Anytime someone decides to take their power back and get onto the road to recovery, one of the biggest challenges facing recovering addicts comes from dealing with withdrawal symptoms. Various factors can influence how serious someone can experience this, with the longer you have used leading to more serious side effects. In many instances, someone becomes more prone to falling back into bad habits due to the severity of these signs.
As you begin your journey toward sobriety, people have one question: How do I solve withdrawal symptoms? We’re here to help guide you through this process and put you in the best position to succeed in your recovery.
It Depends on the Substance
While withdrawal applies to multiple addictions and their associated substances, not every process is the same. Things like alcohol, opioids, benzos, and more can have unique side effects on the recovering addict, but they can vary on a case-by-case basis. Some of the most common side effects include:
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- And more
Fighting through these symptoms and committing to your recovery can often feel like an insurmountable task, but there is still hope.
Have a Strong Support System in Place
One of the most important things for your ongoing recovery is having a strong support system to help. When dealing with the initial onset of withdrawal, it can feel impossible to function like a normal person. Having someone in your corner supporting you through the physical symptoms can help ease the burden and lead you toward a more stable existence.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
There are programs available to help you through your withdrawal. Medically assisted detox programs can give you the assistance you need to make it through the process and deal with the more unpleasant side effects. However, there are additional ways to counteract these symptoms and give you a better chance at success.
Maintain a Regular Exercise Regimen
One of the biggest hurdles of beginning your recovery process comes from trying to restore your brain chemistry to how it was before your addiction. Your brain becomes conditioned to release endorphins and positive chemicals when you were using, and restoring the balance can take longer than anticipated. You may also feel more stress and tension during these stages, causing you to feel more on edge than normal.
Regularly exercising can start retraining your brain to release these beneficial chemicals in the same manner it used to before the substance abuse. Studies have shown that regular exercise can help minimize the chances of relapsing and reduce cravings.
Eat a More Balance Diet
Nutrition significantly affects how well you deal with increasing withdrawal symptoms. Feeding your body the right balance of nutrients can help your mental and physical recovery. Consult a nutritionist or an experienced addiction rehab program in Levittown, PA, for help developing a diet that works for your unique needs.
Maintain a Structured Sleep Schedule
Insomnia remains one of the most common withdrawal side effects. Difficulty maintaining a proper sleep schedule can throw your entire body out of sync, causing you to spend more time feeling irritable and trying to find ways to spend your time. Your thoughts become more clouded; you’re more likely to experience mood swings and give into cravings. Minimizing how much stimulation you experience before bed can help you get to sleep easier and get the restful sleep your body craves.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
One common withdrawal symptom that might go unnoticed but can be the thing that pushes you over the edge is your mental health. Recovering addicts in the beginning stages of their withdrawal can experience varying stages of depression and anxiety that can trigger a relapse. In most cases, these conditions can be treated and addressed with the help of trained professionals, group therapy sessions, and personalized treatment programs. The best addiction treatment programs help treat the entirety of the patient — mind, and body.
Let Steps to Recovery Help You Manage Your Withdrawal Symptoms
When dealing with your withdrawal symptoms, simply choosing to persevere through it is often not enough and puts you at a disadvantage. Finding ways to constructively and proactively deal with the symptoms you’re experiencing can help put you in the best position to succeed. With the help of Steps to Recovery’s addiction treatment center in Levittown, PA, you can get the support you need to successfully navigate your withdrawal symptoms.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please contact our team to learn more about our treatment and therapy programs.
Sources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-can-i-feel-better-during-drug-or-alcohol-withdrawal-4160020
https://sunrisehouse.com/detox-process/cope-withdrawals/
https://diamondhousedetox.com/8-helpful-ways-to-cope-with-drug-withdrawal/