I’ve found myself watching too much news lately and feel the anxiety climbing. It makes me feel like what’s the point of sobriety with all that is going on. How do I escape this cycle?
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Too much news, indeed. I learned early in my recovery that it's okay and even necessary to know when to step away from the media mosh pit. This includes doomscrolling social media as well. Bottom line for me is that if I am seeking out or even passively letting into my head the external chaos that does nothing but get me spun out, I am volunteering to abandon my serenity. No thank you, ya know? What I allow in my head is my choice. There's a saying in tech circles: GIGO, which stands for Garbage In; Garbage Out. As an alternative, I find great satisfaction in being of service to my local recovery community. Hope this helps.
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Dive into acceptance. Sometimes that's difficult but it really is about accepting things you can't change. Your one person do what you can to make your life great regardless of what the news is saying
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wow! can i ever relate to this Aaron. i don’t want to make any social commentary as i don’t believe politics has a place in your thread, however i have a friend who constantly tried to send me negative news. it got to the point where i had to actually raise my voice because he was so obsessed with a story that he completely got engulfed with it and ignored my multiple requests to stop talking about it. i wasn’t angry, but i had to stop that train by force - which is the point i wanted to share with you if i may humbly do. once you get on the train momentum and inertia will carry you as far in any direction as you will allow it. letting the news into your life to the point where it’s unhealthy, in my opinion, is no different than allowing a person to abuse you in any other way. what i have dine is put a wall of stone up. only I am allowed to decide what gets programmed into my head (for the most part). it doesn’t mean i don’t watch the news, i just watch it when i’m feeling strong enough to do so and in doses i am comfortable with handling. some would call this avoidant (and i’m nit denying it is), but is avoiding drinking paint thinner really a bad thing either? 
as another friend of mine so eloquently put it “when there is something truly important in your life, you will know it.” be strong brother. human drama is one of the most addictive things out there. put your guard up if you need to and don’t worry if people judge you. wash your own brain! congrats on admitting this. i think you made a huge step forward for yourself on your path to heal anxiety and existential dread, both of which any drug can cause! 
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Couldn’t agree more. I often do a media fast. 1 week with no media of any kind. I also unplug any time I get to go hiking.
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Acceptance is great for dealing with things I cannot control.
I as a rule have begun avoiding the news. Like you said the train gets momentum it is hard to stop. Honestly the only news I have had over the last two days is from friends who struggle with anxiety. It is sometimes better to not know.
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The real challenge is to accept what you can and cannot change. Think local and maybe volunteer some time helping your community. You can't change the world but you can change the world around you
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Aaron, I totally understand what you’re saying. I live with my dad. He watches TV 16-20 hours a day. From news to sports. I can see the effects first hand when he watches the news. The anxiety and fear are on high alert. I can even see the results of this in his body weight. Big stomach and skinny legs. That’s from the extra boost of cortisol! And a few other factors in his lifestyle.
I’m not judging my dad, I’m actually observing and taking notes on how and what my recovery is all about. For me there is more to it then just not doing drugs. It’s about finding balance in life. There’s nothing wrong with watching tv, just not to let it consume your life. And learning what’s going in the material world is a good way to help reinforce the spiritual world. Balance our lives. To live a more peaceful life.
Stay sober my friend
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I feel that! I have a news “diet” and consume 10 minutes of print and 30 minutes of radio news in the morning and maybe an hour at the end of the work day. I mix in podcasts, audiobooks, music and other things that bring me joy instead of stress. Balance with meditation, yoga. Good luck!