For Those Running and Trying to Escape
— How to face what’s underneath, not just chase away symptoms
When trauma, anxiety, depression, or addiction take hold, they tell you: “You need to escape.” Addiction numbs, anxiety distracts, trauma convinces you to run—but the moment sobriety begins, the very same pain is still there.
Why facing is harder than running
Science shows addiction and trauma embed themselves between our awareness and our “default systems”—the automatic parts of us that regulate breathing, hunger, emotion, stress (). This isn’t weakness—it’s biology. And if we try to suppress these systems altogether, we strip ourselves of the very engine that can drive renewal.
Begin by removing the hijacker
Step one isn’t to bury what’s inside—it’s to remove the poison. That could mean stopping substances, stepping away from harmful patterns, or changing what you let into your mind. But do not deaden your system. Your natural response mechanisms—hunger, curiosity, energy, laughter—need to stay alive. They are your compass.
Rediscover and rewire
Once the hijacker is gone, you can train your brain:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you identify false beliefs—“I’m broken”, “I’ll always fail”—and replace them with truth ().
Mindfulness & Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) teach you not to RUN from feelings, but to observe them neutrally, step-by-step, and reconnect with life’s simple joys .
Reclaim your power
This is your ultimate expression of free will. Faith—spiritual or otherwise—is a guide, but you do the walking. No one else can force the first step. You must choose yourself.
Lean on community
Science backs peer-support—and it works . Whether it’s recovery coaching, Emotions Anonymous, or a trusted friend, these connections remind you: you’re not alone—and that matters.
Practical steps to start today
Write it out – Use journaling or expressive writing to unpack what’s kept you numb and running .
Choose one mindful pause daily – Feel a full breath, savor a sunrise, or just sit quietly. These build new resilience.
Reconnect your body – Walk. Stretch. Move. Physical wins build mental strength .
Talk openly – Therapist, coach, or peer—sharing your story weakens shame.
Name one identity trait to own – You’re not just an addict. You’re a coach, a friend, a thinker, a survivor. You’re more.
Final truth
Addiction didn’t break your spirit. It hijacked your spirit.
By removing the agent, and choosing courage instead of silence, you reclaim who you were—and who you’re becoming. It’s slow. It’s brutal. But every day, you clear a little more rubble to reveal the man or woman underneath—the one who’s worthy.
This isn’t about heroic epiphanies. It’s about relentless small wins. One thought. One action. One breath.
…and eventually, you stand across from that reflection and say, “Yes. I did it.”