6 Common Fears in Addiction Recovery and How to Face Them

Chronic drug or alcohol dependence clouds your mind and robs you of memory. You may also have difficulty making plans or learning new things. Therefore, it is no surprise that you would fear what you cannot imagine. Getting sober means replacing your primary coping mechanism – drugs and alcohol – with new, unfamiliar ones. The process can be uncomfortable, particularly for someone who is afraid of feeling in general.

I don’t have that much sex, and that’s more like me saying, I no longer lower my standards and sleep with just anyone because of beer goggles. There’s no easy pass for me anymore, no more getting drunk and slipping past the part where you get to know each other. There’s no more not caring if they see your cellulite or whatever you’re hiding under there; and you will, once and for all, discover that fear of being sober sex is never like in the movies. It is an awkward, vulnerable dance between two awkward, vulnerable humans. Before I quit drinking, I never really used to care about dividing the bill down the middle with a group. At some point after college, it just didn’t matter if someone had a meal that was four dollars more than mine, or if they ate more edamame, or even if they had one more drink than I did.

Common Fears of Going to Rehab — and How to Overcome Them

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. I lost my brother, I moved to another country, I left AA, I bought a house, and I started a new career as a writer working for myself — all incredibly stressful events and circumstances. But I coped and I feel infinitely stronger for doing it on my own without drugs and alcohol to inhibit my progress. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

• The prospect of never going out again and partying can seem dismal to some.
• There are many resources available to help you overcome your fears and live a life in recovery.
• Unless your alcohol problem has resulted in being mandated to treatment by the courts, you are in complete control of your treatment.
• And don’t worry, your tastes and style are not actually tied to drugs.

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. For years, I worried about the impact of sobriety on my social life. I honestly did not know what people did for fun without being slightly or very drunk. 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. I don’t think it’s change that you’re so afraid of.

List of Fears in Recovery

If people press that response, I’ll either stare at them and hold an uncomfortable silence (this is enjoyable at some point), or just change the subject. There are exceptions to this, like if someone alludes to their own struggle with alcohol, and then I might offer up a bit more of my personal experience. While making the decision to be sober was the best thing I’ve ever done, it’s also one of the hardest. Not only because not drinking is hard, but also because we live in a society where most everyone around us drinks. If you or a loved one needs help with addiction recovery, call us today. Relapse is always a possibility, but it does not mean that recovery is not possible.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to help you on your journey to recovery and for dealing with fear in recovery. Explore our personalized programs designed to empower you on your path to sobriety.

Take the first step in recovery and live a fulfilling life.

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. Starting a new life can feel scary and overwhelming.

Spending mental energy on things you cannot possibly know is useless. Every time you (or I) do that, we choose to suffer. What is the point of sobriety if you let yourself wallow in self-doubt and pity? I don’t believe you really feel that way because otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.

The Importance of Incorporating Life Skills Classes into IOP and PHP Treatment

Our addiction treatment programs cater to people addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs, and multiple illegal drugs. We even provide detox and dual diagnosis treatment for those that need it. To learn more about Silver Linings Recovery Center and the different services that we offer, contact us today. When you abuse substances https://ecosoberhouse.com/ for extended periods of time, it exaggerates any mental health issues that you have. This is especially true since you’re likely not taking care of your physical or mental health as it is while suffering from addiction. However, living a sober life will help improve your physical, and in particular, your mental health.