Withdrawal symptoms can begin within a few hours of the last drink and may peak within the first 24 to 48 hours. They typically subside after a few days but can persist for weeks in severe cases. But, for those seeking long-term sobriety, withdrawals are just the beginning. Low electrolyte levels can lead to cardiac complications during withdrawal, including arrhythmias and sudden death resulting from heart attack.

1. Also, anyone with a dual diagnosis – a co-occurring mental health disorder and alcohol use disorder – should think closely about seeking medical assistance to detox.
2. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, seek help and support as soon as possible.
3. However, it’s important to address the underlying lifestyle and mental health factors that caused the alcohol misuse to begin.
4. This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change.

Unfortunately, addiction is a complex disease that cannot be overcome by willpower alone. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to quitting drinking. It’s important to find an approach that feels safe and sustainable for you, and to seek professional help if necessary. Making them less taught makes it harder for your heart to pump blood. Failing to detox in a professional medical environment can lead to more severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, delirium tremens, coma, and in some severe cases, death.

While the acute withdrawal phase can last for days or weeks, recovery typically involves ongoing support, therapy, and a commitment to a sober lifestyle. It’s a journey that requires patience, persistence, and support. By seeking professional help and addressing underlying issues, you can build a foundation for long-term sobriety and rediscover the joys of a healthy, fulfilling life. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, treatment at a medical rehabilitation facility is your best option. Through therapy, support groups and medication, you’ll be supported on your path to recovery.

Quitting Cold Turkey Is Easy if You Only Drink on Weekends

That’s why it’s important to seek professional help and support from friends and family when trying to quit drinking. It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics of how to stop drinking and obsess over whether to taper off or quit drinking alcohol cold turkey. The physical act of stopping drinking can actually be the easy part. If you’ve tried to quit drinking alcohol 50 sobriety gifts ideas effective substance abuse treatment cold turkey before and experienced physical withdrawals, it’s likely you’ll experience them again. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be a crucial component of the recovery process for those struggling with alcohol addiction. MAT involves using medication to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to stop drinking and maintain sobriety.

Use Insurance to Start Treatment

If you have been drinking heavily and/or long-term, you should strongly consider reassessing detoxing from alcohol at home before you start looking in to how to quit alcohol cold turkey. This also applies if you are using other CNS depressants like benzodiazepines or sleep aids. In some cases, acute alcohol withdrawal sets in, characterized by severe symptoms and potentially triggering complications that might require medical attention. There are several medications available that have been approved by the FDA for use in treating alcohol addiction.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox Treatment

They’re also at an increased risk of strokes and several other medical conditions. Fortunately, the human body is efficient at repairing itself, and those who stop drinking early enough can reverse a lot of the damage alcohol did to their organs. Deciding the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous to taper off alcohol is a slower process that requires planning, but it can decrease both the chase of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms and relapse. It occurs in roughly 1 out of 20 people who experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Can You Stop Drinking Alcohol Cold Turkey?

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper. Deciding to quit drinking and following through isn’t just about willpower.

You need to address your relationship with alcohol in the way that feels best to you based on where you are in your relationship with alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from extremely mild to life-threatening. It’s important that you know what to expect when quitting alcohol cold turkey.