Maybe these people have been in your life since childhood, and you’ve all fallen into the same trap. Another common fear in sobriety is that you’ll wind up alone because no one will want to hang out with you. We are biologically wired for companionship, so this is a very real and instinctual fear to have. 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 be enjoying life on entirely different terms. There are plenty of things people do that do not involve or center around alcohol.

Strictly speaking, sobriety is the state of being sober—not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, the word is often used in different ways in different contexts. Many 12-step programs suggest that sobriety means total abstinence, which means never using the substance again. Other definitions, however, focus on the process of recovery and coping habits that support health and wellness over the long term. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery is helpful for keeping you motivated and reminding you why you took this brave step toward sobriety in the first place. Just be sure that your rewards don’t involve drugs or alcohol.

How Can You Tell if You Have Anxiety?

Additionally, pursue an addiction treatment center that prioritizes relapse prevention. You’ll know you will be taught the tools to prevent a relapse and to deal with one if you do relapse. Dealing with setbacks or relapses is a common part of the recovery process. It’s important to view these events not as failures but as opportunities for learning and growth.

Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques to manage stress

Sometimes, anxiety can be caused or worsened by underlying medical conditions. A physical examination can help rule out other drinking on shrooms possible causes of your symptoms. There are different types of anxiety, but generally, a person may get panic attacks with intense fear peaking quickly.

Face your fears of recovery, and talk about them with your loved ones. A journey can begin with community mutual-help groups, inpatient treatment, residential rehab, outpatient programs, and more. 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. A mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed counselor, can assess your symptoms and give you a diagnosis. Your therapist will discuss your specific concerns, life history, family history, and factors that might trigger your anxiety.

Besides, your current idea of fun usually involves holding your hair while you throw up discounted tacos and cheap margaritas. Sober movements are redefining what it means to have fun and challenging alcohol’s role in our social lives. In my mind, sobriety meant Friday nights alone on my couch, watching Netflix and hiding from the rest of the world how long does molly stay in your hair who was definitely out drinking.

What are the first steps to take if I’m afraid to become sober?

If you’re involved in a 12-step program, you likely already know the importance of milestones. In these programs, it’s customary to receive plastic chips as you progress to the one-year mark, at which time you receive a bronze coin. Shame is having negative beliefs about yourself and your self-worth. Guilt is having negative feelings about your past behavior. People in recovery can experience a lot of shame simply for having become addicted in the first place.

It’s often a complex combination of these and even underlying health conditions that can contribute to anxiety. Understanding the possible causes and risk factors can be the first step in addressing your symptoms and regaining control. does drinking alcohol affect your gallbladder Getting support doesn’t have to mean going to rehab, although that is an option.

Sobriety Fear #7: You’ll lose your friends.

1. In fact, this fear personally led to a dozen failures in my own sobriety journey.
2. After a while, you’ll be enjoying life on entirely different terms.
3. Participating in regular sessions can help you maintain focus on recovery and address any emerging issues before they become significant obstacles.
4. You probably feel ashamed about your struggles with addiction.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers treatment centers across the United States. Equipped with accredited staff, our rehabs practice evidence-based treatment strategies and provide healing for a host of substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. To alleviate your fears about admissions, treatment, insurance coverage, and more, talk to an AAC admissions navigator today. 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.

Fears about sobriety are common, even for people who desperately seek it. For example, you may have developed a co-dependent relationship, or a family member, friend, or employer may have been enabling you without even knowing it. Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to avoid repeating mistakes and build better habits. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. He is the medical director at Alcohol Recovery Medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).