Alcohol dependency is a medical condition that many find hard to quit. Dealing with alcohol withdrawal presents you with many unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms, such as nausea, tremors, depression, and irritability.

If you are struggling with alcohol withdrawal, these ten tips can help. At In Balance Counseling, we offer addiction counseling in Tucson to provide support when you need it most. You’re not alone; call us at (520) 722-9631 to take the first step in your recovery.

1. Hydrate

Hydrating is essential to managing alcohol withdrawal. Pump your body with electrolyte-packed fluids to curb any nausea and dehydration. Sports drinks offer key electrolytes like potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. 

2. Eat a Clean Diet

Alcohol acclimates your body to high glucose levels. This presents high-risk factors for diabetes, kidney disease, and other serious health conditions. Balance out your nutrition with a healthy diet of plenty of fruits and vegetables.

3. Take a Cold Shower

Hot flashes can be a common symptom when dealing with alcohol withdrawal. A cold shower can help relieve them and clear your mind of the urge to drink.

4. Build a Support System

Know that you are never alone in your recovery. Ask a friend to stay with you during this period. Having a support system around you can make a difference in your detox success.  

Have discussions with your doctor about preventing alcohol dependency by changing your drinking habits. They can offer tips for recovery and provide guidance if you need professional counseling.  

5. Meditate

Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and clear your mind. Meditation can be a powerful coping mechanism to curb cravings and recharge. 

6. Listen to Music

Let your mind escape with music during detox. It can be a simple yet effective distraction to get you through the severe symptoms of withdrawal. 

7. Read a Book

Distractions are key for dealing with alcohol withdrawal. Pick up a book when you’re in recovery and get lost in the world within its pages. 

8. Think Long Term

When alcohol cravings set in, it can be hard to navigate them without relapsing. Teach your brain to focus on the negative consequences of a relapse to help you with the suppression of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Having your mind fast forward through the temporary relief you’ll feel can help you focus on your big-picture goals.

9. Take Up a New Hobby

Have you always wanted to try painting or learn an instrument? Taking up a new hobby both stimulates your mind and distracts you from the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Throw your energy towards a new hobby or return to one that you gave up on before. 

10. Get Active

There are several benefits of exercise and addiction recovery. You can reduce stress, improve your sleep patterns and get a change in scenery. Go for a walk, shoot hoops, or take part in any form of exercise you enjoy.  

Seek Treatment for Alcohol Addiction and Withdrawal

Dealing with alcohol withdrawal is challenging, but you don’t have to go through it alone. For help managing your alcohol addiction and withdrawal, reach out to In Balance Counseling at (520) 722-9631.

Recovering from traumatic events often brings up negative emotions that you might struggle to handle. If you have PTSD, processing these difficult emotions can lead you toward some negative coping mechanisms. What are unhealthy coping mechanisms?

As you attend counseling in Tucson, AZ, you’ll learn how to improve your mental health with healthy coping mechanisms. Continue reading to discover coping mechanisms you should avoid. 

Isolation and Avoidance

Many people who struggle with their mental health seek isolation from other people. They often feel disconnected from friends and family members, causing them to avoid their support network altogether. Additionally, certain social scenarios might induce anxiety.

While isolation might offer temporary relief, it ultimately breaks you down from the inside. You should reach out to your friends and family to create connections and find help when you need it. 

Addictions and Substance Abuse

You might turn to a broad range of substances to find relief from your traumatic stress response. You may not even consciously realize that you abuse substances.

Addictions often include obvious ones like tobacco, alcohol, or hard drugs. But they can also include activities like gaming, drinking caffeine, and excessive shopping. These addictions can negatively impact your mental, financial, and physical health. While you might enjoy a temporary escape from your problems, you’ll eventually have more issues later on.  

Suppressing Your Feelings

So, what are unhealthy coping mechanisms for trauma? Can they include more subtle habits? Yes, they can include subtler, less noticeable habits.

One such habit includes suppressing how you feel to avoid conflict or ensure the comfort of others around you. A part of healing from trauma involves learning to set healthy boundaries while effectively advocating your needs to others. When you suppress your feelings, you’ll struggle to communicate your discomfort or needs to your support network.

Risky Behaviors

Consider the behaviors that make you feel alive. Do you enjoy driving fast? What about aggressively engaging in conflict?

Risky behaviors put your life and others’ lives and well-being in danger. Many people engage in risky behaviors because they achieve a mental high. The behavior allows them to briefly escape their inner turmoil for a few moments of intense, external stimuli.

But risky behavior has far-reaching consequences that can harm yourself and others.   

Staying Guarded at All Times

Traumatic experiences put your mind on high alert. This guarded existence becomes exhausting and can induce anxiety and panic over time. Your stress levels increase, leaving you vulnerable to declining physical and mental health.

Everyone needs a chance to relax and rest. Remaining alert in all situations prevents you from finding rest. You may become more irritable and angry at others as a result. 

Discover How Positive Coping Mechanisms Will Change Your World with In Balance Counseling 

When asking yourself, “What are unhealthy coping mechanisms? Do I use them too?” call In Balance Counseling at (520) 722-9631 for guidance. Our qualified, compassionate counselors can help you develop positive coping mechanisms that change your perspective. Learn more about the benefits of counseling by contacting us. 

Dealing with substance abuse or drug addiction is among the most challenging obstacles a person can face. Because everyone responds differently to treatment and counseling, finding the right fit when it comes to treatment can be overwhelming and even scary. It can also be highly disheartening to repeatedly try different options with limited results. 

If you or a loved one is searching for an effective treatment option, you may wonder, “what is an intensive outpatient program?” These programs can offer compelling benefits to anyone searching for addiction treatment. This article will explain what IOPs are and how they can help and will also recommend an excellent intensive outpatient program in Tucson from In Balance.

What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) offer an excellent balance between typical outpatient treatment and inpatient services. While many patients need more intensive treatment than a standard outpatient program can offer, taking time off from work and other responsibilities to attend an inpatient program is not always feasible. IOP programs allow for more intensive treatment than other alternatives without the time commitment of inpatient services.

Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Programs

Choosing the right type of treatment is essential to the outcome, so it’s important to consider the available options before selecting. Now that we’ve answered the question “what is an intensive outpatient program?” the following few sections will discuss these programs’ unique benefits. 

Structural Support

Many patients can benefit from a sense of structure and routine in their treatment. While inpatient treatment facilities offer the highest level of consistency, they require a significant time commitment that not anyone can make. By dedicating more time per week to treatment, IOPs provide a more substantial support system than traditional outpatient services. 

Multiple Approaches

Another advantage of intensive outpatient programs is varied treatment. While typical outpatient services are limited by time and focus on one strategy, IOPs require multiple visits per week. Therefore, these programs can approach substance abuse and mental illness in numerous ways simultaneously, offering higher chances of success.

Flexibility 

Finally, another significant advantage of intensive outpatient programs is their flexibility. We understand that commitments to family members and bosses can get in the way of committing to inpatient services, but you still deserve the highest level of treatment. With IOPs, you can attend day or night, making it possible to receive quality care without sacrificing in other areas of life. 

Prioritize Your Health Today

Addressing substance abuse and mental health issues is complex and can be a long road. Despite this, it is undoubtedly and assuredly worth the effort. Everyone has challenges to overcome, and facing your struggles can transform your life entirely. Now that you know the answer to “what is an intensive outpatient program?” it’s time to take action.At In Balance Counseling, we are proud to offer expert addiction counseling services, including an excellent intensive outpatient program. We have spent years developing a cohesive plan for addressing these issues that can help you overcome the source of your substance abuse issues. If you’re interested in an IOP program or other counseling services in Tucson, AZ, or to learn more about first responder programs, call In Balance Counseling at 520-722-9631 today to discuss your needs with a friendly representative.