5 Useful Tips to Overcome Withdrawal Symptoms

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Withdrawal symptoms caused from the abrupt discontinuation of alcohol consumption can vary in individuals depending on factors including age, health history, lifestyle, and the level of alcohol intake. As you consume alcohol regularly, the chemical makeup of your brain changes, which can make a severe impact when you try to quit. Withdrawal symptoms, which refer to physical and mental changes, occur within 24 hours of quitting alcohol. Recovery from alcohol can be tough and, hence you have reason to celebrate your success (without alcohol, of course) if you get past your withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of withdrawal and their severity in individuals differ owing to various factors. Some of the common withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Irritability
  • Diarrhoea
  • Sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety and restlessness
  • Headaches
  • Tremors
  • Palpitations
  • Mood swings
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Change in appetite

Tips To Overcome Withdrawal Symptoms

Once you have made up your mind to quit alcohol, believe in your ability to handle withdrawal symptoms successfully. Here are five effective tips to aid in overcoming withdrawal symptoms.

  1. Knowledge Is Strength

Knowing about withdrawal symptoms will help you prepare for it physically and mentally. Once you decide to quit alcohol, it is best to seek professional advice on how to go about it, and learn about the impacts of such sudden discontinuation of alcohol consumption. Knowing what to expect, you will be able to face it and work out effective ways to overcome withdrawal symptoms, be it diarrhea or mood swings. A drug rehabilitation programme can help you get a better idea about withdrawal symptoms. While you cannot avoid the phase of withdrawal symptoms, knowing about them will make you resent less and act more.

  1. Seek Support from All Quarters

Being able to talk to your well wishers will be of help. Share any anxieties and concerns that arise in your mind with those closest to you. You may seek help from support group where you can communicate with counsellors as well as those who have quit addiction, or others who are in the same boat as you. Like those addicted to alcohol, you may also find oxycontin addictions to be common. You can derive moral support and strength from such communication.

  1. Exercise Your Body And Mind

Physical exercise goes a long way to helping you overcome withdrawal symptoms. Practicing yoga will alleviate symptoms of withdrawal, improve your immune power, and make you mentally stronger. Exercising regularly will improve your mood and cure depression, which is common while you are on alcohol withdrawal.

Breathing exercises will improve the immune system. They also calm your mind and alleviate stress.

Meditation plays an important role in treating alcohol withdrawal. Meditation creates awareness, calms the mind, improves your sense of perception, sharpens your analytic brain, and treats cravings. Endorphins are released when you exercise and meditate. These endorphins are neurotransmitters, which aid in reducing pain and creating positive feeling.

  1. Have A Balanced Diet

Having a healthy diet helps to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Include lots of fruits and vegetables and avoid eating junk foods. Have foods rich in vitamin B, which is generally at a lower level in alcoholics. Vitamin E rich foods contain antioxidants that prevent damage caused by free radicals and aid in regeneration of cells. Have your share of minerals too, as alcohol consumption results in mineral deficiency. Include foods rich in iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Drink plenty of water as water helps to flush out toxins and cleanse the body. Take more liquids in the form of fresh juice. Water is essential for the physiological processes of the body and to maintain heart and kidney health. Presence of water prevents dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea, which are other signs of alcohol withdrawal.

  1. Be Happily Distracted

Distraction helps when you experience withdrawal symptoms. The more your mind focuses on the symptoms the higher the level of suffering, as your mind magnifies the problems out of proportion. When your focus shifts away from withdrawal symptoms, you will find yourself relieved from them. Engage yourself in your favorite hobbies. Listening to music and reading books will relax your mind. However, outdoor activities are best, as they offer great distraction. Walking and gardening are also effective, as they allow you to enjoy the fresh air.

Sources

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-1/38-43.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3104618/

Helen Garvey
Author of Beauty Zone https://www.beauty-zone.co.uk, Healthy Woman https://www.healthy-woman.co.uk, and New Promo Codes http://www.newpromocodes.co.uk. Written on various topics, including finance, relationships, health and beauty, skincare, and health and fitness.