Overcoming Addiction Part 1

Understanding the Battle of Addiction

finger traps

Path to Addictions:

Experimentation associated with pleasure

pre-occupation

tolerance increases

compulsion dominates thinking

negative consequences

promises and commitments to stop behavior

continued use despite promises, commitments and negative behavior

Intense craving which drives behavior

One time is too many and one-thousand is never enough

There is actually a chemical connection to behavior

Addictive behavior is fundamentally driven by the brain's reward system,

which is hijacked by unnaturally large and rapid surges of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

This chemical hijacking changes brain connectivity,

reinforcing compulsive habits over healthy behaviors

while impairing impulse control and decision-making.

Understanding the chemical connection to addiction requires looking at specific neurotransmitters and brain regions:

1. The Dopamine Surge (Reward and Motivation)

The Normal Process: Activities essential for survival (eating, social interaction)

release small, manageable amounts of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (the brain's pleasure center).

This rewards the behavior and motivates you to repeat it.

The Hijack: Addictive substances (like cocaine, nicotine, or opioids) or behaviors (like gambling or pornography) cause a flood of dopamine that is vastly more intense than natural rewards.

This teaches the brain to prioritize the addictive substance over all other healthy, life-sustaining activities.

Tolerance: Over time, the brain compensates for these unnatural surges by reducing the number of dopamine receptors.

This results in tolerance, where the individual needs more of the substance to get the same effect,

and everyday activities no longer bring pleasure.

2. Glutamate (Learning and Memory)

Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that mediates the brain's reward processing.

It is deeply involved in learning and forming memories.

When a huge dopamine release occurs alongside substance use,

glutamate helps "hard-wire" the association between the drug, the pleasure, and the environmental cues (people, places, or times) tied to the experience.

This is why seeing an old cue can trigger sudden, uncontrollable cravings long after someone has stopped using.

Most common triggers for addictive behaviors and relapses include BLAST

Bored

Lonely

Angry

Stressed

Tired

3. The Prefrontal cortex (Loss of Control)

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive function, judgment, decision-making, and impulse control.

Chronic chemical flooding and neurotransmitter adaptation physically disrupt the prefrontal cortex.

As a result, the brain's "stop" switch weakens.

The individual loses the conscious ability to control their impulses,

transforming addiction-seeking from a choice into an automatic, reflex-like habit.

4. Stress Systems and Withdrawal

When the addictive substance is absent, the brain's stress and anti-reward systems—such as dynorphin and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)—are activated.

This chemical shift triggers severe negative emotions,

dysphoria, anxiety, and physical withdrawal symptoms,

creating an overwhelming drive to use the substance again simply to feel normal

All of these internal process lead your body to interpret addictions as a survival need.

when you try to fight an addiction head on, it only makes it stronger

Fight or Flight

In severe addictions, your body actually thinks it is dying

What does the BIble Say?

Primary Text: Romans 7:14-25

Romans 7:14–25 NASB95

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Big Idea:

Addiction reveals the reality of the sinful nature, but Christ provides hope for those trapped in the struggle.

Proverbs 6:27–28 NASB95

Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned? Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?

Introduction

Many people battling addiction ask:

"Why do I keep doing this?"

"Why can't I stop?"

"What's wrong with me?"

Paul asked a similar question:

"For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." (Romans 7:19

Romans 7:19 NASB95

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.

The struggle with addiction is not new. Scripture honestly describes the conflict between our desires and our actions.

I. Addiction Reveals the Power of Sin

Romans 7:14–20 NASB95

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Paul describes:

Wanting to obey God

Knowing what is right

Repeatedly doing what is wrong

1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB95

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Addiction often follows this pattern:

Regret

Resolution

Relapse

Repeat

Sin promises freedom but produces slavery.

Supporting Scriptures

John 8:34 – "Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin."

John 8:34 NASB95

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.

Proverbs 5:22 – Sin ensnares and holds captive.

Proverbs 5:22 NASB95

His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.

Application

The first step toward freedom is recognizing that the problem is deeper than willpower.

II. Addiction Creates a Divided Heart

Romans 7:21–23 NASB95

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

Paul describes two competing forces:

The desire to honor God

The pull of sinful desires

Addiction often affects:

Thoughts

Emotions

Relationships

Spiritual life

The addict is often not lacking desire for freedom; they are lacking power over bondage.

Illustration

Like a person caught in quicksand, the harder they struggle alone, the deeper they sink.

III. Addiction Leads to Desperation

Romans 7:24 NASB95

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"

Notice Paul does not ask:

"What technique?"

"What program?"

"What self-help strategy?"

He asks:

"Who will deliver me?"

Freedom begins when we stop trusting ourselves and start looking to a Savior.

Application

Many breakthroughs begin when people finally admit: "I cannot save myself."

Finger traps, Ratcoon traps,

freedom comes from submission

IV. Addiction Meets Its Savior

Romans 7:25 NASB95

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

The answer is not stronger determination.

While meditation, fasting, and therapy are helpful tools.

they are ultimately not enough

The answer is a stronger Deliverer.

Jesus offers:

Forgiveness for past failures

Strength for today's battle

Hope for tomorrow

we talked about the train of the Lord’s robe filling the temple last week.

Supporting Scriptures

Matthew 11:28–30 NASB95

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Hebrews 4:15–16 NASB95

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1 John 1:9 NASB95

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Conclusion

Romans 7 ends with a struggle.

But Romans 8 begins with victory.

Romans 7:25 NASB95

...on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1

Romans 8:1 NASB95

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Addiction may explain your battle,

but it does not define your identity.

Serenity prayer

God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.

A version of the prayer was originally composed by Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the early 1930s. Initially popularized by one of his colleagues, the prayer began to spread widely 

The prayer became more widely known after being brought to the attention of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1941 by an early member,[35] who came upon it in a caption in a "routine New York Herald Tribune obituary".[36] The original clipping appeared in the May 28, 1941, public notices section: "Mother--God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, courage to change things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Goodby."[37]

AA's co-founder Bill W. and the staff liked the prayer and had it printed in modified form and handed around. It has been part of Alcoholics Anonymous ever since, and has also been used in other twelve-step programs. "Never had we seen so much A.A. in so few words,"

Serenity prayer

God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time. Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. Taking, as he did, the sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever.

—Reinhold Niebuhr, 1892-1971