It’s Addictive: The Neuroscience of Habit and the Hope of Renewal - Core Concept 11
Release Date: 10/27/2025
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Say Goodbye And Imagine!
Ep 74 - In this episode of Say Goodbye and Imagine!, Rose Ann Forte continues the Wisdom series with a reflection on Proverbs 2:6–7 (NLT), a passage that reminds us that wisdom is not earned through experience or effort—it is granted by God. Rose Ann walks listeners through a devotional reflection on why so many of us admire biblical wisdom yet struggle to access it when making real-life decisions. She explores how wisdom comes directly from God’s Word, how listening for His voice requires intentional pause, and why integrity activates the protection Scripture promises. This episode...
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Say Goodbye And Imagine!
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Say Goodbye And Imagine!
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Say Goodbye And Imagine!
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Say Goodbye And Imagine!
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Mindset Protection: Winning the Daily Battle Within - Core Concept 12
Say Goodbye And Imagine!
In the final episode of this 12-part series, Rose Ann Forte brings it all together with the powerful truth that we’re not just facing a behavior challenge—we’re fighting a spiritual battle. Drawing from Ephesians 6, this episode unpacks the Full Armor of God in practical, relatable ways and ties each piece of armor to the mindset shifts you’ve explored throughout the Core Concepts. You’ll learn: Why mindset is your greatest defense against relapse How spiritual armor protects you in your most vulnerable moments The real reason we keep going back to what hurts us—and how to stop...
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It’s Addictive: The Neuroscience of Habit and the Hope of Renewal - Core Concept 11
Say Goodbye And Imagine!
Why do we keep going back to the things we say we don’t want to do? What if the problem isn’t a moral failure—but a hijacked reward system in the brain? In this episode, Rose Ann Forte dives into the neuroscience behind addiction and why willpower alone isn’t enough to break free. With biblical wisdom and brain-based understanding, she reveals the powerful biological process God designed—and how addictive substances or behaviors take advantage of it. If you’ve ever wondered “What happened to me? I used to be goal-oriented... joyful... motivated…”—this episode will help you...
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Say Goodbye And Imagine!
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The Two Commandments That Can Change Everything - Core Concept 9
Say Goodbye And Imagine!
This week Rose Ann explores Core Concept 9 from the Choose Freedom Program: The Greatest Commandments. Discover how two simple but profound commands from Jesus can transform your freedom journey and help you understand the root of addiction and destructive behaviors. Key Topics Covered The Greatest Commandment Rose Ann unpacks Matthew 22:37-40, where Jesus identifies the commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Learn how prioritizing these commands creates the foundation for lasting freedom. Building Your Relationship with God Daily time...
info_outlineWhy do we keep going back to the things we say we don’t want to do? What if the problem isn’t a moral failure—but a hijacked reward system in the brain?
In this episode, Rose Ann Forte dives into the neuroscience behind addiction and why willpower alone isn’t enough to break free. With biblical wisdom and brain-based understanding, she reveals the powerful biological process God designed—and how addictive substances or behaviors take advantage of it.
If you’ve ever wondered “What happened to me? I used to be goal-oriented... joyful... motivated…”—this episode will help you make sense of that confusion, without shame.
You’ll learn:
- What dopamine is and how it works in normal vs. addictive habits
- Why addictive behaviors crowd out joy from everyday life
- What Scripture says about these destructive cycles (Proverbs 23:31–35, Ephesians 5:15–18, Romans 12:2, Galatians 5:1)
- Why renewing your mind is scientifically and spiritually possible
- How the Choose Freedom® Program and resources like Prepare to Quit can help you rewire your brain and reclaim your joy
📚 Mentioned in the Episode:
- Prepare to Quit book on Amazon »
- The Plans He Has for Me devotional »
- Join the private Facebook group for The Plans He Has For Me: click here »
💡 Don’t forget to:
- Subscribe to this podcast
- Leave a review (honest, anonymous, short is fine!) on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, or wherever you listen or read
- Share this episode with someone stuck in the shame cycle—they need hope, not guilt
- Explore coaching or the Choose Freedom program to experience lasting change
Featured Scriptures
Proverbs 23:31–35 (NLT):
“Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end, it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, ‘They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?’”
Ephesians 5:15–18 (NLT):
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 12:2 (NIV):
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Galatians 5:1 (NIV):
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
[00:02:32] - Starting the Core Concept 11: "It's Addictive" Discussion of the importance of understanding addiction, especially the biology behind it, and how that knowledge is freeing.
[00:03:18] - Personal Story: Loss of Joy and Purpose Roseanne describes her own experience with alcohol, shame, and learning the science behind addiction.
[00:03:49] - Biblical Perspective & Wisdom Shares scripture from Proverbs 23:31-35 about the dangers of alcohol, followed by Ephesians 5:15-18 on living wisely and avoiding drunkenness.
[00:06:15] - Science of Addiction: Dopamine Explains dopamine’s role in joy, motivation, and addiction; lists everyday activities that cause dopamine spikes ([00:07:01]).
[00:08:06] - Dopamine and Connection Describes dopamine spikes from meaningful interactions and relationships.
[00:08:50] - Dopamine Flood from Addictive Substances Details how addictive behaviors cause unnatural dopamine floods and the body’s response, leading to fight-or-flight mode and impaired decision-making.
[00:10:19] - Fight or Flight and Addiction Explains how the brain reacts when deprived of the addictive substance, and why willpower alone isn’t enough ([00:11:19]).
[00:12:08] - Loss of Joy from Everyday Activities Discusses how addiction steals joy from normal life and why awareness (not shame) brings healing.
[00:13:02] - Changing Neural Pathways & Renewing Your Mind Talks about the potential for change and introduces Romans 12:2 on renewing the mind ([00:13:39]).
[00:14:23] - Testing and Approving God’s Will How a 12-week challenge allows listeners to "test" life without alcohol and choose a better path.
[00:15:39] - Call to Action Encouraging listeners to keep learning, use resources like "Prepare to Quit," and stay aware of what addiction has cost them.
[00:16:34] - Scripture for Freedom & the Choose Freedom Program Closing encouragement, highlighting Galatians 5:1 and the importance of living in freedom.
[00:17:50] - Preview: Next Episode & Armor of God Roseanne previews the final core concept, using the full armor of God to protect freedom.
#AddictionRecovery #RenewYourMind #ChristianSobriety #FreedomInChrist #ChooseFreedom