All it takes to get started is a phone call—we’re ready to help you or a loved one every step of the way. This is a treatment that first prevents someone from using their substance of choice and then provides information about the harm of using. In other words, success is the blissful absence of all of the devastating consequences of a previous drug or alcohol habit. 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.
Overcoming the Fear of Always Being Sober
When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, the notion of getting clean and then staying sober over the long haul can be frightening. One reason for this is the understandable and very common fear of what being sober feels like. Life in the absence of the self-medicating highs and euphoric escapes that drugs or alcohol once provided can suddenly fear of being sober appear very boring, uneventful, and empty. While this point of view is understandable, it’s also thankfully often misleading and entirely possible to overcome, as a member of FHE Health’s Alumni Program recently shared…. If you’ve developed an identity tied closely to the drug scene, you might fear losing yourself outside that world.
Mental Health Challenges that Drive Addiction
- Clinically, Warren has developed a therapeutic skillset that utilizes a strengths-based perspective, Twelve Step philosophies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
- Often, people with substance use issues will accept that they have a problem but then insist on dealing with it on their own.
- When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, the notion of getting clean and then staying sober over the long haul can be frightening.
- However, exciting opportunities await when rebuilding one’s life after active addiction, such as rebuilding relationships, finding employment, and managing cravings.
- In fact, for many of us returning to use is a reality of recovery.
Besides, judging someone for not drinking alcohol is stupid, and you don’t need to be cool with that person anyway. 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. Besides, once you get to the point where you can attend boozy social functions sober, you’ll see that many people think they’re being charming when in reality, they’re kind of a mess. If your friends don’t want to hang out with you unless you’re drinking, then you know where you stand with each other. Don’t let difficult decisions and conversations with loved ones be the excuse you use to keep drinking alcohol.
Addiction Therapy Programs
- Whether you’re looking for treatment or for aftercare options, we can point you in the right direction.
- There are many ways to create new friendships without drugs and alcohol.
- Today is going to be a failure, but tomorrow!
- Learning healthy coping skills is key when it comes to dealing with the pain and struggles that life sometimes presents.
And don’t worry, your tastes and style are not actually tied to drugs. You’ll find your way, and you’ll be even more you without substances controlling your mind. By seeking professional help, individuals can develop the coping skills and strategies necessary to manage their recovery effectively. This support can empower them to overcome the obstacles of staying sober, rebuild their lives, and achieve long-term sobriety. Understanding the changes in brain chemistry caused by substance use disorder can help motivate individuals to take steps to maintain their sobriety. By closely monitoring these changes and seeking professional help when necessary, individuals can better manage their recovery and overcome the challenges of staying sober.
Once I did get sober (and once I stayed sober for several years) I realized that I was truly becoming the best version of myself. I was the life of the party (for the first time). My fear of being sober finally dissipated, and it seemed like the only way of life that made sense for me. The best way to overcome fear is to walk through it. If you are afraid of always being sober, simply stay sober and you will quickly realize that it isn’t all that bad.
- That may not be obvious since many people cope with their fear by becoming aggressive or disengaged but the fear is there.
- They don’t know when or how, but they trust that it will happen.
- Depending on the severity of your drinking problem and resulting behavior, some bridges may be forever burned.
- You mostly want to quit drinking, but you’re in denial about the big picture problem.
- Here are some common fears in sobriety and what you can do to manage them.
- But if you do choose to talk about your addiction, it’s from a place of taking responsibility for it.
- 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.
SHAFA HOME, offers luxury, residential rehab for all forms of addiction. Contact us for an over-the-phone assessment to see how we can help. Drugs and alcohol remove inhibitions that allow people to act without thinking it over too much.
For example, at least half of people with substance use disorders have a co-occurring mental health issue, although they may not know it. Childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect are very common among people with substance use issues. 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 want to be around you. The truth is they probably already know you have a problem. And if they care about you, they will support your choice to get help.
This suggests that detox is an important step in the recovery process. 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.
That was before I knew anything about being sober. I think many people make this assumption before they even try sobriety. 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.
What Are Some Lesser-Known Signs of Addiction?
This is a condition where individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms long after detoxification. It’s important to be aware of this so that you can take the necessary steps to manage your recovery. They can be facilitated by a professional or casual, and they strive to assist members in managing their situations and enhancing their mental health.