Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey: Is it Dangerous?

Dependency may be so severe that quitting alcohol cold turkey can send the body into shock. Epileptic shock can occur due to substance imbalances in the brain and bloodstream. In the case of alcohol addiction, the brain can become so dependent that it requires trace amounts simply to function. When those dosage levels aren’t met, the chemical and neuronic imbalances can send the body into shock, resulting in seizures.

Seizures, if severe enough, can do irreparable brain and organ damage. However, these severe addiction withdrawal effects can be overcome with the correct medication as prescribed by a medical professional. These short-term medications wean your mind and body off alcohol dependency to prevent extreme reactions to the absence of alcohol.

Going from all to nothing can send your body’s GABA cells into a potentially fatal deprivation state known as Delirium Tremens. GABA cells are vital cells that regulate your central nervous system to maintain normal nerve function throughout the body. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can induce a sudden plummet in GABA production.

This derivative state results in drastic alterations in nerve and neuron activity called Delirium Tremens. When your body has no regulator for your central nervous system, Delirium Tremens can cause severe cell damage, stroke, coma, or cardiac arrest. In the most extreme cases, it can lead to your body completely shutting off neurotransmitter and nervous system activity.

While withdrawal symptoms are unavoidable for anybody attempting to recover from addiction, they are especially magnified without professional treatment. Thankfully, medical treatment breakthroughs equip Northern Illinois Recovery with state-of-the-art treatment tools that can minimize withdrawal symptoms. This is achieved through several unique treatment methods ranging from a variety of mental training techniques and prescription medications.

Suddenly depriving your body of alcohol can result in num uncomfortable side effects, including extreme anger and irritability. This is your body’s response to being starved of a substance the body has become dependent upon, plummeting serotonin levels. This is a potentially dangerous side-effect because of impulsive actions that could be acted upon in a moment of rage or irritability.

It is unlikely to overcome addiction alone. So much so that many who attempt to do so only relapse and worsen their addiction habits. This materializes due to the discouragement of recovery feeling like an impossible task. Our compassionate staff is wholeheartedly dedicated to giving you all the encouragement and confidence you need to overcome these obstacles.

It’s important to understand that while attempting to quit cold turkey makes recovery feel impossible, professional treatment does the opposite. With the proper medically-aided recovery, you’ll have a newfound confidence and understanding of just how achievable sober

Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms first arise within 6 to 12 hours from the most recent intake. These mild symptoms consist of insomnia, anxiety, body shakes, and other physical ailments or deficiencies. The depth of these symptoms, though usually mild, fluctuates in severity by individual.

Within 12 to 24 hours from previous use, your body can progress into a delusional state consisting of disorientation or hallucinations. By this time frame, mild symptoms are likely to become more pronounced and difficult to endure. This can be frightening to endure alone. Thankfully, prescription medications and full access to a medical detox physician are key to alleviating these uncomfortable side effects.

Between the 24-72 hour phase is the highest risk for experiencing DT and seizures. Depending on the severity, the 48-72 hour period is also when several diverse withdrawal symptoms will be most pronounced. These latter stages are when you require the most medical monitoring and attention.

Many people who struggle with alcohol respond proactively to more attention-based individual treatment. One-on-one therapy at our facilities provides a strong support backbone to maximize treatment efficacy. Individual therapy gives you full-time access to personal therapists, providing the complete support you need to thrive in recovery.

At the core of all of our high-quality treatment programs is a focus on treatment personalization. Northern Illinois Recovery believes listening to you is the most effective way to pave a successful recovery path. As simple as that may seem, it is not a common trend among most recovery centers that adopt a generic “one size fits all” approach to treatment. We understand your story is unique and we weaponize your story and your struggle in the battle against your strongholds. This approach ensures your treatment is done at your pace and comfort level to make certain you’re never overwhelmed.

For some, medically-assisted treatment at an on-site facility is the best option. Medically-assisted treatment consists of intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization therapy programs. These hands-on types of therapy provide the monitoring, medications, and access to care they need to get to their next stage of recovery.

We all need support to help us achieve goals in our lives. That’s why the most important asset of any successful recovery is having a trustworthy support team in your corner. Thankfully, Northern Illinois Recovery’s trust and support group system has the most individualized support system custom-tailored to your needs. You’ll have the opportunity to choose physicians, friends, or family members you trust to make up your personal support team. Some of these people may even be the newfound friendships you make in recovery. This support backbone is intended to provide the encouragement, motivation, and companionship you need to ensure you’re not alone in your struggle.

The greatest inhibitors to sobriety are the uncomfortable, yet shorter-term withdrawal symptoms that seem unbearable to the dependent party. Consequently, highly efficient detox programs are of the utmost importance to set the table for easier and more achievable recovery. Reach out to a detox specialist to learn more about how our detoxification process can help you thrive in recovery.