Table of Contents
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says that “the greatest enemies of us alcoholics are resentment, jealousy, anger, and fear.” (pg. 145) It’s a tough point to argue, as many of us turned to alcohol or drugs to cope with fear. However, I would extend the scope of that comment by saying that fear is one of the greatest enemies of all people, alcoholic or not. And I’m not referring to the big, oppressive kind, either. Rather, I mean the small, everyday kind that ruins a life slowly by increments.
Think of the pay raise you left on the table because you were too afraid to ask. Or the relationship that never began. Or the one that went on far too long. It’s fear that’s keeping us from the lives we want to live. Fortunately, in recovery, we learn the skills to cope with fear, and we would like to share some of those with you today.
A Residual Reaction
Remembering that fear is an instinctual part of being human is helpful. Our species wouldn’t have lasted very long if it had not been for healthy feelings of fear. However, it is a base emotion devoid of nuance. Remember that you have the power of rationality to assess the actual danger and respond appropriately.
Premium Fuel Only
If you seem prone to fear and anxiety, you might want to look at what you consume. In recovery, folks often turn to substitute chemicals to fill the absence of their drug of choice. The most common substitutes are caffeine, nicotine, and sugar. Unfortunately, all three increase the heart rate and can easily exacerbate anxiety.
Get a Second Opinion
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues and a leading reason why people seek professional help. Often, intense fear around particular things or situations points to unresolved issues from the past. A therapist can help you get to the bottom of these issues and plan strategies to help you work through them.
Rechannel Your Energy
I would often see examples of this one during my high school sports days. A particular player, who I knew to be suffering from a case of the nerves all week, would show up on game day amped and focused. When I asked what happened to the fear and anxiety, they replied, “I just pretend queasiness is excitement for the game, and it helps me get ready.” I had to admit, it wasn’t a bad idea.
Breathe In, Breathe Out
While rechanneling always sounded like an interesting approach, mindfulness has become my go-to tool to combat fear. This shouldn’t be surprising. Take, for example, some strategies for combatting a panic attack. Many approaches involve some exercise that includes slowing and concentrating on the breath. Another popular tactic is to take note of five things you can see around you, followed by four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. These strategies are designed to get you out of your head and into the present moment. This is the textbook definition of mindfulness, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Ocean Recovery has been successfully treating substance abuse and eating disorders since 2002. So if you or someone you know is struggling with substance use and seeking addiction treatment services in San Diego or Los Angeles, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We offer individual and group counseling sessions, CBT, DBT, nutritional education, and more as components of our holistic approach. So call now and start building your foundation for success.
Sources
Ocean Recovery has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations for our references. We avoid using tertiary references as our sources. You can learn more about how we source our references by reading our editorial policy.
1. Wilson B. Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book. Courier Dover Publications; 2019.
