14.1 million Americans suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder, also known as alcoholism. Sadly, around 95,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually.
While alcohol seems like a good idea when you’re out for dinner or at a party, it can quickly lead to an addiction that ruins or ends your life. But, just because you struggle with addiction today, doesn’t mean that you’re destined to be an alcoholic forever. If you can get through the withdrawal stage, you can lead a sober and happy life.
Keep reading to learn the best tricks to help you through the withdrawal process naturally.
Education Yourself About the Process
Before you can overcome the withdrawal process, you need to be prepared for what to expect during your withdrawal.
Withdrawal symptoms can start immediately after your last drink and can last for months. For some people, the urges and cravings that come with withdrawal can last for years. Everyone’s experience with withdrawal will differ based on the severity of symptoms.
Some of the more common symptoms to be prepared for include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hot or cold flashes
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramps or aches
- Insomnia and restlessness
- Moodswings
While most symptoms are bearable, withdrawal can be dangerous. If you suffer from any suicidal thoughts, seizures, increased heart rate, or increased blood pressure, you should seek medical attention.
Keep Reminders of Your ‘Why’
To successfully go through the tough process of withdrawal, you need to have a strong reason for why you want to get sober.
If you feel pressured to live a sober life from others or don’t have a strong motivation, you’ll likely cave to cravings and drink again. So, before you start the withdrawal process, figure out why a sober life is important to you.
The reasons to get sober will vary for everyone. Maybe you want to get sober so you can live to meet your grandchildren. Or, maybe you want a sober life so that you can be successful and happy in life.
Once you find your reason, leave yourself reminders around your home. These reminders can include photos of what you want your life to look like, photos of your reasons behind sobriety, or motivation phrases. Then, put these reminders in places you look at often, such as on your fridge or your bedside table.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
One of the most successful home remedies you can create for recovery is a healthy diet. During the withdrawal process, your body will be detoxing from alcohol. You want to make the detox process easier for yourself by fueling your body with all the nutrients it craves.
In addition, withdrawal often can cause dehydration, especially if you’re suffering from vomiting or diarrhea. You want to make sure you are drinking more than enough water to remain healthy. Also consider drinking things that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks, to keep your body fueled.
Take Up Meditation
Many scientific studies have been conducted on the positive effects that meditation has with substance abuse disorders. Meditation and mindfulness training has a positive effect on the brain’s reward function, which also helps prevent relapse over time.
If you’ve never considered meditation before, the withdrawal process might be a perfect time. Start your journey by downloading a meditation app or watching a guided meditation video online.
Practicing meditation won’t cure you of all your withdrawal symptoms. Instead, it will help you slow your thoughts, reduce anxiety, and relax your body. With this help, you can focus better on your recovery journey.
Get Rid of All Temptations
If you’re truly committed to a sober lifestyle, you need to get rid of all temptations to increase your odds of success.
Start by clearing out all of the alcohol from your house. If you don’t live alone, explain to your roommates or your family the situation. Then, ask them to either get rid of their alcohol during the withdrawal period or lock it up in a place that you won’t have access to.
Once all of the alcohol is gone from your house, you need to think about the situations where you typically drank. For example, maybe you have a favorite bar or drinking buddy that helped fuel your Alcohol Use Disorder. If so, you need to eliminate these temptations from your life as well.
Find a New Hobby
During the withdrawal period, there will be days when it seems impossible to concentrate on anything buy your cravings. If you’re just sitting around at home waiting for the urge to drink to pass, the odds are high that you’ll relapse. Instead, you need to focus on a hobby to keep your mind and body busy.
Is there a skill you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the time? Did you have a specific pastime you enjoyed a few years ago but you never do anymore? If so, now is the time to become invested in a new hobby.
A few good hobbies to keep you busy include:
- Learning to play an instrument
- Creative tasks like drawing or painting
- DIY projects, such as woodworking or knitting
- Cooking or baking
- Playing video games
Exercise Regularly
Like meditation, exercise is also scientifically proven to help with addiction treatment.
When you are exercising, your body naturally releases endorphins. These chemicals reduce your brain’s pain perception and give your body a positive feeling. Many times, these feelings will be similar to the feelings you received when drinking alcohol.
By giving yourself a new way to feel positive, you’re less likely to crave alcohol.
Withdrawal Is Tough, But You Are Tougher
After reading this article, you’re better equipped to handle the withdrawal process on your own naturally.
But if you’ve tried all of these measures and are still struggling with your sobriety, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Start by asking a trusted friend or family member for their support. Or, you can seek out a holistic rehab to help you get through the process naturally but with professional help.
Looking for more ways to improve your odds of living a sober life? Be sure to check out all the rest of our advice on the Lifestyle section of this site.
