But now, I have found myself in a place where I love who I am. The person I am now is worlds away for who I was even just a few years ago. Today, I feel fresh and positive, looking after my body and my mind.
Fear of Sobriety
Unfortunately, my addictions quickly progressed. They went from smoking weed on the weekends to smoking weed every day, to binge drinking and to snorting whatever pill I could get my hands on. But in the brief moments I was sober, my fears amplified by 1,000.
- There are so many benefits from staying sober, but so many people who face addiction are unable to do it.
- Being drunk on a date and losing control just doesn’t seem like a smart idea,” he said.
- Second, it’s essential to reach out to a support system.
- They can help you work through them and explain more about how you can recover more fully.
- Life in the absence of the self-medicating highs and euphoric escapes that drugs or alcohol once provided can suddenly appear very boring, uneventful, and empty.
What are the Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders?
The temporary calming effect of alcohol or drugs can become a means of coping with anxiety. However, some substances can eventually worsen their symptoms, perpetuating a dangerous cycle. Those with anxiety and addiction can feel like there’s no other way to regain power over their mental states than to turn to substance abuse. Start by identifying friends and family members who understand your journey to sobriety and are willing to help you through it. It’s important to choose people who are nonjudgmental and encouraging, rather than those who might inadvertently lead you back into old habits.
How to Address Your Biggest Fear In Recovery
- BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.
- What gave me the wake up call to get me to this sober stage was the hardest time I have ever been through.
- It’s an opportunity to grow into your bones, and every single crap thing that happens to you on the way only makes you stronger.
- After detox, it’s easy to come to the realization that there are people who are still standing by your side that probably should not be.
After you’re more secure in your sobriety, you’ll find that you’re actually MORE charming than “drunk you” could ever be. Maybe these people fear of being sober have been in your life since childhood, and you’ve all fallen into the same trap. You’ve got history, but you’ve also got baggage.
The fear of a life without drugs was horrifying to me, simply because it was untraveled territory. It is true that you may lose your old drinking and drug-using buddies. However, you should embrace this as a positive sign that you are on the right track. Being clean and sober means avoiding the temptations that come with certain people, places, and things.
“I Am Afraid I Cannot Make It Through Stressful Days Without Drinking”
Gen Z has less interest in alcohol in general, according to data from Statista Consumer Insights. Furthermore, alcohol abuse among both Gen Z groups decreased by around 50%. Between 2002 and 2018, those between 18 and 22 in the U.S. who did not drink alcohol in college increased from 20% to 28%. Gen Z respondents also said they drank less because of health and hangover-related concerns as well as the fear of being judged by peers or parents, according to Berenberg researchers. Ben Emerling is an avid writer who loves spreading the message of recovery.
Thinking back to before I was sober, I usually had to drink to be around people. I recharge when I’m by myself, and I deplete when I’m with others—especially big groups. In these moments, I have to remind myself that recovery isn’t just about not drinking; it’s about remembering that I am first and foremost responsible for advocating for my own well-being and boundaries. This is an opportunity to assert for your needs, and therefore assert your worth.
- Relapse (using substances again after stopping) can and does happen, with 85% of people experiencing relapse at least once and half of them doing so within the first two weeks of sobriety.
- Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, or other local sobriety support groups offer a community of people who are going through similar challenges.
- President Biden and his campaign are wise to frame the 2024 election as a battle over character and values and the future of the nation.
- He spent Thanksgiving with a friend’s extended family.
Gen Z Americans are drinking less than previous generations and skipping alcoholic beverages on dates. 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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-poisoning-signs-and-symptoms/ 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 sex is never like in the movies.
The Experience Blog
The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. 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.
