Is it Dangerous to Quit Alcohol Cold Turkey?
Safe Alcohol Detox & Recovery: Your Journey Begins at Purpose Healing Center
The Risks and Dangers of Quitting Drinking Solo
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is one of the most dangerous withdrawals that exists. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is dangerous because it can cause seizures and, as a result, death. Quitting alcohol cold turkey on your own is a terrible idea because of these dangers. If you plan on quitting alcohol, you should find a medical detox to attend, like the one at Purpose Healing Centers.
Please, do not quit alcohol cold turkey. Call Purpose Healing Center today, as our medical professionals can guide you on how to do an intake in their program.
Our caring team will provide a safe environment for you to get through the alcohol withdrawal under medical supervision and with the proper medications so that you can begin your recovery journey healthy and clear-headed.
What are Some Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome has many symptoms that range from uncomfortable to deadly. The primary alcohol withdrawal symptoms that you will experience are shakes, commonly referred to as delirium tremens. Another one of the withdrawal symptoms is seizures. Seizures from delirium tremens can be deadly and are a serious outcome of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Anxiety, high blood pressure, depression, agitation, and loss of appetite are also common alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
According to a study on the National Institute of Medicine website, alcohol withdrawal in its most severe manifestations includes hallucinations, seizures, and DTs (delirium tremens). These symptoms typically persist for up to 3 or 4 days and are characterized by disorientation. Without professional help to manage these symptoms, it can be extremely difficult to stop drinking.
Most of the more severe symptoms can be managed through medications, which makes a medical detox very important. The dangers of quitting alcohol cold turkey are plentiful. Our addiction specialists at Purpose Healing Center will be able to give you the information you need to sign up for their medical detox.
Verify Your Insurance
Get Effective Detox and Rehab Options at Purpose
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?
Alcohol consumption affects the GABA neurotransmitters, and this is one mechanism that inebriates the drinker. After continuous drinking, the receptors begin to overreact due to not being interrupted anymore, which is how the seizures and involuntary movements begin to happen.
Again, another study on the National Institute of Health website explains, “When alcohol is removed from this adapted system, the GABA receptors remain less responsive, leading to an imbalance in favor of excitatory neurotransmission.”
The study further explains that, when alcohol increases the level of glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter) in the brain, this imbalance is only heightened. Even if the person stops drinking, these receptors stay elevated, continuing to excite the brain. This overactivity is primarily what leads to alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Central nervous system depressants almost always have withdrawal symptoms, and alcohol abuse is no different. The physical withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable, and if you experience alcohol withdrawal, please seek medical detox programs now.
Is it Dangerous to Quit Alcohol Cold Turkey: Treating Withdrawals
Treatment for alcohol withdrawal is usually about managing severe withdrawal symptoms. This is typically done in a professional setting like the detox program at Purpose Healing Center. Treating alcohol use disorder must begin by first treating alcohol withdrawal.
Managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms is done by administering medication. The medical detox programs typically use medications like benzodiazepines to treat the more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Medical professionals will decide which medications will best suit the needs of the person experiencing alcohol withdrawal.
Time and medications are the only two things that will reduce withdrawal symptoms, and medical interventions will be necessary with physical dependence when delirium tremens are part of the withdrawal process. Only heavy drinkers will experience delirium tremens and the fact that they can be deadly means that when you drink heavily, medical professionals will be required when you stop drinking alcohol.
Seek support if you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol abuse disorder. Quitting cold turkey is highly dangerous, and should never be attempted alone, as it can require immediate medical attention.
Finding Lasting Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder is a chronic condition that requires treatment. Some people can treat their alcohol addiction with therapy, while others attest that Alcoholics Anonymous is their only hope for a sober life. After treating the alcohol withdrawal symptoms, usually at a medical detox, it is beneficial for you to attend an inpatient program. The inpatient program at Purpose Healing Center treats both substance use and mental health simultaneously.
You need to take a holistic view of recovery, as treating the alcohol abuse disorder while ignoring both mental health and physical health will inevitably lead to failure. At Purpose, all practices are adopted according to the precepts of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and are evidence-based and backed by the latest research and scientific study.
Just remember that severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be deadly, so take care when you stop drinking cold turkey. Seek support, especially from healthcare professionals, before deciding to treat your alcohol abuse issue.
Get Accredited Treatment Programs at Purpose
Alcoholics Anonymous for Ongoing Treatment
Diagnostic research has shown that 12-step programs have helped millions stop drinking. AA has hundreds of thousands of support groups around the United States that help each other on their recovery journey. These support groups provide a spiritual solution to the problem of alcoholism. It is through these spiritual principles that you stop drinking in the program of AA.
Most members of AA count the days from their last drink, which provides proof of the efficacy of the concepts laid out in the program. Alcohol dependence is a complex issue, and AA members and sponsors do not claim to be medical professionals. They cannot help with severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal complications can arise that require immediate medical supervision.
After completing a detox under medical supervision, such as the one offered at Purpose Healing Center, the inpatient program will begin to introduce you to the concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous. After leaving treatment, attending support groups such as AA will be a remaining option for treatment for alcohol use disorder.
The Difference Between Heavy Drinkers and Alcoholics
According to AA, there is a difference between heavy drinkers and alcoholics, and this is the phenomenon of craving. People who drink heavily may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms and other negative effects of drinking alcohol but do not crave alcohol.
Once an alcoholic takes one drink, they lose the ability to choose when to stop drinking. Another symptom of alcoholism is continuing to drink despite many negative consequences. People who are not alcoholics can quit drinking if there is a reasonably coercive reason to stop drinking, such as a health condition or simply just a lack of interest.
If you crave alcohol once you stop drinking and have had severe consequences that haven’t convinced you to quit drinking, you may want to consider the idea that you are an alcoholic.
Nobody can diagnose you except for you, but you need to take an honest look at the specific symptoms to make a rational decision. Alcohol withdrawal is another severe symptom. Consider addiction treatment for alcohol, and for the withdrawal symptoms, you may need a medical intervention. Severe alcohol dependence is a serious condition that Purpose Healing Center’s team of medical professionals will be able to help you overcome.
Physical Health with a Severe Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use is extremely common. Alcohol is the most used and abused drug in many parts of the world. There are health risks involved with alcohol use, and they increase with the amount you drink. Alcohol is very destructive and affects many organs in the body.
The most common organ affected is the liver. The liver functions as a filter for all the things you eat and drink. Alcohol can cause fatty liver disease, which is when fat builds up in the liver cells. It doesn’t have symptoms but can lead to worse conditions like alcoholic hepatitis and even alcohol-induced diabetes.
Alcoholic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver from alcohol consumption. You can experience abdominal pain and jaundice as a result of alcoholic hepatitis. Inflammation can lead to cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. This can lead to liver failure or liver cancer, both of which will require a transplant for you to survive.
The cardiovascular system is also affected by alcohol use. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Strokes and heart disease are often fatal. Another probable outcome is atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heart rhythm. This can also lead to stroke and death.
Gastrointestinal problems are also common with heavy alcohol use. Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas can cause life-threatening complications. Damage to the pancreas can also cause diabetes.
There are many negative effects alcohol can have on your physical health. For the best chance at minimizing damage to the body, quit drinking sooner rather than later. Again, consult a medical professional if withdrawal symptoms occur.
Mental Health Problems as a Result of Heavy Alcohol Intake
Many mental health issues can arise from alcohol abuse. Drinking causes the central nervous system to slow down dramatically. If you drink heavily for many years, it can result in a decline in mental capacity. The colloquial term for this is wet brain.
The formal medical term is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The National Institute of Health describes the cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff, stating that this syndrome involves two different brain disorders that often co-occur: Wernicke’s disease and Korsakoff’s psychosis. These conditions result from brain damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption and vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency.
This deficiency results from poor nutrition in those with severe AUD, which limits their ability to absorb thiamine from any food they are consuming. If left unaddressed, WK syndrome can be debilitating and even life-threatening.
This scary condition has been observed since the beginning of alcohol consumption, and it is only recently that scientists have figured out the exact cause.
Another mental health issue commonly associated with alcohol consumption is depression. Alcohol is a depressant, and heavy use causes symptoms of depression to appear or worsen. It is worse if you already have symptoms of depression, as they are amplified by alcohol.
Though many people drink recreationally, those with pre-existing mental health conditions should be cautious. Alcohol intake can make your mental health issues worsen dramatically.
Avoiding the Dangers Of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey
Alcohol withdrawal can be deadly, which is why it is crucial to take this condition seriously. To begin your recovery journey, quitting drinking is the first step. It isn’t until you have rid your body of the alcohol and sobered up that you can begin doing the work necessary for recovery.
The road can be long, but the payoff is immense. Almost everyone in recovery agrees that their worst day sober is better than their best day in active addiction. By now, you understand that quitting alcohol cold turkey is extremely dangerous if you drink enough to experience withdrawal syndrome. If you do experience withdrawal syndrome, it is important to seek a medical detox to supervise the withdrawals.
Whether you need alcohol abuse treatment or another form of substance abuse treatment, Purpose Healing Center has many different options to find lasting recovery. If you are ready to overcome withdrawal syndrome safely and successfully, Purpose Healing Center has a dedicated medical detox program that accepts AHCCCS and many insurances in-network.
Call our caring intake department, which can help you make the arrangements to begin treatment today!
480-579-3319