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For far too many people, the realities of alcoholism can hit home and hit hard. One such person is Kevin Nash, actor and WWE star who, tragically, lost his 26-year-old son, Tristen, to the consequences of an attempt at cold turkey alcohol detox.
Keep reading to learn more about Tristen’s untimely passing, and how to protect yourself from similar consequences if you’re thinking of quitting alcohol.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), more than 23 million people in the United States meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder (AUD). About 7% of adults in the U.S. have an AUD, defined as having at least one drink each day for women or two drinks each day for men — enough to cause physical or psychological harm.
To be clear, Nash’s tragic and untimely passing came about from one of the lesser-known complications associated with the disease. In the vast majority of cases, when people think of persons struggling with alcoholism passing away due to the disease, a few critical scenarios come to mind: violence, vehicular accidents, alcohol poisoning, and the like. Mostly, people aren’t widely educated about the dangers associated with detoxing – which is how Tristen met his end.
Nash was a regular guest and worker on his father’s podcast and, as revealed by his father, struggled with alcoholism to the point that he began drinking while on the podcast. This was a sticking point for Kevin, who eventually, in tandem with his son, decided to quit the substance “cold turkey.” This decision would eventually lead to the young man’s death. Stopping substances is a tricky road and can offer its own unique set of stressors. In the case of Tristen Nash, stopping alcohol consumption via the “cold turkey” method resulted in a dramatic rise in his risk of seizures, a traumatic and occasionally fatal event that, in this case, resulted in his passing.
Kevin Scott Nash is a former basketball player, US army veteran, and retired professional wrestler with many titles under his belt. Born in July 1959, Nash grew up in a devoutly Christian home in Detroit, Michigan. He attended the University of Tennessee, majoring in psychology and educational philosophy while still finding time to play basketball. On graduation, he left the US to play basketball professionally in Europe for a time. Unfortunately, he tore a ligament in 1981, bringing his basketball career to a screeching halt.
In the army, he served as a specialist, then moved on after discharge to work on the floor of a Ford Motor Company plant. He also worked as a floor manager of a strip club. It was during this time that he decided to get into professional wrestling, leaving the legacy most people know him for today.
Kevin Nash’s name is recognizable to any fan of WWE/WCW wrestling from the 90s-00s era. As a performer, he worked with various wrestling outfits such as NWO for around twenty-one years before being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He still occasionally does cameos in the WWE as a legend, so it’s not uncommon to see him show up in a televised wrestling event. His stature as an entertainer makes him a larger-than-life figure for many Americans over the age of thirty.
Cold turkey detox is a term that refers to the sudden and complete cessation of substance use. It is often used for alcohol or drug abuse but can also be used for other substances, such as nicotine or caffeine.
While there are no benefits to a cold turkey detox, there are risks associated with it. A person who decides to detox suddenly may experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and depression, nausea and vomiting, fever, chills and shakes, increased risk of seizure, sweating, muscle cramping and tremors, increased heart rate, restlessness, and insomnia. These symptoms can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the addiction and the type of substance used.
One of the riskiest parts of a cold turkey detox is that it puts you at risk for relapse into substance abuse because the physical symptoms associated with withdrawal can be so severe that they send people right back out looking for drugs or alcohol to ease their discomfort.
The short answer is that death from a cold turkey alcohol detox is uncommon. However, it does happen and can be dangerous if you are not careful. If you don’t have to risk it, then why would you?
The most common way people die during an unmonitored alcohol detox is by choking on their vomit. For this reason, some medical professionals recommend that patients undergo detox under medical supervision to avoid this risk and make sure they stay safe while withdrawing from alcohol.
Cold turkey withdrawal can be dangerous because it causes physical symptoms like nausea, sweating, shaking, and vomiting, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. These symptoms can be fatal if they are not appropriately treated.
People who have already developed liver damage or have other health conditions may find their bodies are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol withdrawal than healthy people who drink regularly. This means they may experience more severe symptoms such as delirium tremens (DTs) and seizures during their detox period due to withdrawal from alcohol use.
An excellent medical detox for alcohol abuse can safely and comfortably help you through withdrawal symptoms. It should also provide the support and resources needed to help you stay sober.
A good medical detox will monitor your vital signs and symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors. This is important because these symptoms can be dangerous if left unchecked. Patients with severe complications from alcohol withdrawal may require hospitalization or medication to treat them. A reputable facility will also prescribe medications as necessary to help relieve some of the effects of alcohol withdrawal.
The majority of people with alcohol addiction need help to stop using. The best way to do this is through professional treatment. It is important to remember that not all rehab facilities are the same, and there are many different types of programs available, so it is essential that you choose one that fits your needs.
After immediate cessation of drinking alcohol, your nervous system needs time to ‘recalibrate’ to life without ethanol. It is this period of readjusting that can provoke the uncomfortable and even lethal symptoms of withdrawals from alcohol: like seizures, tremors, nausea, lack of sleep, depression, and fatigue.
Complete abstinence from alcohol is recommended if you attempted to reduce intake unsuccessfully, or if you have been diagnosed with alcoholism or any form of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Cessation is also the best route if you have any forms of mental or physical ailment that drinking makes worse.
In long-term drinkers, alcohol often causes the development of diseases (such as alcohol use disorders) among other problems. A short list includes heightened blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, susceptibility to stroke, cirrhosis and other forms of liver disease, and GI or digestion issues, among many others.
These facilities provide a safe environment where individuals can receive the help they need to overcome addiction. There are many benefits of choosing a professional rehab facility over cold turkey:
Alcoholism can turn on a dime. You can live for many years as a “functioning” alcoholic, but make no mistake, the disease is severe and can tear apart one’s life in a moment. Finding treatment without delay is the key. This is where we come in.
Contact Rehabs Of Armerica today to take the first critical step toward recovery and regain control of your life!
Anna M. joined Find Addiction Rehabs with extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment. As a former Nurse Practitioner in Miami, she found her passion for addiction treatment when a family member was lost to his disease. With each article and resource, she hopes to save other families from experiencing the anguish of a loved one’s passing due to drinking or drugs.
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