Let me begin by saying that I believe our lives can become "unmanageable" from time to time and the resulting frustration, anxiety, etc., can have a direct and compounding negative impact upon both the quality of our lives and our ability to handle challenges. However, let me also say that I believe that, through the innate power of choice, we possess the ability to "manage" our affairs in such a way as to minimize and even eliminate periods of "unmanageability."
"Unmanageability" can be considered a state that results from having too few resources to accommodate the requirements of our life's choices at the moment. For instance, in financial matters we may speak of having "too much month at the end of the money" or in time management matters we may speak of not having enough hours in the day to do what "needs" to be done. An "overload" condition exists. So how does one manage the unmanageable? Basically, by reducing "demand" and establishing priorities as addressed in the two illustrations below.
For those familiar with the concepts of electrical power distribution one may apply the concept of vital and non-vital circuits and the principle of "load shedding" to their lives. Essentially, one decides which activities/requirements are vital to one's existence and which activities are marginal or even negative in their overall contribution (non-vital). Subsequently, when one is unable to cope (manage) with the full complement of life's activities then one starts "load shedding" (eliminating) activities until demand no longer exceeds your ability to manage.
The second illustration draws upon the medical concept of triage as applied in disaster control. Basically, one separates the demands upon their resources (time, energy, finances, etc.) into three categories: 1) Those demands that are beyond your capability to meet at present (lack of time, energy, knowledge, etc.), 2) Those that require your immediate attention in order to avoid negative consequences (and for which you possess the necessary "resources") and 3) Those that do not require your immediate attention. Just the simple act of starting to categorize resource demands is an act of managing the previously "unmanageable." It should be obvious that energies should be directed toward those demands in category 2 so as to receive a double benefit. First, something that needs to be done will be done and secondly confidence and a sense of accomplishment will develop which will provide encouragement and energy for tackling additional demands. The assistance of an objective "helper" (I suggest first contacting the church shepherds) can be of great benefit in the prioritization process.
The concept of management of one's affairs is addressed in scripture with specific requirements levied on prospective elders and deacons. Specifically, an elder "must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?);" (1 Timothy 3:4-5) and deacons must be "good managers of their children and their own households." (1 Timothy 3:12). The point being that management of one's affairs is both possible and expected.
The concept of "counting the cost" is also addressed in scripture in terms of not taking on a project without first determining if you have the capability of and determination for successful completion. For instance, in Luke 14:27-32 we read "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace."
From a somewhat different perspective, 12 step organizations often use the phrase "Let go and let God" when addressing management of one's affairs. While the phrase certainly has Biblical congruity if applied to the concept of subordinating self will to God's will (Matthew 26:39, etc.) the phrase is often expressed in terms of taking a passive stance and expecting God to do all the work to achieve some stated end. The Son's commandment is to not be anxious about earthly affairs (Matthew 6:19-34 and Luke 12:22-34) and the promise of the Father is a peace that surpasses all comprehension if we but submit our requests to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). We also have the assurance that wisdom will be granted if we ask (James 1:5). In essence, we are talking about matters of faith (Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; Hebrews 11:1, 6 and James 1:6). However, an alive faith is an active, not a passive faith (James 2:26) and God expects us to back up our faith with action (Galatians 5:6; Hebrews chapter 11; James 2:14-26 and 1 John 3:17-18). Consequently, we must be careful to do our part in meeting God's expectations (1 John 2:3-6, 5:3) and not expect God to do our work for us (Luke 17:7-10).
Now what does all this have to do with alcohol and/or substance abuse? Quite simply, the practice of such may (but not necessarily always will) use up our resources (time, energy, money, emotions, etc.) to the extent that we cannot accommodate all the demands placed upon us (we reach unmanageability). The "light at the end of the tunnel" is that through the God given power of choice we can exercise management control over many of our activities and "obligations" to the extent that we can achieve some degree of equilibrium. Certainly, inner peace is available from God through prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), we can rely upon the Helper (John 14:16, 16:7) and we have strengthening Christian fellowship (Galatians 6:2). Most fundamentally, eliminate (repent) from a root cause (alcohol and/or substance abuse) of the problem.