WoW 103: On the core chaos cycle, Recovery, Part 11

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Words of Wisdom 103 on the core chaos cycle,

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recovery part 11 introduction.

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It's helpful to see the

fundamental elements of things

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and how those elements interact.

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I do that today in discussing

what I call the chaos cycle.

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This episode is part 11 in a

series on addiction and recovery

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to see the entire recovery series,

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go to wisecraft.org.

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To understand recovery, you must

understand addiction and what

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feeds the addictive behavior.

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Today I will introduce what

I call the core Chaos Cycle.

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The Core Chaos Cycle is a systems

view of addiction and trauma.

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Let's reflect on addiction.

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Typically, when people think about

addiction, all they think about is this

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specific addictive behavior, whether

a substance addiction like alcoholism,

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or a process addiction like sex

addiction, the focus is on the behavior.

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And the age old question is, why

don't addicts just decide to stop?

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To understand addiction, we need to

have a systems thinking mindset to fully

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see the cunning, baffling, and powerful

nature of addiction, we need to see

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not only the contributing elements of

addictive behavior, but the ways those

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elements interact with each other and

the compounding effect of those dynamics.

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There are many different elements

that comprise addiction, but we cannot

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see them only as individual elements.

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We must understand them in their

context, in relationship to one another.

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To understand an addictive behavior,

you must see it in the cycle of

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chaos that the addict is trapped in.

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The Core Chaos Cycle is a description

of the dynamics of chaotic living

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and how that feeds specific

physiological and psychological

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triggers to choose to setback.

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A setback is what I call choosing a

behavior that goes against your values.

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This setback behavior feeds what

we call the five strongholds.

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Over time, repeatedly moving through

the cycle of behavior grows into

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developing an addictive behavior.

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For example, occasional times of abusing

alcohol using marijuana or hooking

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up doesn't make someone an addict.

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Addiction is about the compulsive

nature of the behavior that has

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grown over months and years.

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Late stage addiction is indicated by

the addictive behavior in the Core

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Chaos Cycle that feeds it, becoming the

dominant dynamic of the person's life.

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To see an image of the core chaos

Cycle, go to wisecraft.org and

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I'll link it in the show notes.

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The core chaos cycle is a way of

seeing how these core elements

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of addiction feed each other.

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In the future

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I will explore all of these dynamics in

greater detail for today, consider the

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following practical steps to address

each element of the core chaos cycle.

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First, use the three circles exercise

from sex addicts anonymous to reflect

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on and identify the chaotic behavior.

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In S.A.A.

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this is called your inner circle

and middle circle behavior.

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Second, identify the triggers that

cue you to have the urge to engage in

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your addictive or setback behavior.

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Then seek to minimize your triggers.

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Third, know your values and what you're

committed to so you're clear with yourself

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about what a setback behavior actually is.

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Finally develop a daily reflection

practice to identify and let

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go of the five strongholds.

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The five strongholds are

selfishness, dishonesty, resentment,

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fear, and distorted thinking.

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The more deeply you understand and seek

mastery over the fundamental elements

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that drive addiction, the more you'll

experience freedom and flourishing.

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Quotes.

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"I think most people can learn a

lot more than they think they can.

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They sell themselves short without trying.

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One bit of advice.

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It is important to view knowledge

as a sort of semantic tree.

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Make sure you understand the

fundamental principles, i.e.

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The trunk and big branches before

you get into the leaves or details,

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or there is nothing for

them to hang on to."

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Elon Musk in an ask me anything on Reddit.

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In every systematic inquiry or methodos

where there are first principles or

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causes or elements, knowledge and

science result from acquiring knowledge

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of these for we think we know something

just in case we acquire knowledge of

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the primary causes, the primary first

principles, all the way to the elements.

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Aristotle, in his book, Physics Questions.

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First, identify one setback or addictive

behavior that goes against your values.

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It might help to think of the

last time you relapsed or setback,

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Then reflect on these questions.

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In the days and hours before, what led

up to you setting back or relapsing?

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What compromises in your

values did you choose?

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What feelings did you experience

in the hours before you set back?

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What physiological or environmental

triggers did you experience?

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What lies did you believe?

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Use these questions as a journal

prompt and prayers for this week.

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End note.

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Recovery is easy.

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All it costs you is everything.

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Live wisely, Josh