One out of every 12 adults in the United States suffers from alcohol dependence, making alcohol the most regularly used addictive substance in America, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) reports. Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly can cause the brain to get used to the way that alcohol interferes with neurotransmitter transmission, movement, and absorption. If you’re a heavy drinker, abruptly quitting alcohol without the help of medical professionals — known as going “cold turkey” — can be painful and dangerous. Carrie Carlton, LCSW, Clinical Director of Beachway Therapy Center in Boynton Beach, Florida says those considering detoxing from alcohol on their own might want to consider an in-patient medical detox.
According to Carlton, “When someone who has become alcohol dependent decides to stop drinking, he/she will experience some level of physical discomfort. For this reason, it is extremely difficult for a person to merely stop drinking on their own without assistance and support.”