How to Deal with Mood Swings in Sobriety Boise, Idaho

It is common for people to require separate treatment for depression and alcohol abuse. According to American Addiction Centers, acute mental health responses like severe anxiety and depression often resolve by the fourth or fifth day of sobriety. However, milder, lingering episodes of anxiety and depression can go on for 3-6 months after your last drink.

• Take time to do the things that you enjoy the most – read a book, go for a hike, and create your own “self-care kit”.
• That’s why it can linger even after addiction treatment.
• If you experience any of the above severe symptoms, it’s best to seek medical attention, as some of these can be dangerous or fatal.
• If your emotional world starts feeling unbearable, don’t be afraid to consult with your doctor to talk about medication.

What happens when you stop drinking is complicated, but on the whole, even the seemingly negative effects are your body’s way of trying to right itself. Yes, you may feel sad or lethargic, but your body is slowly learning how to produce normal levels of “happiness hormones” like serotonin and dopamine. Continued support is important in this early stage of recovery, which is why many individuals choose to transition from medical detox to an inpatient alcohol addiction program. After three months with no alcohol, you should be feeling better both physically and emotionally.

Learn how it feels in your body.

If you’re planning on quitting alcohol, one way to handle withdrawal symptoms is to taper off slowly. Reducing how much you drink by a small amount every day can mute the symptoms of withdrawal, and help you avoid more dangerous consequences like seizures and delirium tremens. When you are experiencing mood swings, there are several things you can do to regain control of your mood or emotions. You can practice art therapy to refocus your energy, artistic expression can help regulate mood. If you are experiencing mood swings in early recovery and you fear relapse, you can also check in with your sober alumni group or sponsor for guidance and support.

Your personality might start to change, and you can experience huge mood swings. A big reason many people experience depression after giving up alcohol involves alcohol’s impact on the brain. Any lie people in recovery tell themselves or others creates emotional disturbance because it goes against the natural way. It’s about living with integrity, which keeps you at a higher level with your mood.

Join a Support Group

When you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal and depression symptoms, simple changes in diet, sleeping patterns, and exercising can make a huge difference. Adopting an all-around healthy lifestyle has been proven to alleviate the symptoms of depression. For example, Harvard Health Publishing reported that alcohol has a slowing effect (depressant effect) on the brain. Most alcohol abusers have a shortage of several vitamins and minerals. As a result, they will benefit from nutritional supplements.

• Tell your doctor if you see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there.
• It may seem cliche, but the age-old advice of taking care of yourself is one of the simplest and best things you can do.
• People with alcohol use disorder who quit drinking often have trouble sleeping.
• Understanding why it happens can help you get through it with realistic expectations.
• Sometimes, people in recovery can be tempted to drink and even relapse.

When a cluster of five or more symptoms is present for more than two weeks that would indicate depression. Here are some ways to help you get through this difficult time. Another way to address anger right away is to use your five senses to help you get out of your head and get grounded in the present moment. This means pausing and intentionally observing the sights, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes of the environment around you. Once you’ve immersed yourself by using your senses, you’ll be more likely to return to the situation with a clear head.

How to Combat Depression After Quitting Drinking

The result is that you keep drinking to get a greater dopamine release, but at the same time you’re altering other brain chemicals that are enhancing feelings of depression. While alcohol may be enjoyable for some, it’s important to be aware of the risks it poses to the brain. Alcohol can change the way neurotransmitters work and alter brain chemistry. This can result in shrinkage of the hippocampus, a ​​brain structure vital to learning and memory.

People who drink to self-medicate may not even be aware of their pre-existing mental illness. In fact, many people drink to deal with negative feelings and never realize that there’s an issue. But if someone has not addressed their mental health issues after quitting drinking, then both issues may stay present and affect the individual’s quality of life.

In other cases, they may take up to 72 hours after your last drink. This will ultimately depend on how much you’re used to drinking, how long you’ve been drinking heavily, your medical history, and genetic factors. The initial stages of alcohol withdrawal typically last up to seven days, but that doesn’t mean you will be “back to normal” after that time.

If any of these sources of anger resonated with you, you’re not alone. Experiencing anger throughout the various challenges of early sobriety is incredibly normal and valid. It doesn’t mean you can’t still make meaningful progress and reach your moderation or sobriety goal. Once you’re able to recognize and accept where your anger is coming from, you can begin to process it in healthy ways. For example, if I’m in pain emotionally instead of drinking I might binge eat.

One of the best things you can do for your sobriety is to keep the bigger picture in mind. You feel bad now because your brain is trying to repair the damage from drinking. As your brain gets used to a normal amount of dopamine, it will start to reopen dopamine receptors. There are many factors to consider, such as genetics, how much you drank and for how long, the extent of damage, and pre-existing mental health problems.

This stage often includes changing your routine, managing cravings, and repairing relationships. Throughout these changes, learning how to manage anger https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/what-happens-when-you-stop-drinking-alcohol/ more effectively is essential. The good news is, many of the same tools that will support your sobriety will also help you process and cope with anger.