Do you believe that a “healthy fear” of alcohol will keep you safe from future screw-ups?

 

Fear elicits a stress response. And when your nervous system perceives a threat, you feel anxious and distracted by intrusive thoughts. Your brain starts predicting worse-case scenarios. 

 

The idea of “fighting” this forever is overwhelming. It’s like trying to not cough. You can do it…for a while. But you know that at some point, a spasm could override your willpower.

 

We assume the fear of relapse means there’s something wrong. It must be true!--we really are an alcoholic.

 

But the temptation to drink is a perfectly normal (albeit misinformed) desire to relieve your stress. But the stress is coming from fear, not alcohol.

 

The threat you feel to your sense of safety and security is actually coming from the scary story you’re telling yourself that alcohol has the power to bypass your self-control. And as long as you believe that story is true, the fear cannot go away. Because it’s there to protect you.

 

The Sober Gurus tell us that too much confidence in our ability to heal, grow and change is a fast-pass to living in a van down by the river drinking mouthwash out of a paper bag. 

 

But what if you reject the idea that you need to be protected from yourself?

 

Allison Marie Conway is a recovery coach and writer exploring what it means to recover from alcohol use disorder. She joins me for a raw and candid conversation to discuss:

• How the cultural narratives of addiction and sobriety impact long-term recovery

• Alternatives to nurturing a “healthy fear” of relapse

• How overcoming an addiction makes you MORE resilient, not less. 

• Why allowing your story to evolve beyond alcohol leads to unexpected joy, freedom and mental health

 

JOIN THE PODSQUAD and help launch It's Not About the Alcohol on November 13.

 

Find Allison Marie Conway on Substack as Dry Humor Me and on Instagram as @allisonmarieconway

 

Ready to stop over-drinking? Register for my free masterclass to get the Accelerated Recovery Process© to resolve alcohol use disorder without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

Follow me on Instagram @RecoverwithColleen