99Relapses Podcast Episode #26 Part I- “The Law of Pain” Transcript

Hi, I’m James Egidio your host of the 99 relapses podcast, the podcast that moves you from recovery to discovery through the grace and mercy of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. This is episode number 26 part one of the 99 relapses podcast, titled, the Law of Pain and Addiction. But just to recap, episode number 25. I discussed the five stages for motivation to change, which are Contemplation, Preparation, Action and Maintenance. And prior to discussing these five stages for motivation to change, I covered in detailed in episodes, 20 through 23. That our addiction is dictated by two important areas of the brain. And that is the limbic system, which controls emotion through the fight, flight or freeze response and the neocortex, which stores the long-term memory of past hurts and hang ups. I also discussed that our brain is programmed to respond and behave through our addiction. From these two areas of the brain. And the key thing to keep in mind is self-control and patients through meditation and prayer through our faith in Jesus Christ. I also mentioned that as anxiety and fear increase, the Limbic system will focus on the addictive behavior. And the addiction becomes even a coping mechanism or comfort mechanism. And of course practicing self-control of an overactive limbic system can only be reprogrammed by Understanding where the longterm memory of past hurts and hangups stem from, and confront the anxiety and fear boldly through faith in Jesus Christ. And finally I mentioned that addictions. don’t actually make the fear go away. They only anesthetize the awareness of it. And you may have heard the expression numbing the pain with whatever it may be. And this does not necessarily mean physical pain, but most often refers to psychological pain. So in this episode part one of this two-part series, I’ll discuss. The law of pain in addiction. And then an episode number 27, I’ll finish up the series discussing. Anger and anxiety as a response to that pain, that psychological pain. I’m going to take a short commercial break when I come back I will discuss the law of pain in a little bit more detail. Okay, welcome back to the 99 relapses podcast. I had at the beginning of this show. Recapped episodes 25. As well as 20 through 23. And the reason why I put so much emphasis on the brain and those two areas of the brain, the limbic system and the neocortex and is because moving forward you’re going to see and I’m going to mention several factors that trigger addiction and relapse in the recovery process. And these are really important and I’ll even dovetail into biblical principles as I move further into future podcasts moving forward. As I mentioned. Addictions are anesthetics that do one thing. And one thing only, and that is they anesthetize the awareness of pain, that is, psychological pain. So it’s reasonable to assume that when you give up the anesthetic, the addiction that is. You’ll feel the pain, the discomfort and uneasiness, and knowing what to do when this occurs is a critical skill in relapse prevention. And I’ll talk about relapse prevention in future episodes and it’s really important. to prevent relapse and not to get yourself into 99 relapses. That is. And it’s finding new inappropriate ways to respond to these painful situations. And one of the best ways of doing this is praying and reading the word of God and a Bible verse that comes to mind that resonates with this comes from 1 Corinthians 10: 13 and it reads the temptations in your life are no different from what others experience and God is faithful. He will not allow the temptations to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. And most individuals who are challenged with addictions deal with these painful situations. A lot of times that I have seen through counseling and coaching clients. By venting through anger and anxiety. And depression. And even unhealthy relationships and even more substance abuse. And again, it is. Losing that self control with the limbic system, whereby the painful, stored memories that come from. from the neocortex are acted out through the limbic system with the fight, flight or freeze response and by the way, this cycle of events goes for all addictions. Doesn’t just necessitate substance abuse through alcohol and drugs, and it’d been includes food addictions, which I have a guest coming on next week who battled a food addiction. And that’ll be a really good episode to listen to as well. These painful memories. Of course can feel like real events but they’re only the shadow of the original event. So as I mentioned in previous episodes of the 99 relapses podcast, these emotions that are manifested through your addiction of course lead to sin and this sin is the enemy or satan who is always lurking to steal, kill and destroy you and in 1 Peter 5:8-9 it reads stay alert. Watch out for your great enemy the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion. Looking for someone to devour stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. So always remember this. You can face fears or painful memories because God is with you. And that’s the key thing to keep in mind and always ask God to help you face your fears and feelings through prayer And to help you change your destructive coping behaviors. And continue to lean in God for your strength. And again, Change comes from taking these risk. And risk comes from faith. And two Bible verses that resonate with that truth about overcoming adversity comes from Psalm 23:4, which reads when I walk through the darkest valley. I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. And then in Isaiah 40:31, it reads, but those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like Eagles they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not Faint. Thank you so much for joining me in this episode of the 99 relapses podcast, please join me in episode number 27. As I finish up this two part series with anger as a response to pain and anxiety as a response to pain. For current podcast episodes. Or even previous podcast episodes, episode show notes, episode memory versus as well as episode recovery lessons and tools. Go to 99 relapses.org. That’s the number 99 relapses.org. And also if you’d like to make a prayer request for yourself, Family or a friend, please do not hesitate to email me your prayer requests at 99relapses.org. And do not forget to like me on Facebook. If you have an interesting story to share about how God has changed your life through addiction and recovery are an expert in the field of Christian addiction and recovery. Have published a Christian, book, podcast, website, and would like to be featured as a guest on the 99 relapses podcast. Please email me anytime at james@99relapses.org. And that’s the number 99relapses.org. And I will respond within 24 to 48 hours. Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the 99 relapses podcast and God bless