THE CLIMB

“I am so afraid to make a choice. I feel like any decision I make will end up being the wrong one…”. We hear so many clients make statements just like this one. Are you, too, afraid of taking risks? In previous blogs, we have discussed Risk-Taking when it comes to Mental Health Disorders. Today we want to discuss the purpose of fear and the 4 levels of risk taking.

Fear in Risk Taking

Some people are more open to risk (or greater risk) than others. If you choose to stay in the same job where you are not being challenged or fulfilled at work, you might be afraid of taking a new job because of the risk of going to a place where the future is unknown and the fulfillment is unknown. We hear often from clients: “I hate this job and the people who work there, but at least I know what to expect. If I take a new job, I won’t know anything and I am afraid of what I don’t know.”

Whenever we hear our clients make statements like these, we take a little time to assess and understand risk.

4 Types of Risk

Low Risk:

• Impact: Minimal or negligible consequences if the risk materializes.
• Likelihood: Unlikely to occur or has a low probability of happening.
• Examples: Minor financial investments, routine tasks with standard safety measures, trying a new hobby.
• Management: Basic precautions and routine monitoring are usually sufficient.

Moderate Risk:

• Impact: Noticeable but manageable consequences that may require some intervention or adjustment.
• Likelihood: Possible, but not highly probable.
• Examples: Moderate financial investments, starting a small business, implementing new technology at work.
• Management: Requires some planning and risk mitigation strategies, such as contingency plans and regular reviews.

High Risk:

• Impact: Significant consequences that can substantially affect operations, finances, or well-being.
• Likelihood: Likely to occur or has a higher probability of happening.
• Examples: Major financial investments, launching a new product in a competitive market, making significant life changes like moving to a new country.
• Management: Requires thorough planning, comprehensive risk mitigation strategies, and constant monitoring.

Extreme Risk:

• Impact: Catastrophic consequences that can lead to severe losses, including financial ruin, serious injury, or major operational disruptions.
• Likelihood: Highly probable or almost certain to occur.
• Examples: Investing all savings in a volatile market, high-stakes medical procedures, engaging in activities with a high chance of serious injury or legal issues.
• Management: Requires detailed risk assessments, robust contingency plans, and possibly avoidance or transferring the risk (e.g., through insurance).

Depending on the circumstance, understanding the risk of the decision you might want to make will be helpful in your process.

What is the danger of too much risk?

High-risk decisions might be detrimental to physical, emotional, relational, or financial well-being. It is important to consider the level of risk you are comfortable with as it relates to these categories. Even more important, consider this risk, well before you are in a situation where there is potential high risk.

Addiction and risk are closely interconnected. Here are four key connections:

1. Increased Risk-Taking Behavior:
   • Individuals with addiction often engage in riskier behaviors to sustain their addiction. This includes risky drug or alcohol use, unprotected sex, or criminal activities to obtain substances.
   • The need to achieve a desired level of intoxication or euphoria can drive individuals to take greater risks, escalating their behavior to more dangerous levels.
2. Impaired Decision-Making:
   • Addiction affects brain function, particularly areas involved in decision-making and impulse control. This impairment can lead to poor judgment and an increased likelihood of taking unnecessary risks.
   • Substance use can diminish the ability to assess the potential negative consequences of risky behaviors accurately, making individuals more prone to engaging in them.
3. Cycle of Risk and Reward:
   • Addiction often involves a cycle of seeking out the rewarding effects of substance use despite knowing the risks. The brain’s reward system becomes hijacked, prioritizing the pursuit of the addictive substance over other, safer rewards.
   • This pursuit of the ‘high’ reinforces risky behaviors as individuals become more focused on the immediate gratification from substance use rather than long-term well-being.
4. Tolerance and Escalation:
   • As tolerance to a substance develops, individuals need higher doses to achieve the same effect. This escalation often leads to taking greater risks, such as using larger quantities, mixing substances, or using substances in more dangerous ways.
   • The progression of addiction often involves increasing risk levels as individuals seek to overcome tolerance and avoid withdrawal symptoms, further entrenching risky behavior patterns.

These connections highlight how addiction can drive individuals toward increasingly risky behaviors, creating a dangerous cycle that is difficult to break without intervention and support.

about us

At The Pursuit, a group of experienced therapists have come together to offer best-in-class counseling services. We prioritize clinical theory, non-judgmental approaches, and effective interventions, treatment plans, and coping skills. We have therapists who specialize in different areas and we strive to find the best match for your unique needs. Are you ready to take the first step in your Pursuit towards a happier, healthier you? We invite you to book your free 20-minute consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Don’t wait; it’s time to invest in your well-being. Simply Book Now to start your Pursuit toward personal growth and positive change today. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Addiction Counseling