We use alcohol to cover up our pain and our problems. We use drugs to numb ourselves and our emotions and to push off thinking for another day. But when we no longer have those devices at our disposal, we’re left with only our minds, our willpower and our inner strength to carry us through the hard times. We’re forced to think and analyze our problems, to come up with solutions, and in doing so we may fail or make mistakes. But that’s how we grow and learn, and how we learn to cope better when the next challenge presents itself.
These are personal feelings, not necessarily those within the organization. Letting other people down is a common fear even if you don’t have close bonds with others. You may feel that way about an employer, for example. In these situations, recognize what it means to you, how long does cymbalta withdrawal last personally, to recover. While it’s easy to focus on what other people think, it’s more important to recognize the opportunities that are presented to you when you improve your dependency.
Now that you are sober, you may have discovered that some of your past relationships were not only unhealthy but downright toxic. It’s not just your drinking buddies and drug dealers who can get you into trouble—sometimes those who are closest to you can contribute to a relapse. Yes, meditation and mindfulness can be beneficial in managing the fear of being sober.
- The great thing about sobriety is that it enables you to find joy in things you previously took for granted, like eating a delicious meal or playing with your two-year-old daughter or niece.
- Sober movements are redefining what it means to have fun and challenging alcohol’s role in our social lives.
- Even people for whom alcohol is not a problem experience this.
- Educate your family about your challenges and what you need from them so they know how to support you.
- After months or years of being fixated on drugs and alcohol, who are you if you arent an addict?
Stay Cool and Calm
Sobriety means having to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves and others and having to stand up and be who we are. We may have to face all kinds of adversities and personal challenges while we come clean. The first thing is that sobriety can be a really hard thing to face for a lot of addicts. There’s the chance that they might not make it through it, they could fail, and relapse prevention and the five rules of recovery then there’s the pressure to succeed.
Schedule regular meetings with a professional to maintain focus on recovery
Perhaps you’ve relapsed before, and now you’re worried it will happen again. In this situation, it’s important to be truthful with yourself. It hurts to think of what you have given up or lost for drugs and alcohol. Developing a structured routine can help a person stick to their sobriety goals, make healthy decisions, and reduce the likelihood of triggers and relapse. Establishing a routine with regular sleep and support group attendance can reduce stress and help you stay sober. Early sobriety may come with feelings of fatigue and the stress of dealing with challenges (people, places, and things that stimulate the urge to use).
Sobriety Fear #11 You’ll never be able to fix your mistakes.
You may be able to fix some of what’s lost and damaged. This can include toxic relationships in which you feel unheard, misunderstood, unsupported, demeaned, unsafe, and/or attacked. The related stress may increase the risk of relapse. You may again seek out the people and situations that support your alcohol use. Some people who move from a controlled and protective setting find themselves awash in the environmental cues that lead to their drinking.
Practice and plan your responses so that you feel confident and prepared in these environments. The fear of getting sober is more common than we may think. Of course, on the surface, asking if there is such a thing as a fear of being sober might seem like a rhetorical question. Non-addicts may proclaim, “Of course addicts should want to get sober—why wouldn’t they?
Such symptoms are often related to mood and may include irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and fatigue. With your support network, mark milestones in your sobriety, whether they’re days, weeks, months, or years. Celebrating addiction recovery art these achievements can boost your morale and reinforce the value of your efforts toward sobriety. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, or other local sobriety support groups offer a community of people who are going through similar challenges.
Everybody is a little scared when they first get sober. Your job is to recognize the fears for what they are – little lies we tell ourselves to keep from changing. Sometimes our fears are logical, but mostly they are not. You’ll have some tough days, but they are temporary.
Plus, learn why it can be so beneficial for your own recovery journey to share your story. If these emotions become excessive, they can hold you back from recovery. If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly.
Sharing struggles with alcohol and drug use with loved ones can create opportunities to improve relationships and gain support in the recovery process,” she adds. 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.
If you are struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, don’t let the fear of being sober and reclaiming your life stop you. Instead, work with our skilled team to learn how to overcome this pain for good. They cover up all of that “stuff” that happened that you don’t want to deal with. But, being sober commonly causes people to fear that pain coming back. But you can deal with it and prevent it from hurting you any longer. One common mistake for those who are new to alcohol and drug recovery is substituting a new compulsive behavior for their old one.
Depending on how deeply ingrained alcohol is in your life, you may be staring down an entire life makeover. Every day, week, and month that you let slip by without tackling your drinking problem is time you can’t get back and more damage you must undo. Here are some common fears in sobriety and what you can do to manage them.
A structured routine will help you achieve other goals in your life, whether they are short-term (like being on time for work) or long-term (like going back to school and changing careers). Educate your family about your challenges and what you need from them so they know how to support you. Family therapy sessions can also be beneficial, helping to improve communication and resolve any underlying issues that may impact your sobriety. Start by identifying friends and family members who understand your journey to sobriety and are willing to help you through it. It’s important to choose people who are nonjudgmental and encouraging, rather than those who might inadvertently lead you back into old habits.