Rein in Your Brain

Addiction-whether to mood-altering substances, gambling, sex, or food-stems in part from an overreliance on the reward system of the primitive part of the brain, pushing us to make poor choices based on an expectation of immediate gratification. Those of us in recovery often struggle with compulsive thoughts and behaviours that are still programmed in our addictive brains well after the drinking and drugging has stopped. These often play out thoughtlessly in our interactions with others, damaging our relationships and growth as balanced human beings.Rein in Your Brain, by addiction expert Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, offers ten techniques for breaking the cycle of impulsivity. These time-tested self-interventions include standing still in the moment, giving up control, not assuming another's intent, tolerating differences, accepting emotions without giving them free reign, and differentiating between immediate fear-driven reactions and measured thoughts. By incorporating these tools into your daily interactions, your relationships can move from those of conflict to mutual respect and understanding.