Drinking or using drugs doesn’t make the pain of any of this go away — at best you may numb your feelings, but they’re still there when you sober up. Grief and loss are painful, but using doesn’t help it just prolongs the agony. It’s only natural to fear judgment, scrutiny, rejection, or just a lack of understanding and acceptance should you speak up about sobriety.
Is it possible to be afraid of recovering from addiction?
All of which are just some of the many reasons why being sober far outweighs being addicted to drugs or alcohol. If you haven’t felt what sobriety feels like, you can. It’s never too late to start feeling better, by stepping into that happier future and discovering and falling in love with the happy, whole, successful, more connected person you are when sober. The promise of sobriety is that “the way I feel stone-cold sober, even on my worst days ever … I would never trade to feel the effects of a drug and drink again,” our alumna said. She said anyone can have the same experience being sober.
- The ones that might are your drinking and drug buddies.
- By focusing on evidence-based treatments and addressing the mind, body, and soul, we provide a foundation for lasting recovery.
- SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Fear of Rejection from Loved Ones
- A common misconception of rehab is that by following the rules and going along with the program, you will be abandoning yourself and turning into a mindless drone.
- Depending on the type of dependency, PAWS can last from six months to two years after you stop using drugs or alcohol.
- Thinking back to before I was sober, I usually had to drink to be around people.
- Some people manage to get there faster than others, but it’s not a competition.
- Otherwise, it may be best to avoid the conversation altogether.
- “Creating a safe emotional space often starts with creating a safe physical space,” says Elder.
Finding happiness in sobriety is a process that takes time but is totally achievable with the right daily supports, priorities, and commitments. While you’re in active fear of being sober addiction, the life you imagine without drugs seems awful. Sobriety seems like a lot of hard work, boring, and downright miserable—not to mention impossible.
Sobriety Fatigue: Why You Feel Exhausted After Quitting Drinking
- We often say to our clients, “don’t take temporary for permanent.” Newly sober individuals often have a really tough time with this concept.
- Some people who move from a controlled and protective setting find themselves awash in the environmental cues that lead to their drinking.
- Some will certainly remain, but even those aren’t necessarily long-game friendships.
- Right now, you’re freaking out about some hypothetical future social life because sobriety is a big change, and that little liquor demon in your brain is trying to talk you out of it.
Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery is helpful for keeping you motivated and reminding you why you took this brave step toward sobriety in the first place. Just be sure that your rewards don’t involve drugs or alcohol. Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle. Nifaliophobia is an anxiety disorder focused on sobriety and the fears related to facing a life without alcohol or drugs. This may include worries about losing social connections or coping with life’s stresses unaided.
Once you recognize and accept that you’re afraid, you can begin to address the underlying causes with specific strategies. Educating yourself about the benefits of sobriety and the recovery process can demystify what sobriety entails and help alleviate some of the fear. Reaching out for support — whether to friends, family, or professionals like therapists or support groups — can provide the encouragement and guidance needed to take further steps toward sobriety. Another common fear in recovery you will face is the fear of relapse. While relapse is seen as a normal part of sobriety, it can be a major blow to your health and confidence. In fact, 40 to 60 percent of individuals who have received treatment for substance abuse relapse sometime in their lives.
How to Cope with a Fear of Sobriety
But seeking a professional opinion on where to get started can help alleviate and address your particular fears. That being said, you might not be at a place where you want people to know you’re not drinking, and that’s OK. You can provide an excuse, like that you’re on antibiotics, or you aren’t feeling great or want to feel fresh for something you have going on the next day.
How To Stay Sober When Everyone Is Drinking
Sobriety, or being sober, can be defined as the state of not being intoxicated. In the fields of addiction and mental health treatment, sobriety typically refers to a person’s decision to maintain abstinence from substance use. Sobriety often, but not always, follows a period of problematic use or addiction. Natasha first sought sobriety when she was 26 years old.
When Outpatient Addiction Treatment is a Good Option
One major fear in recovery is the fear of actually being sober. Without the crutch of drugs and alcohol, you actually need to face your issues and problems head on. While it may be tempting to escape through the use https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of substances, sobriety is an excellent time to find ways to overcome obstacles through healthy coping skills and problem solving. Everyone has their own personal relationship to alcohol and certain substances.
Common Fears About Getting Sober and How To Face Them
