Quitting Alcohol: Should You Medical Detox or Go Cold Turkey?

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Many who struggle with alcohol use disorder  (AUD)know how difficult it can be to quit drinking on their own. Quitting alcohol can result in strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms, which is why many who attempt to quit cold turkey resume drinking. If you’re serious about quitting drinking, knowing the difference between undergoing medical detox and quitting cold turkey can help you make the right decision when your goal is long-term recovery.

Are you struggling with alcohol use disorder and aren’t sure where to turn for help? Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-948-8417 Sponsored to speak with an addiction treatment counselor who can discuss your rehab and detox options.

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal

One of the main characteristics of alcohol use disorder is physical dependence. For a person with AUD, this means that they experience adverse side effects, also known as withdrawal symptoms, when they stop drinking. These symptoms occur as the brain and body attempt to recover and rebalance after having become physically dependent on alcohol.

Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Pale skin
• Dilated pupils
• Headache
• Shaking, jumpiness and irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fever
• Irregular or rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
• Disorientation and confusion
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

Mild or early withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, often appear within six to 12 hours of the last drink and in most cases, peak between 24 and 72 hours. In the most severe cases, an individual may experience hallucinations, which can start between 12 and 24 hours, seizures between 24 and 48 hours and delirium tremens, between 48 hours and 5 days after quitting.

It is not uncommon for individuals to experience symptoms such as insomnia or fatigue for weeks after detox.

The Dangers of Quitting Cold Turkey

Many addicts are under the impression that quitting cold turkey is an effective way to get sober, when in fact, the risk for relapse is higher when attempting to quit cold turkey. Those who quit cold turkey will experience cravings and side effects that drive the urge to resume drinking just to relieve these painful and uncomfortable sensations.

In some cases, quitting cold turkey can result in life-threatening outcomes. This is especially true for people with a history of other medical conditions like stroke or heart disease, a history of relapse and a history of delirium tremens or seizures. For this reason, experts recommend a medically supervised detox program where you receive around-the-clock monitoring and support.

The Benefits of Mental Health Counseling during Residential Treatment for Alcoholics

There are many options available to alcoholics to help them deal with detoxification and help them to become clean. However, the detoxification process will be for nothing if the patient does not get an opportunity to deal with the psychological ramifications of the addiction. There are many benefits of mental health counseling while the addict is going through residential treatment for alcoholism. Supportive Counselors on Hand Nothing is more important to a recovery than the support an alcoholic has and with a mental health counselor on hand to help them, they will receive plenty. The threat of a relapse is…

The Benefits of Medical Detox

Medical detoxification is the safest approach to clearing the body of alcohol. In a medical detox program, you receive care from a specially trained care team that closely monitors for complications and provides immediate intervention when needed. In some cases, medication can be given to help curb cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse.

This evidence-based practice may include using benzodiazepines to help manage feelings of anxiety, anticonvulsant medications to help prevent or lower the risk for seizures, adrenergics to manage high blood pressure or tachycardia and medications such as acamprosate and naltrexone, after the initial detox phase, to help support sobriety.

In addition to close monitoring and the use of medications, individuals may also undergo individual counseling, group therapy, and other treatments aimed at preventing relapse and building a healthier future without alcohol.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from alcohol use disorder, understand it’s never too late to get help. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-948-8417 Sponsored to learn more about nearby alcohol rehab centers that can guide you and/or your loved one along the path to improved health and lifelong sobriety.