The Unlikeliest Thing Replaced Alcohol Use For Me

It can even reduce anxiety in patients headed into surgery. If it is hard to stop using alcohol as a means to relax, it may be time to think about an alcohol treatment program. This type of addiction program can help you begin the path to recovery, not just to stop drinking but also to find your way through the hard stuff that makes life so difficult to manage. That way, you no longer feel the need to use, and you feel propelled to find ways to enjoy your life a bit more. It took mere days for me to realize that I’d hit a major hitch in my giddy-up but months to work it out. Group therapy is one of the most important forms of addiction therapy that you will experience during the time that you’re in treatment.

Trauma can come in many different shapes and forms and have a profound impact on your life. During trauma-based therapy, you will be able to address these events in such a way that will not retraumatize you so that you can heal and recover from them. This Alternative to Meds Center article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked for accuracy. If you’re new to the whole exercise thing, you don’t have to go running or lift weights to get the endorphin release.

Nonalcoholic or Reduced Alcoholic Beverages

Replacing alcoholic drinks at night has never been easier. You can get it in most places and it’s more flavorful and exciting than plain old water. Whether you take it hot or cold is your personal preference, but there is an abundance of different types of tea out there for those who prefer sweet, spicy, fruity, or floral flavors. There are plenty of nonalcoholic drinks that are just as tasty without the booze. When a person struggles with stressful situations, the brain sends out stress hormones to help them deal with that problem.

Fong says working out — a bike ride, a walk, or cueing up a virtual HIIT class — can alleviate the stress that drives us to drink. Plus, it will give you a shot of endorphins — a chemical the body makes that triggers positive feelings. Time connecting with friends cheers you up — it releases feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin. Oxytocin calms the stress response, and there’s evidence it curbs the urge to stress drink, according to a review in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Spending time with friends may even help you live longer, research shows. Even if you’re a casual drinker, Dr. Chiligiris says alcohol can have a boomerang effect on anxiety.

You May Be Drinking More Alcohol Than You Realize

Individual therapy, behavioral therapy, and family therapy are all forms of counseling that you will benefit from during the time that you’re in treatment. Your intake team will be able to provide you with the answers to any alcoholic pancreatitis questions that you may have regarding counseling when you initially reach out. There are many different caffeine drinks that give you a buzz without alcohol available, from coffee and tea to energy drinks and even chocolate.

Any type of formal exercise program, sporting activity, or regular walking can suffice. Consult a physician before beginning an exercise program. Some individuals may find that the use of soda, juice, or even coffee may be an alternative to drinking alcohol in social situations. If you drink to deal with self-esteem issues or to feel better in awkward social situations, therapy can help you reduce negative thinking and improve how you feel without alcohol. Non-alcohol drinks offer many of the same benefits you get from an occasional glass of wine or beer without the alcohol content. Another benefit of not drinking alcohol at night is preventing hangxiety, which is defined as having anxious feelings the morning after consuming alcohol.

Water is an ideal beverage choice because it’s hydrating and healthy, but let’s get real—sometimes it gets boring. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can make your water more flavorful and interesting without adding tons of sugar. Take your water to the next level with strawberry, lemon, and mint for a light and sweet taste. Or, if you prefer citrus flavors, lemon and lime will do the job. Cucumber, lemon, and celery is another popular and refreshing option. Not only will adding fruit and herbs to your water help you forget about the alcohol in social situations, but it can also encourage you to drink more water daily.

Tips: How to Avoid Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Matcha is a type of green tea that is made from ground-up tea leaves. It is high in antioxidants and has been shown to have many health benefits.2 These include improved digestion, clearer skin, weight loss, and even lower blood sugar levels . Once you’ve cut back on your drinking (so you’re at or below the recommended guidelines), examine your drinking habits regularly to see if you’re maintaining this level of drinking. Some people attain their goal only to find that old habits crop up again later.

If you only drink alcohol occasionally, the risks of drinking might never cross your mind. Evan O’Donnell is an NYC-based content strategist with four years’ experience writing and editing in the recovery space. He has conducted research in sound, cognition, and community building, has a background in independent music marketing, and continues to work as a composer. Evan is a deep believer in fact-based, empathic communication—within business, arts, academia, or any space where words drive action or change lives. If cocktails are your thing, try building your own “sober bar.” You can build the classics around one of these non-alcoholic liquor substitutes, or even try mixing your own mocktails from scratch.

You’ll get a 100% custom plan, then use daily texts to track your progress and help you stay on target. This article takes a detailed look at red wine and its health effects. Moderate amounts are very healthy, but too much can have devastating effects. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Relax Your Mind & Body Naturally

You should then reward yourself with a glass of alcohol-free wine later in the evening while watching a funny show. If you’re struggling to stay sober and you need support, call Eudaimonia Recovery Homes today. We offer safe and supportive sober living homes for men and women in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs and our attentive staff is available to help you make a permanent change in your life.

• Choosing to limit or cease your alcohol consumption can feel intimidating—especially if you’re concerned about the effects on your social life.
• If you’re new to the whole exercise thing, you don’t have to go running or lift weights to get the endorphin release.
• BGB, as her clients and colleagues call her, is an advocate of “removing the stigma” and normalizing the therapeutic process.
• There are many situations where you just need a way to get out of what you are feeling.

Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.

All Alcoholrehabhelp content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible. Many people find that once they commit to an exercise program that helps them lose weight, they no longer are alcoholism and drug addiction disabilities want to ingest the empty calories of alcohol. Mocktails are copycat recipes of regular alcoholic cocktails without the alcohol. You can order many drinks this way, including virgin daiquiris and margaritas.

With crisper air and the leaves turning, these self-care ideas will leave you feeling cozy and energized. Just remember to put your phone down for a while afterward — doomscrolling or watching the news will just fire up your brain again. Coronavirus anxiety aside, more and more experts say there’s probablyno amount of alcohol that’s really okay for your health. “If alcohol is your only means to relax, that’s concerning,” saysTimothy Fong, MD, a professor of psychiatry and the director of the addiction psychiatry fellowship at the University of California in Los Angeles. Contact us today to find out which program might be right for you, or to begin the process of arranging for treatment.

Finally, there are many delicious alternatives to alcoholic drinks for the sober or sober curious. Fortunately, the businesses are responding to this new and growing sober curious movement. They include kombucha’s increasing popularity as a healthy beverage, the addition of innovative, craft ‘mocktails’ to bar menus, and the opening of sober bars where only nonalcoholic beverages are served. And the number of people turning to kava as an alcohol alternative as well as the rapid expansion in the number of kava bars throughout the U.S is another reflection of the change in social behavior. The negative side effects of alcohol are prompting a new generation to be ‘sober curious.’ They are thinking about whether to just accept the normal invitations to ‘go out for a drink’. There are many other people who are ready to quit alcohol who cannot commit to an inpatient addiction treatment program.

Exercising in any way, shape, or form can produce endorphins which can naturally help you to feel better. Taking a walk during a warm summer night or enjoying a crisp and cool stroll as the weather starts to get colder is a wonderful way to spend your night and distract yourself from drinking. Kombucha tea is a great alternative to alcohol if yo are looking for an energy boost and some good old-fashioned fun. It’s essentially like drinking a carbonated, probiotic-rich soda.

If you prefer a more bubbly taste, sparkling water is a great alternative to alcohol. Topo Chico is a popular brand of sparkling mineral water but there are also plenty of other options that boast a variety of alcohol and drug abuse counseling flavors and sugarless or calorie-free options. Unfortunately, some flavored sparkling waters do carry extra sugar or calories, so if that’s a concern for you, you may want to stick to plain carbonated water.