Do you drink alcohol? Maybe you are one of those teetotalers who do not try alcohol for a personal matter, but you have no problem relating to people who do drink. Metiphobia is the fear of alcohol and it is not just about not drinking it, but it encompasses much more. We tell you in our dictionary what Metiphobia consists of.
What is Metiphobia?
Metiphobia is the fear of alcohol, drinking it, smelling it, or even seeing people drinking an alcoholic drink. In the most serious cases, the person with Metiphobia cannot even go near a bar, so their social life will be considerably reduced. Do you think you suffer from Metiphobia?
This fear of alcohol is also known as photophobia, but the problem is the same. And it is true that consuming has certain risks and that its excessive consumption is a real problem in itself. But here we are talking about a phobia, that irrational and excessive fear that magnifies the possible danger implicit in drinks.
Symptoms of Metiphobia
You have been invited to an event. A dinner with friends, a meeting with your co-workers after the day, a wedding or a birthday. You want to attend, but the situation scares you because you know there will be alcohol. And you already know well the reactions of your body to a situation in which alcohol is present.
Restlessness first and then nervousness. A nervousness that is increasing because you begin to notice that you are short of breath, your heart is going a thousand times an hour and your hands have fallen asleep. Sweat runs all over your body and fear paralyzes you. You may even have suffered a panic attack more than once. And all this by the work and grace of a stimulus as common as alcohol.
The limitations that this phobia of alcohol entails can be perfectly understood. In our society everything is celebrated around a glass of wine and a good banquet. And there is no meeting of friends in which beer is missing. What if it is a work meeting? On many occasions there is also a drink in business matters.
Causes of Metiphobia
What can develop the fear of alcohol? In this case the origin can be detected more clearly than in other phobias. If your first experience with alcohol was a real drunk in which you ended up vomiting and with that kept you in bed, for example, it is reason enough for you to develop this phobia. Although it is true that it does not happen to everyone.
As with other phobias, the traumatic experience is the first thing that comes to mind. If in your childhood you lived with an alcoholic person and suffered the devastating effects of this situation, how can you not be afraid of alcohol? But do not confuse caution with terror, hence the need to treat Metiphobia.
Treatment of Metiphobia
Overcoming Metiphobia will not make you drink if you don’t want to. The treatment will ensure that you can participate in social activities in which alcohol is present without suffering the consequences of a phobia. You will not have to avoid more events; you will be able to enjoy them without having to have a drink.
There is no phobia that can be overcome by our own means. We need help and also psychological. The most effective treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps to transform that distorted thought that sees alcohol as a great danger.
And once the thought has been transformed, it can be changed to a more objective and rational one, which will lead you to a different behavior than avoidance. So if you have Metiphobia, don’t let it go and get in the hands of professionals as soon as possible.