Please note that alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild to severe and might require medical attention.

We are living in a society where alcohol is widely accepted. Since our childhood alcohol is linked to celebrations, holidays, vacations, downtime and so on. In our minds, we need alcohol to have fun at social events, we need alcohol to relax and calm down after a stressful day or a stressful situation. We believe that alcohol can ease our pain, reduce stress, fills the empty hole inside, pauses button on a monologue of our ego that is literally making us crazy with constant thoughts of fear, dissatisfaction with life and never-ending lists of our needs.

The truth is alcohol doesn't do any of these things. It just hits the pause button. When we wake up the next morning, all of the above is there plus the hangover and probably a feeling of guilt.

I want to share here a few ways how California Healing helps to overcome alcohol addiction and alcohol cravings by rewiring the brain through repetition, setting a new mindset while supporting the body's biochemistry.

Rewiring the brain - Neuroplasticity

Our brain is made of tiny nerve cells called neurons. These neurons have branches that reach out and connect to other neurons and form a neural net. Each place these branches connect memory or thought is integrated. By practicing something on a regular bases, these connections are getting stronger. When you stop practicing, the relationships between these neurons break. For example, in our mind, a glass of wine helps us to decompress after a long day. By replacing the glass of wine with exercise, we are breaking the old connection of decompressing equals alcohol and forming new connections decompressing equals exercise. By repeating this, we are forming habits and rewiring our neural net. Next time you drive on a highway and see a billboard advertising a beer instead of thinking about drinking it, you will be thinking about putting on your running shoes or hitting the gym. Healing modalities such as hypnotherapy utilizes the power of positive suggestion such as replacing alcohol with a healthier option to bring about subconscious change to behavioral patterns, which helps us to rewire the brain.

Setting a new mindset

As I mentioned at the beginning, alcohol in our society is linked to a celebration, fun, relaxation and so on. We can't even imagine going to a restaurant and not ordering wine or meeting friends in the bar and drink soda or water. We are probably horrified by this thought.

Again, this only in our minds. It's how our mind is set and the set of believes we have.

In the process of recovery, it is crucial to set a new mindset. Change the way you look at alcohol. See it for what it is. It is a toxin, poison that you pump into your body. It is damaging for your body and your mind. It is detrimental to your relationships. Look at your life as a significant improvement without alcohol. Next time you go to a restaurant, look forward to not drinking. Look forward to being in control of your behavior, present in the conversations, your mind being clear and you following the conversation even at the end of the evening, envision how sharp, good looking and productive you will be the next day.

Apply setting a new mindset to how you perceive yourself. See yourself as the smart, confident person that you are, see yourself as a person who has control over its life. Don't see yourself as someone who can't beat addiction, no matter how hard you try. See yourself as a strong person that has control over its mind. Set a mantra for yourself "I am proactively healing my body and soul. I am healthy and free."

Supporting biochemistry

Alcohol directly influences our brain chemistry. This powerful drug affects our neurotransmitters at multiple levels. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals in our body that are connected with emotions, behavior and feelings. Alcohol increases the level of neurotransmitter GABA that lowers our brain activity, making us calm. Medications like Valium and Xanax have the same effect. Therefore, it's dangerous to drink alcohol while taking them as the effect multiplies.

At the same time, alcohol decreases neurotransmitter levels of Glutamate. Glutamate increases brain activity, making us more energetic. The brain chemistry of people addicted to alcohol is off balance. Alcohol causes the brain's reward system to release the motivational chemical dopamine the feel-good neurotransmitter that is contributing to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction as part of the reward system. Over time, chronic drinking depletes the amount of dopamine in our brain, causing alcohol cravings and laying the groundwork for an alcohol addiction. The brain chemistry of people addicted to alcohol is off balance.

Certain over the counter supplements and minerals can help to balance it, which helps to overcome cravings.

Energy Healing

We all have emotional baggage that we carry with us and it weighs us down. California Healing can help you to release emotions that no longer serve you through various exercises and techniques. You can free yourself from the feelings of being hurt, grief, anger and so on. It's not what happened to you in the past that forms your life, but what you do with it in your mind is what matters.

Reiki and EFT is another form of energy healing that helps to heal the mind, body and soul.

Tools and exercises that can help with overcoming addiction and cravings

• Make a list of reasons why do you want to stop drinking and carry it with you. When you have the urge to drink, read it.

• Create an image of yourself and the things you could achieve in five years if you were not drinking. Create an image of yourself and the things you would miss if you will continue to drink.

• Healthy diet

• Supplements

• Adequate sleep

• Social support