The fear of a life without drugs was horrifying to me, simply because it was untraveled territory. Another common fear in recovery is rejection from friends and family. You may think that your loved ones will think less of you or not fear of being sober want to be around you. The truth is they probably already know you have a problem.
How to Manage Anxiety During Recovery
Some people may find that wearable devices and smartphone apps can support their recovery from alcohol use disorder. Biosensors monitor physical changes, detect alcohol use, and identify relapse risk. Studies suggest digital health options can improve access to care for some of the 15 million people experiencing alcohol use disorder each year. There are common setbacks to getting and staying sober like withdrawal, craving, and pressure https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-long-does-cocaine-stay-in-your-system/ to use.
- First, it’s important to educate yourself about sobriety.
- These are some of the most difficult questions in recovery, and the answers may change over time.
- I was afraid of sobriety because I was afraid that I was going to be boring and dull – that no one would like me anymore.
Fear of change
By exploring healthy living during rehab, you will find it much easier to carry on with these positive habits in your regular life. Nifaliophobia, or the fear of being sober, manifests as a significant and persistent fear related to the absence of alcohol or drugs from your life. Maybe you’re ready—you’re practically desperate—to get sober and to change your life. The idea of getting sober in rehab only to relapse on the outside is a frightening thought. What you should know is that almost all addicts seeking help have relapses. Most will stumble, but that doesn’t mean failure.
- With that understood, you can begin to move forward with working towards recovery again.
- Get over your fear of being sober by facing it head on.
- Addiction still involves a high degree of stigma.
Getting Sober Comes with a Tidal Wave of Anxiety
- 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.
- Look what I’ve done to my life.” This is a very common thought process.
- They cover up all of that “stuff” that happened that you don’t want to deal with.
- To overcome this, you can practice acceptance and turn your worries over to your higher power or the collective wisdom of a higher counsel such as your sponsor or an AA or NA group.
- This can include meeting people in support groups, adopting new hobbies, going to classes that interest you and pursuing a new career path.
- This article will describe sobriety in more detail, the challenges a person faces while working to stay sober, the options for treatment, and tips for building a sober lifestyle.
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. These groups provide a platform to share experiences, gain insights, and receive unconditional support. 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. While sobriety is well worth the effort required to achieve it, choosing sobriety is a significant endeavor that requires courage, difficult conversations, and significant life changes. So for some people, sobriety can be a bit scary.
Scared of Being Sober: Why Is Sobriety So Hard?
Second, it’s essential to reach out to a support system. If you have friends or family members who are sober, they can be a great source of support and information. Additionally, there are many different sober support groups that you can join. These groups can give you the support and encouragement needed to overcome your fears. If you’re worried about what other people will think if you become sober, then it’s likely that you’re scared of becoming sober.
The prospect of changing your habits completely can, indeed, seem quite daunting. However, addiction treatment involves support in this respect. During rehab, you can take up fitness classes, as well as engage in meditation, yoga, cooking, nutrition classes and art.
Then, the first few weeks of sobriety are when relapse risk is highest. Detox can occur in a hospital setting or as the first part of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. It’s crucial to have a plan for challenging moments. Aside from identifying triggers and practicing coping mechanisms, it also means having people to reach out to in times of temptation. Understanding situations, people, or emotions that trigger both anxiety and substance use cravings is crucial.
