Manifesting Recovery: A Neuroscience-Based Approach

Most of this have this Recovery thing ass-backwards.

We think once we stop relapsing and get sober, THEN we will be happy and content.

The reality is that once we shift our state of being into happiness and contentment, THEN we will stop relapsing and using the substance.

This is called Manifesting.

"Manifest" is one of those words being thrown around everywhere these days.

But, I don't hear it much in the Addiction Recovery space. It is mostly associated with 'magic' and 'woo-woo' folks.

It is my belief that if I didn't harness the power of manifestation, I wouldn't have broken free from crystal meth.

And especially wouldn't have obtained the relationships, business, and abundance that I am enjoying today.

All of the meetings, rehabs, tools, therapy, or coaching in the world will not make any difference unless you shift your state of being.

Until you FEEL like a person who does not use crystal meth.

That feeling creates a physiological difference in the brain and creates a new reality for you.

What I'm about to share isn't magic or a quick fix – it's grounded in neuroscience.

The Science Behind Neural Rewiring in Recovery

Your brain has a remarkable ability to change and heal during recovery.

Every second, your brain processes between 6 to 10 million bits of information from your sensory organs but can only consciously handle 50 to 100 bits.

This means most of your brain's activity happens below conscious awareness, working to maintain your bodily functions.

This means that unless you are consciously reprogramming the brain to function in a certain way, it will rely on what it already knows to conserve energy.

It takes some effort, but your role here is to give it new programming.

As crystal meth addicts, we have used the principle of "what fires together, wires together," to program our brain to associate sex with meth. AND to cope with negative emotions by using meth.

Using this same idea, your healthy choice today strengthens new neural circuits.

When you repeatedly practice recovery-supporting behaviors, you're not just going through the motions – you're physically restructuring your brain's circuitry.

This requires Consistent Daily Action.

Understanding Your Two Brain Modes

During recovery, you'll experience two distinct brain states controlled by your autonomic nervous system.

The first is the sympathetic nervous system response, or "fear mode." This system originates in your brain stem and affects every organ in your body, especially your heart.

In early recovery, this system is often overactive, leading to anxiety, stress, and difficult emotions.

The second state is the parasympathetic nervous system response, or "heart mode."

This is your brain's natural calm, healing state – the mode we evolved to live in as a species primarily. When you're in this mode, your cognitive brain networks and peripheral physiology work at their best.

Your body releases oxytocin (sometimes called the "love hormone") and other neurotransmitters that activate your pleasure and reward centers naturally.

In other words, by shifting your state of being, you are showing your body an alternative to the unnatural hormone release of the methamphetamine molecule.

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Manifesting happens when we are in 'heart mode.' The more we can remain in this state of being, the more our thoughts become things. Take the next few days and monitor yourself; how often are you in fear or heart mode?

The Power of Present-Moment Awareness

Your brain has specific networks that activate when you're self-focused:

▶️ The Default Mode Network, which engages when your mind wanders, and

▶️ The Task Positive Network, which includes the attention network (which directs focus) and the executive control network (which helps you act on your intentions).

When you're caught in regret about the past or anxiety about the future, your default mode network takes over and can get stuck in negative patterns.

By bringing attention to the present moment, you activate your task positive network instead, supporting better decision-making and recovery engagement.

This is very important in early recovery. Begin to observe how often your mind is ruminating on the past or worrying about the future.

These two activities are also manfesting, but not the outcomes you want.

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Mindfulness is KEY to your recovery. Practicing focusing on the present moment can keep you from relapsing, effectively handle cravings, recoup from a using dream, and improve your overall well-being. Ask me about simple mindfulness techniques.

The Power of the Heart

The bioelectrical energy from your heart affects your entire body and even extends several feet beyond it.

This means that when you practice calming techniques like deep breathing, you're not just "relaxing" – you're literally changing your body's electromagnetic field.

This is why starting your day with intention through breathing exercises can shift your entire nervous system into a more supportive state for recovery.

Your heart's electromagnetic field can be sensed up to six feet in all directions.

Simple heart-breathing, if practiced daily, will keep you in the best state of being for manifesting your dream life in recovery.

I've taught and practiced techniques from the Hearth Math Institute for years now and I can tell you they will change your life.

Watch for more videos and training on this.

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A quick and dirty tip here is to imagine someone or something that brings you joy and gratitude. Then, inhale for 5 seconds and exhale for 5 seconds. Do this three times. Your heart will change rhythms, then tell your brain you're safe. The body follows along, and THAT's when you bring in the vision for your future.

The Science of Visualization in Recovery

When you vividly imagine an experience, your brain activates many of the same neural circuits used in actually performing that action.

By repeatedly visualizing positive recovery behaviors, you're creating what neuroscientists call "salience" – making these behaviors important to your brain's attention system.

This activates your task positive network, particularly your attention network and executive control network, making it easier to follow through on your treatment commitments in real life.

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Visualizing and feeling the emotion of your Prophetic Vision (a tool used in my Recovery Alchemy Coaching Program) activates the brain to create neural pathways as if it has already happened. You begin operating in the world that way and then your vision falls into place.

Building New Neural Pathways

Every recovery-supporting action creates new neural pathways through a process called neuroplasticity.

These pathways encompass your cognitive brain networks, your peripheral nervous system, and even your heart's neural network.

The more you repeat healthy behaviors, the stronger these circuits become, gradually replacing old substance-use patterns with new, health-promoting ones.

If you'd like to work 1:1 with me to take a deeper dive into these priniciples and use them to your own life, apply for my Recovery Alchemy Coaching program. In six months you could have manifested the (sober) life of your dreams. I'm taking ONE client per month. Apply Here.

The Daily Reset Practice: A Recovery-Supporting Exercise

This simple 10-minute practice helps activate your brain's natural calming system and can be done first thing in the morning or anytime you need to recenter during your recovery journey:

STEP 1: Find Your Space (1 minute) Choose a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed. This could be the edge of your bed, a comfortable chair, or even a quiet corner. Sit in a position that feels stable and grounded. Your feet should be flat on the floor if you're in a chair.

STEP 2: The Calming Breath (2 minutes)

Take a slow breath in through your nose for 5 counts
Hold gently for 5 counts
Release slowly through your mouth for 5 counts
Repeat this pattern for about 2 minutes

STEP 3: Body Reset (2 minutes) Starting from your feet and moving up to your head, notice any tension and consciously let it go:

Feel your feet on the floor
Let your legs feel heavy and supported
Release any tension in your stomach
Drop your shoulders away from your ears
Release your jaw
Let your face soften

STEP 4: Three Present Moments (2 minutes) Notice:

One thing you can hear right now
One thing you can feel (like the texture of your clothes)
One thing you're okay about in this moment, no matter how small

STEP 5: Setting Your Recovery Intention (3 minutes) Think about one small, specific action you can take today to support your recovery. Examples might be:

Attending your scheduled coaching session
Calling a support person
Drinking enough water
Going to the gym
Make a journal entry (paper or voice memo)
Repeat affirmations

Write this intention down if possible. Read it to yourself silently, then speak it aloud softly. Picture yourself doing this action successfully.

Important Guidelines:

Keep it simple. If the full practice feels overwhelming, start with just the breathing portion.
Don't judge your performance. Your mind will wander - that's normal. Just gently return to the practice when you notice this happening.
Be consistent but flexible. Try to practice at the same time each day, but if you miss a day, simply start again the next day.
Track your practice. Note in your recovery journal when you complete the practice and any observations.
Share with your team. Discuss your experiences with this practice with your treatment providers and adjust based on their guidance.

Are you ready for a new life? A new identity? Real recovery? It all begins in this very moment with the next thought. The next emotion. The next breath.

Manifest your recovery.

Let me know how I can help.

Love, Dallas 💚