Why Can’t I Go Cold Turkey At Home?
Why Can’t I Go Cold Turkey At Home?: The Dangers of Unsupervised Withdrawal
Quitting “cold turkey” is a quick-fix method to stop engaging in drug and alcohol use by stopping immediately rather than gradually tapering off. It is defined in the medical community as the “abrupt complete cessation of the use of an addictive drug.” The term “cold turkey: comes from the goosebumps on the skin, side effects of withdrawal that appear a few days after stopping the substance. These goosebumps appear similar to the skin of a cold turkey kept in the refrigerator. Some people try to go “cold turkey” because they believe it will be easier and faster to stop taking drugs or alcohol rather than gradually tapering off under the care of a medical professional. They believe if they eliminate the substance and block it out of their life, they won’t be tempted to continue to use it. Unfortunately, quitting cold turkey can not only be a dangerous way to stop using, but it doesn’t address any of the underlying triggers associated with addiction. Therefore, many people may not only experience uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal but also have a higher likelihood of using the substance in the near future.
Being dependent on a substance means that your body and your brain believe it needs the substance to function normally, and if you reduce use or stop taking it, you are at risk of withdrawal. Depending on the substance, withdrawals can be very uncontrollable and even life-threatening, hence why addiction professionals do not recommend quitting cold turkey. Another danger of quitting cold turkey is that your body loses its tolerance to the substance consumed. So, if you relapse and then take your usual amount of the drug, you have a higher risk of overdose.
The dangers of quitting alcohol cold turkey
Alcohol withdrawal is one of the most unpleasant, dangerous, and potentially life-threatening withdrawals a person can experience when they quit alcohol abruptly. This is why there are so many addiction treatments around the United States that treat alcohol dependence and addiction because not only does 10% of the U.S. population struggle with alcohol addiction, but trying to quit that addiction by yourself is dangerous. In 2022, an estimated 29.5 million Americans aged 12 and older battled an alcohol use disorder, and over half of all American adults have a family history of problem drinking or alcohol addiction. Quitting alcohol is essential, but it is equally essential to quit alcohol under medical supervision from either your physician or an addiction professional. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can result in uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal side effects that include the following:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Irritability and restlessness
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Hyperthermia
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically occur within 6-24 hours after the last drink. Delirium tremens, also known as DTs or alcohol withdrawal syndrome, is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal and can be fatal if not appropriately managed. A period of mild alcohol withdrawal often exists at first, with symptoms becoming increasingly more severe after 48 to 72 hours. However, symptoms can begin as long as seven to 10 days after quitting drinking. DTs are more common among people with a history of heavy, long-term alcohol consumption, and between 3% and 5% of people quitting alcohol will have delirium tremens symptoms. Symptoms include unstable heart rate, blood pressure and fever, seizure, delirium, anxiety, irritability, confusion, and others.
To avoid these unwanted and dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms, it is strongly advised not to quit alcohol cold turkey and instead seek help from an experienced addiction treatment center such as AKUA Mind and Body. Addiction professionals at AKUA Mind and Body can help prevent alcohol withdrawals by providing medications that help relieve and prevent uncomfortable side effects. Medications such as benzodiazepines, which include Ativan (lorazepam) and Librium (chlordiazepoxide), are the first-line treatment for alcohol detox. Nutritional supplements such as thiamine, zinc, phosphate, magnesium, and folate are commonly administered as many individuals who are heavy drinkers are nutritionally depleted.
To learn more about alcohol detox at AKUA Mind and Body, click here.
The dangers of quitting benzodiazepines cold turkey
Benzodiazepines are often prescribed for specific anxiety disorders but are commonly misused for their euphoric and calming effects. Benzodiazepines, like alcohol, are central nervous system depressants and act on the GABA receptors in the brain to produce a state of calm. Because benzodiazepines work similarly to alcohol on the CNS, they also have similar withdrawal side effects and should not be stopped cold turkey. Quitting benzodiazepines cold turkey can be uncomfortable and dangerous, even life-threatening, especially if a person is taking benzodiazepines while drinking alcohol. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is very similar to alcohol withdrawal and includes dangerous withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Delusions
- Depression
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches and pain
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Vision issues
Addiction treatment centers such as AKUA Mind and Body have a team of professionals to help people detox from benzodiazepines safely. This is most often done using a benzo taper, which means reducing the dosage of benzodiazepines slowly over time so the body adjusts to a decreasing dose without experiencing withdrawals. An alternative is to begin a long-acting benzodiazepine to replace a short or medium-acting one, which allows for the body to slowly adjust over time until the person no longer needs benzos. Depending on the person and their benzo use, a taper can take two weeks to many months.
To learn more about Benzo’s addiction and detox at AKUA Mind and Body, click here.
The dangers of quitting opioids cold turkey
Long-term use of opioids, including both prescription and illicit opioids, can lead to opioid withdrawals if they are stopped cold turkey. Opioid withdrawals are not life-threatening, but they are incredibly uncomfortable, resulting in many people using opioids after a period of abstinence (relapse) to stop the painful withdrawal symptoms. This is dangerous in itself because it can result in overdose since tolerance is often reduced after a period of abstinence and withdrawal. Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Hot and cold flushes
- Insomnia
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Perspiration
- Watery discharge from the eyes and nose
Addiction treatment centers such as AKUA Mind and Body help individuals overcome opioid dependence by providing medications to help alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms. To learn more about opioid detox at AKUA Mind and Body, click here.