The Neuroscience of Moving Goalposts
Your brain is a master of deception, especially when it comes to addiction. It's like having a personal goalpost-moving service that operates 24/7. "This isn't rock bottom yet... I still have my job." "This isn't rock bottom yet... I still have my house." "This isn't rock bottom yet... I still have my pants."
The prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational decision-making, gets hijacked by the reward system. It's like having a CEO who keeps getting overruled by the office intern who really likes donuts. The result? A never-ending cycle of "just one more" and "this isn't that bad."
The Slippery Slope of Denial
| What You Think is Rock Bottom | What Actually Happens | Your Brain's Response |
|---|---|---|
| Lost your job | Lost your house | "At least I'm not homeless" |
| Lost your house | Lost your family | "At least I'm not in jail" |
| Lost your family | Lost your freedom | "At least I'm not dead" |
The Dangerous Cycle
Here's the thing about rock bottom: it's not a place, it's a concept. And it's about as reliable as a weather forecast from a magic 8-ball. "Will this be rock bottom? *shake shake* Signs point to no."
The Cost of Waiting
Breaking the Cycle
Steps to Break Free:
The Recovery Process
Why Start Now?
- Every day you wait is another day lost
- Your brain will keep moving the goalposts
- Recovery is available at any point
- Your future self will thank you
About the Author
Better Without Booze
Bringing science, humor, and insight to the journey of recovery.
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