DISCLAIMER: I drank for six years solid. While this is a long time to carry an alcohol problem, it is nowhere near the length of a vast number of people. It is ALWAYS a good idea to consult with your doctor before quitting alcohol. Quitting cold turkey can be dangerous to heavy alcoholics.
Without what?
Say what? Yes, you read that correctly. I speak from experience when I say that it is completely possible to GIVE yourself the credit and power that you deserve. I am not shaming religion, nor using my platform to persuade anyone away from their religion. I am offering my own personal journey and methods that I have created MYSELF. As much as I pray and hold on to my spiritual practices, I am not religious. The twelve-step program, and what it offers, simply isn’t the right choice for me. Although I appreciate and respect these programs, the following article contains my own personal recovery program. THIS is how I recovered from severe addictions transfer problem. Disclaimer: Although I pushed my addiction several ways, my main struggle was alcohol (six years).
Realizing I had a problem…
I would usually stumble into work, feeling much worse than I looked. This was normal for me, as I’d always drink enough to forget how I’d fallen asleep the night before. That day, it was much worse. I was sweating profusely, while shaking and wishing I could find a place to curl up and sleep off the headache accompanied by nausea. After curing myself back to almost normal, as I had always done, something still didn’t feel right. This didn’t feel like a hangover. I ate several meals, took a vitamin pack (I worked at a nursing home) and drank plenty of liquids, including water.
I was just finishing up caring for a patient, when I realized that something REALLY wasn’t right. It felt as if I were going to pass out at any moment. I felt faint, yet my heart was racing to the moon and my skin felt hot. I was having a severe anxiety attack due to alcohol withdrawal but didn’t know it at the time. I told my charge nurse that I needed to go outside and get some fresh air. Although this helped, I could feel the aching in my body. This feeling was so bad, I ended up home early. After guzzling down half of a bottle of wine, and feeling better, I realized I had a big problem.
The Beginning
DISCLAIMER: I drank for six years solid. While this is a long time to carry an alcohol problem, it is nowhere near the length of a vast number of people. It is ALWAYS a good idea to consult with your doctor before quitting alcohol. Quitting cold turkey can be dangerous to heavy alcoholics.
The beginning was rough, but not impossible. The thing about stopping is your body craves the sugar that the alcohol metabolized into. When this happens, you might find yourself wanting sweets and sodas. I tricked my body with some delicious sugar free candies and carbonated drinks with zero sugar. They have stepped up in the flavor department on these carbonated waters significantly. When you find the right brand and flavor, it really does feel like you’re having a treat. You could also consider baking your own treats, as it gives you a stimulating activity, on top of being able to control the amount of sugar used.
Blood Thickening
There is also the matter of your blood thickening up. When we drink alcohol, our blood thins out. When alcohol becomes a daily habit, the blood is used to being thinned out every day. This could be bad, and possibly cause harm when our blood thickens back up with a sudden stop in usage. This is where the doctor can help you. DO consult with your doctor before trying any methods. You could also consider supervised weaning.
After consulting with my doctor, I was told that recovery without medication would be possible. With this knowledge, I started my journey.
The Journey
(my steps & routine)
Replacing the bad with better…
As I have previously stated, I like to satisfy my craving for sweets with sugar-free candy (I love coffee flavors), sugar-free carbonated beverages (naturally flavored sparkling waters), and homemade treats. I also give myself “cheat” days, where I have an actual soda and candy bar. I also drink PLENTY of water. I have a 640z travel cup, that displays a time chart (example below).
I know this may sound odd but adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 6-8 oz of water did wonders for my stomach and blood flow! I did not do this with every glass of water, nor did I put any in my big cup. I only drank this combination once per day – every other day (depending on the week).
My favorite part of this journey has been the thing I still do every day: yoga! You don’t have to do yoga, but you do need to get up and move. Exercising builds energy and stamina. It is also great for your blood flow and pressure. Another important fact about exercise is that it DOES naturally boost your mental health and happy endorphins. ALL the above benefits are ESSENTIAL to recovery.
Natural Medicine
When it comes to recovery, it is important to stay away from any addictive substances. Most addicts fall into the cycle of addictions transfer (transferring one addiction over to another, to pacify giving up the previous addiction). I use many natural tools to aide in staying stress free, including a mindful breathing necklace, ASMR, plant derived products, teas, and other natural remedies.
If you’d like to inquire more about the natural remedies that I use, click here to contact me. This form will result in a private email conversation. Because I am not a doctor, or I do not wish to inform the public of these remedies through this blog and site.
If not for religion, then who?
This answer is quite simple and empowering. You are NOT powerless over your addiction. You can do anything you set your mind to. You must want to stop as bad as you want to wake up each morning. You must realize that it has been within you ALL ALONG. Become addicted with finding yourself, discovering your talents and finding who you are again. YES, this does become addicting.
Because of the above belief system, I am the happiest I have ever been in my ENTIRE life.
Affirmations
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Do you practice your affirmations? The law of energy is real. You WILL achieve a happier and healthier mindset with daily affirmations. Need help with some affirmations? Check out my AFFIRMATIONS PAGE.
Are you tired of reading the word “affirmations” yet? It is true what they say. Write down ten to fifteen down that you can read back to yourself every morning and night. Every now and then, modify this list or add to it. Even certain religions agree with affirmations. Training your mind is a very real and achievable concept. You can adjust your natural mindset and thought process by what you feed it daily.
Stay Busy!
The best way to be is too busy for anything that does not improve your life and self. Boredom is the silent gateway to addiction. Since becoming sober, I have discovered many hidden talents. Need more motivation? Start a side hustle! There are many ways to earn extra cash while simultaneously discovering new talents. You can sell your art, books, knowledge, and more. If you can manage it, take up a class. Education will always make you more marketable.
Helping others (coaching, sponsoring, etc.) stay sober is a great way of feeling a sense of accomplishment and self-endearment. Not only will this keep you busy, but it will keep you motivated to stay sober and strong. Feeling yourself in a leader role, or any role of importance, will cause a ripple effect of good within and around you. You’ll find yourself finally realizing how life can still bring joy and trigger your happy endorphins when you’re addicted to the right things.
Mind your surroundings…
There’s no need in kicking your friends to the curb, unless you really need to go that route, for whatever reason. However, distancing yourself from friends who haven’t found recovery, or who do drink, but can control it (still a good idea to steer clear of any drinkers, due to temptation), may be necessary to your lifestyle change and recovery. The fact is, you are who you surround yourself with and the science research proves it.
Don’t let a lack in sober friends leave you feeling alone. There are plenty of support groups, via local venues, online groups and forums, and much more! You don’t have to push your existing friends aside. Update them on your life and how sobriety has changed it for the better. You may just become someone else’s start to sobriety. Remember to still be mindful and vigilant. Some people mean no good. Narcissists come in the form of friends as well. Make sure you’re celebrating with the right people.
In Conclusion…
As far as my method goes…
This is simply an alternative road to recovery that works for me. This is not a plan made by professionals. I took to my own recovery method when I learned that medicine isn’t the preferred approach to my recovery. My disinterest in the twelve-step program (although, I respect it) is what led me down my own path to sobriety. On this path, I’ve used a vast number of tools, including sugar replacement and reduction, hydration, exercise, staying busy and occupied, feeding the mind positive affirmations, helping others stay sober, natural remedies and better surroundings. Although it’s not full proof, it is continuing to work me. I am really gravitating toward myself and the love I have for my growth. Self- love is the biggest reward I have received from this method.
Have any thoughts or information to add? Let’s talk about it!
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