The presence or absence of severe pain in our gut largely determines how we act, from infancy to old age. The absence of persistent pain allows us to take control and lead a happy, healthy, and wholesome life. Its presence robs life of its meaning and becomes our god, thereby controlling us.

Unhealthy, disruptive, abusive, or addictive behavior is a sure sign of that pain, and is also an attempt to relieve it." Appropriate Love" is the key to recovery.

"The primary purpose for families, religious groups, recovery programs, counselors, and friends is to love appropriately and enable others to do the same"

Much of this material was originally designed for persons in drug and alcohol treatment programs. I quickly recognized its application for any and all who need renewal. A Pain in the Gut renewal is necessary. That pain in the gut comes from numerous sources and from abuse of many things.

This was first designed for the players who I thought were only traditional abusers and addicts. I later learned the players are almost everyone! Even if we never abused drugs and alcohol, we often have very serious pain in our gut caused by some other malady. Therefore, the original setting and origin of the ideas need not prevent an open-minded examination or a broader application of them.

That is the only way to prevent or get rid of that awful Pain in the Gut.