Enduring Through the Shadows

Enduring Through the Shadows is a podcast dedicated to the ongoing journey of recovery and personal growth, hosted by Daniel "Thabudd" Nelson. This show delves deep into the challenges and triumphs faced long after overcoming addiction, exploring how to navigate life's unexpected twists when old struggles resurface.

Each episode sheds light on topics like Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), mental resilience, and emotional healing, offering practical advice, personal stories, and expert insights. Daniel guides listeners through real-world scenarios, illustrating how recovery isn't just about quitting a habit but learning to thrive amidst life's ups and downs.

Tune in to discover how to reclaim your peace, embrace each step forward, and find strength in the shadows. Whether you're navigating recovery yourself or supporting someone who is, this podcast provides a reminder that you're not alone on this path. Together, we'll learn to live with purpose and find hope in every challenge

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

Welcome back to Absolutely Focused Radio, the podcast where we talk about reclaiming your peace, staying strong and living the best life every single day. I'm your host, daniel the Bud Nelson, and I'm excited to be with you on this journey. Today we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart and likely resonates with many of you what it means to endure through the shadows, long after the battle of addiction seem like it's been won. You see, the journey to sobriety isn't about putting down the bottle or leaving behind an old habit. It's about facing the unexpected moments where the past reaches out to remind you of its lingering effect and sometimes, even years later, our body holds on to those memories, resurfacing as physical symptoms like cold sweats or unexpected anxiety. Today we're talking about post acute withdrawn syndrome, post-acute Withdrawn Syndrome, or PAWS. And how can this manifest, even when you've been sober for years? It's a reminder that healing isn't a one-time event. It's an ongoing process. Recovery isn't just about abstaining from substance, but learning to navigate the complex landscape of our emotions, thoughts and physical reactions. These lingering systems can emerge unexpectedly Cold sweats in the middle of the night, sudden waves of anxiety or feeling of restlessness that seem to come out of nowhere. They aren't just remnants of the past. They are signals that the nervous system is still healing, still learning to find a new equilibrium. This process can be triggered by stress, emotional pain or even reminders of old environments or relationships brought through tension or conflict. Understanding pause means acknowledging that recovery is more than just getting over an addiction. It's about rebuilding and reshaping how we respond to life's stressors, learning new coping mechanisms and finding healthy ways to soothe the nervous system. It's about embracing the journey with all its up and down, with all its ups and downs, knowing that each step forward is a victory, even if sometimes it feels like you're taking two steps back.

Speaker 1: 2:39

Let's bring this home with three real world scenarios to paint the picture. Picture this this you're in the middle of a renovation, making decisions about what should be prioritized, but suddenly the focus shifts on the granite tops. Something as simple as a piece of polished stone becomes a bigger issue than the emotional safety or well-being of people involved in In that moment. It's not just about granite. It's about years of feeling unvalued, as though material things mattered more than your peace of mind. You're suddenly hit with a cold sweat. Now let's talk about the times when it seems like nothing you do is enough. You've worked hard to change, to grow, to become the best version of yourself, but the people around you keep demanding more. It's as if they're holding up a mirror that never reflects you accurately, always asking you to shift, while they stay exactly the same.

Speaker 1: 3:40

This kind of environment can make you feel like you're constantly falling short, and that takes a toll on your nervous system. You may find yourself sweating, trembling as the body relieves that stress, reminding you of a time when acceptance felt perpetually out of reach. These examples show us that the shadow of our past don't just fade away because we've stopped drinking or walked away from a toxic environment. They linger, sometimes even years later, because our bodies remember. This is why pause can persist, reminding us that healing is not a one-time event. It's a process that unfolds all the time.

Speaker 1: 4:30

But here's the powerful part you have the tools to endure, to keep moving forward, whether it's practicing mindfulness to bring yourself back to the present, or using exercises as a way to ground your body and release tension, or even just allowing yourself to seek the help you need without shame. These cold sweats are not a sign that you're failing. They're a signal that your body's still recalibrating, still working to find its balance, recalibrating, still working to find its balance. So, as you walk this path, remember each step as an act of defiance against the darkness. Know that each drop of sweat is a testament to the strength that keeps you pushing forward. You're not defined by your past. You're not defined by your past but by your unyielding will to rise beyond it. Thank you for tuning in to Absolutely Focus Radio. I'm Daniel the Bud Nelson, reminding you that you have the power to reclaim your peace and live the life you truly deserve. Stay awesome, stay blessed and stay focused. You got this. You.