Most people will need ongoing support groups for some time after detox. This is a very good time to speak to your counseling team about these fears and the emotional struggles you are having. They can help you work through them and explain more about how you can recover more fully. When you are facing these challenges and downright fear of recovery, just focus on what is happening right now. You’re post-detox and ready to take that first step into recovery.
Substance Use Treatment
It is an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and make appropriate amends. Many people relapse during recovery, and those people fear of being sober still achieve abstinence. No matter what you’ve done in the past, you have to remember that you are now free and a new person.
Sobriety Fear #11 You’ll never be able to fix your mistakes.
Knowing in advance how to decline alcoholic drinks or drug use in social situations can make it easier to stick to your sobriety. Practice and plan your responses so that you feel confident and prepared in these environments. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises can help you manage stress and the anxiety that may come with sobriety. These practices encourage focusing on the present moment, which helps alleviate worries about the future. While removing substances from your routine can seem challenging, taking it step by step may help you regain control and even feel empowered.
Common Fears in Recovery and How to Overcome Them
It is important to cultivate relationships with individuals who are supportive, non-judgmental, and understanding. They can provide a listening ear, offer practical assistance, and share valuable information. These multifaceted resources empower individuals to face their challenges head-on and navigate the complexities of their mental health. Building and nurturing a support network is a crucial aspect of recovery. It is important to remember that everyone’s support system will look different, as it can range from one to multiple individuals from various areas of life. The process of building and strengthening this network takes time but is essential for sustained recovery.
You don’t have to produce some hidden, superhuman strength to be successful at sobriety. But you do need patience, empathy for yourself, and a firm commitment to meeting your goal. Besides, judging someone for not drinking alcohol is stupid, and you don’t need to be cool with that person anyway. You’re not obligated to drink just to make others feel good about their drinking. In fact, here’s a little secret – anyone who is charming drunk can be charming sober.
If you talk to a trusted friend or therapist, they may even offer some advice that can help. But, now you’re a new person, and you have the opportunity to leave the past behind you and start fresh. Even though it doesn’t seem that way right now, it will change it for the better. Being sober gives you a whole new control over your life that you may not have ever had before. Discover a better life and call our recovery helpline today. For instance, you are having a bad day, and the thoughts of using keep entering your mind.
They will help you to build self-confidence and allow you to realize the power you have to maintain sobriety. Remember, an untreated substance addiction will grow. So if you’ve hidden your addiction well up until now, that’s not going to last. Eventually, other people will know you have a problem. Rather than waiting for them to find out after a terrible accident or losing your job, seek help now. You can choose how much to tell them about where you’re going and why.
- So understanding and addressing these fears is paramount.
- These skills and mechanisms can be used for the most common recovery fears, as well as for other less common fears based on individual needs and requirements.
- While the idea of facing daily life without substances may seem terrifying at first, it also opens up endless opportunities to explore new hobbies, activities, and interests.
- Research has shown that social support can combat social isolation and loneliness, which are risk factors for physical and mental health issues.
- One of the biggest fears individuals face is not knowing what life will look like without substances.
- Again, any fear you may have about sobriety rooted in self-loathing will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
- But seeking a professional opinion on where to get started can help alleviate and address your particular fears.
- These individuals can offer emotional support, lend a listening ear, and provide guidance during challenging times.
- However, addiction treatment involves support in this respect.