"“For those habituated to high levels of internal stress since early childhood, it is the absence of stress that creates unease, evoking boredom and a sense of meaninglessness. People may become addicted to their own stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, Hans Selye observed. To such persons stress feels desirable, while the absence of it feels like something to be avoided.” - Gabor Maté

‍

Understanding Emotional Addiction

Emotional addiction refers to the phenomenon where individuals become dependent on certain emotional states or internal chemicals—such as stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol—to feel "normal." This dependency can arise from repeated exposure to these emotional states during formative years, shaping the brain's chemistry and wiring in ways that predispose individuals to seek out those familiar feelings, even if they are harmful.

Gabor Maté's Insight

Gabor Maté, a renowned physician and expert on addiction and trauma, provides profound insights into this concept. He explains that people who grow up in environments characterized by high levels of stress often become habituated to these conditions. Maté's quote succinctly captures this paradox:

"For those habituated to high levels of internal stress since early childhood, it is the absence of stress that creates unease, evoking boredom and a sense of meaninglessness. People may become addicted to their own stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, Hans Selye observed. To such persons stress feels desirable, while the absence of it feels like something to be avoided.”

The Neuroscience Behind It

From a neuroscience perspective, this habituation occurs because the brain's reward system gets conditioned to the constant presence of stress hormones. Adrenaline and cortisol, typically released during stressful situations, become the norm for these individuals. Over time, the brain begins to associate these hormones with a baseline state of being. This means that in the absence of stress, the brain feels deprived of what it has come to expect, leading to feelings of unease, boredom, or even meaninglessness.

It's important to understand that this doesn't mean individuals enjoy or like stress in the conventional sense. Rather, their brains have adapted to a state where stress is their "normal." The absence of these stress hormones creates a void that feels uncomfortable and disorienting, similar to how an addict might feel without their substance of choice.

Clinical Implications

Recognizing emotional addiction is crucial for effective therapeutic intervention. As a team of Registered Social Workers, we understand how helping clients understand this dynamic can be transformative. Treatment often involves:

• Awareness and Education: Helping individuals recognize their patterns and understand the reasons behind their craving for stress.
• Developing New Coping Mechanisms: Encouraging the development of healthier ways to achieve a sense of satisfaction and normalcy without relying on stress.
• Therapeutic Techniques: Utilizing therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or mindfulness practices to rewire the brain's response to stress and promote a state of calm as the new normal.

By addressing these underlying issues, individuals can gradually shift their baseline emotional state to one that is less reliant on stress hormones, fostering a healthier, more balanced life.

In summary, Gabor Maté's insights reveal that people habituated to high levels of stress since childhood don't necessarily like the stress, but their brains have adapted to see it as normal. Understanding and addressing this emotional addiction is key to helping them find peace and stability. You can read more about these insights by picking up his Book "When the Body Says No".

‍