Alcohol, although not a controlled substance, is a substance that can easily take over a life when not used responsibly. For those whom alcohol addiction is a problem, it may seem like there’s no end in sight. Perhaps you’ve changed your routine so that booze doesn’t fit into your life so readily. Maybe you’ve tried limiting the number of drinks you have. Have you ever gone cold turkey? Of course there’s all kinds of strategies to break the cycle of alcoholism, but are the best suggestions for getting sober? Would the best drug and alcohol rehab program in the nation be helpful? Let’s look at the idea of going cold turkey and assess the dangers of cutting alcohol from your life completely in the middle of addiction.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Just like with any other addictive substance, a sudden decline in the amount of a substance in your body can shock your body. This is called withdrawal. When the body has become so dependent and accustomed to having a substance in it, it “forgets” what to do without it. For some people alcohol withdrawal may not be very noticeable. But for others it can be serious or even fatal. Some of the more mild symptoms can include headaches, nausea, anxiety and insomnia.

Severe withdrawal symptoms include hallucinations, vomiting, diarrhea, uncontrollable shaking and fever. That’s why it’s best to quit drinking under medical supervision. If you find yourself experiencing any of these more severe symptoms on your road to sobriety contact your healthcare provider immediately. Some of these can lead to seizures, delirium tremens and even death.

Gradually Quitting

When working towards quitting drinking, taking a more methodical approach may be safer. There are several ways to do this. You can work with your physician or therapist to create a cessation plan that has both a start date and an end date. The Sinclair Method is just one method used to reduce your drinking over a period of several months. It is said to be more comfortable and allow you the space to work through your addiction more safely.

Once you’ve successfully quit, you’ll need to put some things in place to ensure that you stay the course you’ve set for yourself. This may include creating new healthy habits, starting a new routine, changing who you hang out with and more.

Finding Support

The human experience is a deeply social one, so finding support as you take steps toward and maintain your sobriety can make the difference between a setback and a triumph. A support system also gives you a measure of accountability. Just knowing that someone else cares and is rooting for your success is a major confidence boost, so look into Alcoholics Anonymous or social media groups, sponsorship, therapy and other ways to support your sobriety journey. There are even prescription medications that you can take to help manage cravings.

Getting sober isn’t always an easy road, but the sober life is well worth the effort it takes to get there. Knowing that you are capable of taking care of yourself and living your life the way you want to live it is so very gratifying.

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Christie Lewis

This is Christie Lewis, and this is a bit of copy about her. Christie is a marketing professional who also writes around her personal interest. She's quite a cinephile and most of her "personal' pieces revolve around movies. And she can give away anything to meet Judi Dench!

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