Addiction Recovery- One of the ways I used to overcome any kind of fear was to approach it as drunk as I could possibly be. Actually, thinking back, it was the only way.
Job interviews, first dates with a (possibly) new girlfriend, family gatherings, funerals, weddings, work meetings, parties – you name it, I’d be drunk. Come to think of it, a lot of those held little fear anyway, but alcoholism had twisted my way of looking at the world and everything in it. My attitude became, in short, to get through whatever, and then you can have a drink. My reward, I guess – my stupid, screwed-up prize for nothing.
To be honest, my only real and tangible fear back then was not drinking.
Addiction Recovery- Fortunately, one day over 6 years ago now, a group of old friends tracked me down and handed my drunk self over to my parents. After a long discussion on attending an addiction treatment assessment at a Phoenix rehabilitation center (supposedly), I eventually (again, supposedly, though I have still had no recollection) agreed to go. So we did.
Like the discussion with my parents, I have no recollection of my actual assessment, but the clinicians and other staff I spoke to successfully persuaded me to stay, which I did – for just over 3 months. In that time, I underwent a full detox, got clean and sober, and then learned the tools I’d need to stay that way. Yes, I sure remember them. Thanks to that stay in treatment, I have been clean, sober and immensely thankful ever since.
Was I fearful, scared, and frightened at the beginning? Sure I was. However, I quickly realized, once sober, that my fears were based on completely false perceptions – and who’d trust the judgment of a drunk like me anyway? I certainly wouldn’t.
Addiction Recovery- The idea behind this article is simple. To explain the fears you may be feeling, to address them, and then let you decide what really is best for you. You might think differently after reading this – your “4 Common Fears to Overcome in Addiction Recovery”:
1. The Fear of Being Clean & Sober
Yes, this is a real fear for any addict or alcoholic thinking seriously about addiction rehab and, more importantly, what would come after. For a substance abuser, their drug of choice – alcohol, cocaine, prescription painkillers – becomes their coping mechanism to anything and everything. They believe that nothing else will work for them. It’s the reason many addicts never even seek treatment, let alone engage in it.
Addiction Recovery- As hard as it may be (and may feel), attend an assessment or meet with a doctor or therapist. Listen to what they have to say. Additionally, attend an AA or NA meeting and listen to the success stories, and talk with people who have been exactly where you are now. After doing these things, your fear will lessen, and you’ll be better placed to consider your decision to attend an addiction rehab or attend treatment services as an outpatient.
2. The Fear of Success
Addiction Recovery- Yes, actually succeeding is a real and tangible fear, too. How is life going to look when you are finally clean of the toxic substances you’ve been relying on for so long?
Addiction Recovery- There is something in the field of addiction recovery that equates to deliberately failing, because of the fear of succeeding. Yes, strange but true. But that’s the power of addiction – you may be free of toxins in your body, but it takes time to be free of the memories and experiences of them. That’s why addiction treatment is the only way. You may also believe, on a subconscious level, you don’t deserve any success – this, again, is false. Of course, you do, just like the next person.
Fear comes from the unknown future – how will things pan out? However, we can’t control that – either as an addict or as a sober person. There’s a way to resolve this – mindfulness, the art of living in the moment, the present, right now. Learn to do this, and the fear of success simply dissipates.
3. The Fear of Failure
Addiction Recovery- Addiction is medically described as a “chronic, relapsing brain disorder.” It’s a serious medical disease. Just like a cancer patient, or someone with a heart condition, it requires treatment. If no treatment is administered, it will only get worse. Agreed, it’s not easy to find recovery, but, like the cancer patient, what real choice do you have?
Addiction Recovery- This fear is again based on the unknown future. There will be times, trust me, when you doubt yourself, even relapse, but that should not deter the ultimate aim – recovery. Try again. Try as many times as it takes. Yes, recovery is hard and challenging, and addiction makes you think like a perfectionist. Again, false. Millions of people have recovered from addiction. Did they simply give up? No, they kept at it, and it came to them – it’ll come to you too.
4. The Fear of Losing Yourself
What do we mean by this? Well, for a long time, you identified as a substance abuser, an addict. When that goes, what and who is left? Who are you if you’re not the one who gets high or drunk every day? Where is that person everyone is expecting to show up? Furthermore, just as importantly, will others, your family and peers, reject the “new and improved you”?
In addiction recovery, you have the perfect opportunity to define the new you. You were never always addicted – what were your values, wishes and interests before addiction took hold of your life? Revisit the old you, because there’ll be plenty to like.
Think about education, volunteering, a new career, or a new skill. This way, you’ll become focused on improving yourself, and not your substance-based destruction. It’s also the perfect way to maintain your sobriety – the most important goal now in anything you do. Believe me, it gets so much better.
Fear is Just an Unknown Future
Addiction Recovery- By understanding and then conquering these fears, your road to recovery will become so much easier and definitely more fulfilling:
1. The Fear of Being Clean & Sober
2. The Fear of Success
3. The Fear of Failure
4. The Fear of Losing Yourself
What advice would you give to someone who is fearful of what addiction recovery may bring? Just drop a comment below – thanks.
Finally, if you are contemplating attending addiction rehab or other treatment, please do so. You have nothing to lose but your addiction – and that’s the perfect start to something better.
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