One of these actions includes continuing on with outpatient therapy, support groups, and life skills classes. In most cases, someone coming out of addiction treatment will be very pumped, grateful that they were able to survive detox and acquire some important recovery skills. They feel better, look better, sleep better, and generally feel much more optimistic about life.
Mostly, though, sober living provides a deterrent to relapse through the regular drug and alcohol testing. Deciding to enter treatment for a substance use disorder is a huge, life-changing step. Making the decision to break free from addiction is not an easy one, as it entails a commitment to living a life in sobriety.
What are the Stats On Rehab and Recovery?
They can help you work through them and explain more about how you can recover more fully. One thing I’ve learned in my seven and a half years in recovery is that we all have fear, and we all overcome those fears, instead choosing recovery. What I know from this side of the fence is that life in recovery gives us everything that we had looking for at the bottom of a bottle.
- ” Let your brain marinate on words like forever, and you’ll set yourself right up for failure.
- If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.
- So some people may feel more comfortable keeping things as they are, staying with the familiar.
- If you or a loved one needs help with addiction recovery, call us today.
To move forward, you need to learn to face your fears and take back control of your future. There are many resources available to help you overcome your fears and live a life in recovery. These resources can include therapy, support groups, and 12-step programs. I will never forget the day I walked out of jail and into an intervention hosted by my family.
Fear of failure
You may also doubt your ability to resist the urge to use again. If that’s you, no matter your level of addiction, you should consider doing an inpatient medical detox. For certain substances and levels of addiction, this is a medical necessity. For example, severe alcohol withdrawal can be deadly without medical treatment. But even if it’s not medically necessary, it can make a difference on getting you through the detox successfully.
- You are living your life for yourself, not for other people.
- “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.
- That said, while “recovery” and “sobriety” are different terms, they’re also used interchangeably in some instances.
- Staying stuck in this fear generally means staying stuck in addiction.
- The more you scratch it, the worse it’s going to get.
For most of those seeking recovery, this will be one of the most real fears they have when they get sober because the pain inside can be very scary. However, with professional help, this can also be done much easier than most people think. Admitting that you have a problem can be a scary thing to contemplate. It can be even more treacherous when you think about being called an “addict” or “alcoholic” for the rest of your life. But it would be best if you remembered that you could choose who you share your journey with and who you don’t.
When the Fear of Being Sober Means Facing Emotion
Some people are afraid of recovery because so much of their identity is their addiction. It can be extremely difficult to imagine a life without drugs and alcohol and the idea of being happy without substances seems impossible or unimportant. Because they think they’ll hate it, many people don’t want to get clean. As someone who drinks or takes drugs, it’s not hard to see why the idea of living a sober life is difficult.
Your emotions and life may feel overwhelming or out of control in early recovery. This is the case because you have become so used to blocking out any uncomfortable fear of being sober or worrisome emotions with drugs and alcohol. It is understandable to be afraid of change, however, becoming okay with change is an integral part of recovery.
Fear of Unhappiness
You may feel that way about an employer, for example. In these situations, recognize what it means to you, personally, to recover. While it’s easy to focus on what other people think, it’s more important to recognize the opportunities that are presented to you when you https://ecosoberhouse.com/ improve your dependency. Even though you know the health complications drug use has brought to you, it’s not uncommon to fear life without it. In some situations, people are scared sober, meaning they suffer life-threatening consequences to overdosing or using.
