Lance Armstrong : The Truth Shall Set You Free

"I don't like that guy. That is a guy who felt he was invincible, was told he was invincible, truly believed he was invincible. That's who that guy was. That guy is still there. I'm not going to lie to you or to the public and say, Oh, I'm in therapy. I feel better. He's still there."

Lance Armstrong on old tapes of him under oath refuting the doping charges

I was so hopeful that the truth behind the allegations against Lance Armstrong would be justified but as I watched Lance Armstong’s admission of guilt on the Oprah show, I have to admit that I was disappointed. I do still feel an amount of compassion for the man who was a hero in many of our lives.  Surviving cancer against all odds and the ability to return to cycling, his passion in life, should have been enough.  But instead he was caught up in a game of drug abuse, the only way he knew how to win the Tour de France.  Getting away with it once became an obsession to continue his lies and cheating – what I call an addiction to power and glory.  But what I think is not important and the abusive accusations of others are not important here.  What is important is why he let his ego get the better of him, resulting in the hurt to family, friends and the world at large.  I decided to look up a couple of psychological evaluations to find some answers.

Cognitive Dissonance

If you've ever told a lie and felt uncomfortable because you see yourself as scrupulously honest, then you've experienced cognitive dissonance. It occurs whenever your view of yourself clashes with your performance in any area—you see yourself as smart but can't believe you made such dumb stock investments. Exactly how we choose to resolve the dissonance, and its discomfort, is a good reflection of our mental health.

I quote from an article in Psychology Today called “Cognitive Dissonance Group Opinion and the Fall of Lance Armstrong: How to cope with a fallen hero”:

“Lance Armstrong generates dissonance. The man who became famous for never giving up is giving up. He is a winner and a loser.  Yesterday he was quoted as saying "I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair." With his unimaginatively weak statement the man who almost single-handedly galvanized attention interest and fascination on the Tour De France and raising consciousness and money and funds for cancer has admitted to being another sports hero impostor. If there would have been truth behind his innocence Lance Armstrong would have fought this, and he did his own cancer, until he was victorious.  But this giving up is as clear an admission of wrongdoing as can be, and also stops the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency from testifying about anything else they might know about him, including10 former teammates ready to testify against him.  Lance Armstrong is a survivor and a liar; an incredibly strong man, and an incredibly weak man; a source of inspiration, and a source of disgrace and embarrassment; a hero and a villain. In short he has become the modern day exemplar of cognitive dissonance.

The theory of cognitive dissonance would predict that people would strive for dissonance reduction by using these three strategies.  In other words groups will form as people use one of three dissonance reduction strategies. They might sound something like this:

1. “He shouldn’t have to keep defending himself against these charges.  He was right to give up.”

2. “It doesn’t matter that they stripped him of his titles because he has already done so much good in the world.”

3. “We don’t need false heroes to raise money for cancer treatment, there are plenty of other good people to do that.”

But these biases nudge us away from reality.  The truth now is that Lance Armstrong is both good and bad; inspiring and despicable; a legend and fake. My hope is that another group forms based on allowing two truths to remain intact.  The struggle is in trying not to make this dissonance even out, take it away, or stop it.  Instead the work is to try and leave the truth as it is: Lance Armstrong is profoundly human.”

The Halo Effect

I quote from another article in Psychology Today called “Zero Worship: Did Surviving Cancer Make Armstrong a Hero”:

“It might be hard to remember after this week’s Oprah interview, but before Armstrong was driven from professional cycling and the Livestrong Foundation he founded, he was a hero to millions.  Although many people weren’t all that surprised that he doped and lied, many others were and have responded with intense anger and sadness. The blogosphere, social media sites, and airwaves are filled with angry condemnations of Armstrong. One tweet reads, “Lance Armstrong. pathetic. liar, bully, sad role model for bike race enthusiasts.”

Clearly there’s some truth to that statement. Armstrong doped. Armstrong lied. And he made untold millions doing it. Our opinion is that there should be consequences for his wrongdoings. But lots of people behave in equally unethical ways, and we don’t find ourselves getting nearly as upset about it.  What was it about Armstrong?  Why were we so willing to put him up on a pedestal?  Why did he have so far to fall before hitting earth?

A good part of the answer may be his status as a cancer survivor. Armstrong’s story is nothing short of amazing: In 1996, after years of professional cycling, he was diagnosed with a testicular cancer that had already spread to his lungs and brain. The prognosis looked bad. But, after surgery (including an operation on his brain) and extensive chemotherapy, he recovered, rejoined the world of professional cycling in 1998, and won the Tour de France many times over.

When survivors experience amazing recoveries, we are often quick to label them “inspirations." And not just in an “it’s-amazing-you-survived” kind of way. Many of us are quick to assume they’re amazing and inspirational in other ways, as well.  In short, we assume they must also be good people. Psychologists have a term for this—the halo effect.

The halo effect is a kind of cognitive bias in which our evaluation of someone’s character is unduly influenced by our overall impression of him or her.  Because someone’s survival story is inspirational, we jump to the unwarranted conclusion that he or she, as a person, must also be inspirational in other ways, even those not connected to his or her ordeal. So we tend to accord survivors role model status more broadly, even though we may have no real evidence they deserve it.

We seem to do the same for survivors. Because someone’s survival story is inspirational, we jump to the unwarranted conclusion that he or she, as a person, must also be inspirational in other ways, even those not connected to his or her ordeal. So we tend to accord survivors role model status more broadly, even though we may have no real evidence they deserve it. It’s important to note that this often is not an enjoyable experience for many survivors. Quite the contrary, it can place terrible pressure on them at precisely the time they may be trying to return to life as usual.”

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration. Those with narcissistic personality disorder believe that they're superior to others and have little regard for other people's feelings. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism. Narcissistic personality disorder is one of several types of personality disorders. Personality disorders are conditions in which people have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways, limiting their ability to function in relationships and in other areas of their life, such as work or school.

I quote from an article in Dark Psychology called “A brief snapshot of a highly successful athlete admitting steroid usage”:

“Given the recent national news of Lance Armstrong disclosing he has previously used anabolic steroids, the nation seems to be split in accusing him of being a pathological liar and narcissist or an athlete who made a mistake and should be forgiven being a cancer survivor. What has been frequently discussed, by those following his story, is his multitude of television and media appearances over the years where he convincingly and calmly stated he had never used anabolic steroids. For those who look at Mr. Armstrong as a hypocrite & pathetic liar, his calm demeanor during his past press conferences are the examples they use to illustrate he is a nefarious character. 

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) has been defined as a chronic pattern of grandiosity, a lack of empathy and an obsessive need for recognition. People with NPD perceive they are extremely important to everyone within their social spheres. People with NPD are often described as being pretentious, cocky, arrogant, patronizing, disdainful and pompous. In laypeople terms, someone with this disorder may be described simply as a “narcissist” or as someone with “narcissism.” Both of these terms generally refer to someone with narcissistic personality disorder. Based on the severity of NPD, the dysfunction to the sufferer’s life and associates can range from minimal negative impact to devastating and highly destructive.

Not having evaluated Lance Armstrong and knowing very little about his childhood, family dynamics, past self-destructive behaviors, past harmful behaviors towards others, this writer does not have an opinion. Not having any demographic or psychological information to formulate a diagnostic impression, this writer can only conclude, by observing his deceptive talents, that he has practiced the art of deception for many years to be as talented as he presents on media.”

The future? 

Whatever the prognosis, has Lance Armstong hit rock bottom yet?  I am sure there is more to come with pending court cases and harsh public abuse.  The only way he can bring justice to himself and the world is to change his attitude and make his amends.  He has made the first step of acceptance by admitting his guilt but he has a long road ahead of truth and reconciliation. As his ex-wife Kristen said: “The truth shall set you free”.

Did you watch the interview and what are your thoughts on his admission of guilt?

“Armstrong's fall from grace is so huge. It means a lot that he has finally come clean. But he also needs to realize his life is not just about a bike, races or a big mistake. Everybody has the ability within them to rise again. What really matters in the world is what kind of human being he chooses to be."

Oprah Winfrey

The Top 10 Addictive Substances

I was reading The Fix, my weekly online addiction magazine, and I came across an interesting article on the top ten addictive drugs in order of dependence. 

Many factors determine whether you’ll become addicted to a drug:

ü  Your genetic makeup

ü  Social history

ü  The drugs your friends take

ü  How much money you make

ü  Emotional instability

A team of researchers led by Professor David Nutt of London's Imperial College recently set out to determine which drugs were most harmful based on their addictive properties.  The resulting article suggested that alcohol and tobacco are more harmful than cannabis and ecstasy, and led to Nutt getting sacked as the UK’s top drug adviser.  Dutch scientists replicated the London study and devised a “dependency rating” that measured addictive potency of the biggest drugs out there on a precisely calibrated scale of 0-to-3.

1. Heroin

Dependence Rating: 2.89/3.00


No surprise here: heroin’s addictiveness is the stuff of legend.  As an opiate, it affects opioid receptors throughout the body and mimics endorphins, reducing pain and causing pleasure.  Areas of the brain involved in reward processing and learning are stocked with tons of these opioid receptors, so when you inject heroin, you are basically training your brain to make you crave it.  Pair that with nasty withdrawal symptoms and high fat solubility (which allows it to get into your brain quickly), and you have the most addictive drug in the world.  

2. Crack Cocaine

Dependence Rating: 2.82/3.00


Although crack cocaine and powder cocaine have similar chemical compositions and effects, smoking processed crack causes a faster, higher rush that lasts for less time (about 10 minutes, versus 15-30 for powder cocaine).  The intensity of the high combined with the efficient method of ingestion—smoking—are the big reasons why addiction rates are dramatically higher for crack than they are for snorted powder.  

3. Nicotine

Dependence Rating: 2.82/3.00

Though nicotine doesn’t cause the rush of heroin or crack, it's biologically similar in a crucial way:  it mimics a common neurotransmitter—so well that scientists named one of the acetylcholine receptors after it.  Smoking regularly reduces the number and sensitivity of these “nicotinic” receptors, and requires that the user keep ingesting nicotine just to maintain normal brain function. There are 50,000,000 nicotine addicts in the US, and one in every five deaths nationwide are the result of smoking. 

4. Methadone

Dependence Rating: 2.68/3.00

In a clinical setting, tolerance to this drug is actually considered a good thing when treating a heroin addiction.  A junky getting treated with methadone will quickly become resistant to its euphoric effects and use it to keep heroin withdrawal symptoms at bay.  The problem is this: tolerance to methadone is a sign of an addiction to methadone.

5. Crystal Meth

Dependence Rating: 2.24/3.00

Crystal methamphetamine takes it to the next level:  it imitates the reward chemical dopamine and the alertness chemical norepinephrine, causing your neurons to release more of both—all the while training your brain to want them more.  What’s worse, the drug can damage dopamine- and norepinephrine-releasing neurons, which leads to a drastic decrease in their production, thereby making you crave more meth.  It’s an addict’s nightmare and a marketer’s dream.

6. Alcohol

Dependence Rating: 2.13/3.00

Because alcohol is legal and often consumed in social settings, alcohol addiction is complicated.  But as an addictive agent, it’s remarkably simple—and effective.  Alcohol’s withdrawal syndrome is so severe that it can cause death, and its effects on the brain’s reward system cause well-documented and intense craving in heavy drinkers.  

7. Cocaine

Dependence Rating: 2.13/3.00

Cocaine prevents the reabsorption of dopamine in the brain’s reward areas.  After you use enough blow, your brain reduces the number of dopamine receptors in this region, figuring it's already got plenty of it.  Because there are now fewer receptors, stopping the drug makes you crave it—after all, the body needs its dopamine.  Cocaine doesn’t destroy dopamine neurons like methamphetamine, which makes its effect less powerfully addictive, but the fast method of use (snorting), short high (less than an hour) and rapid tolerance put it in the top ten.

8. Amphetamines (classified as pure or blended dextroamphetamine without methamphetamine)

Dependence Rating: 1.95/3.00

Regular amphetamines including Adderall, Dexedrine, and Desoxyn might not be quite as addictive as meth, but because it acts on the same reward circuit, it still causes rapid tolerance and desire for more if used regularly or in high doses.  Quitting cold turkey can cause severe depression and anxiety, as well as extreme fatigue—and you can guess what extreme fatigue makes you crave...

9. Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, et al)

Dependence Rating: 1.89/3.00

There’s a reason your doctor will tell you to taper off these prescription anti-anxiety drugs after taking them for a while.  Each one increase the effectiveness of a brain chemical called GABA, which reduces the excitability of many other neurons and decreases anxiety. Because benzodiazepines cause rapid tolerance, quitting cold turkey causes a multi-symptom withdrawal that includes irritability, anxiety and panic attacks—enough to make just about anybody fall right back into Benzo's comforting arms.

10. GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate)

Dependence Rating: 1.71/3.00

Last on the list is a depressant and club drug that may itself be a neurotransmitter. GHB is illegally produced in home basement labs, usually in the form of a liquid that has no odour or colour. It is known as a designer drug because it is specifically made for the purpose of getting people high.  Like Ecstasy, GHB is a popular drug with club-goers and those who go to "rave parties," including teens and young adults.  Its side effects can be very dangerous, especially if the drug is mixed with alcohol.  It has cross-tolerance with alcohol—if you drink regularly, you'll need to ingest more GHB to get high—as well as a short half-life in the body and a brutal withdrawal syndrome that causes insomnia, anxiety, dizziness and vomiting.  The combination is nasty:  Take a lot of GHB to make up for your tolerance to alcohol and you could be hooked.

Do you take any of the above either socially or with a doctor’s prescription?   Are you surprised or worried about the results?  Leave a comment below and let us know!

September Is National Recovery Month

“Even when we know what is right, too often we fail to act.

More often we grab greedily for the day,

letting tomorrow bring what it will,

putting off the unpleasant and the unpopular”

Bernard M. Baruch

If it wasn’t for the challenge and Google Reader, I would never have known – September is National Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month and National Mental Health Recovery Month in the USA.  I feel it should be a worldwide event but if you live in another country, you can make people aware of it.

From The Detroit News:

Recovery month is a national observance for educating Americans about addiction treatment and mental health services and how these can enable those with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives.   We need to rally together to stop the stigma that follows these diseases and assure people with these problems that they can receive treatment and support needed for recovery and lead their lives with dignity.

Mental illness and substance abuse are equal opportunity diseases impacting people across the racial, ethnic and socio-economic divides. When it hits home, it hurts.  We can all do our part to help family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors and fellow citizens lead full and productive lives— now is as good a time as any to start.  Don't wait for a serious mental illness or substance abuse problem to impact you or someone you love— get involved today and offer to help.  Recovery is at hand when we all do our part.

From The Dispatch:

Drug and alcohol addiction is something that is usually associated with darkness, pain and tragedy. But an upcoming fundraiser in Starkville hopes to, not only diminish some of the social stigmas surrounding addiction, but to do so in a fun-filled, family-friendly environment.  Another aspect is to help change some of the attitudes synonymous with addicts and addiction.

"I hope this will de-mystify addiction in some way," Valentine said. "People have a fear of addiction and they don't understand the addicts. They treat it differently than they do other medical conditions. People who have recovered from addiction are some of the strongest people in the world. I just want to put the word out that there is hope. Addicts aren't bad people, but people that need some behaviors to be changed."

From redOrbit:

National Recovery Month promotes the prevention, treatment and recovery for mental health and substance use disorders. Beginning on September 6, 2012, National Recovery Month celebrates both recovering addicts and the contributions of their treatment providers. According to a study from the Partnership at Drugfree.org and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, nearly 23 million American adults report that they’ve overcome a problem with drugs or alcohol.

According to Dr. Harris Stratyner, Vice President of Caron Treatment Centers and Clinical Director of the New York Region, “For many addicted individuals, recovery represents a life that they never believed they could have – a life that is free of the fear and isolation that they experienced when they were using. Suffering doesn’t have to be a life sentence – recovery is possible and attainable, and treatment is available for those who choose to seek it.”

Other important events in recovery:

Yesterday, September 10^th was also World Suicide Prevention Day.  Our fellow blogger Riki Cleveland wrote a beautiful and inspiring post which I hope you will all take time out to read on her blog “Refreshingly Riki”.

"September 10^th marks the tenth anniversary of World Suicide Prevention Day, celebrating 10 years of research and advancement in the prevention of suicide. On this day I encourage you to do two things. First, take a moment to recognize where you might need some extra care in your own life. We cannot be of any help to others if we are not taking care of ourselves. Be kinder to yourself today and allow yourself to feel feelings that you might otherwise try to repress or ignore. Take some time to bring cheer, self-love, and optimism into your own space. Second, take the extra step to reach out to both friends and strangers in your community who might be struggling. Even the smallest smile or helping hand might be the gesture it takes to turn around the thoughts of someone fraught in life and contemplating suicide".

And today marks the anniversary of 9/11 exactly 11 years ago.  Today, we remember all the victims, families, firemen, the men and women of the emergency services and anyone whose life was affected by this tragedy.  Take time out of your day to pray for the bereaved and let us hope that we can use this event to realize the importance of peace and change in the world – starting now before it is too late.

A fellow blogger Kellee Conrad wrote an honest post on how she felt last year of the impact of the twin tower disaster in her blog “My Llife With Monkeys.”  I am not a US citizen but her words in “A citizen’s speech” express the importance of making change:

“Patriotism comes from inside. It rests on your shoulders; you carry the burden on your back to make this change. It is what we choose as citizens to do differently today that will determine if we can stand united tomorrow. Will you put racism and judgment aside? Will you get off your soapbox of righteousness and be humbled? Will you reach out to your neighbor and help raise the barn? Will you put the anger aside long enough to make your voice of encouragement heard? Will you stop believing the hype and trust in your heart? Will you love your country? Do not ignore the opportunity. When we all make the step together, it is louder than any bomb. And only then when we begin to care enough and find compassion again will we turn this story around, honor to the sacrifices made on that fateful day and give it the grande finale it deserves”.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

Mahatma Gandhi