You may be ready to quit drinking or stop using drugs, but you are unsure about whether you need help to do so. Maybe you’ve always been independent and want to try to do this by yourself also. Or maybe you think you just don’t need help to overcome your addiction. Can you get sober alone? No, it’s not a safe or effective way to do it.
A Complex Disease
Addiction is not a choice. Simply saying “I won’t drink anymore” or “I won’t do drugs anymore” won’t make it stop. Rather, addiction is a complex disease that will affect your brain function as well as your behavior. Once you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, it’s unlikely that you will be able to get sober on your own. The changes these substances create in your brain result in a compulsion to use them even when you know they are unhealthy and dangerous.
Getting help and staying in treatment for an appropriate amount of time is critical when you are trying to give up alcohol or drugs. Research has shown that most people who are addicted need at least three months in treatment to reduce or stop their substance use. The longer you stay with supervised treatment, the better your outcome. Getting and staying sober is a long-term process.
Dangerous Withdrawal
One significant reason you can’t get sober alone is that you will have withdrawal symptoms to deal with when you stop your use of drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal is a result of the changes your body goes through when it no longer has the substance in its system. You could experience serious symptoms including insomnia, anxiety, trembling, and delirium tremens (DTs).
When you experience DTs, your brain has not been able to readjust its chemistry very well after you have stopped drinking. You will experience confusion and your brain will go through dangerous changes as it attempts to regulate your circulation and breathing. The result could be dramatic spikes in blood pressure or heart rate that could lead to a risk of stroke, heart attack, or even death.
Potential for Relapse
When you try to get sober alone, you will also be more vulnerable to relapse as you are tempted to drink or use drugs again. Research studies have found that individuals who did not seek help in getting sober were less likely to still be in recovery three years later and were more likely to relapse.
The researchers recommend that preventive intervention is necessary to forestall future alcohol problems among individuals who are able to cut down on drinking on their own temporarily. In treatment, you will learn effective coping strategies to help you resist these temptations in an effective way so you can continue to live a healthier life after giving up alcohol or drugs.
Help with Mental Health
Many people who find themselves addicted to alcohol or drugs also tend to have issues with mental health disorders as well. Drug and alcohol abuse often co-occur with other mental illnesses so it’s important to have the expert advice and clinical support that can help you address each of these issues.
Behavioral therapies have been proven effective in treating the co-occurring conditions of addiction and mental health concerns. When you seek professional treatment for your alcohol or drug use, you can work through your motivations and learn more about the underlying reasons for your substance use.
Willpower is Not Enough
You may be strong and determined but your willpower will not be enough for you to get sober alone. You need the expert guidance of medical professionals and you need a supportive community that will help you through your recovery. Participating in support groups, for example, gives you the opportunity to share your concerns with people who understand your challenges.
CONTACT BRC RECOVERY FOR HELP GETTING SOBER
We know your needs as you try to get sober. Most of our professional staff are in recovery themselves and understand where you’ve been. We can help you get sober and stay healthy. At BRC Recovery, we help you work with you to heal your mind and your body while addressing the underlying issues that lead to your addiction. We bring you real change for your life, with proven treatment options that will empower you to recreate and reclaim your life.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we offer a safe, clean environment so you can continue receiving the highest quality of care. To learn more about our services and to get the help you need, please call BRC Recovery at 1-866-291-2676 to speak to our team.