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Old 01-30-2015, 02:26 AM
  # 34 (permalink)  
jazzfish
Better when never is never
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin near Twin Cities
Posts: 1,745
I agree that there are not to distinct brain states. Excessive alcohol consumption causes changes in functioning of the limbic reward system as well as the cognitive frontal lobe area. During addiction, we are being hampered by an emotional system that wants alcohol to trigger the desired reward as well as impaired cognitive functioning that undermines reversal learning, discernment, judgment, motivation, and impulse control. The key then is to restore normal brain functioning, which we can rationally conclude relies on our behavior. We then “act our way to better thinking”, but we had to rationally think our way to that recognition and decision.

The duality of the AV, for me, is simply a convenient way to compartmentalize all the thoughts and behaviors resulting from addiction impaired brain functions that would lead to drinking again, and AVRT allows me to proceed directly to the conclusion that drinking is never the correct option.
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