When people give up abusing alcohol and drugs it does not mean that their trials in life are over. They are still going to have to deal with the ups and downs of life just like everyone else. The only difference will be that they won’t be hiding from reality or making things worse through substance abuse. One of the things that people in recovery are almost certain to face is fear. It is unavoidable. Those who are emotionally sober are no longer interested in hiding from fear. Their focus is on learning to manage it effectively.
Fear can be defined as a distressing emotion aroused by impending pain or danger. The trigger for this emotion can be real or imaginary, and it may or may not be rational. When people feel fear, they may go into panic mode. This means that are unable to think clearly or make good decisions. It is usual to view fear as a negative emotion, but it can also be highly beneficial, as it helps to keep humans out of danger.
Fear can keep people trapped in addiction. The individual may have the clarity to see how much the substance abuse is destroying their life, but the idea of leaving their misery behind frightens them. This is because there is comfort in the familiar even when the familiar is far from ideal. People who are trapped in alcoholism can develop the idea that their life is as good as it can get. They can imagine that a life in sobriety is dull and unsatisfying. They are frightened by the idea of facing life without alcohol and drugs. It can all seem like a great deal of work with no real reward.
These are some of most common fears for people in recovery:
People can be afraid of getting better in recovery. This is because so much of their identity has been wrapped up in their addiction. It can be impossible for people to imagine a life where substance abuse is no longer so important to them. The idea of a person who is happy and sober can be a bit frightening. It is so different to the individual’s current circumstances. It can feel like they need to give away their current identity in order to become a stranger. Getting better is undoubtedly a step into the unknown and it does take courage to press forward into sobriety.
It is natural for people to experience a bit of fear in their life. It can make them cautious and ensure that they make better decisions. Excessive fear in recovery can for the following reasons:
It is probably not possible to make it through life without occasionally having to face fear. What people can do is become better at managing this emotion. This can be achieved in the following ways:
We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear.
Alcoholics Anonymous, p 68
By www.alcoholrehab.com