What have you done or tried outside of medication to help with withdrawal/ PAWS symptoms???

[Guest [...]]

What have you done or tried outside of medication to help with withdrawal/ PAWS symptoms??? Alternatives such as herbs or teas, essential oils meditation, exercise, diet, etc? Did anything make a real difference? If not, what medications were you prescribed for withdrawal symptoms? did they help? However, I am asking my question with an emphasis on alternatives not involving medication. Thanks guys.

[[Co...]]

Hello @[je...]. Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

Well, it is such a long tome ago for me since my withdrawal, I cannot be entirely sure. But I do not recall following any special routine or diet. I just tried to do 'normal' things as and when I could. The thing which made most difference for me was when I discovered (after several years) that infrequent, small amounts of alcohol had a destabilising effect upon my CNS (and, presumably, my GABA system). If I'd socialise and have, literally just a couple of drinks, it had no discernible ill effect. But doing this every few weeks and over some months would to feeling similar to the immediate aftermath of withdrawal. I'd then feel so unwell, I'd stop socialising for maybe six months and would again begin feel better. Only after several cycles of this (over several years) did I suspect it was caused by alcohol - I had previously assumed there was neither rhyme nor reason to these cycles.

I am not the only person to have reported this effect. And other people report other triggers. For this reason I suggest keeping journal which might help you discover triggers for bad patches or improvements.

Other members might come along and suggest what helped (or hindered) them.

[[pi...]]

16 hours ago, [[j...] said:

What have you done or tried outside of medication to help with withdrawal/ PAWS symptoms??? Alternatives such as herbs or teas, essential oils meditation, exercise, diet, etc? Did anything make a real difference? If not, what medications were you prescribed for withdrawal symptoms? did they help? However, I am asking my question with an emphasis on alternatives not involving medication. Thanks guys.

Hello @[je...] and welcome to the forum from me as well.

I did not take any supplements during my recovery.  I did drink chamomile tea and I felt it had a calming effect. As soon as I was able, I started to cycle. This was an activity I had always enjoyed, I missed it a lot when I was I was unwell due to tolerance and withdrawal. I felt it was my kind of meditation, being out in nature. I tried to appreciate my surroundings and enjoy seeing big and little critters along my way. I was lucky to have trails in a lovely area to use. 

Early in my recovery I did use lavender oil on my pillow. I can’t really say it was helpful in any way, but it certainly didn’t hurt.

I took no prescribed medications.

[Guest [...]]

@[Co...] "I'd stop socialising for maybe six months and would again begin feel better. Only after several cycles of this (over several years) did I suspect it was caused by alcohol"

Maybe it was the socialising and not the alcohol !  Just considering all the angles

[[Co...]]

30 minutes ago, [[G...] said:

@[Co...] "I'd stop socialising for maybe six months and would again begin feel better. Only after several cycles of this (over several years) did I suspect it was caused by alcohol"

Maybe it was the socialising and not the alcohol !  Just considering all the angles

No, not at all. When I wrote 'socialising', I meant going to the pub. But I appreciate your point. Yes, I would generally stop socialising too because I felt so ill. When I all but cut out alcohol in its entirety, the cycles ceased.

[Guest [...]]

Yes, sorry if I sounded obtuse but I suspect there is a lot more about "going to the pub"  than just alcohol. I have never been keen on pubs and always felt awkward. I certainly don't miss it now.

I am reminded of a doctor many years ago saying to me "why can't you just drink a glass of wine in the evening, it would make such a difference and calm you down"  I said I don't really drink, not that keen, so she prescribed diazepam ! Ugh! I should have chosen the wine.

[[Co...]]

13 hours ago, [[G...] said:

Yes, sorry if I sounded obtuse but I suspect there is a lot more about "going to the pub"  than just alcohol. I have never been keen on pubs and always felt awkward. I certainly don't miss it now.

I am reminded of a doctor many years ago saying to me "why can't you just drink a glass of wine in the evening, it would make such a difference and calm you down"  I said I don't really drink, not that keen, so she prescribed diazepam ! Ugh! I should have chosen the wine.

I have only ever been a social drinker - I'd drink in the pub. I have never suffered from an anxiety disorder.