Fight, flight or freeze response to addition triggers is our basic response to stress. We will all go toward one of those when we get triggered. Think of trigger as representing danger. We were given these as part of our physical biology to protect us. If we have a threat, our body secrets chemicals to help us respond appropriately. We can also get caught in a cycle of needing a chemical to help us escape from a trauma situation like illness, pain, or a dysfunctional relationship.
How is think linked to alcohol use disorder or addiction? We can end up being triggered and use it as an excuse for using or drinking.
The Fighter
The fight response is one of your body’s way of viewing a threat. It can be a true threat or you may perceive it to be a threat. An example: Your former boss always yelled and threatened to fire you if you clocked in 5 minutes late. You may transfer that same perception to a different job or boss. Your brain created a memory there in the “boss” category. When your boss gives you a look, you may give them a look back, or even pop off at them. Your anger rises quickly with a potential threat, whether it is real or not. My dad was good at picking a fight just so he could storm out and get a drink. Read how he quit.
The fight response rarely works in your favor unless it is a real death threat. Most of the time, the threat is to our ego or viewpoint. Brush it off and don’t let it be an excuse to drink or do drugs.
How it Translates: If your are stressed around the boss, it can become an excuse to drink or use drugs.
Take Flight
Flight means your body urges you to run from danger. If a friend group was unkind when you were younger, it’s possible that you can drop out of friend groups more easily as an adult. While it’s normal to avoid unkind people, it’s not healthy to drop friends (flee), based on an old fear. Running from a situation and isolating all alone can cause a spiral of low energy thoughts and feelings.
This is my personal go-to response to stress. I just get quiet and move out of the situation asap. Of course, you can’t do this with every situation. Sometimes you just gotta get still and calm yourself and sit with the feelings of wanting to flee. It may take a few minutes or even longer, but the feelings will pass.
How It Translates: When you perceive any type of rejection, your desire to drink or use drugs is accelerated. You just want to check out as quickly as possible.
Freeze Out
Freeze is your body’s inability to move or act against a threat. It can feel like a chemical rush and your arms and legs become numb. You may be verbally and physically frozen. As a teacher, I see some students lock down if the classroom gets loud. Too much noise triggers anxiety in them. I am careful about triggering students and causing them to freeze. That scared rabbit look breaks my heart.
The desire to escape the tension and anxious feeling can lead to drinking or using. You may reason that it can help to bring you out of your shell and that frozen state. There are better ways.
How it Translates: If a situation gets tense, or voices become loud, you may go silent and still. Then you look forward to rewarding yourself with a drink or drugs.
Fawn
Fawn is when your body’s stress response is to become a people pleaser and avoid conflict. You can also see it as being submissive. Think of a dog showing it’s belly. When you fawn, it is a signal to others that you do not want conflict and they can just win if they want. It’s another one that I use with people who get loud and aggressive. Most of the time they will back off. They just need an ego win.
If you have to fawn with a person, it’s not a good long term strategy for a healthy relationship. Keep them out of your inner circle.
How it Translates: When there is an incident involving a bully, or overly assertive person, you may roll over. If it happens frequently, fawning can lead to feelings of low self worth, which can lead to taking part in your addiction to alcohol, drugs, or whatever you are using. You may end up in an abusive relationship where someone takes advantage of you. No one deserves to be used or abused. We all deserve a loving relationship.
To Sum it Up
The goal of the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn response is to reduce, stop, or escape danger and return to a calm, relaxed state. It’s all part of your automatic body and brain function, just like blinking your eyes protects them from drying out. These tools are ALL very useful when we use them appropriately. If overused, it can be a step to taking part in your addiction. I hope this was helpful for you in identifying your response to triggers. Your family can heal after alcohol liver disease or addiction. Read on for a list of common triggers with alcohol, drugs, or addictions.
I’m on your side. xo Karen
