The 6 Fears in Addiction Recovery
Fundamental Elements of Fear
Miscellaneous
Characteristics of Fear
Conquering Fear
100

Fear of replacing drugs/alcohol with a new coping mechanism. 

Fear of Sobriety

100

Fear lives in the future not in the 

Present

100

FEAR =

Face Everything and Recover

100

It warns us to the presence of danger or threat of harm.

Alerts

100

Instead of fretting over what might be, focus on the present.

Be Mindful

200

Fear that you don't deserve it.

Fear of Success

200

Fear is just an

Emotion or Feeling

200

Worrying that you will be abandoned by the people you love or being judged by others for not using.

Fear of Rejection

200

It has a universal biochemical and emotional response.

Natural

200

Rather than running from it, feel the fear and face it head on.

Step Forward

300

Fear that you don't have what it takes.

Fear of Failure

300

Fear is always about

loss

300

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

300

It can be irrational and the threat non-existent.

Imagined

300

Take strategic risks and be willing to accept the outcome good or bad.

Accept Mistakes

400

Fear that you will work hard to remain sober and be unhappy.

Fear of Perpetual Misery 

400

Fear is present only when there is

Desire

400

Recognize the things that you want to gain from sobriety and how you can be happy.

Stay Focused

400

It helps in our decision-making process to take action.

Guides

400

Some of the damage inflicted by prolonged drug use will be repaired the longer you stay sober.

Patience

500

Fear that you will no longer recognize yourself.

Fear of Losing your Identity

500

3 ways that fear impacts the body.

  • weakens our immune system.
  • causes cardiovascular damage.
  • gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • decreased fertility.
  • accelerated ageing
  • premature death.
500

4 mental health conditions related to Fear.

Panic Disorders, Social Anxiety Disorder, Phobias, & Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

500

Fear helps guide our decision-making process to take 3 actions.

Fight, Flight, or Freeze

500

Think back to who you were before you started using and revisit old interests.

Redefine Yourself