Your Daily Motivation (Oct 23rd, 2025)

Hey, it’s Matt with The Addiction Newsletter.

Here’s what’s inside today:

Let’s get started.

If you want some extra accountability from me, feel free to reply this newsletter with how many days it has been.

I read every single reply and do my best to reply to them. I am always here for you.

(Example: “Hey Matt, it’s been 33 days since I have used X”)

Days Since Last Use: 333

Thoughts: It was another calm day. No highs, no lows, just normal life, which honestly feels amazing. There’s something peaceful about realizing that nothing’s “happening” anymore. No internal battles, no thoughts about using, no guilt. Just a quiet kind of freedom that I never noticed before.

Every addiction runs on the same lie.

It convinces you that using brings relief. That it takes the edge off. That it helps you unwind, relax, focus, sleep, socialize, or just get through the day. It doesn’t matter what the substance is, they all whisper the same story: “You need me.”

But here’s the truth that almost no one tells you.
It doesn’t relieve anything. It only ends the tension that it created in the first place.

It’s like someone tapping your arm over and over again, and then stopping. For a second, it feels good when the tapping stops. You think, “Ah, that’s better.” But the only reason it feels better is because it stopped hurting you.

That’s what happens every single time you use. The substance makes you restless, anxious, or low, and then pretends to be the cure. It’s like setting your own house on fire so you can feel proud for putting it out.

You aren’t getting comfort. You’re getting temporary relief from discomfort that didn’t need to exist at all.

And the trap is so clever, because it feels real. You remember that moment of calm after using and you chase it again, not realizing that what you’re chasing is just the moment when the pain pauses. It’s not peace, it’s maintenance. You’re working just to stay “normal.”

When you see that clearly, something clicks. You stop seeing the substance as a reward and start seeing it as the problem. You stop asking, “How can I stop using?” and start asking, “Why would I use at all?”

Real relief doesn’t come from putting the fire out again and again. Real relief is walking away from the fire completely.

It’s waking up without needing anything.
It’s not planning your day around your next fix, drink, or hit.
It’s feeling clear, light, and steady, and realizing that this is how life was supposed to feel all along.

The lie of relief kept you trapped. The truth of freedom sets you free.

If you catch yourself thinking about using, pause for a second and smile.
Say to yourself, “That thought used to control me, but it doesn’t anymore.”
Then move on with your day.

Each time you do that, you train your brain to associate urges with freedom instead of fear.

Here is the win of the day for one of our readers. I will keep most of the information anonymous:

“Hey Matt, I met up with a few friends at the bar for the first time in months. I had water the whole night and honestly didn’t even think about ordering a drink. It felt good to just be there and actually enjoy the conversation.”

(Note: If you have a win, no matter how large, or how small, reply to this email and I’ll include it in the future)

I refer thousands of people every month to detox and treatment centers across the United States. Depending on if you have insurance and what type, a lot of the time you can get treatment completely free. If not, it does cost money unfortunately.

If you’d like to use this free service, click below.

(Click here)

Disclaimer

This newsletter is for educational and motivational purposes only. It is not medical advice or a substitute for professional treatment. If you’re in crisis or need immediate help, please contact your local emergency services or the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)