I remember when I got clean and sober one of the biggest problems for me was not feeling well. It was probably eighteen months or even more that I felt poorly and thought I would never get better. While I was in treatment I read the book “Under The Influence” by Dr. James Milam. It is a great book for families and patients alike and talks about “post acute withdrawal” or “protracted withdrawal syndrome,” which is essentially an adjustment period for the body. mind and soul after a long period of using or drinking. He also talks about the arrested development component of the using process that I found interesting. This is not a book endorsement, just encouragement for anybody struggling in their recovery from anything from mental illness or chemical dependency.

Getting and staying clean and sober is hard when you don’t feel good. Pretty much all I did for the first year was sleep, eat, try and get exercise, acupuncture, and go to meetings. The thing that probably helped the most was acupuncture. It helped me relax and generally feel less anxious. For individuals who are in early recovery, or anyone who is feeling like they are having a hard time with the whole recovery process, see a counselor and an acupuncturist in your area. You will feel better about your ability to hang in there during difficult times and along with meetings it will support better long term recovery and quality of life.