Getting sober is a one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. If your relationship with alcohol is keeping you from living the life you want to live, your decision to tackle it head on is one to be proud of. But the prospect of life without alcohol can also be scary. Being prepared with a positive mindset and realistic expectations of the recovery process can help you manage your expectations and make good decisions along your journey.
In Washington state and especially in the Seattle area, there are lots of ways to get help, which is wonderful. But with so many treatment options, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re ready to get sober, this can serve as a guide for what to expect when you quit drinking and seek treatment.
Benefits of Being Sober
Getting sober isn’t just about removing alcohol from your life. It’s about making room for all the positive changes a life without alcohol can bring. Sobriety gives you the opportunity to heal yourself and the relationships with those you love. The physical benefits of sobriety have been well documented. Getting sober reduces your risk of chronic disease, increases your energy levels, and improves your immune system. Your mental health will benefit, too. A clear mind allows you to be more in touch with your emotions, allowing anxiety and depression to improve. A drinking habit can be expensive, so sobriety will also save you money. And you’ll find that feeling better in body and mind inspires you to explore new hobbies and reengage with old interests.
Is It Time to Quit Drinking?
It’s not always obvious when someone has a problem with alcohol. High-functioning alcoholics may appear to be able to carry on with everyday life, but the longer alcohol abuse persists, the more likely it is to turn into a serious problem. If you think drinking may be a problem for you, taking an alcohol assessment and asking yourself a few questions can help bring things into focus. Have you tried to stop drinking but couldn’t? Have you ever had so much to drink that you blacked out? Does your drinking cause problems at work or at home? These are all signs that you may suffer from alcohol use disorder. To learn more about your relationship with alcohol, you may want to take our Am I An Alcoholic quiz.
Recognizing the Problem
It’s a cliché, but it’s a cliché because it’s true — admitting you have a problem is the first step. No matter what stage of addiction you’re in, whether you’re a high-functioning alcoholic or a weekend binge drinker, recognizing that alcohol is adversely affecting your life is the first step towards recovery. Once you acknowledge that alcohol is harming your health, your relationships, your job, or your mental health, you’re ready to take the next step.
Pick A Date
Once you’ve decided that you want to quit, go ahead and pick a date that you’ll stop. Whether your plan is to stop drinking in a couple of days or a couple of weeks, the important thing is that you stick to the date you’ve chosen. In the days leading up to your quit date, talk to your friends and family about your decision. Tell them your plan and ask for their support. Before you quit, talk to your healthcare provider about your plan. They can help you find the resources you need. Most importantly, they can help anticipate and address any concerns around detox.
Navigating Detox in Different Stages of Addiction
Many people are concerned about the physical and emotional effects of quitting drinking. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal vary from person to person depending on how much and how often you’ve been drinking, as well as other factors. Because detox can have both physical and mental effects, it’s best to seek guidance from your healthcare provider before you stop drinking. For some people, physical symptoms can include headaches and trouble sleeping. For people who are suffer from long-term alcohol use disorder, medically managed inpatient detox is the safest choice. The emotional symptoms of detox include anxiety and irritability. As with other big life change, you may feel nervous or uncertain about what your future looks like without alcohol. Your healthcare provider can help you choose the best setting to go through detox.
Finding Support
A support network that you can rely on during your journey is of utmost importance. Surround yourself with people who understand why you’re getting sober and will be a source of strength for you. Some people lean on their friends and family. Others find strength and community in peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery. You may also find the encouragement and a sense of belonging you need in a treatment program. Whoever you choose to include in your journey, a strong support network can ease feelings of aloneness and provide inspiration and motivation. You may have heard of the Seattle Freeze, but in Seattle’s recovery community, you’ll find warm and welcoming people who truly care about each other’s well-being.
Choosing a Treatment Program
Previous generations believed that you could just willpower your way to sobriety. But we know better now. Alcohol addiction isn’t a moral failing or a character flaw. It’s a treatable physiological disease. Treatment programs can provide the tools and techniques you need to successfully achieve and navigate sobriety. In Seattle, you’ll find many recovery centers offering a full range of treatment options, including medication, therapy, residential inpatient treatment, and intensive outpatient programs.
Medical Treatment
There are three medications approved for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
- Naltrexone blocks the pleasurable effects of drinking alcohol and can also reduce the urge to drink.
- Acamprosate reduces the body’s craving for alcohol and reduces the negative symptoms of abstaining from alcohol.
- Disulfiram causes unpleasant symptoms when you drink which helps discourage drinking.
Studies have shown that these drugs are effective at helping people stop or reduce their drinking. They can also help people avoid relapses. Your healthcare provider will determine if these medications can be a helpful part of your addiction treatment.
Residential Inpatient Treatment
For patients suffering from serious, long-term alcohol addiction, residential inpatient treatment programs provide a stable, supportive environment free from distractions and temptations. These medically supervised programs typically last a month or longer to give people ample time to detox safely and break the cycle of addiction. Inpatient programs provide the structure that people often need to create new routines and patterns. In an inpatient program, patients participate in individual and group counseling, physical and nutritional therapy, and 12-Step programs.
Outpatient Alcohol Treatment
Outpatient treatment for alcoholism is a great way for people to get the help they need with minimal disruption to their lives. Most alcoholics seeking treatment choose outpatient treatment or an IOP program – also known as an intensive outpatient program – because these programs allow patients to continue going to work, going to school, and being with family. Outpatient programs may include day and night sessions to offer patients flexibility, convenience, and discretion. Outpatient treatment programs are often tailored to the patient’s individual needs and include family education as part of the process.
Continuing Care
Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient alcohol treatment, your care doesn’t end when you finish your program. Most patients continue to receive counselling and follow-up care from the professionals at their chosen facility. And many people join peer support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous for additional support, encouragement, and a sense of community.
Creating Connections and Thawing Out the Seattle Freeze
You may be afraid of losing your social life once you quit drinking. And we’ve all heard about how the Seattle Freeze can make it hard to find connection. But Seattle has an active and inclusive recovery community. Seattle offers a wealth of sober activities. From running to attending sporting events to travel, if you’re into it, you’ll likely find a group of like-minded sober people who are into it, too. You may also find that involving your loved ones in your interests and hobbies can bring you closer and help your healing. Seattle’s scenic setting makes it the ideal place to reconnect with the natural world, your loved ones, and yourself. Your sober life can be interesting, exciting, and engaged.
Celebrating Sobriety
One of the best parts of getting sober is recognizing your hard work and achievements. Every milestone should be acknowledged and celebrated, whether you’re commemorating the day you quit drinking or something more personal like the first time you attend a party without drinking.
If you’ve decided that it’s time to address your alcohol addiction, Lakeside Milam Recovery Center is here to help you heal. We know that alcoholism isn’t caused by a moral weakness or a lack of willpower. It’s a treatable condition. Getting started can be scary, but you don’t have to do it alone. We want to help you get sober, stay sober, and live the life you deserve.
If you or someone you love is suffering from alcohol use disorder, contact us today.
