Alcohol is the most commonly misused drug in the United States, and some would even say, the world. It is widely available to anyone who is old enough to purchase it. Also, for the most part, it is believed to be safe. That in itself only contributes to how dangerous it is.

When alcohol is stopped abruptly, it can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. Some of them can even become life threatening if left untreated.

Alcohol may seem safe because it is legal. But the reality is that it is quite dangerous. Once someone becomes addicted to it, they need to go through the proper treatment program to stop. Quitting alcohol cold turkey should never even be considered as an option.

Withdrawal Symptoms and the Risks

Some experts believe that quitting alcohol can be more dangerous than stopping the use of any other substance. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can become quite severe, and there are a lot of risks involved as well.

Some of the most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Shaky hands
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Symptoms of anxiety or even panic attacks
• Painful headaches
• Insomnia and other sleep issues
• Excessive sweating
• Cravings for alcohol

In some cases, alcohol withdrawal may become even worse. When it does, it can progress to a condition called delirium tremens, or DTs. This condition can become life threatening, and there is no way to insure that it will not happen. This is why it is best to go through an alcohol detox program. They offer treatments that can keep people safe from this type of complication.

Some of the symptoms of DTs include:

• The onset of seizures
• Body tremors
• Irritability and agitation
• Fatigue and deep sleep that lasts a long time
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Confusion
• Rapid mood swings
• Feelings of restlessness

Here, Joe Rogan talks about how dangerous it is to go cold turkey on alcohol:

Heroin is an illegal opiate drug that can lead to a quick addiction once someone starts taking it. Research shows that most people who use it first began by abusing prescription opioids. They gravitated toward an illegal opiate once they were no longer able to continue obtaining their prescriptions.

Heroin withdrawals are very difficult to manage. Sometimes people assume that it would be better to go cold turkey so they can get withdrawal over with. That is a very bad idea because of the symptoms that often result.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually begin by being very mild. Most heroin abusers know what they feel like, but they fail to recognize that they will get worse.

The early symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:

• Feeling anxious
• Achy muscles
• Increased eye tearing
• Excessive sweating
• Yawning
• Sleep disturbances
• Anger and agitation
• A runny nose

As the withdrawal progresses, the above symptoms are likely to get worse. The addict may also suffer from additional, more severe symptoms as time goes on. They include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Intense cravings
• Stomach cramps
• Dilated pupils
• Goosebumps

This video gives a chilling description of what heroin withdrawal is like:

There are different types of stimulant drugs. There are those that are legal and available by prescription, and those that are illegal. Medications like Adderall and Strattera are commonly used to treat ADHD, as well as a few other conditions. Yet, they can be just as highly addictive as cocaine or methamphetamine.

Regardless of what the drug is, quitting cold turkey is likely to throw the body into withdrawal abruptly. The symptoms can be extremely difficult to manage without medical treatment.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Whether someone is taking a prescription or illegal stimulant, the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be similar. The ones that most people complain of include:

• Feeling lethargic and tired
• Symptoms of depression
• Lack of energy
• Cravings for the drug of choice
• Symptoms of anxiety
• Anger and agitation
• Insomnia

For some individuals, depression can become very severe. There is even a risk of suicidal ideation or behaviors that can result when stopping stimulants cold turkey. This is one of the reasons it is best to get professional help before attempting to quit.

This video gives an accurate depiction of stimulant withdrawal symptoms:

Opioid painkillers are among the most abused drugs in America. Millions of prescriptions are written for them every year, and many doctors fail to inform their patients about how addictive they are. This fact alone has led to the opioid epidemic in our country today.

Unfortunately, many people who become addicted to opioids do so on accident. Once they realize they are addicted, their first instinct is to quit cold turkey. This is very dangerous because – just like with heroin and similar drugs – withdrawals can be severe.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Prescription pain medication addiction can lead to many different symptoms of withdrawal when they are stopped. These can include:

• Stomach pain
• Chills
• Goose bumps
• Body aches and pains
• Severe mood swings
• Large pupils
• Diarrhea
• Cravings for the drug

There can be a risk of complications once opioids are stopped as well. It is possible to experience heart problems, and some may even have seizures.

In this video, Brett Favre explains what it was like to quit Vicodin cold turkey:

Patients are working toward many different goals when they go to rehab. The primary goal will be to learn what it was that led to their addictions. For many, they started using because they suffered from a co-occurring disorder, or a mental health condition. About half of all people with addictions also have a mental illness. It is very important for that condition to be treated.

There are several co-occurring disorders that often accompany addictions. Some of them include:

• Trauma or PTSD
• Eating disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder

It is common for people to come to rehab undiagnosed. They started using because it was a way for them to treat their symptoms. When both conditions are treated at the same time, their chances of long-term recovery increase substantially.

The Benefits of Group Therapy

The idea of group therapy is one that often makes people feel nervous. They may feel comfortable talking with a therapist one on one, but talking to a group of strangers is not the same.

Group therapy has been shown to be a very important part of the recovery process. Patients are helped by being able to discuss their situations and experiences with each other. It makes them feel better to know that they are not alone in what they are going through. They need that peer support, and it gives them the encouragement they need to press on with recovery.