San Diego Sober Living - Recovery

Understanding Nifaliophobia: The Fear of Sobriety & Its Role in Addiction Recovery

The word “phobia” denotes irrational fears. For instance, Arachnophobia, a Hollywood horror film from the early 1990s, is named after the fear of spiders, which is irrational when we consider that 99 percent of arachnids pose no significant threat to human health. 

Nifaliophobia is the irrational fear of being sober. However, discussion of this mindset shouldn’t be limited to its literal meaning. Although we can think about chemical dependence and psychological addiction as the results of irrational behaviors, we can’t ignore the wide range of anxieties that surround the addiction recovery process.

Nifaliophobia vs. Severe Alcoholism

Without substance abuse, there would be no nifaliophobia to discuss. In the case of alcohol use disorder (AUD), you would have to get drunk a few times before nifaliophobia sets in, but only if severe AUD develops. We can call it an irrational fear if you become overwhelmed by anxiety about the prospect of not being inebriated. This can certainly happen at the neurochemical and physiological levels, but then it wouldn’t be a phobia. 

For AUD patients who suffer from delirium tremens, their elevated cortisol levels can not only cause them to panic but also trigger a dangerous glutamate and norepinephrine derailment that can result in shock. Once ethanol molecules have hijacked neuroreceptors to create a chemical dependency, AUD patients feel like they could die unless they drink, but this is neurochemical instead of irrational.

Fear as Part of the Recovery Process

If you attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and work through the 12 steps, you’re taking highly rational action. You’re there to process what happened in the past and think about what must happen going forward. 

It’s normal to feel anxious and apprehensive during recovery. You can call it fear if you want, but it’s actually a sign of progress. As you delve deeper into the program, you’ll begin to understand the root causes of your fears so you can assuage them. All the people you share experiences with at AA meetings or a Solana Beach sober living home are there to process fears.

The Prospect of Addiction Recovery without Fear

Most AUD patients don’t fear being sober. Their anxieties are of a different nature—for example, being afraid of losing friends, letting go of enablers, lapsing, relapsing, getting stuck in some of the 12 steps, accepting a new life, and being judged in general. 

With this in mind, the prospect of recovering without anxieties isn’t as unlikely as many people think. It’s important to note that healthcare research dating back to the 1980s shows more than 70 percent of patients who deal with mild and moderate AUD recover by themselves, without attending programs, and with limited fears.

Dealing with Various Fears during Recovery

There are various strategies to assuage fears during the journey to recovery. Invariably, you should address concerns that require practical solutions first. For example, if AUD caused your life structure to crumble, staying in a sober living facility can help you deal with the fear of what comes next. The bottom line is to not be afraid of being afraid. If you have nagging or overwhelming fears, make sure to tell your AA group or counselor about them so rational plans of action can be implemented.

If you’re newly sober and you need help with avoiding relapse, call on the compassionate team at Casa Pacifica. Along with providing sober living housing for men in Solana Beach, we work with our individual residents to develop customized plans that integrate treatment, aftercare, and recovery support. Our services include sober companionship, coaching, and mentorship for those who are recovering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. For more information about our sober living facilities, call us today.