5 Tips to Help You Overcome the Fear of Being Sober

Our brains are hard-wired to become uncomfortable in the face of the unknown. Simply the anticipation of a potentially unpleasant or stressful circumstance causes the brain to go into flight or fight mode. And since fear is always about something that might or could happen but hasn’t happened yet, it is a reaction to an imagined, rather than a real, event. If you’ve typically required a little social lubricant to lighten up at parties (as many of us have), navigating social scenes without liquid courage can be scary.

Reduce the amount of time you spend with those people, in those places, or doing those activities. For example, instead of a happy hour with coworkers, suggest going out for lunch instead. If you always meet your college buddies at a bar, suggest a hike, pick-up basketball game, yoga, or pickleball. It may also be helpful to remove alcohol from your home.

  • Spending mental energy on things you cannot possibly know is useless.
  • Worrying about it constantly will only strengthen your fears and lessen your resolve to do anything.
  • Within weeks, Heredia and the governor stood with tribal leaders and law enforcement officials to announce a sweeping investigation into fraudulent facilities.
  • People in the house found him unresponsive 45 minutes later, police said.
  • Ahealthierphilly also reserves the right to temporarily or permanently discontinue this website, any page or any functionality at any time and without any notice.

When Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Begin?

You’ll see that the anxiety-sobriety paradox is part of the healing process – how you get better before you feel better. Many individuals facing alcohol and drug addiction have https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ developed a lifestyle around their addiction. Everything they do – day in and day out – focuses on that next hit, drink, or high.

How can education and self-care support long-term recovery?

When thoughts of failure come to mind it’s enough to make anyone start to worry. Don’t think about them think of ways to stay sober then the worries disappears from your mind. They are no longer a part of our lives so leave them alone. I don’t understand where fear fits in with sobriety for me the fears were finally gone and never returned.

  • With friends, if they aren’t on board with your sobriety, you’ll have some tough choices ahead.
  • If you’re ready to overcome your fear of being sober, reach out to Eudaimonia Recovery Homes.
  • Navigate common detox symptoms and learn how to ease discomfort and maximize health benefits.
  • Additionally, pursue an addiction treatment center that prioritizes relapse prevention.
  • The idea of getting sober in rehab only to relapse on the outside is a frightening thought.

Is a New Mississippi Law Decreasing Jailings of People Awaiting Mental Health Treatment? The State Doesn’t Know.

fear of being sober

But even if it’s not medically necessary, it can make a difference on getting you through the detox successfully. In a medical detox, a specialized drug team will be with you all of the way. They will provide you with round-the-clock care and supervision, ensuring that your physical and mental health is in good shape. Also, your treatment center’s team will be able to provide you with the most effective medication to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be intense, but with the right kind of treatment, you will find it much more manageable to deal with withdrawals than you imagined. The fear of being sober is a very common fear in recovery.

How to start a sober curious lifestyle

You might have these common fears about getting sober, but the benefits greatly outweigh the risks. I had myself convinced that my drinking was just like everyone else’s and therefore I didn’t have a problem. I surrounded myself with people that drank and used just like I did. I truly thought I was just the fun party girl who only socialized and drank alcohol. I thought just because I didn’t drink in the morning and at times would go a few days without booze, that alcohol was a non-issue for me. This prevented me from being able to see that I had a dangerous relationship with booze.

First, incorporating relapse prevention skills into daily routines is crucial. This involves identifying personal triggers such as stress, loneliness, or specific social situations that may heighten cravings. Once these triggers are recognized, individuals can create proactive strategies to manage them, such as developing a plan to address these situations versus avoiding them.

How to build a support system for sobriety

The Hobbs administration began to grasp the scope of the fraud scheme in the weeks that followed, said Christian Slater, the governor’s spokesperson. But he was also angry with the sober living home owner. Anders Hustito last heard from his son on Christmas. Jeffrey Hustito was upset about not getting to see the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals play that day, even though he believed his behavioral health provider planned to give him tickets. His family said they sent him money for the game, only for him to learn he was being disciplined and wouldn’t attend the game after all. At AHCCCS, staff received news in March of a death inside a residential treatment program, Adams said.

fear of being sober

It just means that you have to get up and try again. Working with a support group and a sponsor after you leave rehab is a great way to keep your sobriety intact. Additionally, pursue an addiction treatment center that prioritizes relapse prevention. You’ll know you will be taught the tools to prevent a relapse and to deal with one if you do relapse. At the same time, records show, the human toll of the crisis was escalating. At least five people died in sober living homes in April 2023 from drug and alcohol use, medical examiner records show.

When you take that away, even when you know it is for the best, you are opening the door to all types of risks. And, to be frank, many times that reality is downright hard to swallow. Furthermore, facing the possibility of relapse can create a cycle of fear that hinders recovery efforts. As outlined, common fears encompass aspects of failure, change, success, and the unknowns related to a sober lifestyle. Recognizing and addressing these fears is vital for progress, helping individuals not only to initiate recovery but also to sustain it.

As you settle into your new, substance-free life, things will calm down; the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial discomfort. So hang in there as, eventually, the anxiety fades, and what’s left is a clearer, more peaceful version of you. That’s the promise of sobriety, and it’s one worth keeping.

In others, it is the natural human instinct to worry about the unknown. Discover yoga for recovery benefits, from improved strength to stress relief, and enhance your healing journey. Explore the feeling of gratitude in recovery and its powerful ripple effect on addiction healing and relationships.

Grief and loss are painful, but using doesn’t help sober house it just prolongs the agony. For example, why are some people afraid of scary movies or roller coasters? In the mind, there is a negative, high-risk situation here. Scary movies often involve gore and death – both topics most people fear. Explore vital addiction recovery support systems that empower individuals to thrive on their path to healing.

I would much rather fail and keep trying than stay stuck on a one-way path to destruction. And worrying about what others may think if you return to use is outside of your control. You focus on you and the people who are supposed to be in your life will support you along the way. People you love will die, you will move, you may experience the end of a relationship, and you may even lose your job. 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.

While the fear of relapse is a common companion along the recovery journey, it does not have to dictate the trajectory of one’s life. By understanding and addressing these fears through structured strategies, supported by robust community and personalized self-care, individuals can reclaim power over their recovery process. Every step taken towards acknowledging fears and learning new coping mechanisms is a step towards lasting sobriety and a healthier life. Embracing this path with informed optimism can transform fear into a tool for empowerment, making it a pillar of strength rather than a source of anxiety.


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