February 17, 2026

103 - The Cycle of Addiction

39 minutes

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FREE RESOURCE:

The Addiction Cycle

Addiction is a disease, but its genesis is related to the trauma, and subsequent toxic shame that occurs relationally.

It is actually a neuro-physiological sickness that originates relationally and emotionally.

When we, as children, reject our vulnerable need for emotional connection with our important caregivers and other emotional influencers, we end up suppressing our true self and this creates toxic shame.

A person with addiction is driven by his/her anxiety of anticipating negative outcomes, and they seek to relieve themselves from this anxiety of anticipating negative outcomes.

The need for relief from anxiety and the energy required to suppress genuine feelings and needs sets a person up to seek relief from anxiety.

The relief comes in the form of counterfeit fulfillment of genuine relational connection.

Counterfeit fulfillment “feels” like relationship with self, others, and even God temporarily, but it is not genuine relational connection because the person is avoiding their core feelings and needs.

A person who is addicted continues to struggle in a cycle of escaping his/her feelings. This cycle is usually associated with what people call “stress.”

This cycle works as follows:

An event occurs that a person has feelings about and the feelings need to be addressed.

The person has increased anxiety, promoting a “need” for escape.

Preoccupation with control over unwanted feelings and negative anxiety begins to be the focus of the “threatened” person.

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By Dr. Chip Dodd & Bryan Barley

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