In the United States, alcohol is the most widely used substance. Statistics indicate that nearly 12 percent of drinkers report being heavy drinkers. Drinking alcohol, especially long term and in high amounts, poses a variety of health issues. When people decide to quit, some of them attempt to do it alone, which can be quite dangerous as the body has a reliance on alcohol and should be weaned off it slowly. For that reason, it’s always better to attend a rehab center in Los Angeles, rather than quitting cold turkey. Let’s find out more.
Alcohol Addiction
Drinking too much alcohol, including binge drinking, has health consequences. Alcohol use disorder, or AUD, is a pattern of drinking that escalates over time. The condition is now in the DSM-V and requires treatment for effective recovery. Knowing the signs and symptoms of AUD is a good place to start. That way you are aware of what to expect and can be prepared accordingly.
- Consuming large amounts of alcohol
- Giving up hobbies to drink
- Problems at home, work or school
- Drinking for excessive amounts of time
- A high tolerance to alcohol
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Wanting to quit, but being unable to do so
- Alcohol cravings
- Using alcohol as a coping mechanism
Risks of Quitting Cold Turkey
Acknowledging that you have a drinking problem is the first step to seeking treatment. You probably know that quitting will be beneficial for your physical and mental health. However, many people feel shame around their drinking problem and feel that they can quit on their own. Unfortunately, if you are addicted to alcohol, safely quitting can’t be done by going cold turkey. Doing so can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms and can even be life threatening.
Examples of this might include:
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- High blood pressure
- High heart rate
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Quitting cold turkey adds additional symptoms that are dangerous. That’s why supervised recovery is important. Some life-threatening consequences include:
- Delirium
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- High fever
Safe Steps for Detoxing from Alcohol at a Rehab Center in Los Angeles
Medically supervised detox is the best way to safely start your journey toward recovery from an alcohol addiction. Here, your symptoms will be monitored so they can be taken care of, should anything happen that requires medical attention. In a rehab setting, you’ll also be provided with medications that assist in detox. There’s usually counseling and mental health treatment options as well.
This kind of recovery increases the chances of success and decreases the risk of a relapse. You can continue your care as an outpatient and take advantage of professionals and resources that will help you stay sober. You can also participate in support groups and continue to receive medical intervention during your recovery.
If you need help detoxing from alcohol, don’t quit cold turkey. Instead, contact the experts at Canon Human Services Centers. We can help you get the care you need as you search for the best rehab center in Los Angeles for your needs.