Is Drug and Alcohol Rehab Really Better Than Quitting Cold Turkey?

Posted on June 28, 2023September 11, 2023 by Inessa Maloney

Is Drug and Alcohol Rehab Better Than Quitting Cold Turkey?

Admitting to yourself that you have a drug or alcohol problem is the first step toward liberation from a dangerous and unhealthy lifestyle. If you are like most people afflicted with a substance abuse disorder, you probably went through some tough times that led you to this conclusion.

Debating the Best Method to Achieve Sobriety

Now that you realize that you have this problem, you are probably wondering what the next step is to arrest your addiction for good. Perhaps you have heard about drug and alcohol rehabs and are questioning if they are necessary or whether you can stop cold turkey by yourself without any assistance.

Can an Alcoholic Quit Cold Turkey?

Usually, when you reach the point where you recognize the severity of your problem with drugs and alcohol, your situation has become untenable. Recovery from alcohol addiction is a significant undertaking, and you should leverage all available options towards a successful outcome.

While some alcoholics can stop cold turkey, they are the exception, and most require some professional help to recover from addiction. For instance, in cases of alcohol withdrawal, severe alcohol dependence may lead to dangerous symptoms like delirium tremens and high blood pressure.

Can You Quit Drugs Cold Turkey?

Quitting drugs cold turkey is similar to quitting alcohol cold turkey. When it comes to quitting drugs, especially high-dependency drugs like opioid drugs or other prescription drugs, abruptly stopping can lead to potentially dangerous and life-threatening consequences due to the onset of withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms can encompass physical and emotional aspects, which can be challenging to navigate. In cases of opioid withdrawal, intense cravings, physical discomfort, and other symptoms may emerge. Quitting drugs abruptly, without proper medical attention, can lead to untreated withdrawal symptoms and potential relapse.

Cold Turkey Versus Rehab

Now, it is not impossible to quit drugs and alcohol cold turkey, and people have done it before. The problem with this approach is that the odds are stacked heavily against you.

Willpower alone does not work against chemical dependency as there are many factors involved when you are heavily dependent on drugs or alcohol, and thousands of addicts have found this out the hard way.

At Woburn Addiction Treatment Center, we can help you win the battle with your addiction. By combating emotional symptoms and physical symptoms, your healthcare provider will help you recover from drug addiction.

Rehabs Manage Your Withdrawal Symptoms

Depending on your drug of choice, you could experience withdrawal symptoms that make quitting extremely difficult by yourself. Often, when a chemically dependent person begins to encounter the effects of withdrawal, they feel so horrible physically and mentally that they are compelled to use again.

With medical detox or gradual reduction, stopping drug use and treating other withdrawal symptoms can be managed in a safe space.

Also, abruptly quitting some substances can be life-threatening. Immediate cessation of alcohol or benzodiazepines, for example, can result in grand mal seizures, even after days of sobriety.

Medical Assistance for Intense Withdrawal Symptoms

Rehabs specialize in addressing withdrawal symptoms medically so that the patient is safe and does not go through the horrible discomfort that they would when quitting cold turkey.

Due to mental dependence as well as physical dependence, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can be addressed with medication-assisted treatment. Doctors in treatment facilities prescribe medications for a detoxification protocol, and these meds differ according to your drug of choice.

Nurses monitor your vital signs on a regular schedule and adjust medications accordingly with the oversight of the physician. The goal is to prepare you physically and mentally for the remainder of your treatment and withdrawal process.

Rehabs Teach The Skills to Stay Sober For The Rest of Your Life.

If recovery from drugs and alcohol were easy, then every addict and alcoholic would be sober. Just like any other job that you are unfamiliar with, there are instructions to follow for a favorable result.

In a drug and alcohol rehab, you will learn life skills that will help you stay sober from trained professionals who specialize in addiction.

If you were to try and stop using by yourself, you would not receive any instructions on how to stay sober, and, at this point, you probably realize that your ideas in this regard have proved futile.

Rehab also allows you to interact with other addicts and alcoholics who are in the same position. There is comfort in spending time with others who understand what you are going through and can relate to your struggle.

Sharing your experience with others and listening to theirs is particularly therapeutic and lightens the load of your concerns. Trying to quit cold turkey is frightening because no one can empathize with your position. Addiction is a disease of loneliness, so trying to tackle it by yourself does not make sense.

Rehabs Give You The Time That You Need for Your Brain and Body to Heal.

Addiction is a chronic disease that wreaks havoc on the organs of your body and your brain. Neurotransmitters, synapses, and other components of cerebral functionality are all adversely affected by addiction and prolonged drug abuse. Your liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs might also have issues to address.

Ailments, such as liver disease, are subject to monitoring and medical care. Our medical professionals can address any medical conditions and safely stop alcohol abuse in a safe environment rather than attempting the cold turkey method at home without medical supervision.

Co-Occurring Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

When working with a medical professional at Woburn Wellness, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of addiction-related illnesses.

Anxiety and depression are common conditions reported by recovering addicts, and staff mental health professionals can treat the symptoms.

Addressing any underlying mental disorders can aid in the emotionally difficult aspects of substance abuse treatment.

Joining Support Groups

To compliment your recovery, we recommend attending support groups in order to assist in maintaining long-term sobriety.

Both Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide an outlet and strong support network as you embark on the journey of lifelong sobriety.

Get The Care You Need and Deserve

Woburn Wellness Addiction Treatment is a leader in the addiction treatment field, with proven success in facilitating long-term recovery.

Our team of top clinical & medical experts specializes in treating addiction coupled with mental illness, ensuring that each person receives individualized care. Call us at (781) 484-0195.

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MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY

Inessa Maloney, MS, LMHC
Clinical Director

Learn about Inessa Maloney

Inessa Maloney, MS, LMHC has been dedicated to the mental health and substance abuse field for a decade, providing her expertise to guarantee quality and accuracy.

Specializes in outpatient services with a focus on substance abuse
Expertise in reality-based therapy, CBT/DBT, and motivational interviewing
Holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling

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7 Signs of Heroin Abuse and Addiction

Posted on May 23, 2023August 1, 2023 by Inessa Maloney

Heroin is a highly potent opioid drug that has no approved medicinal uses. It is an illegal drug and one of the most addictive. People who abuse heroin might snort, smoke, or inject the substance directly into their veins.[1] According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Among people aged 12 or older in 2021, 0.4% (or about 1.1 million people) reported using heroin in the past 12 months.”[2] If you are worried that your loved one is abusing heroin, being aware of the signs of heroin abuse and addiction can help you convince them to get the help that they need. 7 common signs of heroin abuse and addiction are:

1. Social Isolation

One of the earliest signs of heroin abuse is social isolation. Most people who are abusing the drug will begin isolating themselves from their friends and family to conceal their drug use. While social isolation does not always mean your loved one is abusing heroin, it can indicate heroin addiction if it is accompanied by other signs of substance abuse.

2. Financial Issues

A heroin abuse habit can be incredibly expensive, which might cause your loved one to begin experiencing financial issues. Additionally, people who abuse heroin tend to have a hard time maintaining employment, so your loved one might not be making enough money to support their habit and pay their bills at the same time. If your loved one is experiencing financial issues that they have not experienced in the past, they could be abusing a substance like heroin. Oftentimes, heroin addiction causes the use of heroin to take precedence over everything else in a person’s life, so your loved one will prioritize buying heroin over paying their bills or even buying themselves food.

3. Drug Paraphernalia

One of the telltale signs of heroin abuse and addiction is the presence of specific drug paraphernalia. Because people can smoke, snort, or inject heroin, there are different types of drug paraphernalia that you should look out for. If your loved one is smoking heroin you might find:

Cut up straws
Empty baggies with powder residue
Tin foil with powder or burnt spots on it

If your loved one is snorting heroin you might find:

Cut up straws
Rolled-up dollar bills
Razor blades
Empty baggies with powder residue
Powder residue on flat surfaces

If your loved one is injecting heroin you might find:

Empty baggies with powder residue
Burnt spoons
Used needles
A belt or other material to tie off
Items like cotton or cigarette filters

4. Unexplained Weight Loss

Heroin is known to suppress your appetite.[3] If your loved one frequently abuses heroin, they might not eat as much as they used to and they could begin losing large amounts of weight without any exercise. Additionally, despite heroin being an appetite suppressant, people who abuse this substance might not have the money to buy food. Instead of eating, many people who are addicted choose to purchase and abuse heroin, so they might experience noticeable weight loss and malnutrition.

5. Physical Symptoms of Heroin Use

Heroin abuse causes symptoms that are incredibly easy to spot. The physical symptoms of heroin abuse and addiction are often the easiest way to tell if your loved one is addicted to the drug. Physical symptoms of heroin use include:

Falling asleep suddenly (nodding off)
Slowed breathing
Dry mouth
Flushed skin
Changes in eating and weight loss
Runny nose
Itchiness
Nausea and vomiting
Deterioration of personal hygiene and appearance
Weird smells on breath, body, and clothes
Tremors
Slowed speech
Coordination issues
Appearing lethargic or extremely tired
Track marks on the arm from injecting heroin
Burns on the lips from smoking heroin
Frequent nose bleeds from snorting heroin

6. Wearing Long Sleeves

If your loved one prefers to inject heroin, they will have track marks on their arms from the needles. Sometimes they experience damage to the veins, which can cause bruising or darkening of the veins. As a result, they will wear long sleeves to conceal their heroin abuse even when it is warm outside.

7. Withdrawal

If your loved one experiences the symptoms of heroin withdrawal when they are sober, they are addicted to the substance. Being able to spot the symptoms of heroin withdrawal will help you determine whether your loved one requires professional treatment. The symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:[4]

Intense cravings for heroin
Excessive sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Muscle aches and pains
Restless legs
A heavy feeling in the body
Crying
Insomnia
Cold sweats
Runny nose and flu-like symptoms
Severe dehydration

Find Help for Heroin Abuse and Addiction Today

Heroin addiction is a severe substance use disorder that can lead to multiple life-threatening drug overdoses. If your loved one is suffering from heroin addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. At Woburn Wellness, we can provide your loved one with the tools and support they need to maintain long-term sobriety. Contact us today for more information on our heroin rehab programs in Massachusetts. References:

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA): Heroin DrugFacts, Retrieved May 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the Scope of Heroin Use in the United States, Retrieved May 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/scope-heroin-use-in-united-states
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Using Illicit Drugs to Lose Weight among Recovering Female Drug Users in China, Retrieved May 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8909896/
National Library of Medicine: Opioid Withdrawal, Retrieved May 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526012/

Can You Send Someone to Rehab Against Their Will?

Posted on May 11, 2023August 17, 2023 by Inessa Maloney

Can you send someone to Rehab against their will?

Watching a loved one struggle with addiction is stressful and painful. Unfortunately, addiction often leads to an array of negative consequences, such as physical and mental health problems, strained relationships, financial difficulties, and legal troubles. In some cases, individuals struggling with addiction may refuse to seek treatment, which can ultimately make their substance abuse even more harmful. When you love someone, you want to do anything you can to help, but what do you do when the person you are trying to help doesn’t want help? Can you send a loved one struggling with addiction to rehab against their will? Forced rehab is a controversial topic, but like any major decision, there are pros and cons. Although it can be difficult to persuade someone to go to rehab when they don’t want to go, many states have laws in place that allow family members to commit loved ones to an involuntary rehab program.

Different States Have Different Laws About Involuntary Rehab

Committing someone to involuntary rehab refers to the practice of sending someone to rehab without their consent–usually with a court order. Depending on where you live, you may be able to force your loved one to go to rehab. In 2023, 37 states and D.C. have some form of involuntary commitment laws for substance abuse treatment. These include:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania

Each state has its own unique practices when it comes to forcing someone to go to rehab. Some states require you to provide more evidence of a substance use disorder than others, and the amount of time they will keep a person in treatment may vary. In most states, involuntary commitment is only allowed when an individual is deemed a danger to themselves or others. To prove this, families must get a court order or a petition from a mental health professional. The majority of states also require a hearing to determine whether the individual meets the criteria for commitment and which level of care they should attend.

Looking at the Legal and Ethical Considerations of Involuntary Drug and Alcohol Rehab

While sending someone to rehab against their will may seem like a good idea in certain situations, such as when your loved one’s life is in danger or they may harm someone else, it is still a highly controversial topic with many important yet complex legal and ethical considerations. Is it okay to force someone to do something they don’t want to do? What if their life is in danger? Will treatment even work if someone doesn’t want help? These are all questions friends and family of addicts may have. For some people, involuntary commitment raises questions about personal autonomy and the right to make decisions about their own life. Opponents of the idea argue that forcing someone into a drug and alcohol rehab center is a violation of their rights and can cause more harm than good. They also argue that people who are forced to go to rehab may feel resentful or resistant, which could stop them from making progress in their treatment program. In other words, involuntary rehab may not always be effective if people are not fully committed to their recovery because they are not motivated to stay sober. On the other hand, proponents of involuntary commitment to substance abuse treatment argue that forced rehab is absolutely necessary, especially if someone’s life is in danger. After all, people who are stuck in the midst of a severe addiction may not be able to make rational and informed decisions about their health or treatment. In cases such as these, sending someone to rehab against their will feels like the only option to prevent the individual from causing harm to themselves or others.

Does Sending Someone to Rehab Against Their Will Actually Work?

Some people are very resistant to treatment, so if they are forced to go to rehab, they may bite their tongue and attend therapy sessions, but not put in any work to make real progress. Others may be reluctant at first, but gradually open up to the recovery process once they start to feel better themselves and see other people in rehab begin to improve their lives. Oftentimes, simply going to rehab, meeting other sober people, and learning a little bit about addiction and recovery is enough to make a person who previously didn’t want help start to want a sober life. It is always best to try to get your loved one to go to rehab rather than to let them continue struggling.

Is There Any Way to Convince My Loved One to Go to Rehab?

While involuntary rehabilitation may be the only viable option in certain situations, it should always be considered a last resort. There are ways to try and convince your loved one to go to rehab willingly before forcing them to go. One of the most effective alternatives is to stage an intervention. An addiction intervention is a structured conversation in which loved ones express their concerns about an individual’s addiction and encourage them to seek treatment. An intervention can be a powerful tool in helping someone realize the severity of their addiction, how it impacts other people, and why it’s important to go to rehab. Another alternative is to get your loved one to schedule a doctor’s appointment to discuss their substance abuse or to ask your loved one to speak with an admissions counselor from a rehab center on the phone. Having a third-party, expert opinion can help individuals realize the need for treatment.

Get The Care You Need and Deserve

Woburn Wellness Addiction Treatment is a leader in the addiction treatment field, with proven success in facilitating long-term recovery. Our team of top clinical & medical experts specializes in treating addiction coupled with mental illness, ensuring that each person receives individualized care. Call us – we’re available 24/day, 7 days/week.

Find Help for an Addicted Loved One

At Woburn Wellness, our talented admissions specialists are available 24 hours a day to assess your loved one’s needs, verify their insurance, and help them start their recovery journey. If someone you love is struggling with addiction or if you have questions about the process of getting them into rehab, please contact us today.