Alcohol and Drug Detox: Why it is Unwise to Go Cold Turkey

You’ve finally reached a breaking point with your addiction and are on the cusp of going cold turkey – alone. Before you cut yourself off, make sure you know what detox entails, and consider getting some outside support.

You are getting to the point where you’re realising your vice isn’t just an occasional slip, but a full-on addiction. Maybe it is impacting your relationships or your ability to work – maybe it just doesn’t feel that good anymore, or perhaps family and friends are urging you to stop. Whatever the reasons, you are beginning to really consider quitting.

This realisation is an important step towards recovery, and something to feel good about. However, before deciding to simply stop your addiction, it is important to recognise the risks of sudden detox. Involving professionals in your detox process can help make your recovery safe and healthy.

What are Some Reasons People Decide to Detox Alone?

There are many factors that underlie people’s decisions to try and go it alone when it comes to beating their addictions. It helps to get a sense of what’s driving that impulse in order to consciously examine it and decide if that is really the right way for you to do it. 

The cost of detox seems scarier than the detox itself

While detox and rehab can be an expensive process, there are greater numbers of rehab clinics accepting health insurance from clients, and in some cases sliding scales for clients in financial need. Seeking addiction treatment abroad is also a way to access high-quality treatment at affordable prices due to lower overhead costs. Don’t let preconceived notions of cost deter you from exploring the variety of options available for professional help.

The belief that willpower is all you need to conquer an addiction

One of the more harmful myths about addiction is that it stems from a lack of will, morality, or commitment. This fuels a belief that for one to overcome an addiction, all you need to do is really commit to stopping. If only it were that simple.

Addiction is so consuming because it involves a rewiring of the brain to focus on the object of dependency. Additionally, the body can become physically dependent on the chemicals being used, and so the process of detoxing can involve uncomfortable and serious symptoms. This is why professional guidance through this process is both safer and beneficial in breaking free of an addiction.

Wanting to keep one’s addiction a secret

Some manage to successfully hide their addictions from their employers, friends, and even their loved ones. They may do this because they feel ashamed of their addiction, or because they fear the consequences of divulging it to others. For those who have kept this secret, but want to live free from dependency, detoxing alone may seem like the only choice.

Unfortunately, addiction thrives in secrecy, and an important step to beating it is to begin to talk to people about what you are going through. You could start with an addiction specialist, who will be well-versed in confidentiality and be able to advise you as to how to go through this process. 

They’ve given detox and rehab a try, but have relapsed

When you have been through a rehab process and have experienced a relapse, it is normal to feel disappointed and question the efficacy of your past treatment. However, addiction is a complex disease, and relapses are a common occurrence as people move through recovery. After a relapse, reconnecting with an addiction specialist and exploring how to approach getting back on track can be reassuring and motivating.