How Essential Oils Fight Against Withdrawal

02/12/19: Addiction \ Addiction Recovery \ Mental Health

Beating addiction is no easy task, it takes time, energy, and drive in order to beat it. Recovery is a long-term battle, there is no easy way out of it. Withdrawal, cravings, stress, and depression all are huge issues that addicts in recovery have to deal with. These things can make it extremely difficult for a person in recovery to stay away from their past with substance abuse. Studies show that over 21 million Americans from ages 12 & over are addicted to some sort of substance. That is an astounding number of individuals. Another statistic tells us that 85% of people that are admitted into some form of rehabilitation end up falling back into substance abuse due to withdrawal. These people have fallen back into addiction in less than a month after their initial recovery treatments. This is most likely because of their experiences with withdrawal. Withdrawal can be physically and mentally taxing on a person, causing them to want to fall right back into addiction. The symptoms that come along with withdrawal can even be enough to discourage someone from seeking life in sobriety.

Withdrawal

The recovery process starts with kicking the use of illicit substances. When your body is suddenly free of these toxins, it will react in some unpleasant ways. An addict that first kicks the use of a substance is likely to face uncomfortable and even painful conditions during the first initial stages of rehabilitation. The person’s body developed a strong dependency on illicit substances and it is bound to want them back. The mind and body will try and push a person into giving in to their inner desires, making them fall right back into addiction. But what are the symptoms of withdrawal? Here are some of the most prominent symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and drug addiction:

• Anxiety: Anxiety, panic attacks, restlessness, irritability
• Depression: Social isolation, lack of enjoyment, fatigue, poor appetite
• Sleep: Insomnia, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Cognitive: Poor concentration, poor memory
• Head: Headaches, dizziness
• Chest: Chest tightness, difficulty breathing
• Heart: Racing heart, skipped beats, palpitations
• GI: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches
• Muscles: Muscle tension, twitches, tremors, shakes, muscle aches
• Skin: Sweating, tingling

Withdrawal may start off mild with things like headaches and dizziness, but will get more severe over time. When symptoms get more severe, it is best to seek out medical attention at a rehab facility. The last thing you would want is to fall right back into addiction because of the cravings your body is having. However, there are also natural ways to help alleviate these withdrawal symptoms after treatment. One of the best, most natural ways to help fight against withdrawal is with essential oils.

Essential Oils vs. Withdrawal

Essential oils have been all the rage in the last couple of years; people use them for a variety of reasons. These oils are typically derived from plants, herbs, and other leaves. They have gone to show some incredible natural health benefits. Here are some of the best effects it can have on a person’s health:

• Improves mood/positivity
• Helps relaxation & sleep
• Relieves inflammation
• Pain relief
• Prevents sickness/boosts immune system
• Healthier skin

All these things can work towards a former addict's benefit. A relaxing, pain & stress-free atmosphere is essential for someone trying to beat withdrawal. No matter what substance a person is addicted to, they will all go through the same symptoms of withdrawal. With the incredible health benefits that essential oils hold, former addicts can use them to help fight against withdrawal. But how does a person use these oils? Here, we will discuss some of the most popular ways to use essential oils to improve your mental & physical health:

• Oil Diffusers

  Oil diffusers are an extremely popular way to reap the benefits of essential oils. Oil diffusers are used for essential oil therapy which serves as a way to help establish well-being and relief for former addicts fighting withdrawal. Oil diffusers combine water and oil together to create a vapor that fills the air with a soothing and aromatic atmosphere. Oil diffusers can be used during any activity: Chores, yoga, reading, cooking, etc. Inhaling these oils can help create relaxation and alleviate any sort of stress or depression a person may be experiencing. Aromatherapy is fantastic and can help fight against withdrawal, but it should not be an alternative for medical treatment.

• Skin Application

  Another popular way people use these oils is skin application. These oils can quickly absorb into the skin, which allows your body to reap all the health benefits these oils can provide. Some oils are very concentrated and should be diluted before skin application. When experiencing withdrawal symptoms, diluted essential oil applied to the skin can help reduce body aches, cramps, and general relief.

• Oil in Bath

  Nothing says relaxation like a hot bath. Mixing oils into bath water can help a person fight against withdrawal. A nice warm bath with diluted essential oils added into it can help relieve stress, depression, and help an addict refocus their mind on their sobriety.

These are all great ways to use essential oils. Want to know which oils are the best for you? Keep reading!

Best Essential Oils for Withdrawal Symptoms

• Lemon Oil

  Lemon oil is incredibly popular because it is antibacterial, astringent, and an antiseptic agent. This oil helps improve mental clarity and relieve any craving someone in recovery in Arizona may be experiencing.

• Lavender Oil

  Lavender oil easily has some of the best benefits for someone. Lavender is sedative, antispasmodic, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antibacterial, anesthetic, immune-boosting, and antiviral. These benefits can be fantastic for a person that is trying to fight for sobriety.

• Ginger Oil

  Ginger oil is jam-packed with antioxidants and it has a strong fragrance. This oil can suppress cravings, fight most withdrawal symptoms, boost the immune system, control stress/anxiety/depression, and improve the digestive system.

There is no doubt that essential oils can be a great form of therapy for a person that is trying to live a sober life. Sobriety is an ongoing battle and withdrawal is the enemy. Withdrawal can be extremely difficult to fight against, but aromatherapy and essential oils can fight against it. However, this form of therapy should be used as a way to cope, not as an “end-all-be-all”. Medical treatment should be the first thing to seek out if you are considering recovery. Content for Arizona Addiction by Cohn Media, LLC. Passionate and creative writing and broadcasting, covering the following industries: addiction rehab, health care, entertainment and technology. Advocate of clear communication, positivity and humanity at its best. www.cohn.media

---

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, contact 602-737-1619 or email [email protected] to get the help you need. Our acclaimed recovery environment merges upscale, luxury accommodations with affordability, clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to patient care and aftercare.

Recent Posts