Although possible in some situations, attempting to quit abusing a dangerous substance or substances on your own and without professional rehab can be extremely difficult and often dangerous. It is usually a much better option to choose to recover with the help of addiction treatment than to rely entirely on your own force of will. Call 888-810-3710 Who Answers? now, and we will match you with treatment centers that can provide you with the best options for your individualized care and recovery.

Quitting on Your Own Is Dangerous

People who attempt to quit abusing drugs without the help of anyone else, let alone a professional rehab program, often find it to be incredibly difficult and risky. The risk of relapse is much higher for those who do not attend professional treatment for addiction because programs like these help patients learn how to avoid this distinctly possible outcome. Because so many people succumb to relapse at some point in their recovery, everything you can do to help avoid this possibility is extremely important and will work to keep you safe.

Trying to quit on your own is also dangerous because you are putting a large amount of faith on your ability to stop abusing drugs, which has been compromised by addiction. While you may have started out taking drugs whenever you wanted to––and controlling your substance abuse as necessary––addiction has likely weakened your resolve, and soon, you will not be able to avoid using drugs at all (National Institute on Drug Abuse). The less control you have over your substance abuse, the more you will need addiction treatment.

Finally, many people who attempt to stop using drugs do not realize how severe their withdrawal symptoms are going to be if they attempt to go “cold turkey.” Even the symptoms caused by opioid abuse, which are not life threatening, can be extremely painful, and those caused by alcohol and other types of depressant withdrawals can be deadly. Relapse often occurs as a result of full withdrawal, which can also lead to overdose (National Library of Medicine). And if you attempt to wean yourself off the drug alone and without a doctor’s help, you can experience severe health consequences.

Addiction Treatment Works

Quitting alone heightens your risk or relapse.

Another reason to turn to addiction treatment for help when you are trying to quit is because these programs really do work. There are a number of different types of rehab programs––with different levels of intensity––and finding the right one for your needs is important. But according to the NIDA, rehab is an extremely effective option for addiction recovery, as it helps patients

• Stop abusing dangerous drugs and other substances
• Avoid relapse
• Decrease their criminal activity
• Increase their ability to function in their professional and personal lives
• Examine why they began using drugs in the first place

In addiction treatment, patients can also discover the existence of co-occurring disorders, such as mental disorders, that need to be treated simultaneously with addiction (and that many rehab programs help to treat). Rehab is more than just medically assisted withdrawal or helping patients avoid substance abuse; it’s a well-rounded treatment program that can help you make significant changes to many areas in your life where change is needed.

Addiction Is Complex

Attempting to quit abusing drugs on your own after becoming addicted is not a beneficial option. This is because addiction is such a complex issue, one that requires professional care. If you are suffering from addiction, you have a disease, and if you had any other type of illness, you would seek treatment for it, right?

Therefore, it is much safer and likely to be much more effective if you let professional healthcare providers help you stop abusing drugs. When you have tried-and-true methods to count on and the help of caregivers who want to see you succeed, it is much more likely that you will get the results you want.

Do I Really NEED Addiction Treatment?

Are You Suffering from Addiction?

If you are––or someone you love is––it is time to seek help. You are not alone; call 888-810-3710 Who Answers? now to learn about rehab options that are specifically catered to your needs and to recover in the safest, most effective environment for you.