Conquering Fear of the Unknown

Conquering Fear of the Unknown

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” — Nelson Mandela

As a fictional starship captain once said, “Fear exists for one purpose: to be conquered.”

That statement couldn’t be more powerful today, as you walk the journey to sobriety. On this path, you’ll falter — probably more than once. You may even feel that you don’t have what it takes to conquer all the obstacles that lie ahead.

These doubts rise from fear. Fear of the unknown.

You know what it’s like to be addicted to alcohol and drugs. Even if you hate the pain and misery this causes you and others, you’re afraid to make a change.

So instead of pushing to fight your addiction, you choose the path you know. After all, you’re already familiar with all the consequences. On the other hand, what if you don’t like what’s waiting at the other end of the sobriety road?

Fear is a normal human instinct. It helps us avoid potentially dangerous situations.

But fear of the unknown could quickly become unhealthy. It could cripple you, preventing you from making any progress.

What does it take to overcome this?

    • Remember that change is the reality of life. It’s constant, unavoidable — and will come whether you’re ready for it or not.
    • Take change one day at a time. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, break down your next actions into small, manageable steps.
    • Embrace the adventure. We’re wired to be curious creatures and by exploring, we learn about ourselves and the world around us. Think of your new journey as an opportunity for discovery.

I can’t promise you that you won’t face anxiety just because you resolved to triumph over your fear. But I can promise that years down this road, you’ll look back at the progress you’ve made, and you’ll be grateful that you took that first step.