Since I previously discussed the role of GABA in alcohol withdrawal, I should note that GABA can be taken in oral form. Some people may be helped by this supplement, but studies have not shown that it’s effective at crossing the blood-brain barrier. (source) I have never felt any effect from taking GABA supplements. If a GABA supplement comes out that changes my mind, I will write about it. Show
Properly managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms will drastically improve your quality of life and, as a result, your odds of avoiding relapse. Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms should be monitored by medical professionals. For mild or moderate withdrawal symptoms, you may be able to detox at home. Beyond supplementation, here are some tips based on my past experiences with home detox:
Years ago, I successfully used epsom salt baths, contrast showers, diet changes and exercise to begin dry periods that would last a week or two. But I never read anything about the biochemistry of alcohol tolerance, kindling, or the alcohol withdrawal timeline. As a result, I would inevitably drink again at a party. After a week or two of summoning all of my willpower to drink “socially,” I’d still end up with worse alcohol withdrawal symptoms than I’d had before. If you want to delve deeper into the quitting alcohol timeline, including all of the stages of alcohol withdrawal, see my YouTube video below: Preventing Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)Once you reach the end of your particular alcohol withdrawal timeline, you will have finished detoxing. You should congratulate yourself. The strategies listed above will continue to help you feel human again if you’ve been drinking for a long time. Beating alcoholism is now within your power. If your alcohol withdrawal symptoms were mild, pause to realize that you’re ahead of the curve. These symptoms don’t disappear or get better if you repeat them in the future. I wish someone had told me about kindling before I decided to drink and withdraw, again and again. The next step is to fully repair your body and brain so that you can feel as good all the time as you thought alcohol would make you feel. It can be done, and I’m living proof. The teetotal lifestyle is extraordinary. With the right nutritional and lifestyle strategies, you can minimize the symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This condition affects a majority of alcoholics because brain chemical balance does not return automatically once drinking stops. Anxiety, depression, insomnia and alcohol cravings are the most common symptoms of PAWS. Here are some things you can do to address them:
If you check off all five of these categories, you have no reason to worry about those gloomy relapse statistics. You’ll be well on your way to repairing your body and rewiring your brain! Body Repair For MenAlcohol inhibits testosterone production severely. If you’re a man, this situation can and should be reversed as quickly as possible. Testosterone is a powerful natural antidepressant and maintaining high levels goes a long way in ensuring an optimal state of mind. (source) I can personally vouch for the following lifestyle strategies, which will synergistically help you repair your virility and T-levels once you quit drinking:
I know many women who incorporate the above guidelines into their lifestyles, and they tend to be very happy and healthy as well. I’ve also found the following supplements helpful for increasing my subjective sense of well-being naturally (links are to the brands I use):
The truth is, I’ve never come across a “T-booster” that actually increases testosterone. Popular supplements like tribulus terrestris did not do anything for me. If your T-levels are clinically low, a blood test can help you decide whether testosterone-replacement therapy might be a good idea. Yet the three supplements above are my holy trio for increasing energy levels and getting through long days. My dad is also a new superfan of maca powder; at the age of 70, he still does a few hundred pushups each day. How I Used Pride As A Weapon Against RelapseThere are some who retreat entirely to the spiritual realm after battling addiction. I became more spiritually centered after I quit drinking, but I also wanted to achieve a total personal transformation. I didn’t want to do this so that I could get “likes” on Instagram. I wanted to do it for myself. I now see my health, and my physique, as an extension of my will – and even my creativity. I would not do well in a bodybuilding competition, but that’s not my goal. My physical transformation is symbolic of those deeper spiritual epiphanies, and a reminder that anything is possible as long as I refuse to waste my time on earth. Alcohol wrought havoc on my appearance and self-esteem. My gut health was a disaster, my skin was dry and flaky, and my teeth were yellow from nights passed out on the couch without brushing. I just didn’t feel like the best version of myself at all. The following lifestyle tips may seem trivial. But they helped me go the extra mile to repair my body and pride naturally:
When you look and feel your best, you’re in a position to use your well-earned pride as a powerful weapon against relapse. No need to overanalyze – it’s as simple as that. ConclusionI hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the alcohol withdrawal timeline and the process of body repair after quitting drinking. I have a habit of condensing too much information on any given page. Perhaps this is because I’m always reading, always experimenting for myself, and always writing down what I’m learning. I find a tremendous amount of fulfillment in the idea that something I’ve learned can help others break free from the same horrible state of body and mind that once tortured me. Honestly, this new zest for life keeps me on track more than any single remedy I discuss. It seems like a chicken and egg question: Which came first, my renewed passion for life, or the lifestyle strategies and basic nutrient repair that made it possible? The answer is that I didn’t feel particularly good about anything until I made proactive changes in my nutritional regimen, lifestyle, and internal assumptions. Self-improvement never ends. We either make progress and grow, or we stagnate and die. If you have any questions about the quitting alcohol timeline or body repair after quitting drinking, please leave them in the comment box below. FAQ:What happens to the body when you stop drinking?When you stop drinking, your body will begin to detoxify and repair. Depending on how much you drank and for how long, you may experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Severe withdrawal can require a visit to the doctor or ER. To learn more about how you can proactively manage mild or moderate withdrawal symptoms and heal faster, check out this article on alcohol detox supplements. What happens after 4 days of not drinking?What happens after 4 days of not drinking depends on how much you drank and for how long. Mild to moderate drinkers often begin to feel much better at this point. In severe cases of alcoholism, delirium tremens can last for over a week and seizures are a risk that should be addressed professionally with medications like Ativan. How long after stopping drinking do you feel better?It typically takes heavy drinkers longer to feel better after stopping drinking than light to moderate drinkers. Except in cases of severe withdrawal, people feel better within a few days to a week without alcohol. If you were addicted to alcohol, there are things you can do to minimize alcohol cravings and enjoy your new life as a teetotaler. How soon do you lose weight after quitting alcohol?It can take the liver 4-8 weeks to fully detoxify the body from alcohol and start burning excess fat. Many people are frustrated by the time it takes to start losing weight after quitting drinking. But with patience, it’s just a mater of time before the fat seems to melt off. How long until your liver recovers from alcohol?It can take the liver anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to recover from prolonged heavy drinking. Supplements like milk thistle can help to support liver health during this period. Since the liver is involved in activating nutrients, removing toxins, and burning fat, your sense of well-being will skyrocket with a healthy liver!
WANT TO DOMINATE ALCOHOL AND LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE? How long does blood pressure stay high after quitting drinking?Blood pressure and liver function will return to normal after 30 days for most people.
Is high blood pressure from alcohol reversible?Is High Blood Pressure due to Alcohol Use Reversible? Researchers believe that high blood pressure caused by recent alcohol consumption is reversible if the person stops consuming alcohol.
Will cutting out alcohol lower blood pressure?Heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their top number in a blood pressure reading (systolic pressure) by about 5.5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and their bottom number (diastolic pressure) by about 4 mm Hg. If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation.
How long does it take for body to return to normal after alcohol?In terms of BAC, alcohol is typically eliminated at a rate of 0.015 per hour. If you have a BAC of 0.08, then it will take about 5.5 hours for your body to process and eliminate the alcohol you drank. When someone drinks large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time they may experience alcohol poisoning.
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