Withdrawal from drugs and alcohol causes emotional and physical discomfort. Getting rid of drug use is a great step towards a healthier lifestyle, but the process is always difficult. With prolonged use, the body is accustomed and dependent on the effects of drugs and alcohol and has a difficult time getting used to going with out them.

Withdrawal can cause symptoms like:

  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Aches and pains
  • Insomnia
These symptoms are very uncomfortable and can directly affect your sleep. Without sufficient and restful sleep it is hard to push through withdrawal and succeed in a healthier lifestyle free of drugs and alcohol. Important steps to take if you are experiencing the discomfort of withdrawal include:

Seek out medicinal treatment for withdrawal

If your withdrawal symptoms are severe, there are medications available to help. These medications can often help lessen withdrawal symptoms and speed up your recovery process. If you suffer from consistent or reoccurring insomnia symptoms, consider a sleep aid to help you during the withdrawal process.

Get into a sleep routine

Going through withdrawal is an uncomfortable time which causes stress and anxiety. It is nearly impossible to fall asleep when you feel anxious so maintain a regular relaxing routine before bedtime. This can include reading a book, taking a hot bath, listening to music, or drinking tea.

Make your sleep space healthy and familiar 

From the time we are babies we need to get used to and enjoy our sleeping environment. The Ferber Method for babies maintains that babies should learn to identify their beds automatically as the place to go sleep. This method can be successful in adults in training our brains and subconscious to automatically associate our bed with sleep. This means only use your bed for sleep and avoid reading or watching TV in bed. Also, make you sleep space dark, quiet and clean to help you feel comfortable.
Realign your circadian rhythms

You might not know it, but light plays a big role in how our body times its sleep cycles. During the daylight hours, the body should be active, but when it turns dark at night it’s time for rest. Maintain a schedule that keeps you busy during the daytime, and restful at night. When preparing for bed be sure to minimize light exposure by dimming or turning off lighting to tell your body it’s dark and time for bed. Try turning off the TV as well, which produces a lot of unpredictable light.