Fear is the biggest barrier to change, even if that change is for the better and will improve our lives. There is no doubt that getting sober is a daunting prospect — it’s terrifying. Whether it’s taking up a sport, diving into arts and crafts, or learning to play a musical instrument, new hobbies can provide a sense of achievement and distraction from cravings. Once ethanol molecules have hijacked neuroreceptors to create a chemical dependency, AUD patients feel like they could die unless they drink, fear of being sober but this is neurochemical instead of irrational. It’s often a complex combination of these and even underlying health conditions that can contribute to anxiety.
- These tools help manage stress, reduce cravings, and foster resilience.
- They cover up all of that “stuff” that happened that you don’t want to deal with.
- I lost my brother, I moved to another country, I left AA, I bought a house, and I started a new career as a writer working for myself — all incredibly stressful events and circumstances.
- With the help of a medical professional, you can safely detox from drugs and alcohol without worrying about withdrawal symptoms.
- Participating in regular sessions can help you maintain focus on recovery and address any emerging issues before they become significant obstacles.
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Without drugs and alcohol, it may seem hard to manage symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, or past trauma. This may include worries about losing social connections or coping with life’s stresses unaided. This fear may manifest as an intense and persistent anxiety. It’s okay to be uneasy when you’re getting your sealegs with living sober. Triggers and cravings can be a constant concern in the early stages of sobriety, but be brave.
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- Similarly, there are many people who drink and use drugs because they feel more fun, daring, likable, and interesting when under the influence.
- Recovery.com combines independent research with expert guidance on addiction and mental health treatment.
- There are realistic strategies to help you overcome fear and take the steps to sobriety.
This is the most common fear a substance abuser might have. If one has abused substances for a long time, that has become their norm. To change that will be difficult but is also entirely possible. 12-step programs and sober meditation groups provide a community of others in the same position who can provide support. Helping the person of concern understand that an entire community of others in various states of recovery is a great to counteract the idea that sobriety is “too hard”.
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These professionals are trained to help you understand the underlying causes of addiction, such as trauma, co-occurring mental health conditions, or unhealthy coping mechanisms. Nifaliophobia refers to an anxiety disorder that revolves around the fear of sobriety. Individuals experiencing this fear often struggle with intense anxiety regarding the prospect of living a life without alcohol or drugs. Symptoms can include feelings of isolation, worries about emotional struggles, and anxiety about losing social connections that may have revolved around substance use.
Shift Your Mindset
Your recovery network, if utilized properly, can give you access to many individuals from all walks of life who genuinely understand your ailments and your accomplishments in sobriety. Find a group of individuals that uplift you and make you feel good about your recovery. The people you surround yourself with and reach out to can be an incredible support to you during this journey and the opportunities for new friendships and new fun is limitless. Healthy relationships, a regular practice of gratitude, finding your purpose, and living in the moment are marijuana addiction some of the components of recovery that enrich the good feelings of sobriety.
But beyond the comfort of the substances themselves, the fear of what sobriety is and how it feels on a daily basis can keep many from engaging. It is common for substance abusers to believe that drugs and/or alcohol keep them creative or on an even keel. They are often oblivious to the colossal damage being done to their lives by their dependence on substances or, in other cases, just ambivalent. Many people fear emotional pain because drugs often masked feelings like sadness, anger, or shame.
Building a Supportive Network
Therapy plays a fundamental role in navigating fears related to sobriety. Engaging with professionals can help individuals process emotions and develop coping strategies. Likewise, support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, create a sense of community and shared experience, essential in tackling fears together. Lastly, getting sober can be a scary thought if you don’t want to feel the pain of your problems. Without the numbing effects of drugs or alcohol, many addicts worry about the potential for living a life in constant emotional pain.
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The fear of failure can be so overwhelming that it discourages people from fully committing to the recovery https://www.paslanmazbayrakdiregi.com.tr/alcoholic-neuropathy-a-lesser-known-yet-dangerous-2/ process. They might be afraid to try because they’re terrified of what it would mean if they didn’t succeed. Additionally, facing emotions and trauma that are masked by substance use is daunting. Recovery requires confronting deep-seated pain and emotions that may have been avoided for years.
Understanding these fears and learning strategies to overcome them is pivotal in taking steps towards a healthier life. This can relate to picking up the pieces after detox, but it also has to do with what you know and feel comfortable with in your daily life. A life of drugs and alcohol feels normal because that’s what you’ve focused on for so long. It’s not uncommon, then, to be afraid of what life will be like without these substances to help you to manage stress, family members and other challenges.
