Making the decision to get sober is one of the best decisions you can make, but it can also be one of the hardest. Many people that are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol fear sobriety for a number of reasons. The fact of the matter is getting sober may be the scariest time of your life, but it is a rewarding experience that will change your life for the better. If you are in the process of recovery, here are some of the most common fears many people have about getting sober and some tips on how you can manage these fears.
Life Will be Boring
This is one of the main reasons many people put off going to recovery and getting sober. Unfortunately, a byproduct of society is the belief that fun and alcohol go hand-in-hand. The realization is that once you have gotten sober, you will begin to feel better both physically and emotionally, which allows you to see much clearer. Seeking out friends and activities that are outside the addiction will give you the opportunity to experience things that you wouldn’t have considered when using. There are plenty of things you can do that doesn’t center on drugs and/or alcohol. Start by attending meetings, this will give you a chance to meet others who are also in recovery and plan activities with family and friends that were lost while you were using, even something causal such as going for coffee will be more exciting.
You Will Lose All of Your Friends
Being alone is a common fear for those seeking sobriety, primarily because you think that those you partied with will assume you no longer have anything in common. The reality is, if your friendships are based using drugs or alcohol, the relationship isn’t really a friendship it simply means that you were codependent on each other. To overcome this fear, the first thing to do is focus on your sobriety; if friendships end because you aren’t using, then you know what the relationship was really about. With time, you will find friends that want to hang out with you for the conversations and simply the time you spend together.
Won’t Be Able to Handle Your Feelings
Drugs and alcohol are often used for self-medication purposes. Substance use allows you to speak your mind, lose your shyness and be more open about your thoughts and feelings, so it’s only common to think that if you are sober you’ll no longer be able to deal with your feelings. The fact of the matter is once you are sober, you will have a clearer picture of yourself, your life and your environment. In many situations, using drugs and alcohol makes your negative feelings more intense. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety or other feelings that you’re concerned will have an effect on your life, it’s important that you seek help to start working on these issues. Being sober will actually help you confront and deal with your feelings.
The reality of the matter is-getting sober is hard; you will have to feel uncomfortable emotions and learn a new way of being you. Recovery is a process, but it is a journey that is well worth the hard work involved in getting there. It’s important to see the healthy, happy road ahead of you-not focus on the bumpy road you have put behind you.
To learn more tips and information about recovery and getting sober, visit My 12 Step Store.