Should You Stop Drinking Before Alcohol Rehab?

Congratulations! You’ve signed up to go to alcohol rehab but you’ve got a couple of days or a week before you can actually leave. Whether it’s by your choice or due to availability at the alcohol addiction treatment center you’ve chosen, you’re faced with how you should be spending the next few days. Most alcoholics will think the same thing: drink as much as you can while you can before heading off to treatment. But is that the safest choice? Should you try and quit drinking altogether? How else can you fill your time before going off to treatment?

The Dangers of Binge Drinking Before Alcohol Rehab

There are so many possible risks that you take on when you choose to binge drink before heading to alcohol addiction treatment: drunk driving accident, accident due to negligence under the influence, alcohol poisoning, overdose when mixing alcohol with other drugs, violence and assault, et cetera. Additionally, if you spend days before going to alcohol rehab drinking to excess, you’re going to feel horrible when you first arrive. The first couple of days will be difficult enough physically – you’ll only make it worse by drinking with the intent to overdo it.

The Dangers of Quitting Drinking Before Alcohol Rehab

For those who experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop drinking, it isn’t recommended to try to quit cold turkey unless you have medical professionals there to supervise and advise. The withdrawal symptoms can be managed and you will be much more comfortable until you are in the alcohol detox portion of your rehab program and have access to medications designed to treat your symptoms, reduce cravings, and help you more quickly –and safely – get the alcohol out of your system.

Even if you don’t have withdrawal symptoms beyond a serious hangover when you stop drinking, it’s likely that you will still feel ill when you quit by yourself and crave alcohol even more. Trying to do this without the help of doctors and counselors can weaken your resolve to go to treatment and take away your chance at getting better and starting a new life for yourself in recovery.

So What Do You Do Before Leaving for Alcohol Rehab?

Take it easy. Drink minimally to avoid making yourself feel worse at rehab but not so little that you begin to go through withdrawal symptoms. Get lots of rest. Drink lots of water. Spend time with supportive family and friends and take the first baby steps toward your dreams for future versions of yourself.