Approximately 88,000 people die every year from alcohol-related causes. This makes alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the country.
Many people are attending meetings, checking into rehab, and getting help to remain sober. As a recovering alcoholic, however, it can feel difficult to cope with alcohol withdrawal symptoms alone.
It helps to have a game plan.
Let’s go over seven tips for coping with withdrawal symptoms. With these tips, you can maintain your sobriety and work to save your own life.
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Set Goals
Once you’ve made the decision to sober up, set a solid goal.
Set realistic, but specific goals for yourself. This will help you stay on track to maintain your sobriety.
For example, you can set a specific quit date for drinking.
Once you set your goals, tell the people in your life. They can help you remain accountable for sticking to your goals.
Alternatively, you can also ask for assistance from a rehabilitation and recovery organization similar to the Recovery Institute of Ohio that can provide your care and supervision and help you achieve sobriety.
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Remove Temptations
After setting your goal as a recovering alcoholic, get rid of the temptations in your life.
Remove all alcohol from your home and workspace. If you regularly go out drinking with friends, tell them about your goal. That way, they can help you maintain your sobriety instead of creating a temptation.
Remove any alcohol-related paraphernalia from your office as well.
Out of sight, out of mind!
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Avoid Bad Influences
It’s also important to avoid bad influences in your life.
If there are people who don’t support your efforts to stop drinking, they likely don’t care as much as you think.
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Build a Support Team
Instead of focusing on these bad influences, build a strong support team.
Spend more time with the people in your life who want to help. This can include family members, friends, counselors, and your faith community. You should also consider a recovery support group.
Attending meetings regularly can help you learn from other people who went through the same experience you are now. Such support teams can be found at rehab centres such as Fusion Recovery or anywhere near you. This could encourage you to keep a disciplined life and give you more reasons for accountability for your actions. This could help in faster recovery.
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Know the Symptoms
One in eight Americans, or 12.7% of the population, has an alcohol use disorder.
If you were a heavy drinker, you could experience a severe form of alcohol withdrawal called delirium tremens, or DTS.
As a recovering alcoholic, you might experience:
- Severe vomiting
- Confusion
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
See a doctor if you experience these symptoms.
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Find Distractions
As you learn how to stop alcohol cravings, it can help to make positive lifestyle changes. These can include:
- Exercising
- Taking up a new hobby (art, dance, etc.)
- Yoga and meditation
- Finding new ways to cope with stress
Bring your support team in as you make these a part of your daily life.
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Ask for Help
In many cases, withdrawal is best under the eye of professionals.
Consider getting treatment. This can include residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, substance abuse counseling, or therapy.
Cut Off the Cravings
Ready to cut off the cravings? With these seven tips for a recovering alcoholic, you can avoid temptations and maintain your sobriety.
Discover a happier, healthier life. Contact us today to get started with professional counseling.