If you decide that you would like to abstain from alcohol for a few days, weeks, or even months before your next big psychedelic experience, here are a few practical tips on doing so.
Set Your Timeline
Firstly, it is useful to consider how long before your psychedelic session you want to abstain from alcohol. Typically, a week or more is recommended for optimal clarity, but even a few days can make a big difference. Make your goal clear and specific. For example, if your session is on a Thursday and you want a full week before, are you going to stop on the Thursday before, or the Wednesday? Is the cut-off at midnight? Get some clarity around it and make that decision.
When choosing your timeline, make it realistic. If you drink a lot, a whole week might be challenging enough and still provide you some benefits.
Once you have made your decision, you might like to write it down somewhere to confirm it to yourself. For example: “I will not consume alcohol for one week before my session”.
Getting Support
Sharing your plan to avoid alcohol with friends or a community that supports your decision can be very beneficial. The added accountability can provide encouragement and motivation and you might even have a specific accountability partner.
Potential Pitfalls and How To Avoid Them
There are many common challenges that may come from abstaining from alcohol. This is especially true if you live in a country or a culture or have social groups in which alcohol is a large part. So here are a few common challenges and some strategies to overcome them.
If you face pressure from friends or social situations to drink, you might like to prepare responses to politely decline alcohol. Consider what you will drink instead. You might have a non-alcoholic beer or a soda water with lime.
Alternatively, you can plan activities that do not involve or centre around drinking. If alcohol is a big part of your life, having other things to do to keep yourself busy can be very helpful.You might go out for an evening run, arrange to meet a friend, go to the cinema, or visit a sauna.
If you are missing the relaxant effects of alcohol, you might plan activities which give you similar benefits.
You might even like to incorporate mindfulness exercises or meditation to reinforce your intentions and maintain mental clarity. If you use alcohol to help yourself fall asleep, try to follow good sleep hygiene practices to ease the transition.
Another common challenge can be managing the emotions that might trigger the desire to drink. For this, developing healthy coping mechanisms such as exercise, journaling or talking to a friend can be hugely helpful. You may also like to practise emotional regulation techniques like box breathing or meditation.
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I will try that
This is only and only true.. Did this before and it was worth it.