10 Home Remedies for Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol is an addictive substance responsible for almost 20% of emergency room visits, and close to 100,000 deaths each year in the USA alone. Approximately 15 million people in the USA are considered to have an alcohol use disorder, that’s almost three times the population of Norway.
As with any other addictive substance, withdrawal can be a serious issue for people with alcoholism. When a person suddenly stops after a prolonged period of time of heavy drinking, trembling, insomnia and anxiety are to be expected as a part of the process of withdrawal.
One of the main reasons people experience alcohol withdrawal is that alcohol has a sedative effect on the brain, effectively slowing down its functioning. Since a long term drinker’s brain is regularly exposed to the effects of alcohol, a depressant, the brain adjusts to this by producing more stimulating chemicals and in greater quantities than usual. When alcohol is suddenly taken away from this equation, your brain is essentially running on overdrive creating the symptoms that we know as alcohol withdrawal.
It’s important to realize that alcohol is nothing more than a toxin, and when it’s taken away it gives the body and brain the opportunity to heal and return to a healthy state. Unfortunately, many people have to experience withdrawal and deal with the associated symptoms. There is good news though, withdrawal is only temporary and lasts around five days for most people.
Everyone experiences withdrawal differently, but here’s what you can possibly expect when you decide to stop drinking1:
- In most cases, insomnia and different levels of anxiety for a few days after your last drink.
- Shakes and tremors – This usually start within 10 hours after your last drink
- Hallucinosis – This is a rare symptom and usually only present in the most extreme cases of alcoholism. This means that you can hear and see things that are not real, and can begin 12-24 hours after your last drink and last up to 48 hours
- Seizures – typically appear within 6 to 48 hours after your last drink, and typically last for no more than 24 hours
- Delirium tremens – These are dangerous changes in breathing and circulation, also temperature shifts. It’s also possible that this may cause unsafe levels of dehydration
If you’re a very heavy drinker and want to stop, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor and arrange some form of monitoring during your withdrawal period. But if you think you can handle withdrawal on your own, here are 10 home remedies for Alcohol Withdrawal:
10 Home Remedies for Alcohol Withdrawal
#1 – Keep active As stated above, anxiety is one of the most common symptoms of withdrawal. If you’re physically capable and do not foresee physical activity as a problem, plan the day by going for a walk, bike ride, or anything else that will keep you busy and your body active. This will not only help keep your mind from spiralling into dark places, but it will also help you process the alcohol out of your system quicker.
It’s important to note that doing this with a friend or a family member is a good idea, just in case you need any help.
#2 – Drink lots of fluids Alcohol causes dehydration, so it’s important to take in a lot of fluids with electrolytes. Sport drinks work very well, or you can buy electrolytes in a drug store and add them to water or juice. Keeping properly hydrated will help you feel better physically and mentally.
#3 – Don’t go through withdrawal alone Make sure to tell your friends and family that you’re planning to quit drinking and ask for their support. This will make the process easier, the more support you have the better.
#4 – Keep your mind occupied One of the best ways of dealing with anxiety is to occupy your mind with something other than your situation. Here are some suggestions:
- Reading
- Watching movies
- Talking to other people
- Listening to music
- Writing a letter to yourself/keeping a journal of your experience
#5 – Remember that withdrawal is only temporary Withdrawal can be one of the most difficult experiences you’ll ever experience, but you need to know that it’s only temporary. It will go away, and you’ll be proud of yourself for being able to go through such a difficult experience. It’s important to keep this in mind when you’re suffering through withdrawal.
10 Home Remedies for Alcohol Withdrawal
#6 – Avoid triggers Quitting drinking means that you’re changing other habits if you want to be successful. Avoid your drinking friends and places you associate with alcohol. This will help you avoid cravings for alcohol, essentially making your withdrawal period less difficult.
#7 – Exercise This might not be the first thing that comes to mind when quitting drinking, but a small amount of exercise will have a big impact on reducing the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. Exercise releases endorphins, this hormone helps you feel happier and will reduce negative feelings and anxiety and Alcohol Withdrawal.
It’s important to note not to over-exert yourself. Your body may not be in good shape for obvious reasons, you don’t want to push yourself too much.
#8 – Join a support group Groups such as AA help give support, and also help you realize that you’re not alone. Being around other people who have gone through the same thing will not only give you support, but people who’ve gone through the same thing can give you some good advice on how to get through this hard time.
#9 – Meditation Meditation helps you get your anxiety under control, helps you feel more relaxed and is a great way to clear your mind from negative thoughts and feelings. This will help you feel more balanced, and is a great and healthy habit to build.
#10 – Write out why you quit drinking Going through withdrawal is difficult, especially when you’re craving a drink. Writing out in point form all the reasons you’re quitting is a great way to help you remember all the negative things you want to give up. This is also a great time to write down all the positive changes you want to make after quitting alcohol.
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Alcohol Withdrawal References and Alcohol Withdrawal Information
- Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/alcohol-withdrawal-a-to-z
- The Recovery Village: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/withdrawal-detox/coping-with-withdrawal/
- The Recovery Village: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/withdrawal-detox/coping-with-withdrawal/
- More Home Remedies that Work: https://homeremediesapp.com/10-home-remedies-for-alcohol-withdrawal/
