💙 Take your goal-setting one step further by getting clear on The ‘Why’ Behind Your Goals, which not only helps you gain clarity but also helps you stay committed to your aspirations. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of Sober Recovery’s “Terms of Use”, “Privacy Policy”, “Cookie Policy”, and “Health Disclaimer”. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. The main treatment option will usually be counselling and talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This is effective in helping people to change negative thought patterns and ultimately their behaviours. Once ethanol molecules have hijacked neuroreceptors to create a chemical dependency, AUD patients feel like they could die unless they drink, but this is neurochemical instead of irrational.
Abusing, binging, and becoming addicted to controlled substances will bring about deeply stressful situations that are often exacerbated by withdrawal symptoms. This is why many alcoholics and drug addicts often come down with bacterial and viral infections. Thankfully, there have only been a few times when someone at the table hasn’t pointed it out on my behalf and adjusted accordingly. However, when it has happened, I have to speak up to point out that I didn’t drink and I’m not subsidizing their drinking.
What Did We Learn from Our Study on Sober Living Houses and Where Do We Go from Here?
How about for instance, there is a whole anxiety disorder specifically for individuals who have a fear of going without drugs, and its name is nifaliophobia. Hopefully, if you are, or know off one of these individuals who struggles with the fear of going without drugs, in provides some sense of comfort to know that you are not alone. Not only is there a whole community of individuals struggling with those same fears and anxieties, but there are reasons for a fear of going without drugs, and most importantly, solutions. “These are safe, non-addicting medications that have been proven to help people reduce the craving for alcohol, stay sober and are especially helpful,” he shared.
The unknown always causes anxiety because you don’t know what challenges you might face. One way to deal with this anxiety is to treat it like excitement, which, physiologically, is nearly identical. Instead of fearing the unknown, be curious about what will happen, and be excited to find out. 💙 Explore the importance of Embracing Fears and how accepting what you’re afraid of can help you make changes. While removing substances from your routine can seem challenging, taking it step by step may help you regain control and even feel empowered.
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. These practices encourage focusing on the present moment, which helps alleviate worries about the future. From days 30 to 90, transitioning to partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs is crucial. During this stage, it’s vital to concentrate on self-care and physical wellness. Activities such as mindfulness practices and recreational hobbies can re-engage individuals with social life in a healthier way.
Additionally, mindfulness practices such as meditation can help develop coping mechanisms that reduce anxiety while promoting emotional well-being. Thus, acknowledging and addressing fears is a crucial part of the recovery process, helping individuals navigate sobering realities while laying foundations for a healthier, more fulfilling life. Reaching out for support — whether to friends, family, or professionals like therapists or support groups — can provide the encouragement and guidance needed to take further steps toward sobriety. This may include worries about losing social connections or coping with life’s stresses unaided.
- The main treatment option will usually be counselling and talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
- This may include worries about losing social connections or coping with life’s stresses unaided.
- These strategies are essential for managing urges and cravings that often arise during addiction recovery.
- This is a very good time to speak to your counseling team about these fears and the emotional struggles you are having.
- For some people, though, the fears and worries about facing up to life sober can manifest as a serious condition known as nifaliophobia.
Can Nifaliophobia Lead to Addiction or Substance Use?
Addiction can be a way to avoid the things we don’t want to deal with. Sobriety means having to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves and others and having to stand up and be who we are. We may have to face all kinds of adversities and personal challenges while we come clean. Of course, on the surface, asking if there is such a thing as a fear of being sober might seem like a rhetorical question. Non-addicts may proclaim, “Of course addicts should want to get sober—why wouldn’t they? ” But the problem runs deeper than just simply being able to quit and stay sober.
- If you experience a setback, take the time to analyze what led to the relapse and discuss it with your support network or therapist to understand the triggers involved.
- Therapy plays a fundamental role in navigating fears related to sobriety.
- As noted above, we often prefer the certainty of a bad situation to the unknown.
- Passing out from intoxication is a defense mechanism the body uses when faced with extreme exhaustion, but it’s not meant to replace the good sleep the body needs to heal and regenerate.
- To effectively tackle the fear of recovery, it’s essential to first identify and embrace your fears, including the common anxieties around sobriety and relapse.
San Diego Sober Living – Recovery
Staying sober means staying clean, and that alone can be a scary thought for many addicts and alcoholics. There are various strategies to assuage fears during the journey to recovery. Invariably, you should address concerns that require practical solutions first. Often times we are own worst enemies when it comes to an abundance of challenges in life, and seeking sobriety and addiction treatment for a substance use disorder is no different. That may be the case but it’s important to remember that judging yourself or others only further contributes to the negative. Rather than thinking, “How could someone fear going without drugs when their lives are in danger?
FEAR OF BEING SOBER
Nifaliophobia is an anxiety disorder focused on sobriety and the fears related to facing a life without alcohol or drugs. This may include worries about losing social connections or coping with life’s stresses unaided. Recognizing that family and friends can’t help you maintain sobriety is a painful feeling, but know that the road doesn’t end here. Another common reason people may be afraid to get sober is that they think life might become “boring” once they’ve quit all their vices. Managing the emotional challenges that arise during sobriety involves recognizing the importance of therapy and mindfulness techniques. Counseling can provide a safe space to process feelings and address the fears inherent in recovery.
Engage with relevant support groups to find peer support
Any phobia can potentially lead to increased substance use in an attempt to deal with it, but nifaliophobia is already directly tied in with drinking or drug use. Getting clean and sober is always a challenging process for anyone with a serious drink or drug problem. For some people, though, the fears and worries about facing up to life sober can manifest as a serious condition known as nifaliophobia. If you’ve done some major damage in your past, you might feel like you don’t deserve to be happy and healthy.
This could include friends who understand your journey, family members who encourage your choices, or support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. Addicts will have to face their relationships with people again, with their families, friends, and co-workers. Finally, managing anxiety about facing reality is crucial during recovery. For many, sobriety means confronting past emotions and unresolved issues that may have been masked by substance use.
In the case of nifaliophobia, this can mean preventing you from getting sober even though your drinking or drug use may be harming you and the people around you. Coping mechanisms nifaliophobia are tough—they work temporarily, and allow us to avoid and put things aside for the time being. Some other options could include peer support groups and self-help techniques for overcoming phobias. Meditation, mindfulness and other relaxation techniques can also be useful for many people. When you add nifaliophobia into the mix, it can make problems worse by adding to your anxiety when you think about trying to address the substance misuse. This can also lead to secrecy, dishonesty and confrontations with loved ones who have your best interests at heart.
It may also encompass concerns about how to cope with stress and social situations soberly if one does not feel they have the proper emotional tools to regulate the nervous system. It is perfectly natural for people with a substance misuse issue to feel apprehensive or anxious about tackling their drinking or drug use. Getting sober can involve significant lifestyle changes, and there may be strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms to get through. You may feel as though you don’t belong in a place of employment because you screwed up so badly. We provide you with the resources and support you need for a nifaliophobia successful recovery that helps you now and throughout your entire life. 💙 Start this simple 30-day program on Mindfulness for Beginners to build this supportive habit into your daily life.