Facing Fear: How It Fuels Alcohol Problems
Episode Overview
Fear can drive alcohol problems by triggering anxiety. Recognising fear is crucial to managing sobriety. Existential fears often manifest physically. Grounding techniques can help manage immediate fear responses. Examining personal narratives can reduce irrational fears.
Fear is programmed into our DNA... it keeps us alive and it keeps us safe.
Fear – it’s that pesky little emotion that can drive us to drink and leave us in a mess. In this episode of the Soberful podcast, Veronica Valli takes a deep dive into the connection between fear and alcohol problems. With nearly 50 years of sobriety between them, Veronica and Chip Somers have gathered a treasure trove of experiences and tales that make their discussions both enlightening and entertaining.
Veronica shares her personal journey of recognising fear as the root cause of her drinking habits. She describes how hearing someone else articulate their fear was like having a light bulb moment, realising she wasn’t alone in feeling frightened of life itself. The episode doesn’t shy away from the raw truth – fear can manifest as anxiety and it’s something everyone faces.
But the real kicker is how it often goes unspoken, lurking in the shadows while we pretend it’s not there. The episode explores how fear is hardwired into our DNA for survival, yet in modern life, it can spiral out of control. Veronica talks about existential fears – those nagging worries about not being good enough or being left alone.
She offers practical tips on managing fear, such as grounding yourself in the present moment and questioning the stories you tell yourself. Chip Somers also weighs in with his unique perspective, adding depth to the conversation with his own experiences. Together, they offer insights into how fear can be a universal experience but doesn’t have to dictate our actions or lead us to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
If you’re curious about how fear might be affecting your life or looking for ways to balance it, this episode is a must-listen. Veronica’s candid storytelling combined with actionable advice makes it an engaging exploration into a topic that touches us all. Ready to tackle fear head-on? Tune in and find out how you can start taking control.