Fear: Paralyzer or Motivator
In FDR's fist inaugural speech in 1933 he spoke these famous words, " . . . the only thing we have to fear is fear itself . . ." This country was in the depths of the Great Depression, a time that people who lived through it can recall with vivid anguish. FDR talked about fear "paralyzing" needed efforts. In this sense fear takes control and the tasks that need to be done are not done. Things only get worse, compounding the fear that is already out of control. But, is fear always a bad thing? Can it be, under certain circumstances, a motivator? Are there things we might not otherwise do but for fear?
When it comes to dealing with addiction fear starts off as a paralyzer. Families are slow to take action because they are afraid of what will happen, afraid of their loved one's response, afraid of what will be required of them in the process, afraid they are making too much of the situation, afraid of losing control and the list goes on. The longer they wait to get help, the worse the problem gets and the fear escalates. At some point, the pain of the consequences from the disease reach a stage where it is unbearable and a shift begins to occur. Fear starts to turn into a motivator. Families become afraid that their loved one will hurt themselves or someone else, that their loved one will die or kill someone else. They fear the loss of another job or another angry blow-up. They fear public humiliation and embarrassment. Fear now turns from paralyzing into motivating and turns inaction into action.
As FDR addressed the problems of the country and his plans for restoration, he stated "There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly." The same words can be applied to the disease of addiction and the need for getting help. Act and act quickly. People would not wait to end the suffering of themselves or their loved one under any other circumstances. Why with this disease?
So, when fear strikes don't get stuck in paralysis. Instead, use this emotion to your advantage . . . to motivate your family into action.
There is Help ~ There is Hope
When it comes to dealing with addiction fear starts off as a paralyzer. Families are slow to take action because they are afraid of what will happen, afraid of their loved one's response, afraid of what will be required of them in the process, afraid they are making too much of the situation, afraid of losing control and the list goes on. The longer they wait to get help, the worse the problem gets and the fear escalates. At some point, the pain of the consequences from the disease reach a stage where it is unbearable and a shift begins to occur. Fear starts to turn into a motivator. Families become afraid that their loved one will hurt themselves or someone else, that their loved one will die or kill someone else. They fear the loss of another job or another angry blow-up. They fear public humiliation and embarrassment. Fear now turns from paralyzing into motivating and turns inaction into action.
As FDR addressed the problems of the country and his plans for restoration, he stated "There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly." The same words can be applied to the disease of addiction and the need for getting help. Act and act quickly. People would not wait to end the suffering of themselves or their loved one under any other circumstances. Why with this disease?
So, when fear strikes don't get stuck in paralysis. Instead, use this emotion to your advantage . . . to motivate your family into action.
There is Help ~ There is Hope
Labels: Addiction, family recovery, fear, motivation, paralyzing
posted by Alice Tanner at
9:15 PM
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