Type 8 - The Challenger

Key Traits: Assertive, confident, decisive, independent, protective, energetic
Challenges: Domineering, closed off, unwilling to show vulnerability 

• Basic Fear – Being harmed, controlled, or violated by others

• Distorted Desire / Passion – My lust leads to excessive intensity and control.

• Leaden Rule – I make others fear harm or control through intimidation.

• Manipulation Technique – Bully or over-power to get one’s way.

• Red-Flag Fear – Being betrayed by “my people” and lashing out destructively.

• Wake-Up Call – Feeling one must push and struggle to make things happen

• Lost Childhood Message – “You will not be betrayed.”

• Core Identification & Self-Image – “I am strong, independent, decisive.” 

• Desire: stay invulnerable and in control

• Invitation to Abundance – Stand up for yourself and speak out for what you believe

• Healing Attitude – “Maybe this person isn’t out to take advantage of me… maybe I can let my guard down a little.”

Fear of Vulnerability: Eights have a hard time lowering their defenses in intimate relationships and fear vulnerability above all else. Intimacy involves emotional vulnerability, which is one of the Eight’s deepest fears, making substances attractive as ways to manage emotional exposure.

Control Issues: The unwillingness to be controlled by others frequently manifests in the need to control others. When control is lost, substances may seem like ways to regain power and dominance.

All-or-Nothing Thinking: Eights think in absolutes and may approach substance use with the same intensity they bring to everything else, increasing risk of rapid escalation.

Physical and Emotional Intensity: Eights have powerful instincts and strong physical appetites which they indulge without feelings of shame or guilt. This intensity can extend to substance use, leading to dangerous consumption patterns.

Cognitive Impairment

Mental cloudiness prevents Eights from making clear decisions and maintaining control. Cognitive difficulties threaten their sense of power and ability to dominate situations.

Memory Problems

Memory issues make Eights feel vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Memory lapses feel like weaknesses that others might exploit.

Emotional Dysregulation

Showing emotional vulnerability makes Eights feel weak and exposed. Emotional volatility contradicts their need to appear strong and invulnerable.

Sleep Disturbances

Exhaustion makes Eights feel vulnerable and less able to maintain control. Sleep problems undermine their energy for maintaining dominance and power.

Motor Coordination Issues

Physical weakness or clumsiness makes Eights feel vulnerable and out of control. Coordination issues threaten their image of physical strength and capability.

Stress Sensitivity

Being easily overwhelmed makes Eights feel weak and vulnerable.  Stress sensitivity conflicts with their self-image as strong and resilient.

Phase 1: Return of Denial – Inability to recognize and honestly communicate thoughts/feelings

• “I’m strong enough to handle any problems without needing to worry.”

• “These concerns are just signs of weakness that I need to overcome.”

• “Real addicts don’t admit fear – I need to stay tough and in control.”

Phase 2: Avoidance and Defensive Behavior – Avoiding anything that triggers uncomfortable emotions

• “I’ve conquered addiction through pure willpower – I’m in complete control.”

• “These other people in recovery are too weak and dependent on others.”

• “I don’t need anyone telling me how to do recovery when I’m obviously succeeding.”

Phase 3: Crisis Building – Life problems accumulate due to denial and isolation

• “These problems exist because someone is trying to control or manipulate me.”

• “I need to fight harder and push through these obstacles with more force.”

• “If I show more strength and determination, I can overpower these difficulties.”

Phase 4: Immobilization – Complete inability to initiate action, controlled by circumstances

• “I can’t show vulnerability by asking for help, but I can’t solve this alone.”

• “If only people would stop trying to control me, I could regain my power.”

• “I’m stuck because admitting I need help feels like surrender and weakness.”

Phase 5: Confusion and Overreaction – Impaired thinking and emotional volatility

• “People are trying to control and manipulate me, and I won’t stand for it.”

• “I can’t think straight when I’m surrounded by weakness and deception.”

• “Everyone needs to back off and stop trying to manage my life.”

Phase 6: Depression – Severe mood disruption affecting normal functioning

• “I’ve been defeated and I’m weak and powerless like I always feared.”

• “Everyone has abandoned me because they see how vulnerable I really am.”

• “Recovery has stripped away my strength and left me defenseless.”

Phase 7: Behavioral Loss of Control – Inability to maintain recovery behaviors

• “These recovery programs are trying to make me weak and dependent.”

• “I don’t care about their rules when I know what’s best for myself.”

• “Why should I let others control my recovery when I’m strong enough to do it alone?”

Phase 8: Recognition of Loss of Control – Denial breaks, awareness of powerlessness emerges

• “I’ve been completely defeated and I’m weak and powerless.”

• “Maybe substances would help me feel strong and in control again.”

• “I’m lying about being tough when I’m actually vulnerable and desperate.”

Phase 9: Option Reduction – Only three perceived options: insanity, suicide, or substance use

• “I’m enraged that recovery has made me weak and dependent on others.”

• “The only options left are insanity, suicide, or using to regain my power.”

• “I’m done with recovery people who try to control and manipulate me.”

Phase 10: Acute Relapse Period – Complete functional breakdown

• “I can’t control anything anymore and I feel completely powerless.”

• “I’m so physically and emotionally exhausted that I can’t fight anymore.”

• “Maybe substances would help me feel strong and invulnerable again.”

Phase 11: Return to Active Addiction – Actual resumption of substance use

• “I’ll use on my own terms to prove I can control both substances and recovery.”

• “If I can dominate my addiction by using occasionally, it proves my strength.”

• “Controlled use shows that I’m powerful enough to manage anything.”

Releases 

• I NOW RELEASE all anger, rage, and violence from my life.

• I NOW RELEASE dehumanizing myself by violating others in any way.

• I NOW RELEASE being verbally or physically abusive.

• I NOW RELEASE believing that taking vengeance will free me from my own pain.

• I NOW RELEASE hardening my heart against suffering.

• I NOW RELEASE my fear of ever being vulnerable or weak.

• I NOW RELEASE believing that I do not need others.

• I NOW RELEASE believing that I must bully people to get my way.

• I NOW RELEASE my fear that others will control me.

• I NOW RELEASE feeling that I must only look after myself.

• I NOW RELEASE my fear of losing to anyone.

• I NOW RELEASE feeling that I must never be afraid.

• I NOW RELEASE attempting to control everything in my life.

• I NOW RELEASE allowing my pride and ego to ruin my health and relationships.

• I NOW RELEASE thinking that anyone who does not agree with me is against me.

• I NOW RELEASE being hard-boiled and denying my need for affection.

Affirmations 

• I NOW AFFIRM that I believe in people and care about their welfare.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I am big-hearted and let others share the glory.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I am honorable and therefore worthy of respect.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I am most fulfilled by championing others.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I have tender feelings and good impulses.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I can be gentle without being afraid.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I master myself and my own passions.

• I NOW AFFIRM that there is an authority greater than me.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I love others and ask for their love in return.

• “Maybe vulnerability is a form of strength. Maybe accepting help allows me to be more powerful, not less.”