Current Issues: Escape – Lesson 1 – Pain, Escape, Addiction

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/escape-lesson-1-pain-escape-addiction/"><strong>website</strong></a>.</p><p><i><strong>ESCAPE, Lesson 1 of 4</strong></i>: <a href="http://www.douglasjacoby.com/" target="_blank">Douglas Jacoby</a> and <a href="http://www.greatherapy.com/" target="_blank">Steve Brand</a> have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. <a href="http://www.greatherapy.com/" target="_blank">Steve Brand</a> is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. The series explores addictive substances and behaviors and what God's word has to say about them. There are four lessons in the series. Here's the provisional plan:</p><ol><li>The psychology and neurochemistry of pain, escape, and addiction. Focus: marijuana, alcohol, pain medication.</li><li>Alternate fictional reality. Focus: movies, novels, worlds of gaming, TV.</li><li>Fantasy proxy relationships. Focus: pornography.</li><li>Computer and internet behaviors. Focus: gambling, shopping, surfing, smartphones.</li></ol><p>The series tackles the importance of not being conformed to the world (Romans 12:2), or falling prey to the many tempting avenues of "escape."</p><p>Addendum 1 (from Sept/Oct 2014 issue of Does God Exist?, used with the permission of John Clayton):</p><p>POT LEGALIZATION. One of the most dramatic changes in American social views is the new attitude towards marijuana. At the time of this article 21 states and the District of Columbia sanction medical marijuana. Colorado and Washington have now legalized recreational marijuana. There are wild claims made by both the supporters and detractors of marijuana, but in the June 14, 2014, issue of<i> Science News</i> some basic facts are listed (page 17). Marijuana affects the amygdala of the brain, causing altered emotional states. (The amygdala performs a primary role in processing memory, decision-making, and emotional reactions.) Marijuana reduces motor activity in the basal ganglia, an area of the brain which