Published September 05, 2025 | By Bryan E, Collectors MD Supporter

For those in recovery, one of the hardest truths to face is this: you didn’t always feel in control.

The late-night binge. The “one last break” that turned into five. The pit in your stomach after realizing what you’d just spent—again.

It’s easy to say, “I should’ve known better”. But what if we step back and realize part of the driving factor wasn’t just poor judgment—it was actually just simply biology?

Our brains are wired with ancient reward systems—chemical pathways that evolved to help us survive. When we win, anticipate a reward, or get close to something we crave, our brain naturally releases dopamine—a surge that says “This is good! Do more!”

But in modern times, those ancient signals can backfire. Especially in gambling or break culture, where the uncertainty and near-misses feed that loop even more. Instincts kick in, and the physical actions end up outweighing your moral compass. It’s not just excitement—it’s a neurological trap.

So if you’re looking back on your behavior and feeling shame, remember: your brain was doing exactly what it was built to do. That doesn’t make the pain less real, or the consequences less serious, or even justify poor decisions—but it does explain why it was so hard to stop.

That understanding matters. Because self-loathing won’t heal you. But self-awareness just might.

You’re not broken. You’re human. And you can change—not by fighting your biological makeup, but by learning to work with it—patiently, and with compassion.

#CollectorsMD
The chase may be wired into us—but recovery can be too.

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