For a period it was, “I’m an alcoholic,” and that tended to silence anyone (for clarification, I no longer identify as an alcoholic). These days, unless I’m fear of being sober feeling generous, I simply say, “I don’t drink,” and leave it at that. Sobriety, or being sober, can be defined as the state of not being intoxicated.

My friend’s girlfriend doesn’t trust me

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 path to using. You’ve battled this far through detox and made the decision to get help. They struggle with the thought that they need to open up about their past scars. They worry they will never get to the point of recovery. They may worry about what’s on the other side of rehab.

What role does therapy play in treating nifaliophobia?

• There are times when youll doubt yourself and get pushed outside of your comfort zone.
• Simply the anticipation of a potentially unpleasant or stressful circumstance causes the brain to go into flight or fight mode.
• In this sense, recovery is a bit like falling in love with yourself and then learning how to love yourself—another feel-good aspect of being sober.
• You don’t have to produce some hidden, superhuman strength to be successful at sobriety.
• Instead of being afraid that you won’t recognize yourself, look at it as an opportunity.

It’s also made things awkward for our other close friends, all of whom I consider chosen family. Sam and I have known each other for more than a decade. Since then, we’ve been on good-to-great terms, platonically sharing beds while traveling, and living together for a year.

Fears That Can Sabotage Recovery and How to Manage Them

That being said, you might not be at a place where you want people to know you’re not drinking, and that’s OK. You can provide an excuse, like that you’re on antibiotics, or you aren’t feeling great or want to feel fresh for something you have going on the next day. It’s important to remember that you never have to give yourself up to make other people comfortable—ever. Whether you’re stating a one-sentence response (“I don’t drink”) or using a small excuse, the only thing to consider is whether you are comfortable, and whether your boundaries are being upheld. Perhaps the most widely known option for seeking help for sobriety is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a 12-step mutual help group.

The good thing is that you don’t have to worry about that in the beginning. Maybe these people have been in your life since childhood, and you’ve all fallen into the same trap. If a booked social calendar is important to you, you’ll find ways to be proactive and realign what you do to fit your new lifestyle. After a while, you’ll https://ecosoberhouse.com/ be enjoying life on entirely different terms. The great thing about sobriety is that it enables you to find joy in things you previously took for granted, like eating a delicious meal or playing with your two-year-old daughter or niece. There are plenty of things people do that do not involve or center around alcohol.

• The truth is, you have no idea what success will look or feel like.
• This is a very good time to speak to your counseling team about these fears and the emotional struggles you are having.
• These are some of the most difficult questions in recovery, and the answers may change over time.
• However, the more you know about sobriety, the less scary it will seem.
• Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations.
• When you are facing these challenges and downright fear of recovery, just focus on what is happening right now.

Feels Like Success

Things That Inevitably Happen to Your Personal Life When You Get Sober

• It’s never too late to start feeling better, by stepping into that happier future and discovering and falling in love with the happy, whole, successful, more connected person you are when sober.
• If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems.
• Once I did get sober (and once I stayed sober for several years) I realized that I was truly becoming the best version of myself.
• These groups can give you the support and encouragement needed to overcome your fears.
• Every person faces fear at various times in their lives.
• Thus, while sobriety is not without its challenges, it can have significant positive effects on mental health.