During his first inaugural address, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt famously told the nation, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
It is an inspiring line, to be sure. But in our day-to-day lives, we tend to be afraid of all sorts of things. Spiders or heights or flying or the dark, for example. A negative result from a medical test. A meeting with your boss that suddenly appears in your calendar with no agenda. Truthfully, the world offers plenty of things to be afraid of for reasons both rational and irrational.
High on the list for many people is a fear of the unknown. It is a particularly tricky kind of fear because it isn’t attached to something specific. It is that lack of knowledge, in fact, that gives fear its power.
This can be a particularly problematic type of fear if you are a person struggling with drugs or alcohol. You might understand, as a general matter, that you really need to pursue treatment for a substance use disorder, but the very idea of doing so might seem frightening. You might worry about all sorts of things without really having a sense of what treatment is all about.
That is perfectly understandable. Fortunately, we have some ideas for how you might overcome that fear of the unknown so that you can confidently seek out the help you need to get and stay sober.
Take the Time to Learn About Treatment
The fact that you have arrived here at our blog suggests you might already be seeking out more information about treatment for a substance use disorder. That is a wonderful approach. Getting trustworthy information about the treatment process is a great way to tamp down any fear you might be feeling.
And how do you ensure that the information you are getting is, in fact, trustworthy? That’s a fair question, given the overwhelming amount of information that pops up if you, for example, just do an internet search for words and ideas related to treatment. We would suggest the best place to start is with someone you already trust, like your doctor or your therapist. These professionals can likely point you toward high-quality resources in your community.
It won’t surprise you to hear that we consider ourselves a reliable source of information about substance use disorder treatment. You will find all sorts of helpful details throughout this blog and the rest of our website. We suggest starting here, here, and here.
Take the Time to Talk with Those Who Support You
Your most supportive friends and family members are going to want to help you find your way into a treatment program. After all, your substance use disorder is disrupting their lives as well as yours. Even more importantly, these are the people in your life who love you and want the best for you.
Sharing your fears about treatment with these folks is a great way to address the anxiety you are feeling. Having someone listen to your concerns is a wonderful way to get perspective and reassurance. Your current support system can serve that role in your life.
You can also count on a strong support system once you are in treatment. From the members of a recovery center’s staff to the other individuals in treatment who understand exactly what you are going through, treatment includes a built-in system of support. Convincing yourself to take the first step is often the most challenging part when it comes to facing down your fears. Knowing there are people who will help you through the experience can provide comfort and encouragement.
Take the Time to Tackle Your Anxiety
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, it can be hard to tamp down your general feelings of anxiety—especially if you are using a substance that tends to amp up anxious feelings. Still and all, it may be worth it to try to get a grip on your overall anxiety so that you are better able to make the decision to get the help you need.
Addressing anxiety can take a number of forms, from medication to therapy to mindfulness practice to a countdown approach to centering yourself. When you set your anxiety aside—even temporarily—you give yourself a chance to think clearly about next steps in your journey toward lasting sobriety. That can make a huge difference in terms of your ability to overcome your fear of the unknown.
Know This: We Are Here to Help
The Aviary Recovery Center, located near St. Louis, Missouri, is an award-winning facility where the staff is wholly committed to help the people we serve reclaim and retain their sobriety. To accomplish this, we offer a robust set of treatment options, including our inpatient program, outpatient programs, and a virtual approach. We bring to bear a powerful combination of evidence-based practices, expertise, experience, and empathy. When you are ready to take that all important first step toward remaking your life, we are ready to help you achieve your goals.
