6 Common Fears in Addiction Recovery and How to Face Them

28 Settembre 2021

You’ve got history, but you’ve also got baggage. If a booked social calendar is important to you, you’ll find ways to be proactive and realign what you do to fit your new lifestyle. What is the point of sobriety if you let yourself wallow in self-doubt and pity? I don’t believe you really feel that way because otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. You know, deep down, that you can and should have a better life. The more you scratch it, the worse it’s going to get.

  • There is no denying that upon getting sober you will see some of your friends leave.
  • So if you’ve hidden your addiction well up until now, that’s not going to last.
  • The good news is that after getting treatment for drug or alcohol addiction and going through recovery, most people realize that their reasons for not getting sober aren’t valid.
  • See your doctor or a mental health professional if you fear and avoid normal social situations because they cause embarrassment, worry or panic.

Other anxiety disorders and certain other mental health disorders, particularly major depressive disorder and substance abuse problems, often occur with social anxiety disorder. Many people who suffer from social anxiety use drinking as a coping mechanism. This may work temporarily because alcohol is a depressant and a sedative, but ultimately it can pave the way towards alcohol addiction, and possibly worsen anxiety. According to Healthline, about 20% of people with social anxiety disorder also suffer from alcohol dependence.

It’s Time to Talk About Your Worries

Some people might believe it’s so simple it can’t help, while others understand how deep the practice can become. The best part about meditation is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. You start anywhere, with whatever you have – on the floor, with background noise, and closed eyes. If you have a smartphone, I recommend downloading the Insight Timer app.

fear of being sober

Just keep in mind that your improvements won’t happen overnight. People in recovery from a substance use disorder frequently have problems meeting work-related responsibilities, maintaining employment, and managing money. If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems. You may also need to change your route to work or home in order to avoid any triggers, or people, places, or things that make you want to use drugs or drink again. Worried that they may be abandoned by the people they love or judged by others, some people refuse to admit that they have a drug problem or reach out to others for support. Yet without taking these steps, there can be no recovery.

How to Cope with a Fear of Sobriety

Seeking help from an addiction treatment centre is also a good way to increase your chances of getting and staying sober long term. It really does not matter whose voice it is; part of us often feels that our freedom is under attack, which leads to an instinct to restore that lost sense of freedom. Do you remember the first time you were forced to set a limit on something you enjoyed? I vividly recall the disappointment I felt when my grandma told me I could not have ice cream all day. If you are trying to cut down on alcohol, you may relate. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.

When you’re sober, you’ll be able to form more meaningful, long-term friendships that aren’t based on alcohol-based interactions. This way, it is clear that even if you do not succeed at first, giving sobriety a try is the best thing to do. You can also get help from an addiction treatment fear of being sober center like- Serenity Falls, to improve your chances of getting and staying sober for a long time. The good news is that after getting treatment for drug or alcohol addiction and going through recovery, most people realize that their reasons for not getting sober aren’t valid.

The key to long-lasting sobriety.

It’s not surprising that many people are afraid of failure. I believe it’s part of the human condition to fear failing at anything. Fear of relapse can keep us drinking for a long time. But the truth is, making mistakes is part of the human condition as well. We are all flawed and it’s not realistic to think we will be perfect, even at sobriety.

So don’t allow anyone to make you feel that way. This is the hard part, but it’s also the most rewarding. When you do start to deal with your problems in healthier ways (and you will), you are going to feel completely transformed and unstoppable. You will have strong days when you feel like you can take on the world. And you will have days when every minute feels like a struggle. Another common fear in sobriety is that you’ll wind up alone because no one will want to hang out with you.