As someone becomes dependent on alcohol, their body goes through withdrawal symptoms when lacking a continual supply of substances. These symptoms include anxiety, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, aggression, and tremors.
Withdrawal symptoms for alcoholism can begin within five to 10 hours after the last drink, but the severity peaks after several days of abstinence. Symptoms of withdrawal vary depending on your age, duration of the addiction, and how much alcohol is consumed on a daily basis.
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One symptom of withdrawal that you may not expect is extreme fatigue, which can make the first few days of alcohol addiction treatment seem even more challenging.
The Detox Process
In most cases, you’ll undergo a medical detox when you first enter an alcohol addiction treatment center. This detox helps you to eliminate alcohol and dangerous toxins from your body. During the detox process, chronic tiredness is common.
Because you will only be focusing on safely detoxing during this time, you will have plenty of time to rest and give in to your exhaustion. Be sensitive to your body’s needs at this time and get the sleep you need to begin your journey of recovery.
Ways to Help Combat Fatigue
Rather than an illness or disorder, fatigue is simply a symptom. Understand that your body needs time to heal, recover, and bounce back after having been beaten up by prolonged alcohol abuse.
Here are some things you can do to help combat fatigue during your time in an alcohol addiction treatment center:
- Following a healthy nutrition plan that increases B vitamins and niacin, as well as iron and vitamin C, can assist in boosting energy levels and help balance your mood. Your treatment center may offer you sessions with a dietician who can help you create a specialized diet plan that fits your needs. Remember that your body has been depleted of needed nutrients because of alcohol, so it’s important to start reintroducing them in order to heal.
- Once your body begins moving and breathing regularly without alcohol, it begins to repair itself. In coordination with proper nutrition, it’s important to take part in health-boosting activities and exercise as a means of helping recover from alcohol addiction. Exercise as your treatment plan instructs you to do, whether that’s prolonged physical activity or practicing beneficial breathing techniques. As natural endorphins begin to flow through your brain again, your body will begin regaining its own natural energy.
- The human body is a powerful machine, and the systems operating within go through a lot when an alcoholic enters the beginning stages of recovery from an addiction. Getting plenty of sleep each night and rest when needed will allow for the body to recover from alcohol abuse.
Prolonged alcohol addiction leaves its mark on both the body and brain abused by excess alcohol, taking a toll on your physical and mental health. In treatment for alcohol addiction, fatigue will slowly begin to fade, day by day. Everyone experiences different withdrawal symptoms during recovery, but fatigue is one that can be overcome.