Breaking the Myth – Going Cold Turkey is Only Dangerous for the First Few Days

There are always many myths surrounding the idea of going cold turkey. This form of alcohol treatment has been used in the past to help people quit the habit. However, it can only work in a clinical environment whilst someone is under constant supervision. Anything less puts the patient at a significant risk of experiencing an alcoholic seizure, which can lead to death.

One of the biggest myths surrounding the cold turkey option is if you can get through the first few days you’re going to experience no problems. Let us look at why this could not be further from the truth.

The First Few Days

most alcoholics will experience some form of withdrawal during the first few days of going cold turkey. This is perfectly natural. Most of these symptoms will be relatively minor in the short-term. The body is still trying to convince you that it needs alcohol, which is displayed through symptoms like shaking and sweating. It is still tinged with alcohol, though, which means the possibility of experiencing a stroke or a seizure is actually at its lowest during the initial few days.

Where the Problems lie

after about five days, you enter dangerous territory. This is where the initial symptoms will seem minor in comparison to what you are about to experience. Your body thinks it is in desperate need of alcohol. It is starting to run out of alcohol in the bloodstream and it needs topping up from the bottle. If you have reached a point where you have become dependent on it to function, this is where your body will start to react violently.

Once you enter this period, the risk of seizures, hallucinations, problems with the cardiovascular system, and strokes actually increases radically.

This is because your body has entered a form of survival mode. It believes that it is being deprived of what it needs to carry out its regular functions. This is why going cold turkey presents such a serious risk outside of the safety of alcohol   rehab   centres  in the short-term.

Cold Turkey Can Work…in the Right Circumstances

It would be wrong of us to give off the impression that cold turkey is impossible. For all but the most desperate alcoholics, cold turkey is an option when performed in the right way. In other words, they are taken into a safe environment where clinical professionals surround them. You will only get this as part of private   alcohol   rehab .

In the event something happens and you begin to experience serious withdrawal symptoms, you know someone will step in immediately to help.

The risk within rehab centres does not change at all. You are still in harm’s way when you go cold turkey. The difference is you are not going to lose your life in the attempt. You also have additional support, such as counselling, to help address the reasons at the centre of your addiction. Without all these help points in place, you are highly unlikely to successfully quit alcohol and go on to lead a healthy life of sobriety.