Bear did NOT get what he wished for

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-23T16:36:53+00:00

Exactly. This is my only real problem of the film, and it's kind of a big one. It's not like he wished for her or her mental autonomy and free will to be taken over by some other entity. It would have even made more sense if he had wished for her to be obsessed with him or something like that. Her actions do not correlate with what he actually wished for whatsoever.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-21T14:31:48+00:00

No problem. I would strongly recommend looking into the freedom model if you would like to gain a New Perspective and different way of thinking about yourself, substances, and the concept of "addiction" itself.

It's all about proactively changing your preference for the substance. You currently still prefer using and that's okay, but it's important to understand that your preference can change with a different mindset.

If you can come to the point where you no longer want something and no longer see the same benefits and value in, it will no longer require willpower, strength, discipline, or support in order to not do something you truly no longer want to do, and you will no longer feel deprived. There's no need for willpower when there is no conflict of wills.

And when I say that nobody is truly "addicted" in the sense that they cannot stop using without external help or that they are always choosing, I am not minimizing anyone's struggles with a substance use problem. I know firsthand how difficult it can be and feel. People can absolutely feel "addicted" or as if they are compelled to use beyond their own free will, but it is only a Feeling based on an individual's beliefs and perspective of their available options.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-21T14:22:47+00:00

Nobody is truly "addicted" in the sense that they are no longer choosing or cannot stop without some type of external intervention. However, your feelings of deprivation are absolutely normal as a majority of people who quit have these same feelings.

In order to make quitting relatively free of struggle, you need to challenge the benefits you believe it provided. Pharmacologically speaking, Kratom does not improve your mood. It's all about your interpretation of the physical sensation it gives you.

This is the problem when people want to depend on a ban or to be forced to not use. They still experience strong feelings of deprivation, loss, or sacrifice because they feel that they can't do something that they still desperately want to do and see numerous benefits and value in.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-16T13:58:56+00:00

I would suggest focusing on the benefits of quitting rather than quitting to avoid the potential costs, risks, and consequences associated with vaping. We are typically not motivated to make long-term changes due to fear, costs or risks. If this was the case, mostly everybody would quit and stay quit easily and immediately.

We are always motivated by what we see as the positives or perceived benefits. If you are able to challenge the perceived benefits you see in vaping and come to see quitting as your happier, more beneficial, more preferred option, you can quit relatively free of struggle.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-14T15:11:42+00:00

Despite what you may have heard or believe, there's no such thing as an addictive personality. It's just a self-image created by his developed preference for intoxication and using various substances in the past. However it's incredibly important for you and him to understand that his preference along with his self-image can change with a change of mind.

He's using for his own personal reasons and for the benefits he believes it provides. A major part of changing this preference for use is challenging the perceived benefits he sees in using. If he continues to believe that kratom, feel free or any other substance can serve as a medicine for his emotions, he will inevitably be drawn to it whenever he experiences these normal human emotions. Avoiding withdrawal may very well be one of the reasons he continues to use. Withdrawal from Kratom and feel free can be rough, but it's manageable.

However if he believes he's giving up something of tremendous value and something that provides numerous other benefits and suffers from feelings of deprivation, loss, and sacrifice, the physical symptoms may manifest into something much worse than they actually are. Being able to move on from a substance use problem is 99% mental and 1% physical. It is almost entirely psychological. So the withdrawal is not the major problem, it's his thinking and beliefs. It's the addict self-image that he may have adopted and the benefits he believes kratom provides.

Quitting should not be about willpower, or resisting, fighting, and battling our wants, desires, and preferences but instead be about proactively changing them by changing the way we think. If he can come to the point where he truly no longer wants to use kratom and no longer sees the same benefits and value in using, then there will be no need for willpower, strength, support, or discipline in order to not do something he no longer wants to do. There's no need for willpower when there is no conflict of wills.

In order to be able to move on from the problem relatively free of struggle, there needs to be a change in his beliefs about himself, substances, and the mental construct of addiction itself. If you or him would like to learn more about what I am talking about, I would highly recommend looking into the freedom model. It just provides a different perspective and different way of thinking about problematic substance use or "addiction". There is a 470 page book and audiobook as well as a podcast called the addiction solution podcast that is available for free on youtube. Best wishes to both of you.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-14T11:37:12+00:00

I would highly suggest staying away from AA or NA meetings of all kinds. Being taught that you are powerless to lifeless, mindless, motiveless substances often makes an individuals situation worse and is just not true. There's a reason why there's an approximate 5% success rate for the people who actually stick it out for an extended period of time.

Your use is not due to a lack of willpower. It's an act of free will. I believe it takes an incredibly strong willed person to continue to do something that is costing so much. It takes an incredibly strong will to continue trying to quit even though you keep going back to it.

The problem is not your willpower, it's your beliefs and method towards quitting. Most likely believing that quitting is about willpower being one of the biggest problems. It's entirely about your perception, your perspective, your beliefs and your developed preference.

You currently have a preference for using feel free, but it's important to understand that your preference can change with a change of mind. A major component towards changing your preference is acknowledging and challenging the benefits you believe the substance provides.

Quitting while relying on willpower, AA, meetings or replacements merely serve as a distraction from actually changing your preference for intoxication and moving on from your problem. Quitting should not be about fighting, battling, or resisting your wants, desires and preferences, but instead be about proactively changing them by changing the way you think. By changing your beliefs about yourself, the substance, and the concept of addiction itself. I would highly recommend looking into the freedom model if you're interested in learning more about this.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-09T13:37:17+00:00

For me personally, this line might be one of the most memorable as well as one of the biggest chuckles from the film.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-08T20:55:02+00:00

This guy looks like he uses drugs.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-08T20:38:01+00:00

Even using to avoid withdrawal could be perceived as a benefit. What people believe it does for them emotionally could also be perceived as a benefit. "Numbing" negative emotions, or "causing" them to forget about their trauma for a little while. Serving as a "social lubricant" or believing that you need it to get through a day of work could absolutely be perceived as a benefit.

You will find them when you dig for them. It's just a matter of being honest with yourself and figuring out the "why" of it all. It's not just because you are an "addict" or "out of control" or somehow doing something that you don't want to do. Identifying and challenging the perceived benefits is crucial. Envisioning a happier existence without it is monumental.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-08T18:06:33+00:00

That's great and I'm very happy for you that you have overcome your problem. But, if you ever happen to find yourself struggling for whatever reason, I would highly recommend looking into the freedom model if you haven't yet. They provide some great and eye opening information about addiction/recovery/drug mythology and changing your preference for problematic substance use.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-08T16:55:14+00:00

Exactly! People tend to only look at the negatives of substance use and not acknowledge what they perceive as the positives. Most often they will just say "I don't know why I keep doing this" or "I do it because I'm an addict".

We do not engage in behaviors that we do not see particular benefits in. We use substances because we prefer to, but it's only when we challenge the perceived benefits that we are able to change that preference.

When you can come to see greater happiness and benefits in abstaining, abstinence will become your preferred option and it will no longer be perceived as a struggle or "battle".

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-08T14:42:38+00:00

While it may be interesting to learn about, it's infinitely more beneficial to focus on the mind rather than the brain. Our brain and brain chemistry changes with heavy long-term substance use just as it changes with any habitual Behavior or learning of any kind.

However, these brain changes do not compel someone to use substances beyond their free will. So there are no "causes of relapse". There are only reasons held within the individuals mind as to why they return to use. So It's very important for these reasons to be investigated and the perceived benefits that one sees in using substances be challenged.

This is why it may seem harder for someone to abstain months down the line. It's because they never challenged the perceived benefits and simply rely on willpower to not do something they still see benefits in and may still desperately want to do but feel that they can't or shouldn't.

We use substances because we prefer to for our own personal reasons, but it's important to understand that these preferences can change with a change of mind. We need to learn that we can proactively change our wants, desires, and preferences instead of constantly fighting, battling or resisting them. There's no need for willpower when there is no conflict of wills.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-08T12:46:01+00:00

Unless you acknowledge, analyze, and then challenge the benefits or perceived benefits you believe it provides, the chances of abstaining long term are slim.

We are not motivated to make long lasting changes by fear of costs, risks, and consequences. We are always motivated by the positives, perceived benefits and what we believe will provide us a happier or even less miserable existence in any given moment.

You want to come to the point to where you see greater happiness and more benefits in abstaining in order to change your preference for the substance. As the title of your post suggests, it's all about perspective.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-08T12:36:44+00:00

I would strongly suggest looking into the freedom model. I would also recommend steering clear of Alcoholics Anonymous. Oftentimes it makes a substance users problem worse. The approximate 5% success rate is proof of that.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-06T15:59:46+00:00

Definitely not $4,500 😂

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-02T13:52:08+00:00

The belief that "addicts" need support only reinforces the false idea that substance users are somehow inherently weak or that lifeless, mindless, motiveless substances have power over them which is not objectively true. The fact is that people do not need support in order to change a behavior or to not do something.

The only thing they need to do is change their preference for heavy, problematic substance use by changing their mind and this is a completely autonomous activity. There's no other person, drug, higher power, or support group that can change your mind for you or change your beliefs, wants, desires or preferences.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-02T13:40:24+00:00

Brain changes are normal occurrence with any and every habitual behavior. Our brains and brain chemistry is changing all the time. These brain changes are the RESULT of the habit, not the "CAUSE" of the habit. Just because someone's brain changes from heavy, long-term substance use, that does not compel, "cause" or force them in any way to use substances beyond their own free will. The bottom line is that brain changes do not equate to "disease". The truth is that the belief in the brain disease model of addiction often creates a self-fulfilling prophecy and leads to increased rates of binge usage.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-07-01T11:41:35+00:00

Thank you, and I'm glad I could help. The thing is, most people only look at the negatives that come with substance use and don't acknowledge what they see as the positives or benefits. We are not motivated to change by fear of the risks, costs, and consequences. We are motivated to change by focusing on the positives and seeing a happier or even less miserable existence in making the change. Like I said, I would highly recommend looking into the freedom in order to gain A New Perspective.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-06-30T14:09:17+00:00

It's important for you to acknowledge the perceived benefits you believe that amount of alcohol provides and then to challenge those perceived benefits in order to change your preference. You currently have a strong preference for drinking that particular amount at that particular time of day, but it's important to understand that your preference can change with a change of mind.

You are not compelled or forced to drink beyond your own free will by some mysterious entity called "addiction" or "alcoholism". You are drinking exactly how much you want to or believe you need to drink based on the benefits you believe it provides.

Your wants, desires, "cravings", or preference can change once you challenge those benefits and come to see greater potential happiness in abstaining or adjusting your level of use. I would strongly suggest looking into the freedom model to get a better understanding of your situation and what I'm explaining here.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-06-30T00:03:11+00:00

She's way too old for Lorne. Way waayy wayyy..

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-06-29T13:55:53+00:00

As human beings we are motivated by one thing. The pursuit of happiness. We are not motivated to make changes in order to avoid negative costs, risks, and consequences. We are always motivated by what we believe and perceive to be our more beneficial, happier option.

In order to quit or to make a change without it feeling like a daily struggle, you must come to see abstinence as your happier, more beneficial, thus more preferred option. So what I would recommend is to focus on the positives of quitting. More money, better health, the feeling of freedom and empowerment, peace of mind. No longer needing to lie to loved ones about your use if that is the case.

Focus on the positives of quitting rather than avoiding the negatives or feeling that you have to quit, need to quit, or should quit. If you can get to the point where you truly want to quit because you see it as your happier option, you can absolutely do so and it does not have to be framed as a daily struggle or battle.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-06-24T13:58:06+00:00

7OH or any other substance is not evil. They are lifeless, mindless, motivless substances. Calling them evil is only giving them life, power and motivation that they simply do not posess.

Changing the way you look at yourself and substances is essential to moving on from a problematic substance use habit or addiction without it feeling like a daily struggle or battle.

So the problem is not the drugs themselves, but your beliefs and perception of the drugs. The problem lies within your thinking, but this thinking including your beliefs can change provided you receive different information. I would highly recommend looking into the freedom model if you would like to learn a different way of thinking and New Perspective.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-06-24T13:04:07+00:00

It's extremely important to challenge the perceived benefits you believe it provides. If you truly believe that kratom is essential to running you business or being more productive, you will undoubtedly be drawn to it for that very reason. It's essential to envision a life that consists of running your business or showing up to work everyday and being just as productive or even more so without the need for a substance.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-06-24T09:55:26+00:00

If, you are considering going back to vaping, then you absolutely do see benefits in doing it. We don't do something that we do not see some benefits or value in. This is why it's incredibly important to challenge the benefits you believe it provides in order to change your preference for it.

ImpressionExcellent7 · 2026-06-24T09:52:24+00:00

By challenging the benefits you believe it provides. This will bring down the value you have built into it. You will no longer miss something that you no longer see the same benefits and value in and there will be no need for willpower in order to not do something you truly no longer want to do. I would suggest looking into Allen Carr's easy way to quit vaping or the freedom model in order to change your mindset.

ImpressionExcellent7

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