The Reality of Withdrawals

You have decided once and for all that you are going to get physically, mentally, holistically healthy! Way to go!!! You’re going to feel so much better when you do!!!

You’re going to quit sugar, coffee, alcohol, smoking, gossiping, carbs, scrolling, cussing or buying baby goats. Whatever it is you’re deciding to quit you obviously have a reason as to why you’re wanting to quit said thing.

It’s important to know your “why”. It’s also important to know how you’re going to do it. However, I’m not here to talk about that topic today. Saving that for another blog!

All the buzz out there right now tells you to quit the bad things and become healthy! “Do these 3 steps to gain a better life and live long and prosperous.” And “they” aren’t wrong. They’re telling you what to quit and a some even suggest how to. Yet very few “they’s” talk about what it’s going to be like when you finally bite the bullet and QUIT THE THING(s)!!!

More than likely the thing you’re wanting to quit has it’s claws deep into you otherwise it wouldn’t even be on the table to quit. And those claws mean that it’s probably going to hurt a bit when you remove them. You might even bleed a little bit upon removal. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Here’s the thing that does not get talked about. When you quit, you are going to have withdrawal symptoms. (Period). And if you don’t prepare yourself for what’s to come you will more than likely go back to the old thing you were trying to quit. And feel even more shame because you “couldn’t do it”.

What are withdrawals? They are the cliffs of despair! They are the cravings, headaches, body aches, chills, sweats, cramps, and the likes. And those are just the physical responses of withdrawals.

You also get to tackle the mental and emotional aspect of withdrawals which includes and is not limited to; rationalizations, rituals, blame, shame, guilt, brain fog, loneliness, being agitated, angry, sad, feeling left out and disappointed.

No one wants to talk about withdrawals because they are so darn frustrating and HARD!!! They want to give you the sunny side version of whatever they are selling you so you’ll jump in with hope and excitement. Which is actually a really great mindset to have when you’re trying to change something!

AND, it’s important to be aware of what your body is going to experience so you don’t shame yourself if you stumble or even “fall off the wagon”.

Plan for withdrawals! Be ready for them because if you don’t they will knock you off your feet and throw you right back into the old patterns that you’re trying to change.

As I write this I am nine days into quitting coffee. I loooove coffee with milk and honey. I love the taste, the rituals, the smell and holding the warm cup in my hand. Even as I type this my mouth is drooling!

I’ve tried to quit before and failed time and time again. Because I didn’t make-a-plan for withdrawals. However, this time I did and here I am…9 days coffee sober! And honestly, it’s been a rough nine days. Especially the first few days while getting the caffeine chemical out of my body. My head and body ached for several days. And I’m closer to being on the other side of the withdrawal aspect of quitting coffee!

Things to consider: 

• What are you quitting?
• Is it chemical? (caffeine, alcohol, sugar, smoking)
• Prepare for intense physical responses to chemical withdrawals.

NOTE: If you are trying to quit alcohol or drugs I suggest talking to a specialist because your body may need some extra help because of the chemical dependency.

• Make a list of things to do when the withdrawal symptoms come up.

Ideas: go for a walk, drink water/sparkling, journal, call a friend, sing, put a pinch of salt under your tongue, go for a drive, read a book.

If you have used the substance or habit you’re wanting to quit, to hide emotions, be prepared for those emotions to come up and be BIG! Example: If you’ve stuffed anger most of your life be ready for anger to come up.

Express your emotions in a healthy and safe way. Be mindful not to shred others with your emotions.

            Anger: throw ice cubes at a brick wall or on a concrete sidewalk

                        Scream in a pillow

                        Color with a big red or black crayon and scribble like mad!

Write your anger in a journal with all the cuss words and snarly thoughts that come up.

There are many emotions that will come up through the withdrawal time. I only brought up anger because it’s the one most people are afraid of and don’t really know how to express it in a healthy way.

I’m going to wrap up with this VERY HOPEFUL statement…withdrawals END! Going through the withdrawal process will be different for everyone and it always has an end. You will not be withdrawaling forever.

And when you get on the other side of it you are going to be sooooo proud of yourself!

Change is hard! However, staying stuck is harder.

You got this!

By: Polly Hamp

1/15/2025