Avoid Risky Substances
Avoid Risky Substances
This is the fifth newsletter in my series on the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine and how they can help you better manage your fibromyalgia.
Check out a resource for a deeper dive into the foundation of lifestyle medicine here.
The fifth pillar is “Avoid Risky Substances” and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine gives this sobering warning about the misuse of substances:
“While it may seem obvious, it is extremely important to acknowledge the harm that is caused by opioids, alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and other inhaled, injected, and ingested non-food substances.
If you are experiencing a substance addiction, please reach out to your medical provider or the national Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 1-800-662-4357.
You can also find a list of resources for individuals and families here. The well-documented dangers of any addictive substance use can increased risk for many cancers and heart disease. Positive behaviors that improve health include cessation of tobacco use and limiting the intake of alcohol.”*
A Delicate Topic for the Fibromyalgia Community
The distress and frustration of dealing with chronic illness sometimes leads people with fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses to self-medicate in an attempt to manage their symptoms.
A recent research article noted that the:
Consumption of psychoactive substances—alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, opioids, and cannabis—is common among people with fibromyalgia, the use of substances … could reflect efforts to cope with symptoms, aggravation or alleviation of symptoms after the use of substances, or a combination of these.**
Several of my clients have shared with me that they have misused alcohol and/or medical marijuana in an attempt to cope with unrelenting pain, fatigue and brain fog.
Sometimes they find a temporary reduction in symptoms, but oftentimes the use of risky substances can result in a worsening of their symptoms. This can create a negative cycle of using more substances to alleviate their impact.
Also, many fibro folks take prescription medications for sleep and pain that interact negatively with alcohol and other substances. So, it’s important to consider how to avoid risky behavior and risky substances.
Avoid Risky Behavior
Instead of turning to risky substances it’s important to take the time to acknowledge what you are struggling with and acknowledge your need for help in finding a solution.
Do reach out to a trusted friend or family member or a skilled healthcare professional.
It can be helpful to sit down with your healthcare provider to do an audit of the dosage of all the medications, supplements and other substances you are using.
Make sure you know why and what you are taking. And be aware of any potential side effects or drug interactions. See if there are redundancies and/or ways to simplify and streamline what you are taking to get the best results.
Remember there are also many self-help groups like AA, Alanon, Adult Children of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous etc. that can be a good source of information and support. Nowadays, these support groups are available in person and online.
Another resource one of my clients told me about is Jenn Kautsch, the founder and creator of the SoberSis community at sobersis.com, dedicated to helping women “renegotiate their relationship to alcohol without labels judgment or shame. She coaches women who feel stuck in the ‘gray area’ on the drinking spectrum and helps women get off of ‘auto-pilot’ and mindless sipping through the habit of wine o’clock. She is all about holistic health and promotes freedom from the “detox-to-retox” cycle.”
It’s important to be aware of your needs and feelings and find healthy ways to cope with stress, which is the topic of next month’s newsletter.
Rely on the other pillars of lifestyle medicine to help you manage your symptoms and live a healthy lifestyle by eating a plant-based diet, moving your body, sleeping well, and nurturing your relationships.
Use the BEST approach to take charge of your fibromyalgia by supporting the well-being of your body, emotions, social connections and transcendent spirituality.
And if you’re struggling with this issue and would like to schedule a time to talk to see if working with a coach like me could help you avoid risky substances, avoid risky behavior and take charge of your health, it’s easy to schedule a free consultation HERE.
References:
*https://rochesterlifestylemedicine.org/avoiding-toxic-substances/
**https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37243707/
