People who have struggled with addiction know the challenges it can bring. Not only does addiction affect a person’s mental health and relationships, it takes a toll on one’s physical health as well.
Choosing to seek out help through a rehab program is a decision that has many positive benefits. But the road to sobriety is not easy. One of the first steps in a drug and alcohol treatment program is detoxification. Detox is the process of ridding the body of any drugs or alcohol to get on the path to healing. The purpose of detox in a treatment centre is to safely manage withdrawal symptoms. With a comprehensive program, drug detoxification can lead directly to rehabilitation.
Here are some helpful tips for helping with alcohol and drug withdrawal to help prevent relapse, and get on the path to recovery.
Drink Lots of Fluids Containing Electrolytes
Many people who suffer from alcohol abuse suffer dehydration and nausea during detox. Drinking lots of fluids, especially those with electrolytes can help. Calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium are electrolytes often found in sports drinks. Regular consumption of electrolytes ensures your body is properly hydrated and can help regulate any unpleasant feelings.
Seek Help If You Need To
Remember that you are not alone. Many people who suffer from addiction think they are alone in the process, but this just isn’t the case. A reputable treatment centre such as Brookside Treatment can help you through the difficult process of detoxification and rehabilitation. Going through rehab is often easier in a community of people who are going through the same struggles as you are.
Ride Through Your Cravings
Cravings will undoubtedly be a real and ever-present challenge for you during your detox and rehabilitation. It’s helpful to view cravings as waves that rise and fall; your cravings will eventually crash, which is to say they’ll go away in time. However, remember that they often come in tandem with one another.
Have A Cold Shower
Taking a cold shower can help press the reset button if you’re feeling a strong urge to relapse. Aside from the many great benefits of cold water, it can also help with the hot flushes associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Use Intentional Breathing Techniques
When we’re stressed we can forget to breathe intentionally. Deep breathing can help re-engage the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain associated with reasoning. If you’re suffering from a craving, breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath, then exhale out your mouth for four seconds.
Following this protocol can help you retain your critical thinking if you are suffering a craving during your detoxification.
Meditate
Meditation can help you stay relaxed, balanced and in control. Balance, after all, is what you’re after when you’re undertaking a challenging rehabilitation program. Meditation helps you to cultivate greater control and put you out of a reactive state of mind.
To Sum Up
Suffering from drug or alcohol withdrawal can be extremely tough for anyone. Luckily you don’t have to go through the arduous process of detoxification and rehabilitation alone. There are many things you can do, both big and small, that will help prevent a relapse and stay clean moving forward.
Don’t be afraid to seek out help if you need it. Also, keep your body and mind healthy by eating well, staying hydrated and focus on staying in charge of your mind by doing some intentional breathing and meditation. Also, remember that cravings come and go and it’s all part of the process.