Type 6 - The Loyalist

Key Traits: Loyal, responsible, analytical, committed, security-oriented, team-focused
Challenges: Anxious, suspicious, indecisive, fearful, prone to analysis paralysis 

• Basic Fear – Lacking support and guidance; being unable to survive alone

• Distorted Desire / Passion – I fear deeply, constantly scanning for threats and doubt.

• Leaden Rule – I undermine others’ support systems to make them feel isolated

• Manipulation Technique – I question, test, and second-guess to gain reassurance

• Red-Flag Fear – Acting against one’s own best interest and ruining life

• Wake-Up Call – Depending on something outside the self for guidance

• Lost Childhood Message – “You are safe.”

• Core Identification & Self-Image – “I am loyal, vigilant, prepared.” 

• Desire: stay secure and supported

• Invitation to Abundance – Have faith in yourself; trust life’s goodness

• Healing Attitude – “Maybe this will work out fine… maybe I can trust myself.”

Anxiety and Fear-Based Decision Making: Sixes rely on cognitive depth with their emotional focus being fear. This constant anxiety about potential threats makes substances attractive as anxiety relief.

Authority and Trust Issues: Sixes have difficulty trusting their own judgment and often look to external authorities for guidance. When these support systems fail or give conflicting advice, substances may become a trusted “authority” for managing distress.

Analysis Paralysis: The tendency to fall into analysis paralysis, endlessly rechecking facts and resisting change can create chronic stress that substances seem to relieve.

Security-Seeking Behavior: Their inability to find anything genuine by being defensive gets in the way of forming secure relationships, potentially leading to substance use as a source of security.

Cognitive Impairment

Mental fog impairs Sixes’ ability to think through problems and stay safe.  Cognitive difficulties feel like threats to their security and ability to anticipate dangers.

Memory Problems

Memory issues prevent Sixes from remembering important safety information. Memory problems feel like vulnerabilities that could lead to dangerous mistakes.

Emotional Dysregulation

Emotional volatility makes Sixes doubt their judgment and decision-making. Mood swings increase their anxiety about making wrong choices.

Sleep Disturbances

Poor sleep increases anxiety and reduces ability to cope with daily stressors. Sleep problems heighten their baseline anxiety and sense of vulnerability.

Motor Coordination Issues

Physical clumsiness increases risk of accidents and injury. Coordination problems feel like additional threats to their physical safety.

Stress Sensitivity

Everything feels more dangerous and threatening when stress sensitivity is heightened. Increased stress reactivity amplifies their tendency to scan for threats.

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

• “Everyone says recovery is going well, so I shouldn’t worry about these doubts.”

• “These anxious thoughts are probably just my normal overthinking.”

• “If I voice these concerns, people might think I’m not committed to recovery.”

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

• “My sponsor says I’m doing well, so I don’t need to question anything.”

• “These other people in recovery seem less committed to following the program correctly.”

• “If I start doubting my recovery, it will just create problems where none exist.”

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

• “These problems prove that recovery is more dangerous than I thought.”

• “I need to find the right authority or expert who can tell me what to do.”

• “Everything feels uncertain, and I don’t trust my own judgment about ways to fix it.”

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

• “I can’t make decisions because I don’t know who or what to trust anymore.”

• “If only I had clear guidance from a reliable authority, I could move forward.”

• “I’m anxious about making the wrong choice and ruining everything. It’s paralyzing.”

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

• “Everything feels dangerous and unpredictable, and it’s making me panic.”

• “I can’t think straight because threats seem to be coming from everywhere.”

• “People give conflicting advice and I don’t know who to trust anymore.”

Phase 6: Depression – Severe mood disruption affecting normal functioning

• “Recovery has failed and I have no support system left to trust.”

• “Everything is falling apart and there’s no safe place left in the world.”

• “I’m completely abandoned and vulnerable with no one to protect me.”

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

• “I can’t trust any of these people or programs to actually help me.”

• “I don’t care about following advice when everyone says different things.”

• “Why should I commit to anything when every authority disappoints me?”

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

• “Everyone has abandoned me, and I have no support left.”

• “Maybe substances would help me feel secure and calm again.”

• “I’m lying about being fine when I’m actually terrified and completely alone.”

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

• “I’m terrified and angry that everyone has betrayed and abandoned me.”

• “The only options left are going insane, suicide, or using to feel safe again.”

• “I can’t trust anyone in recovery because they all eventually let me down.”

Phase 10: Acute Relapse Period – Complete functional breakdown

• “I can’t handle the anxiety, and everything feels like a threat.”

• “I’m so exhausted from constantly worrying that I can’t function like a normal person.”

• “Maybe substances would help me feel safe and calm again.”

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

• • “I’ll use carefully according to expert advice about controlled drinking/using.”

  • “If authorities say some people can moderate, maybe I can follow those guidelines.”

  • “This supervised approach to use will help me feel more secure about recovery.”

Releases 

• I NOW RELEASE my fear of being abandoned and alone.

• I NOW RELEASE my self-defeating, self-punishing tendencies.

• I NOW RELEASE all feelings of dread about the future.

• I NOW RELEASE feeling persecuted, trapped, and desperate.

• I NOW RELEASE over-reacting and exaggerating my problems.

• I NOW RELEASE taking out my fears and anxieties on others.

• I NOW RELEASE being suspicious of others and thinking the worst of them.

• I NOW RELEASE feeling inferior and incapable of functioning on my own.

• I NOW RELEASE feeling cowardly and unsure of myself.

• I NOW RELEASE acting “tough” to disguise my insecurities.

• I NOW RELEASE my fear and dislike of those who are different from me.

• I NOW RELEASE blaming others for my own problems and mistakes.

• I NOW RELEASE being evasive and defensive with those who need me.

• I NOW RELEASE my tendency to be negative and complaining.

• I NOW RELEASE my fear of taking responsibility for my mistakes.

• I NOW RELEASE looking to others to make me feel secure.

Affirmations 

• I NOW AFFIRM that I am independent and capable.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I can keep my own identity in groups and in relationships.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I have faith in myself, my talents, and my future.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I meet difficulties with calmness and confidence.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I am secure and able to make the best of whatever comes my way.

• I NOW AFFIRM the kinship I have with every human being.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I am understanding and generous to all who need me.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I act courageously in all circumstances.

• I NOW AFFIRM that I find true authority within me.

• “Maybe uncertainty doesn’t equal danger. Maybe I can trust my own inner wisdom while staying open to guidance.”