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The Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal

When you have reached a point where your life revolves around drinking, you probably know you have a problem. You aren’t even sure if you are drinking because you want to drink anymore or if you are drinking because you have to drink. You know you should stop, but you aren’t sure if you can. Sooner or later, you want to try to quit drinking. You may have gotten into some pretty big trouble. There may have been arrests for driving under the influence, or you may have done things while drinking that you would never have done sober, such as crazy risk-taking behavior or violence. You know you don’t want to be that person you are ashamed of anymore, and you can’t change unless you stop drinking.

If the situation above describes how you are feeling, know that you’re not alone. Millions of people in the United States alone battle with alcohol addiction, and many of them want to stop but feel like they can’t. You may not believe it now, but you can overcome your alcoholism. To keep yourself safe from the dangers of alcohol withdrawal, begin treatment at an alcohol addiction treatment center. Contact Recovery Ranch TN today at 1.844.876.7680 to learn about the options available at our alcohol detox center.

Physical and Emotional Dependence on Alcohol

If you are physically or emotionally dependent on alcohol, you may have lost the power to choose to drink or not to drink. If you’re like many people who are alcohol-dependent, this may be obvious to everyone but you. You may defend your right to drink and believe you aren’t hurting anyone but yourself. You may stubbornly deny that you have a problem, but the signs that you have a problem are there.

Alternatively, dependence may mean that you need to drink more and more to get the same effect. If you try to cut back on your drinking, you are consumed by a sense of craving and anxiety. As a result, you may avoid people who criticize your drinking or refuse to socialize with people who don’t drink. Up to now, you have continued to drink even though it is harming your relationships, threatening your job, and maybe causing legal problems. Deep down, you know it just isn’t fun anymore, and it’s time to quit.

Dangers of Going Through Alcohol Withdrawal Alone

At times you may try to promise yourself and others that you will never drink again. Your loved ones may be disgusted with your drinking and may give you ultimatums or try different strategies to force you to quit drinking. Only you can reach the point where you realize that you can’t go on the way you have been. No one can force you to be ready. However, before you try to stop drinking on your own, you need to consider how perilous that might be. The problem is that giving up alcohol cold turkey can be extremely dangerous. When you are physically dependent on alcohol, trying to quit or drastically reduce the amount you’re drinking is likely to cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anxiety and irritability
  • Sweating
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Depression

These symptoms may be so unpleasant that you give up and start drinking again to get relief. There is also the possibility that you may have even more severe symptoms of withdrawal, including delirium tremens. Symptoms of delirium tremens include seizures, hallucinations, and tremors. Some of these symptoms may even be life-threatening. Therefore, it is often best to complete the detoxification process under medical supervision in an alcohol addiction treatment center.

How to Give Up Alcohol

How severe your withdrawal symptoms depend on how long you have been abusing alcohol and how much you typically drink. If you are physically addicted to alcohol, don’t try to quit cold turkey. Talk to your doctor or an addiction professional. You may need to be supervised by a medical professional while detoxifying from alcohol. If your problem with alcohol is not severe, you may be able to taper off the amount you drink gradually.

Most people with drinking problems who try this find it doesn’t work on a long-term basis. Some people are able to give up alcohol with the help of addiction professionals on an outpatient basis. However, others will need to receive treatment from an inpatient facility.

At a treatment facility, symptoms of withdrawal may be reduced with medications that can help reduce cravings and ease anxiety while your body gets used to functioning without alcohol. For those who are physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol, reducing or discontinuing the use of alcohol is difficult or impossible to do without help. It’s essential to reach out to a medical professional so that you can overcome your physical and emotional dependence on alcohol.

Benefits of Professional Alcohol Addiction Treatment

There are many benefits to professional alcohol addiction treatment. A treatment center can provide a safe and structured environment while you detox from alcohol. You will be surrounded by caring and supportive staff members who want to see you succeed in your recovery. You will also have access to therapies that can help you deal with the underlying issues that may have contributed to your drinking problem.

Treatment for alcohol addiction can be customized to meet your unique needs. For example, if you have a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety, you will receive treatment for that condition as well. This is important because treating only the addiction can lead to a relapse. For instance, at Recovery Ranch TN, we offer treatment for conditions such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Mood disorders

Treatment for alcohol addiction can take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting, depending on the severity of your addiction. Inpatient treatment is often the best option for those who are physically dependent on alcohol because it provides around-the-clock care. Outpatient treatment may be a good option for those who have a less severe addiction and who have a strong support system at home.

Learn More at Recovery Ranch TN

With help, you can begin to live a life that is content, productive and free from the compulsion to drink. Recovery Ranch TN is a Tennessee-licensed, CARF-accredited facility that offers evidence-based treatment for those struggling with alcohol and other substance use disorders. Our ranch atmosphere and equine-assisted therapy program provide a healing environment for mind, body, and spirit, involving therapeutic options such as:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Family therapy
  • Nutrition therapy

Contact Recovery Ranch TN today by calling 1.844.876.7680. We can help you avoid the dangers of alcohol withdrawal by monitoring your health as you begin the process. From there, you can begin with addiction treatment programs to reach your goals of recovery.

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