life of destruction so so what do you do
life of destruction so so what do you do
life of destruction so so what do you do really avoiding your triggers isn’t
really avoiding your triggers isn’t
really avoiding your triggers isn’t always possible there there so I’ve got
always possible there there so I’ve got
always possible there there so I’ve got to think about how it is that we explore
to think about how it is that we explore
to think about how it is that we explore a way to help people suffering with
a way to help people suffering with
a way to help people suffering with addiction and avoid relapse and maybe
addiction and avoid relapse and maybe
addiction and avoid relapse and maybe what we could do is engage that midbrain
what we could do is engage that midbrain
what we could do is engage that midbrain in some way engage the midbrain
in some way engage the midbrain
in some way engage the midbrain but then retrain it get it to think
but then retrain it get it to think
but then retrain it get it to think about instead of maybe avoiding your
about instead of maybe avoiding your
about instead of maybe avoiding your triggers is there a way to encounter
triggers is there a way to encounter
triggers is there a way to encounter your triggers in real life so I started
your triggers in real life so I started
your triggers in real life so I started looking at different disciplines and
looking at different disciplines and
looking at different disciplines and discovered of be a hospital that was
discovered of be a hospital that was
discovered of be a hospital that was treating burn patients with virtual
treating burn patients with virtual
treating burn patients with virtual reality for a pain management tool
reality for a pain management tool
reality for a pain management tool virtual burn patients are in a lot of
virtual burn patients are in a lot of
virtual burn patients are in a lot of pain they have this excruciating ly
pain they have this excruciating ly
pain they have this excruciating ly painful treatments daily whether if
painful treatments daily whether if
painful treatments daily whether if their skin feels hot and raw and what
their skin feels hot and raw and what
their skin feels hot and raw and what they figured out is they can actually
they figured out is they can actually
they figured out is they can actually take a virtual reality and put a burn
take a virtual reality and put a burn
take a virtual reality and put a burn patient in it and have them simulate
patient in it and have them simulate
patient in it and have them simulate what it’s like to walk through a winter
what it’s like to walk through a winter
what it’s like to walk through a winter landscape literally you feel like it
landscape literally you feel like it
landscape literally you feel like it looks like you’re walking through snow
looks like you’re walking through snow
looks like you’re walking through snow there’s ice on the trees you can see the
there’s ice on the trees you can see the
there’s ice on the trees you can see the snow falling and all of a sudden their
snow falling and all of a sudden their
snow falling and all of a sudden their pain level goes remarkably powerful tool
pain level goes remarkably powerful tool
pain level goes remarkably powerful tool virtual reality right now the emphasis
virtual reality right now the emphasis
virtual reality right now the emphasis has been on entertainment but I think
has been on entertainment but I think
has been on entertainment but I think you’re gonna see a lot of therapeutic
you’re gonna see a lot of therapeutic
you’re gonna see a lot of therapeutic uses coming I’m about to show you this
uses coming I’m about to show you this
uses coming I’m about to show you this is my missus my 16 year old son the
is my missus my 16 year old son the
is my missus my 16 year old son the first time ever he put on the VR and he
first time ever he put on the VR and he
first time ever he put on the VR and he was watching a very short little
was watching a very short little
was watching a very short little animated horror clip
so that shows you a couple things one
so that shows you a couple things one there’s the power of virtual reality it
there’s the power of virtual reality it
there’s the power of virtual reality it can really just take the brain it’s
can really just take the brain it’s
can really just take the brain it’s completely different place but that’s
completely different place but that’s
completely different place but that’s also the midbrain at work there I mean
also the midbrain at work there I mean
also the midbrain at work there I mean he knows his prefrontal cortex notice
he knows his prefrontal cortex notice
he knows his prefrontal cortex notice where it is he knows he’s like on a
where it is he knows he’s like on a
where it is he knows he’s like on a piece of plastic on its head watching a
piece of plastic on its head watching a
piece of plastic on its head watching a little image but it’s it’s a very
little image but it’s it’s a very
little image but it’s it’s a very powerful tool now for the first time
powerful tool now for the first time
powerful tool now for the first time what we can do is we can simulate what
what we can do is we can simulate what
what we can do is we can simulate what it’s like for an addict to be in a
it’s like for an addict to be in a
it’s like for an addict to be in a target-rich environment where they have
target-rich environment where they have
target-rich environment where they have where they have cravings and have them
where they have cravings and have them
where they have cravings and have them experience what it feels like to
experience what it feels like to
experience what it feels like to actually get a craving what it’s like
actually get a craving what it’s like
actually get a craving what it’s like did you experience like walking through
did you experience like walking through
did you experience like walking through campus corner holding a beer or go into
campus corner holding a beer or go into
campus corner holding a beer or go into a New Year’s Eve celebration or you know
a New Year’s Eve celebration or you know
a New Year’s Eve celebration or you know sporting events sporting events the the
sporting events sporting events the the
sporting events sporting events the the right now with this technology that
right now with this technology that
right now with this technology that we’re pairing with a kind of a
we’re pairing with a kind of a
we’re pairing with a kind of a mindfulness technique a meditation
mindfulness technique a meditation
mindfulness technique a meditation technique called surfing the urge so the
technique called surfing the urge so the
technique called surfing the urge so the conventional wisdom is distract yourself
conventional wisdom is distract yourself
conventional wisdom is distract yourself this is different its focus on your urge
this is different its focus on your urge
this is different its focus on your urge experience it get comfortable being
experience it get comfortable being
experience it get comfortable being uncomfortable temporarily watch what
uncomfortable temporarily watch what
uncomfortable temporarily watch what goes on in the body and you’ll notice
goes on in the body and you’ll notice
goes on in the body and you’ll notice the urges come and they go and you’re
the urges come and they go and you’re
the urges come and they go and you’re going to be okay so we’ve started a
going to be okay so we’ve started a
going to be okay so we’ve started a technology company to develop this
technology company to develop this
technology company to develop this technology and right now we’re building
technology and right now we’re building
technology and right now we’re building out a library of video simulations that
out a library of video simulations that
out a library of video simulations that simulate triggers that we can reproduce
simulate triggers that we can reproduce
simulate triggers that we can reproduce in a therapeutic setting in a safe
in a therapeutic setting in a safe
in a therapeutic setting in a safe environment and we really are optimistic
environment and we really are optimistic
environment and we really are optimistic this will be an effective tool for
this will be an effective tool for
this will be an effective tool for relapse prevention thank you
relapse prevention thank you
relapse prevention thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment