025: Love and addictions with Dr. Michael Levin
“A lot of what I’d like to do is to try to help people, if they are in a dead end, to get out and decide for themselves how it is to be human”
Started out in Engineering and found a drive to go to Med school, Dr. Michael Levin discovered his passion in Addiction Psychiatry. He is now an accomplished psychiatrist for 20 years in Denver, Colorado.
During this episode, Dr. Michael Levin talks about how addiction has followed him throughout his career as a physician, from his first patient who was an alcoholic to the AIDS patients who were mostly heroin addicts.
He also talks about profound topics like how it is to be human, the connection of addiction to love, Helen Fisher and her research, and how to understand an addict brain.
Highlights:
01:07 The General idea about Dr. Michael Levin
04:14 What is an Addiction Psychiatry?
09:24 Love is complicated
21:21 Breaking down love and addiction
29:44 That addict brain- what you have to understand
Addiction Psychiatrist Dr. Michael Levin sits down with Jeff and talks about the fascinating connection of love and addiction. Learn as he gives you the low down on the two. Share on X
Connect With Michael
Website: https://health.usnews.com/doctors/michael-levin-580079
Phone number: (303) 759-9774
Quotes:
“Psychiatry is really about what it means to be a human being”
“A lot of what I’d like to do is to try to help people if they are in a dead end, to get out and decide for themselves how it is to be human”
“In relationships, we learn what it’s like to be human”
“Unrequited love is hugely important in relationships”
“A lot of the brain systems in romantic love are also co-opted in addiction”
“One thing that I think family members should be aware of is that, just not being drunk or high does not mean anything, and going to rehab for 30 days is really just the very beginning, that it takes a long time for our brains to rewire”
“A lot of family members are expecting their loved one who is struggling with addiction to have a brain similar to theirs… and it’s just not…and I think if you expect that, you are going to be disappointed”
“You realize that what really needs to happen for your loved one goes against every instinct that you have…and to really take a step back and look at what is really going to help”
Got ideas? Perhaps a future podcast? Schedule time with Jeff here: https://meetme.so/jeffjones
Transcriptions
Coming Soon…