Sobriety can be fragile. I watched someone experiencing what you write about—the wanting to “numb” all the unpleasant feelings & emotions away. It’s interesting —because even sober he deflects whenever he can. Alcohol was definitely a tool that helped him to “not feel” what he didn’t want to feel.
Feeling “exposed” is a good way of putting it—like taking the cover off something hidden.
It’s a struggle that never really stops—trying to keep that cover on.