Difficulties inherent with addiction recovery management too often result in the disillusioned approach of self defenestration. It is useful to understand the neurobiology of the craving experience and the mechanisms of drug induced neuroadaptation, though you should not necessarily expect this to account for much of an elevated level of predictability in future behavior. In consideration of the long lasting brain alterations an addict suffers from, much of this becomes self-evident in time. These very brain alterations are well known to participate in consolidating stimulus response habits and may produce unforeseen cravings, so it must be carefully unlearned over much time with great endurance. Basically, an addict can be triggered (which is to say, unexpectedly launched into full-blown craving mode) without even realizing it, or where it came from, or what happened.
When deep into recovery, over time, there will be a decrease in the drug’s inventive value; however, regardless of how effective this ongoing practice of conditioned suppression of drug-seeking may be, it will still have unexpected resurrection potential. Here, once again, we find conventional wisdom of no use (like the analogy of comparing addictive behavior to sticking your face in a fan – this seems strange to someone outside addiction). But we must never give up hope. Attention bias to euphoria in previous drug experience serves as a reward-based and yet dissociative lure to resumption of abuse, despite all dangers and consequences. We must never let our guard down, and constantly remain on the offensive.
Any progressive deviation from a prolific daily maintenance of spiritual principles exposes the addict to the daunting vulnerability of relapse. This is all so palpably correct and seemingly simple, why is it so hard to do? I will investigate this soon, so stay tuned.
