Taking Care of Yourself in the First Weeks of Sobriety Part 1
Part 1: Managing Acute Withdrawal
Early sobriety is a challenging experience. If we have been using substances regularly and we discontinue our use, our bodies and brains need to adjust to the substances not being in our systems anymore. Early sobriety can go smoothly for some people. Yet for many people, the first few weeks of sobriety are physically and mentally challenging. We recommend that people in early sobriety take some basic steps to enhance their physical and mental well-being.
Prioritize nutrition, hydration, sleep, medical care and stress management. These are the basic building blocks of well-being. The challenges of recovery will be easier for us to work through if we address these basic building blocks of well-being first.
Consult with a physician before implementing the following suggestions. Medical conditions may impact what recommendations you should follow.
Basics for Everyone in the First Few Weeks:
Withdrawal Can Be Life Threatening – Many people are physically uncomfortable in early sobriety. However, for some people, withdrawal can be life threatening. Everyone in early sobriety needs to be aware of signs of medical emergencies during withdrawal. Identify at least one person in your life who can be aware of the signs with you. Have this person stay with you or check in regularly in the first 10 days. Keep in mind that withdrawal symptoms vary by substance and will depend on your underlying health and physical condition.
Alcohol and benzodiazepines – These substances have potentially fatal withdrawal syndromes. Always get medical advice before discontinuing use on your own, particularly if you use it regularly. Any person who previously experienced seizures or delirium tremens must obtain medical advice before discontinuing use. Severe untreated withdrawal can result in death.
Combined Substances – If you use multiple substances regularly, your withdrawal process may be complicated. Ask for professional guidance right away before you stop using it on your own.
Emergency Issues – No matter what substance you used CALL 911 immediately if you experience severe vomiting or diarrhea, prolonged tingling or numbness, uncontrollable agitation, severe muscle cramping, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, cardiac symptoms, fever, hallucination, seizures, thoughts of suicide, or significant confusion. Remember, some withdrawal symptoms can be fatal if untreated.
Medical Advice – Outside of emergencies, understanding our health helps us to make healthy choices in recovery. We may be experiencing health issues that we did not know are a concern. Or maybe, we are neglecting our health. Your doctor can help you determine if you are experiencing health issues that relate to your use and that may impact your recovery.
Get a Physical – If you have not spoken with a medical doctor about your use, consider scheduling a physical. Share your use history accurately and honestly. If your doctor seems uncomfortable, ask to speak with a doctor who is familiar with substance use disorder or a medical doctor who specializes in substance use disorder. Talking to your doctor about substances use can be frightening. However, a medical doctor can make sure that you are in good physical condition or help you to address any health issues that can impact your recovery.
Follow Advice – In recovery, you want to position yourself to be as effective as possible. This means coping with issues as they arise, rather than delaying or ignoring them. Your physical health is very important to sustaining your recovery. If we are chronically tired, ill or in pain, we will find coping with our thoughts, emotions and experiences more challenging. In addition, addressing health issues early can prevent complications or more complex health issues that could impact our ability to sustain our recovery.
Build Trust – Do you have a good working relationship with your doctor? If you don’t have a doctor, identify one and start to build a relationship. If you speak with a medical doctor about your use of substances and you feel uncomfortable with that person, explore your thoughts and feelings. Is your discomfort about disclosing your personal history? Or is your discomfort because you are being treated disrespectfully or dismissively? Talking with anyone about use can be uncomfortable. A good doctor will listen well to you. If you explore your thoughts and feelings, you may realize that your discomfort is shame about sharing something deeply personal. That’s understandable discomfort. However, if you determine that the doctor is genuinely unhelpful or makes you uncomfortable with being honest, pay attention to those signals. You can choose a different physician. You can choose someone who listens to you, is empathetic, and reflects an accurate understanding of your health.
Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational purposes only. It does not substitute for clinical treatment or advice. If you, a friend, or a family member is struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues please call our main office at 952-926-2526. For emergencies, go to your nearest emergency room and/or dial 911.