Fear of Failure: Strategies for Overcoming and Achieving Success

Fear of failure can hinder your progress in the addiction recovery process. Learn how to cope with your fears with the best strategies from our expert We Level Up Team team.


Although the majority accepts that we cannot succeed every time we try to do something and that failure can be a way to learn, we still often struggle with the idea of failing. For some people, the fear of failure can be so strong that they decide not to engage in something. The intense fear of failure phobia is recognized among professionals as atychiphobia.

Coping with fear of failure and learning to keep on going despite it is never an easy task, but it is especially challenging for those already struggling with another life crisis, like having an addiction. While in recovery, many might start worrying about their past repeating itself, which would mean they failed to recover from substance use. 

Learning how to overcome fear of failure then becomes essential. When implemented under the professional care of mental health treatment centers, many strategies for overcoming the fear of failure result in the development of life-long skills. We Level Up Network can be your partner in acquiring these skills and getting your life back on track.

Understanding Fear of Failure

When a fear of not being successful at something prevents us from even trying, we are talking about the fear of failure. This fear impairs us and stops us from achieving our goals. It often slows down one´s progress as it leads to procrastination or postponing dealing with certain tasks we fear we will not be able to fulfill. It is often self-fulfilling, meaning it can ultimately result in failure. 

a woman on a couch looking worried and feeling fear of failure

There are signs that one is struggling with the fear of failure. Those signs or symptoms can be behavioral or emotional, and they include:

  • Anxiety.
  • Avoidance.
  • Feeling a loss of control.
  • A feeling of helplessness.
  • A feeling of powerlessness. 

There can also be some physical signs, such as rapid heart rate, chest tightness, trembling, sweating, digestive problems, lightheadedness, and dizziness. 

Other than the obvious behavioral consequences of fear of failure, such as procrastination or giving up on something entirely, psychological consequences can surpass the current situation and become a problem in other aspects of life. The fear of failure is intertwined with self-regulation and self-esteem. This makes coping with fear of failure that much more important, especially for those who are insecure or going through a mental health challenge, like addressing addiction. 

If recovering addicts experience fear of failure, it can negatively impact their recovery by slowing it down or even completely stopping it. For instance, they might think group therapy will not offer them support and decide not to go to it. As they haven´t exposed themselves to people who could have become support, they end up not getting the support they need. This is an example of how fear of failure phobia self-fulfills.

Get Help. Get Better. Get Your Life Back.

Searching for Accredited Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers Near You?

Even if you have failed previously and relapsed, or are in the middle of a difficult crisis, we stand ready to support you. Our trusted behavioral health specialists will not give up on you. When you feel ready or just want someone to speak to about therapy alternatives to change your life call us. Even if we cannot assist you, we will lead you to wherever you can get support. There is no obligation. Call our hotline today.

(844) 597-1011

Coping with Fear of Failure in Rehab Settings

Struggling with addiction comes with many worries and fears, and the fear of failure is only one of them. For some, this fear can manifest early on and prevent a person dealing with addiction them from seeking help in the first place. Fearing that the rehab process will be unsuccessful can block some addicts from entering a rehabilitation program. 

For others, fear of failure phobia may develop later when they have already gone through the most intense phase, and they ought to reintegrate and re-establish themselves. Oftentimes, this requires letting go of old friendships and establishing new relationships or even staying alone for a while. In situations like these, the fear is related to not being able to connect with others or, more importantly, that the past will just repeat itself, and they will easily slip back into substance use. 

A man struggling with the fear of failure.
People with a fear of failure may avoid entering situations that can make them fail.

Knowing that people usually feel alone in their struggles with both addiction and the fear of failing, professionals suggest surrounding oneself with those in similar situations or seeking support from other relevant sources, such as family. Group therapy for addiction can be a great place to start addressing your fears, as people in addiction groups either go through what you are going through right now or have been challenged in the same way in the past. Hearing their stories can help you determine whether your fear is irrational or offer some answers to the question of how to eliminate fear of failure. 

Secondly, in some cases, the fear of failure comes from not being supported or understood by your closest ones, meaning your family. If criticism was frequently present, it might come out as self-doubt, which is linked to the fear of failing. Involving family members through family therapy for addiction can help resolve some potential issues in the family and empower family members to support each other, especially the struggling addict in recovery. 

A number of strategies for coping with fear of failure can aid the rehabilitation program and one´s daily routines.

Ryan Zofay forming a circle and hugging friends.

Get Your Life Back

Find Hope & Recovery. Get Safe Comfortable Detox, Addiction Rehab & Dual Diagnosis High-Quality Care.

Hotline(844) 597-1011

How To Overcome Fear of Failure

To overcome fear, we need to learn to recognize and understand it. Various techniques and therapeutic approaches can aid us in this process, leaving us with skills we can implement in many future situations of struggle.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that aims to discover dysfunctional patterns of thinking and feeling, analyze and challenge them, and finally replace them with functional ones. New functional thinking patterns ought to set new adaptive behavioral patterns in place of maladaptive ones. 
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is another evidence-based psychotherapy methodology that aims to alter behavioral patterns. It does so by teaching people how to find a balance between acceptance and change. DBT also instills the idea that a change need not be the opposite of the current state, which is very helpful for someone struggling with the fear of failure.  
  • Working on your confidence by setting realistic goals is another way of coping with fear of failure. It´s one of the first steps in any therapeutic approach. Being realistic means choosing achievable goals and giving yourself enough time to work on them. With this, you will be less likely to feel overwhelmed by your personal objectives.
A man struggling with the fear of failure while two friends are watching him and talking about him.
How to eliminate the fear of failure? There are many strategies and techniques for eliminating or coping with fear of failure.
  • Mindfulness and relaxation techniques help a person experience thoughts without letting them affect emotions and behaviors. These techniques help a person stay grounded and avoid quick negative evaluations of things, but rather allow them to pass without reacting to them. 
  • In addition to building skills to overcome the fear of failure, one should also build a support system. Ideally, you should receive support from your family and friends, but overcoming particular struggles often requires a different kind of support. We Level Up Treatment Centers can offer professional support. Other than equipping you with skills and capacities to address any challenge on your way, we can be a valuable resource. You can turn to us for information, advice, or assistance when needed. 
  • Finally, reading some of the best sobriety books to find inspiration in other success stories and introducing fear of failure quotes into your daily routine can lift up your spirit and empower you to keep on going. Here are some famous quotes you can start repeating daily for motivation:
    • “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” (Nelson Mandela)
    • “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” (George Addair)
    • “The fears we don’t face become our LIMITS.” (Robin Sharma)

First-class Facilities & Amenities

World-class High-Quality Addiction & Mental Health Rehabilitation Treatment

Rehab Centers Tour

Renowned Addiction Centers. Serene Private Facilities. Inpatient rehab programs vary.

Addiction Helpline(844) 597-1011

Proven recovery success experience, backed by a Team w/ History of:

15+

Years of Unified Experience

100s

5-Star Reviews Across Our Centers

10K

Recovery Success Stories Across Our Network

  • Low Patient to Therapist Ratio
  • Onsite Medical Detox Center
  • Comprehensive Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
  • Complimentary Family & Alumni Programs
  • Coaching, Recovery & Personal Development Events

Fear of Failure and Addiction Relapse

One of the most common fears a recovering addict has is related to the possibility of relapse. Paradoxically, the fear of failure can turn into a relapse trigger. If you believe that no matter what you do, slipping back into addiction is inevitable, this fear can paralyze you from taking any actions to fight your current situation. By not taking any actions to manage your state, recover from addiction, and pursue a better life for yourself, you are increasing the possibility of relapse taking place.

To prevent your fear of failing to affect your current state, you need to stay vigilant to addiction relapse warning signs and react to them as soon as possible if they occur. A quick reaction in the form of implementing coping mechanisms and seeking professional help when it´s necessary is sure to empower you to take charge, fight off your fear of failure, and succeed in your addiction rehabilitation process.

A scared woman covering her eyes with hands.
Fear of failure phobia is a common occurrence in those struggling with addiction relapse.

Fight the Fear of Failure

We understand that the fear of failure can be so overwhelming that it hinders your recovery from addiction. Not everyone´s path to recovery happens at the same pace, but having it slower should not be due to fear of failing. With the right support, you are sure to thrive.

We at We Level Up Network truly believe that your strength is within you and that, with some assistance, you can overcome any obstacle in your path. Call us to get all the resources you need to live your full potential.

Experience Transformative Recovery at We Level Up Treatment Centers.

See our authentic success stories. Get inspired. Get the help you deserve.

We Level Up Treatment Centers for Drug Alcohol Rehab Detox Behavioral Mental Health Dual Diagnosis TherapyWe Level Up Treatment Centers for Drug Alcohol Rehab Detox Behavioral Mental Health Dual Diagnosis TherapyWe Level Up Treatment Centers for Drug Alcohol Rehab Detox Behavioral Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Therapy

Hotline (844) 597-1011
Voluntarily testimonials from the We Level Up Treatment Center network vary. Not intended as a guaranteed treatment or outcome as each person's journey is unique.

Start a New Life

Begin with a free call to an addiction & behavioral health treatment advisor. Learn more about our dual-diagnosis programs. The We Level Up Treatment Center Network delivers recovery programs that vary by each treatment facility. Call to learn more.

  • Personalized Care
  • Caring Accountable Staff
  • World-class Amenities
  • Licensed & Accredited
  • Renowned w/ 100s 5-Star Reviews

We’ll Call You


Sources:

Haghbin, M., McCaffrey, A. and Pychyl, T.A. (2012). The Complexity of the Relation between Fear of Failure and Procrastination. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, [online] 30(4), pp.249–263. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-012-0153-9.