Seven Common Fears in Recovery and Why Sobriety Is Still Worth It Promises Behavioral Health
I’ve spent the last seven years researching and understanding alcoholism, addiction, and how people get sober. Additionally, I examine the way mental and physical health as well as our relationships with others impact the reasons people drink and their role in maintaining sobriety long-term. Sobriety and abstinence are terms frequently encountered in discussions about addiction recovery and mental well-being. While often used interchangeably, each carries distinct implications that extend beyond the mere absence of substance use. Sobriety encompasses a broader commitment to actions and behaviors that support overall health, whereas abstinence focuses solely on the cessation of substance use.
Finding Happiness in Sobriety
People who are successful with their sobriety find ways to keep themselves busy. It’s through that process that many people start to forgive themselves and see the value they can bring to the world. Take the time to work with us over the next few weeks. The Ranch at Dove Tree offers the resources you need no matter what your current fears and concerns are.
Fear in Recovery Isn’t Insurmountable
If you’ve spent the last umpteen years being THAT girl or guy, partying hard, struggling through the days hungover, and doing it all again – sobriety means an entirely new identity. It sounds like a weird thing to be afraid of, but it’s very real. It’s the whole, “You mean I can never drink ever again?! ” Let your brain marinate https://sober-house.net/dandruff-diagnosis-and-treatment/ on words like forever, and you’ll set yourself right up for failure. 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.
When the Fear of Being Sober Means Facing Emotion
Plenty of sober activities can be just as fun as drinking or using drugs. However, it is important to remember that sobriety is not something to be afraid of. Sobriety can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Sobriety can help you to improve your health, your relationships, and your overall quality of life.
Are You Afraid to Be Sober? Common Fears You’ll Face Through Recovery
Mindfulness can help individuals recognize and cope with triggers, reduce stress, and enhance emotional regulation, all of which are vital in sustaining sobriety. While you’re in active 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. And, when going to rehab demands stepping back from your life for a temporary period of time in order to focus on getting well, recovery can seem more like regression than moving forward. 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.
- Milestones in sobriety (e.g., 24 hours, a month, three months) are celebrated to recognize the incredible hard work that’s been accomplished through staying sober for a certain length of time.
- Instead of being afraid that you won’t recognize yourself, look at it as an opportunity.
- Thankfully, things don’t usually turn out that way.
- And, to be frank, many times that reality is downright hard to swallow.
More Commonly Mispronounced Words
After months or years of being fixated on drugs and alcohol, who are you if you arent an addict? These are some of the most difficult questions in recovery, and the answers may change over time. With friends, if they aren’t on board with your sobriety, you’ll have some tough choices ahead. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about it until you’ve got some solid, sober days under your belt. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life. Develop a daily or weekly routine that includes check-ins with your support network, attendance at support group meetings, and dedicated time for self-care practices.
We all have to go through it, but the AMAZING thing is that you’ll end up with really powerful connections with the people you choose to keep around. If you feel numb, like you’re in a fog, or have nothing going on – this is possibly one of the reasons. And it wasn’t choosing a drug rehab addiction program just the cute little forgetful moments when you walk into a room and immediately forget why you’re there. Learn that you have choices and that you can maintain control. If any area of your life is out of control, it will not help you maintain lasting sobriety.
The process can be uncomfortable, particularly for someone who is afraid of feeling in general. Staying stuck in this fear generally means staying stuck in addiction. Dealing with setbacks or relapses is a common part of the recovery process. It’s important to view these events not as failures but as opportunities for learning and growth. If you experience a setback, take the time to analyze what led to the relapse and discuss it with your support network or therapist to understand the triggers involved. Strengthening your coping strategies and possibly adjusting your recovery plan can help prevent future setbacks.
Even people for whom alcohol is not a problem experience this. If you’ve typically required a little social lubricant to lighten up at parties https://sober-house.org/how-to-make-yourself-pee-9-remedies-and-techniques/ (as many of us have), navigating social scenes without liquid courage can be scary. This is particularly true for the introverted among us.
I wish I could promise that if you don’t drink for four months or six months or twelve, then you’ll have reached some magical number where all your hopes and dreams come true. There is a quiet ferocity that comes with quitting alcohol. The world is so much bigger when you’re sober, and you feel emboldened to grab your slice of it. I used to be an easy target for abusers and gaslighting. Because I was a mental and emotional wreck with no sense of self-worth, it was easy to take advantage of me.
