Quitting Substances Cold Turkey

What Does It Mean To Quit Cold Turkey?

Quitting substances, such as alcohol or drugs, “cold turkey” is an informal way of saying that you want to stop using the substance abruptly rather than slowly tapering off the substance under medical supervision.

Although it is possible to quit some substances cold turkey, it is generally not recommended, as doing so has inherent dangers and risks that are often greater than the benefits.

Benefits Of Quitting Cold Turkey

Some data shows that abruptly quitting certain substances or habits, like nicotine or smoking, can be more effective in achieving lasting abstinence than merely tapering off (or gradually reducing) use. However, this often depends on how much support a person has while trying to quit.

Risks And Dangers Of Going Cold Turkey

While abruptly quitting a substance may seem like a fast way to break free from misuse, the dangers of quitting cold turkey should always be considered.

Quitting alcohol and benzodiazepines abruptly, for example, can be dangerous and even life-threatening, as withdrawal from these substances can cause irregular heartbeat, physiological symptoms, seizures, and death.

Abruptly stopping the use of substances that are not life-threatening, such as opioids, can also pose medical risks and complications, including dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. These complications may require intravenous treatment. In addition, someone withdrawing from these substances who has other underlying illnesses, such as a cardiac illness, may be at risk for worsening heart conditions such as increased blood pressure and heart rate. Furthermore, someone who may have a panic or anxiety disorder may suffer from increased intensity of their disorders during opioid withdrawal when quitting cold turkey.

Lastly, quitting and detoxing from substances cold turkey on your own, without the support of a treatment program that can help you taper off the drug, is more likely to lead to relapse.

Quitting Drugs Cold Turkey: Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms vary and typically depend on the type of substance you want to quit, the length of time you have been using it, and how much you usually take.

Opioids

Chronic use of opioids, which are highly addictive substances (such as oxycodone, heroin, and morphine), may lead to very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when quitting cold turkey. Although the withdrawal symptoms may not be dangerous, they are known to be extremely discomforting and intense.

You may experience withdrawal symptoms from opioids as early as 6 to 12 hours after your last dose. These withdrawal symptoms include:

These withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere between three days to a few weeks, with peak withdrawal symptoms happening 24 hours to 72 hours after last use.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, which are a class of drugs that produce sedation (such as Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin), and other sedatives have a similar withdrawal process and symptoms as alcohol. Therefore, there may be higher risks and complications associated with withdrawing from this class of drugs. Withdrawal symptoms you may experience from benzodiazepines or sedatives include:

Due to the increased risks of some of these withdrawal symptoms, it is dangerous to try and quit benzodiazepines, alcohol, and other sedatives cold turkey. Medical professionals should oversee withdrawal symptom management. Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms typically start 6 to 48 hours after your last use.

Stimulants

Stimulant drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines, are drugs that feed into the “reward system” of the brain. The withdrawal symptoms of these drugs are markedly different from those with opioid and benzodiazepine-sedative withdrawal, in that withdrawal from stimulants does not usually cause physical discomfort. Some stimulant withdrawal symptoms you may experience include:

Although these withdrawal symptoms may occur, the risk for medical complications is relatively low. These withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere between 2 days to a few weeks, with peak withdrawal symptoms happening 8 to 36 hours after last use.

Nicotine

Nicotine, the main ingredient in tobacco products, produces withdrawal symptoms that can vary in intensity and duration.

Withdrawal from nicotine can begin after a few hours of your last nicotine dose and may last weeks. Some withdrawal symptoms you may experience if you abruptly quit smoking include:

Although there are no major medical complication risks with nicotine withdrawal, these symptoms can be very uncomfortable. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as 4 to 24 hours after last use and can last for 3 to 4 weeks.

Alternatives To Quitting Cold Turkey

There are safer ways to quit using substances than quitting cold turkey. Taking smaller doses of the substance, or tapering off, is one way. Another way is seeking medically managed treatment at an inpatient rehab. Explore our rehab directory to find a licensed detox and treatment center near you.

Tapering

Tapering off substances under medical supervision, which involves taking a smaller amount of the drug each day until completely weaning off of it, is often the most beneficial method of withdrawing from drugs, especially those that can cause severe withdrawal complications, like benzodiazepines and alcohol.

Although you will still experience withdrawal symptoms, some people may choose to quit a substance this way to prevent the intensity and unpleasantness of withdrawal symptoms. The most common symptoms you’ll still experience when tapering off a substance include anxiety and headaches. While tapering can be done at home, it is not recommended and is safer and easier with the guidance of health professionals in an outpatient or inpatient rehab center.

Inpatient Rehab

If you want to be safe and more comfortable while detoxing, you can choose to undergo treatment at an inpatient detox and rehab center. In these facilities, you’ll receive around-the-clock care where the medical staff may use medication to help treat any unpleasant symptoms.

Treatment programs are usually 30 days and teach relapse prevention and coping skills to help you stay motivated and substance-free once the program is complete.

Ready To Quit?

Quitting substances cold turkey can be dangerous and is not recommended.

Instead, if you or a loved one is ready to break free from substance abuse, contact a treatment provider today. They can answer your rehab-related questions and confirm your treatment options to help get you started on the road to recovery.