1d • General discussion
DAY 26 — The Battle Within
Chapter 5 of Finding Purpose in the Middle of Addiction is titled “The Battle Within” for a reason.
Recovery is not just a fight against a substance. It's an inner conflict between two parts of the brain — and two versions of the self.
On one side is the survival brain. It's fast, emotional, reactive.Its job is simple: avoid pain at all costs.
On the other side is the thinking brain. Slower. Reflective. Purpose-oriented. It asks, “What kind of life am I building?”
In addition, the survival brain dominates. In early recovery, the fight begins.
This is why you can want recovery and still feel pulled toward old patterns. Why insight doesn’t always translate into action.Why guilt and determination can coexist in the same day.
That tension does not mean you are failing. It means the battle is active.
Every time you pause instead of reacting, every time you tolerate discomfort without escaping, every time you choose honesty over numbing— the balance shifts.
Not dramatically.But steadily.
Recovery is not about silencing the survival brain. It's about teaching it that you are safe without escape.
And that lesson is learned through repetition, not perfection.
The battle within isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you. Its evidence that change is underway.
Reflection
Take a quiet moment and reflect:
- Where do I notice the strongest inner battle right now?
- What situations most activate my survival brain?
- What is one small pause I can practice today before reacting or escaping?
You don’t need to win the battle today. You only need to stay present in it.
That, in itself, is progress.
Yours in Recovery,
Dr Emmanuel Oyebanre
0
0 comments
DAY 26 — The Battle Within
powered by
skool.com/addiction-recovery-hub-2469
A meaning-based recovery community focused on rebuilding purpose & identity and not just stopping substances. Guided by a Consultant Psychiatrist
Suggested communities
Powered by