Have you ever known something was too heavy & so you didn’t want to feel it? In some instances, our bodies may do this automatically like in PTSD. In other instances, we use different methods to “numb” our feelings. This can be done through what we eat, substance use like drugs or alcohol, over exercising, sleeping constantly, and more! All of these can be used as a strategy to numb the pain or emotions associated with trauma. Yes, there are memes and jokes about this all over the internet for the “coping” through 2020. But it can be very harmful if a consistent pattern. I recently had a community member DM me and ask if I had experience with this and was looking for advice on how to stop before it became a problem. This person noticed a pattern and that they were using this legal substance to numb the unbearable pain of the past week. They knew it wasn’t a problem yet, but was afraid it would become one. But right now, those emotions were far too heavy and intense to feel. So what do they do? In my experience, the first step is awareness. Whenever I know I am experiencing a trauma response, coming up on a hard time, or am feeling really really heavy symptoms, I immediately step away from the alcohol. Even if it isn’t a problem now, I don’t want my brain to rely on alcohol for managing emotions. Instead, I feel through the hurt (yes, I know, it’s hardd) and let myself be low for a few days or however long it takes. I cancel plans or call out of work – whatever I need. Then, when I have one moment (even the tiniest) of feeling better, I use that to the full advantage. I fill that moment with things that I KNOW are backed by research, that I know have worked in the past, and I do that every time I feel even a small burst of energy. Eventually, my nervous system responds to the positive treatment I am giving it and I am able to cope more with the hard stuff – because I am proactively and actively taking care of my needs to the fullest. I. Go. Hard. And if sleep is an issue, which is what was the biggest thing for me post assault – I think of what else I can use aside from alcohol to sleep. I used melatonin and it helped me a lot.