Coping mechanisms are tough—they work temporarily, and allow us to avoid and put things aside for the time being. We use drugs to numb ourselves and our emotions and to push off thinking for another day. But when we no longer have those devices at our disposal, we’re left with only our minds, our willpower and our inner strength to carry us through the hard times. We’re forced to think and analyze our problems, to come up with solutions, and in doing so we may fail or make mistakes. But that’s how we grow and learn, and how we learn to cope better when the next challenge presents itself. Over time, our ability to cope and come up with solutions that work for us becomes easier and easier.

Broken and Bleeding: Emotional Trauma and Substance Use Disorder

Being in control of yourself, and having a clear fear of being sober head will. 💙 Awaken your potential by exploring the world around you and developing interests outside of substances by Saying Yes to Life. 💙 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. But many people use the excuse that they are cowards just so they can keep on using the substances. If you truly want to live a clean and sober life, you are already ahead of the game.

Treatment Facilities

Addicts will have to face their relationships with people again, with their families, friends, and co-workers. People experiencing nifaliophobia may avoid situations where substances are absent and feel severe anxiety about living sober. This may include worries about losing social connections or coping with life’s stresses unaided.

• 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.
• According to Merriam-Webster, being sober simply means abstaining from alcohol and drugs.
• This could include friends who understand your journey, family members who encourage your choices, or support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery.
• You’re likely also to start feeling the stress build, perhaps the same stress that leads you down the fear of being sober path to using.
• These practices focus on bringing your attention to the present moment, which can help reduce worries about future sobriety and decrease your overall anxiety levels.
• Sober movements are redefining what it means to have fun and challenging alcohol’s role in our social lives.
• But many people use the excuse that they are cowards just so they can keep on using the substances.

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. Regularly nifaliophobia remind yourself of the positive changes that sobriety has brought to your life. Whether it’s improved health, better relationships, or greater productivity, focusing on these benefits can motivate you to maintain your sober lifestyle. Feeling like you need to rely on alcohol or drugs for enjoyment can be scary. But I coped and I feel infinitely stronger for doing it on my own without drugs and alcohol to inhibit my progress. Recovering from substance use disorder takes courage and determination, and it’s important not to underestimate that as you move through the process.

Reinforce your efforts by seeking professional help

Instead of being afraid that you won’t recognize yourself, look at it as an opportunity. You get to define yourself from here on out, and there won’t be any regrettable drunk shenanigans doing that on your behalf. Any big life change naturally brings a sense of fear or unease. According to Merriam-Webster, being sober simply means abstaining from alcohol and drugs. Though some people are sober for their entire lives, others may have sober episodes of a few years, months, or even days.

Get Started on Your Road to Recovery

Being at a party or trying to find the perfect romantic partner without alcohol is the stuff of nightmares for many people. Even people for whom alcohol is not a problem experience this. Sober movements are redefining what it means to have fun and challenging alcohol’s role in our social lives.

• 💙 Those with addiction may benefit from our session on Working with Addiction from the Daily Calm.
• This therapy involves a combination of breathing techniques, exercises, and meditation techniques to help a person cope with not having a phone or other phobias.
• Though some people are sober for their entire lives, others may have sober episodes of a few years, months, or even days.
• On the other side is the road that leads to recovery and it is often filled with hard work, determination, and dedication to wanting a better life.
• As long as I hold on to it dearly, my life in sobriety will only continue to get better.

Finding an addiction treatment center with aftercare planning services can help you overcome your fears of long-term sobriety. Nifaliophobia, or the fear of being sober, manifests as a significant and persistent fear related to the absence of alcohol or drugs from your life. Another common fear in recovery is rejection from friends and family. You may think that your loved ones will think less of you or not want to be around you.

tips to help you overcome the fear of being sober

💙 Explore the importance of Embracing Fears and how accepting what you’re afraid of can help you make changes. Many people like to drink occasionally as a way to relax or socialize, but for others, the habit is rooted in anxiety and fear. However, researchers have argued for its inclusion for several years. As noted above, we often prefer the certainty of a bad situation to the unknown. The unknown always causes anxiety because you don’t know what challenges you might face.