If you’re struggling with alcoholism recovery, then Moonlight Mountain Recovery in Pocatello ID can help.
Many people try to quit drinking themselves before searching out professional addiction recovery services, but trying to go cold turkey has its dangers. If you want to stop using alcohol, take a moment to consider the potential dangers of stopping alcohol use “cold turkey.”
The Difficulty of Quitting Cold Turkey
There are a couple of things that account for how difficult it is to go cold turkey from alcohol use: withdrawal and cravings.
If you drink enough to be physically dependent on alcohol, your brain and body can quickly destabilize once you stop drinking. Once your brain and body realize that they aren’t getting the alcohol they’re used to for function, then the cravings will start – something that can be impossible to ignore.
You may also experience physical symptoms of withdrawal that are not pleasant. Even mild withdrawal can push you to start drinking again and not follow through with your plans to quit.
Factors That Influence Going Cold Turkey
While withdrawal and cravings are something you have to contend with going cold turkey, there are some other facts that can impact the success you have with recovery on your own. These include:
- The severity of misuse – If you have struggled for quite some time with alcohol abuse, your recovery experience can be much different than someone who has not been misusing alcohol for as long.
- Relapse – No matter how infrequently or how little you drink, if you quit cold turkey, you run a higher risk of relapse.
- Complications – If you drink heavily, there can be medical complications when trying to quit. You may need medical supervision as you go through withdrawal to ensure your safety and to protect your health.
The Safety of Quitting Cold Turkey
Alcohol addiction is not a disorder that any professional would recommend you quit cold turkey.
Withdrawal can be uncomfortable if not always life-threatening, but some of the complications that can arise could pose substantial harm. Issues such as seizures, internal bleeding and heart issues can occur when trying to stop drinking suddenly.
If you’re not being supervised medically, this process can be unsafe for you to do on your own.
Side Effects of Going Cold Turkey
Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol first appear about 12 to 24 hours after you stop drinking. Anxiety or depression can be significant, along with:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Mood swings
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
These are only a few of the symptoms that can happen when quitting cold turkey.
Alcohol detoxification in a medically supervised environment can help you get through this process quickly and safely,
If you would like to explore alcoholism recovery and detox in Pocatello or the surrounding areas of Idaho, contact Moonlight Mountain Recovery today. Our compassionate team can help ensure your well-being and put you on the road to success. Contact us today to learn more.
Call Now 208-505-9990
