Withdrawal Management 101: Expert Tips to Navigate Early Recovery

So, you’ve decided to stop engaging in substance use. This is a great first step, but it’s important to do it carefully. Quitting cold turkey may be tempting, but depending on the severity of one’s substance use disorder, it can also be life threatening. But there’s no need to recover alone. Seeking out medical withdrawal supervision as well as withdrawal management tips can help you recover safely.

When it’s time to quit, knowing safe withdrawal coping skills can come in handy. In addition, it’s also helpful to know relapse prevention strategies. If you’re curious to know the detox symptoms early in recovery, as well as relapse prevention strategies for later down the line, this is the post for you.

What is the Safest Way to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms?

The safest way to manage withdrawal symptoms is under a doctor’s care. This is because withdrawal can be severe. Its worst symptoms can include seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens, which is life threatening. Rather than sticking it out alone, it is best to make a healthier choice, and seek care in order to detox.

What Self-Care Steps are Helpful During Withdrawal?

Self-care steps helpful during withdrawal can include the practice of mindfulness, where a person may meditate in order to focus their attention non-judgementally on experiencing the present moment. It is also helpful to eat healthy, low-fat foods rich in protein, complex carbohydrates, and dietary fiber, and to do so at regular intervals. A person in recovery may also benefit from taking vitamin and mineral supplements. It’s also important to drink 2-3 litres of water per day during withdrawal. 

What is Detox?

Detox is what happens when a person with substance use disorder stops using. Because the body has become dependent on the substance, there are side effects, known as withdrawal symptoms. A detox program is there to help that person handle the symptoms.

First, the person in recovery will undergo an intake exam. During this time, they may get blood work, undergo tests to check their physical and mental health, and talk with a healthcare professional about their history of substance use.

Following this process, the person will undergo detox support. Depending on the severity of their withdrawal symptoms, they may receive differing levels of care. For example, in an inpatient detox program, a person will live at a hospital, detox clinic, or rehab center, receiving around the clock care to help manage their symptoms. 

In outpatient care, on the other hand, the person will get treatment during the day but otherwise live at home. Outpatient care is best when a person has a stable and supportive home life, and good physical and mental health.

What to Expect During Withdrawal?

The process of withdrawal does not start immediately. For example, with alcohol, mild withdrawal symptoms begin about 6-12 hours after a person’s last drink. They can linger for weeks or even months, but tend to be worse between 24 and 72 hours after a person’s last drink. 

About 6 hours after a person stops drinking, they may experience early symptoms such as anxiety, shaky hands, headaches, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, and sweating. More serious symptoms begin about 12-48 hours after a person stops drinking. These can include hallucinations, where a person sees things that aren’t there, and seizures.

Finally, about 1% to 1.5% of people will experience delirium tremens, which starts about 24 to 72 hours after a person stops drinking. Also known as alcohol withdrawal delirium, during delirium tremens a person may begin to experience tremors, in which their hands and feet will shake, chest pain, fever, heavy sweating, and high blood pressure. They may fall into deep slumber that lasts a day or longer, experience dehydration, nausea or vomiting, a rapid heartbeat and seizures, and problems with their eye muscles and movement. Their skin may grow pale, and they may grow sensitive to light, sound, and touch.

In addition to these physical symptoms, delirium tremens can also lead to psychological problems, such as confusion, excitability or anger, nightmares, hyperactivity, sleepiness, and getting startled more easily. These symptoms are in addition to hallucinations. Because these symptoms can be very dangerous, it’s best for a person with delirium tremens to receive immediate treatment in a hospital.

Tips For Withdrawal

Whether a person has only minor symptoms or requires hospitalization, withdrawal isn’t a comfortable experience for anyone. Fortunately, there are ways to smooth the process. Here are a few helpful tips. 

First, it’s good for a person to remember they aren’t alone in their recovery. They may have a friend or family members who they can reach out to for emotional support. There’s also support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, and counselors who are ready to help.

Second, it’s very helpful to eat nutritious food. Because someone with substance use disorder may forget what hunger feels like and mistake it for substance cravings, it’s important for them to eat three, healthy meals a day in order to re-regulate their metabolism.

Third, while there is no evidence that physical exercise is helpful in managing withdrawal symptoms, it can be helpful for a person to engage in moderate activities such as walking, or practice meditation and other calming exercises.

Similarly, rest and relaxation is very important in withdrawal management. A quiet and calm area where it is easy to sleep or rest can go a long way in helping someone get through their symptoms.

It’s also helpful to take vitamins, which may be prescribed by a doctor. Substance use disorder has a tendency to lead to vitamin deficiencies, so taking magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, and iron can help someone feel better.

Above all else, it’s really important to practice self-care. Not only will taking good care of oneself help during withdrawal, it is also integral to the stages of recovery after. A good reminder is the acronym HALT, which stands for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. Stopping and considering one’s own needs, whether physical or emotional, is important. Sometimes self-care is as simple as eating, sleeping, and staying clean. Other times, it’s emotional in nature. For instance, a person needs to make time for themselves, be kind to themselves, and give themselves permission to have fun.

Manage Your Withdrawal with SoberMind Recovery

Withdrawal can be dangerous Luckily, there are plenty of resources to help. Knowing what kind of detox is safest, and how to cope with the withdrawal process, can really help. The most important thing to remember is that nobody has to recover alone.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, SoberMind Recovery. A holistic drug rehab in Los Angeles, we offer dual diagnosis treatment and inpatient drug rehab. Call us today at 213-444-2040 and subscribe to our blog to learn more about if our drug and alcohol treatment in San Fernando Valley is right for you.