Some people would rather avoid seeking professional medical help in order to quit drinking. Whether you do not want to miss work, family obligations, or something else important to you, you have decided you wish to go it alone and stop drinking yourself. While we do not advise this as a way to get sober, it is not outside the realm of possibility for you to succeed in your attempt at sobriety. Here are a few helpful tips you should follow if you are dead set on embarking on your journey to recovery without professional aid.
First, understand that detox from alcohol is an incredibly unpleasant and often life threatening process depending on the severity of your alcohol dependence. Our bodies and brains grow accustomed to a certain level of alcohol in our system, and when that level suddenly drops to zero the body struggles to cope. As a result, you are at substantial risk for seizures and other debilitating symptoms during withdrawal from alcohol any of which pose a risk to your life. Therefore, in the first ten days of your cessation from alcohol intake you need to be hyper aware of your body and any symptoms you experience. Should you begin to notice some more intrusive or substantial symptoms, we strongly encourage you to seek the advice of a medical professional so you ensure your life is not in jeopardy.
Once you have safely detoxed from alcohol, the real work can finally begin. The other main thing you need to understand is no one can truly recover from alcoholism or addiction on their own. Community support is crucial, and the best source of this support comes from the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar twelve step based group. You may have preconceived notions about these “cults” and their “feel good meetings”, but writing off this invaluable resource before giving it a chance is only hurting your recovery. You should utilize all available support in your attempt to quit drinking, and the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous have a proven track record of helping people get sober for almost a century.
Quitting drinking is a difficult undertaking, and even more so if you choose to go it alone. Whatever your reasons for avoiding professional help with your transition to sobriety, you need to keep yourself safe and take the best first step forward in your journey to recovery from alcoholism. Truly the best way to maximize your chances for success at sustained sobriety are through attending an inpatient treatment program. At Evolutions, we understand it can be scary to contemplate leaving the life you’ve known for years and traveling to a strange place, placing your life in the hands of unfamiliar people. Our Admissions Counselors are available around the clock to answer any questions you have about the process and to put your mind at ease so you can comfortably take the leap and enroll in residential inpatient treatment!