Working Through Fears in Recovery

Are you scared of facing certain situations in recovery? Are you worried that you won’t be brave enough to stay the path? Many people think that to have courage, you must be fearless. But you can have fears and be bold at the same time. Fears - and working through them -- are an important aspect of addiction recovery.

There are a lot of aspects of life that can be scary to newly sober individuals.

Everyone has to walk through and face their fear every once in a while. Without doing this, we’re left to face the same fears over and over, without resolution. Whether you’re afraid to speak in front of the class or to have an awkward talk with a loved one, walking through that fear is a show of strength and growth.

5 Typical Fears in Recovery

Starting something new, especially lifechanging or drastic, can bring a lot of fears up for people. Treatment itself may seem scary or foreign to you. However, getting clean and sober itself can be a frightening prospect if you don’t have a plan.

What will treatment be like? Having a plan can help you resist fearfulness when you first get sober. When you go to a treatment center, they will help you plan a schedule, so you get the therapy and support you need. So while it may seem scary at first, you’ll be able to get through that fear and trust the process.
Many people are also afraid they will have no friends or “be alone” once they’ve stopped using alcohol or drugs. This fear is rational but short-lived. In treatment, you’ll learn that you have a vast support network available to you, especially at 12-step meetings.
You may worry that your relationships or family are irreparable.
The future. You may be worried about going back to work, where you will live after drug rehab and other aspects of your life. (The best advice for this: take life one day at a time.)
How will you stay sober? Once treatment is over, you’ll want to have a plan for where you will live, what support groups you will attend, and other technicalities. You will learn new coping skills when you are in treatment, so pay attention!

The more effort you put into treatment, the more you will get out of it. Talking about your fears can help you put them in perspective. Every part of life in recovery goes step-by-step. So allow yourself some breathing room before worrying about everything all at once.

Working Through Fears

Learning what your fears are, and taking steps to conquer them, will help you continue to live a life free from fear. Nobody goes through life without worries – it’s normal and natural. Learning to cope with anxiety gets easier throughout life.

The best way to get over your fears is to make a decision even if you’re afraid. So take each day at a time and try to speak up when you feel scared. Other people can help you talk through your fears and find great ways to challenge them.

Getting Help for Addiction

We’re here to help you or your loved one recover! Even during COVID-19, we have found ways to make treatment accessible to our clients. Click here to learn more. We want to help! You’re never alone, and we want to help you reclaim your life.