Fear is powerful. It can keep us lost in the past or too focused on the possibilities of the future for us to enjoy the present. When we overcome fear, we are able to overcome much of our anxiety and depression in recovery. Although we may never be rid of our fears, through recovery we can reach a place where fear is no longer the driving force behind our thoughts and actions, bringing us one step closer to living with happiness and serenity in sobriety. Twelve Step recovery recognizes the damages that fear can cause. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous explains, “This short word somehow touches about every aspect of our lives. It was an evil and corroding thread; the fabric of our existence was shot through with it. It set in motion trains of circumstances which brought us misfortune we felt we didn’t deserve. But did not we, ourselves, set the ball rolling? Sometimes we think fear ought to be classed with stealing. It seems to cause more trouble.” Certainly, every man and woman suffering from the disease of addiction can look at fear as a contributing factor in their substance abuse. We may have been afraid of failure, success, other people, or a variety of other things. Rather than facing our fears, we relied more and more on substances as a way to deal with our fears. Overcoming fears of the past or future means we become more attune to the present moment. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist, explains, “Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.” Only when we acknowledge our fears can we begin to work through them. Often, we have attempted to repress them so much that they have grown inside of use and become too overwhelming to introspectively examine. If we can break through the walls our fears have created and take an honest, unflinching look at them, we will realize just how toxic they have become in our lives. Through recovery, however, we can face them and move forward into a life of peace and serenity, unbound by the chains of our fears.
Your story can become one of happiness, joyousness, and freedom. You can make the decision to seek help today and embark upon the rewarding journey of recovery. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment facility in beautiful Laguna Beach, is staffed with caring and compassionate professionals dedicated to providing clients with all the tools necessary to achieve and maintain lasting sobriety. For information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
