Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
For many individuals who battle an addiction, drugs or alcohol are often a way of disguising or coping with overwhelming emotions or stressful situations. Some addicts may find that being high or under the influence of drugs or alcohol makes life bearable or minimizes pain, fear, loneliness, and other experiences.
Recovering from addiction and committing to sobriety can be more scary than the reality of dealing with the devastating consequences that come with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. It may in fact be more difficult for some people to race the reality of their lives than to be under the constant influence of a substance.
Working with a Professional to Identify Your Underlying Fears
Releasing this fear of sobriety is an important aspect of recovering from addiction. Working through this fear can bring insight into any underlying issues that may be contributing to the continuation of the addiction behavior.
If you or someone you love has been perpetually stuck in an addictive lifestyle, consider working with a professional counselor or therapist, who can help you process any emotional issues you may be facing that be hidden beneath the addiction.
Learning Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Learning healthy coping mechanisms is another important part of recovering from addiction. This means learning an alternative, positive, and effective way for handling stressful or overwhelming situations that may come up in your life.
Being better able to cope with difficult experiences or intense emotions can lessen your need to engage in addictive behaviors and increase your desire to achieve and maintain sobriety. These skills can also be encouraged and guided with the help of a professional specialist.
Get Help for This Issue: You Have Support
Fear of sobriety can be a legitimate and problematic issue, which often stems from a deep-rooted fear of a more complex situation. There is hope in overcoming any fear you might be experiencing and for moving forward with recovery.
Be sure to reach out to the people who love, care for you, and want to see you progress in your own life. Fear can control your life if you allow it to, but true freedom is found in overcoming these fears.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
Have you struggled with a fear of becoming sober? Has this held you back in your addiction recovery? What helped you overcome this fear and move forward with your treatment?
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on July 1st, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com