Why the Pain?

Mae Martin, Feel Good, S01E06

“When the present moment is intolerable, we contort ourselves into pretzels to get away from it. But the question I’d encourage you to ask is not, ‘Why did I use?’ We all know why we use. Pain relief. Instead, ask yourself, ‘Why the pain?'” – David, Feel Good, S01E06

I once read that pain has an evolutionary purpose. It provides information from the environment that a particular behaviour isn’t good for us. I try to pay attention to situations and stimuli that make me uncomfortable or cause me emotional, physical or spiritual pain.

Anyone who drinks the way alcohol abusers do, has issues with self-confidence, self-care, self-love and self-respect, and we tend to bury or deny painful, difficult or traumatic memories. Instead we turn to alcohol for the numbness, the stress relief or the euphoria it offers.

I understand and accept that I will probably never drink again. But I am well aware that a committing to an alcohol-free life means that I’ve had to (and will continue to) come to terms with those painful, difficult memories and their leftover emotional triggers in my life. The memories which make me feel insecure, unloved, taken advantage of, unworthy, broken, hurt, ashamed, unseen, unheard and unsure are the ones I am learning how to deal with.

Part of developing an alcohol-free lifestyle is about addressing painful things. If you ignore them, they become triggers. ~ https://shadowashspiritflame.wordpress.com/2014/02/14/elementary-my-dear-watson/

Love and Light to you, Phoenix.

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~*~

Prompted by this year’s AtoZ Challenge theme ‘Resilience’, here’s nine years sober, and counting… with some things to say, inspired by quotes from brilliant television series that resonate with me.