Getting Over The Fear Of Going Without Drugs Nifaliophobia

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. AA’s sister program Narcotics Anonymous (NA) follows the same framework, but is designed for those recovering from other substance use disorders.

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. A journey can begin with community mutual-help groups, inpatient treatment, residential rehab, outpatient programs, and more.

Getting Over The Fear Of Going Without Drugs

• Addiction can be a way to avoid the things we don’t want to deal with.
• On one side of the road are all the temptations, urges, and cravings that had led them to the path of destruction.
• AA’s sister program Narcotics Anonymous (NA) follows the same framework, but is designed for those recovering from other substance use disorders.
• People experiencing nifaliophobia may avoid situations where substances are absent and feel severe anxiety about living sober.
• Sobriety means having to face uncomfortable truths about ourselves and others and having to stand up and be who we are.
• Instead of worrying about being a failure at sobriety find ways to make it successful.

It’s important to choose people who are nonjudgmental and encouraging, rather than those who might inadvertently lead you back into old habits. The worst possible outcome, but it’s important to know that these are not the only outcomes, and there are many more examples of positivity and success once achieving those sobriety. We provide you with the resources and support you need for a successful recovery that helps you now and throughout your entire life. While sobriety is well worth the effort required to achieve it, choosing sobriety is a significant endeavor that requires courage, difficult conversations, and significant life changes.

tips to help you overcome the fear of being sober

Coping mechanisms nifaliophobia are tough—they work temporarily, and allow us to avoid and put things aside for the time being. Yes, meditation and mindfulness can be beneficial in managing the fear of being sober. 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. The first thing is that sobriety can be a really hard thing to face for a lot of addicts. There’s the chance that they might not make it through it, they could fail, and then there’s the pressure to succeed. There’s a fear of a life without the ability to ever drink or take drugs again.

Post-detox, you may have a wide range of emotions flooding your mind. 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. Even after being in recovery for a while, you may not be delighted with the changes you have made.4 In fact you may realize you don’t like being sober.

Healthier Skin

Sober movements are redefining what it means to have fun and challenging alcohol’s role in our social lives. 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. Start by identifying friends and family members who understand your journey to sobriety and are willing to help you through it.

Why Do I Hate Being Sober, and What Can I Do About It?

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. Many times, social events and outings center around drinking alcohol. The fog lifts, the poor behavior stops, and people generally become happier and easier to be around. The mind clears, there is more peace, more clarity and a better ability to function.

I enjoyed my trip so much more by not numbing out with alcohol

Or maybe, on some level, you don’t believe you’re worthy of success. The symptoms involved in PAWS can be a barrier to recovery if you’re not careful. In addition to being able to recognize them, it’s important to know when to seek help. Fear is the biggest barrier to change, even if that change is for the better and will improve our lives.

When thoughts of failure come to mind it’s enough to make anyone start to worry. Don’t think about them think of ways to stay sober then the worries disappears from your mind. I don’t understand where fear fits in with sobriety for me the fears were finally gone and never returned.

All of which are just some of the many reasons why being sober far outweighs being addicted to drugs or alcohol. 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. 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? 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.

On one side of the road are all the temptations, urges, and cravings that had led them to the path of destruction. 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. Family therapy sessions can also be beneficial, helping to improve communication and resolve any underlying issues that may impact your sobriety.

💙 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 nifaliophobia helps you gain clarity but also helps you stay committed to your aspirations. Regular mindfulness and meditation practices can improve your emotional regulation and stress management, making the prospect of sobriety less daunting and more manageable.

Can meditation or mindfulness help with overcoming the fear of being sober?

In the case of nomophobia, the therapies could help address a person’s fear of losing their phone, not being connected, and the implications of not having access to their phone. Additionally, the intoxicated individual rarely remembers what they did, or what they will remember is untrue. You may no longer be in some people’s lives because of your actions. You may feel as though you don’t belong in a place of employment because you screwed up so badly.

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. When you are facing these challenges and downright fear of recovery, just focus on what is happening right now.

In my mind, sobriety meant Friday nights alone on my couch, watching Netflix and hiding from the rest of the world who was definitely out drinking. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life. A healthcare professional may prescribe medications such as clonazepam and tranylcypromine to help treat the symptoms of nomophobia, such as anxiety.

A doctor can provide a referral to a psychologist or other specialist to help diagnose and treat nomophobia. 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. 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. Interrupted sleep, the lack of dreams, inhibited rapid-eye movement, and scary nightmares are problematic side effects of substance abuse. Those who are overly pessimistic and say, “I’m going to be miserable forever,” will inevitably fail. Being at a party or trying to find the perfect romantic partner without alcohol is the stuff of nightmares for many people.

Finding happiness in sobriety is a process that takes time but is totally achievable with the right daily supports, priorities, and commitments. Healthy relationships, a regular practice of gratitude, finding your purpose, and living in the moment are some of the components of recovery that enrich the good feelings of sobriety. 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.

Depending on the severity of addiction and readiness to change, different options may be beneficial for different people. But seeking a professional opinion on where to get started can help alleviate and address your particular fears. So it may take some time before you truly feel content in your new 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.