Alcohol addiction is one of the most common substance use disorders in the US and also one of the hardest to escape. Due to the many harsh and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, many caution against “cold turkey,” meaning to abruptly stop using it. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of quitting alcohol cold turkey, why some people try to do it, and the best way to deal with this crippling problem.
What Does Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey Mean?
The expression “cold turkey” from the beginning has its origins in drug addiction treatment. It was introduced in an article from 1921 by the Canadian newspaper The Daily Colonist in its coverage of New York City’s efforts to enforce Prohibition. In an article on the criminologist and psychiatrist Dr. Carleton Simon, the man charged with heading up these efforts, the passage reads: “Perhaps the most pitiful figures who have appeared before Dr. Carleton Simon … are those who voluntarily surrender themselves. When they go before him, they are given what is called the ‘cold turkey’ treatment.”
But why the curious term “cold turkey” to express the idea of getting off alcohol or other substances? One theory comes from San Francisco Chronicle writer Herb Caen. Writing in 1978, he explains: “It derives from the hideous combination of goose pimples and what William Burroughs calls ‘the cold burn’ that addicts suffer as they kick the habit.”
In Cop Speak: The Lingo of Law Enforcement and Crime by Tom Philbin, we find a second theory: “…the term may derive from the cold, clammy feel of the skin during withdrawal, like a turkey that has been refrigerated.”
This tracks what we know about alcohol withdrawal. When quitting alcohol cold turkey, people struggling with addiction will commonly report symptoms like cold, clammy skin, and goosebumps.
Now that we have the context for this colorful expression let’s look at some of the reasons people may make this choice.
Reasons Why People Quit Alcohol Cold Turkey
People may decide to quit cold turkey for a number of reasons. Health concerns, legal problems, and relationship issues are all common wake-up calls that can spur people into quitting alcohol cold turkey.
Common reasons for quitting cold turkey include:
- Grave Medical Problems: People who receive medical diagnoses for things like liver disease (cirrhosis), heart disease, or other alcohol-related conditions may decide it’s time to quit alcohol for good.
- Relationship Problems: Excessive drinking can lead people to neglect their obligations to their families. They may become emotionally abusive due to their minds being clouded by addiction. Marriages pushed to the brink of divorce or the prospect of losing custody of one’s children are sometimes what it takes to spur a person to quit cold turkey.
- Legal Trouble: Legal consequences that can stem from alcoholism, such as public drunkenness charges, can be quite embarrassing. DUIs can be downright ruinous, especially if they lead to loss of driving privileges or prison time, leading to people quitting alcohol cold turkey.
- Pregnancy: The science is conclusive on the dangers to the fetus that come with alcohol use during pregnancy. Women who find out they are expecting a child may quit drinking immediately to protect the health of the baby.
- Reflection: Some people don’t need an outside event to spur them into quitting alcohol cold turkey. Simply seeing the direction their lives are going, or of those around them currently struggling with alcohol, can be enough.
- Social Embarrassment: After an alcohol-fueled event that leads to embarrassment, inappropriate behavior, or broken relationships, some people realize the need to stop drinking to regain self-control.
While quitting alcohol cold turkey is commendable, a person with a drinking problem should consider the dangers involved in alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms like delirium tremens can be life-threatening and are best dealt with under the care of medical professionals.
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Call 866-881-1184Is Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey Dangerous?
Quitting alcohol cold turkey can certainly be dangerous yes. This is especially the case for those who have developed significant dependence on or addiction to alcohol.
Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the central nervous system. Over time, the brain compensates by increasing the activity of excitatory neurotransmitters to maintain normal function.
When someone addicted to alcohol suddenly stops drinking all at once, their body goes into withdrawal. The brain becomes hyperactive, sending signals to the person that they “need” more alcohol. These signals can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening and can last several days.
Symptoms of the early stages of alcohol withdrawal (6-12 hours after last drink) include:
- Anxiety, restlessness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Headaches
- Sweating, tremors
- Insomnia
- Rapid heartbeat
- Mild shakiness
The symptoms increase in intensity in the first 12-48 hours after quitting alcohol cold turkey.
These include:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Confusion or mild hallucinations
- Irritability, agitation
- Goosebumps
- Cold, clammy skin
- Fever or sweating
- Increased tremors
The final 48-72 hours are the most dangerous:
- Delirium Tremens (DTs): A life-threatening condition marked by severe confusion, agitation, hallucinations, high fever, and seizures.
- Seizures: Alcohol withdrawal seizures can occur within the first 24-48 hours and may lead to injury or death if not treated.
- Profound disorientation and confusion
- Dangerously high blood pressure may lead to heart attack or stroke.
It cannot be overstated that these last few symptoms are particularly dangerous. The mortality rate for delirium tremens is around 37% without treatment. While seizures are relatively uncommon, about 5% of patients undergoing withdrawal will experience them. In 10.7% of cases, they can experience a type of seizure called status epilepticus, which can result in permanent disability or even death.
It’s because of this that if you have a serious addiction, quitting alcohol cold turkey is a bad idea. For most people, a medically supervised detox is the safest and most effective approach to quitting alcohol. The good news is that with treatment, these symptoms are much more manageable: for example, the mortality rate for DTs goes down to just 5% with proper medical support.
If you’re considering quitting alcohol, it’s crucial to speak with a healthcare professional to ensure a safe detox process.
Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox is the process of ridding the body of alcohol. It’s what occurs when quitting alcohol cold turkey. This phase can be challenging because the body has become accustomed to functioning with alcohol, so it’s best done under the guidance of professionals. Detoxing typically lasts from several days to a week, depending on the severity of alcohol use.
Medication-assisted treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is often used to help manage the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal safely and comfortably. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam, are frequently prescribed to reduce the risk of seizures and ease anxiety.
Quitting alcohol cold turkey can lead to DTs or seizures, so anticonvulsants and beta-blockers may also be used to control these symptoms. In addition, medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are sometimes prescribed to help reduce alcohol cravings and prevent relapse in the long-term recovery process.
Alcohol Use Statistics
Alcohol abuse continues to be a significant problem in the U.S., with alarming statistics showing the damage it can do.
These include:
- Over ten percent of Americans aged 12 years and older had Alcohol Use Disorder in 2020.
- 140,557 Americans die from the effects of alcohol in an average year.
- All told, binge drinking costs Americans nearly 3.59 million years of wasted lives
- According to the CDC, the average number of alcohol-related deaths between 2017 and 2021 increased from 137,927 to 178,307 – a 29.3% increase.
It’s worth noting that the vast majority of those with alcohol use disorder go without treatment. Given these statistics, it’s clear that quitting alcohol cold turkey isn’t easy, or else more people would do it. Without proper support or supervision, quitting on your own can pose serious health risks, especially if you’re a heavy drinker.
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Check Your CoverageCan a Treatment Center Help Me Quit Alcohol?
If you’re thinking of quitting alcohol cold turkey but are afraid you might not be able to do it alone, the good news is that you don’t have to.
An alcohol rehab center can offer you the resources you need to make a full recovery from alcohol addiction and take back control of your life.
Medical and Clinical Professionals
Medical and clinical professionals play a vital role in addiction recovery, especially in treatment centers where patients receive comprehensive care for alcohol dependence.
These professionals include:
- Physicians: Physicians provide comprehensive medical assessments and oversee the medical detox process, prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, and treat any co-occurring conditions such as liver damage or mental health disorders.
- Nurses: Nurses provide round-the-clock care, monitor vital signs, and administer MAT medications. Their presence is crucial for ensuring patient safety, especially during the detox phase when withdrawal symptoms can become severe.
- Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists address the mental health side of addiction, prescribing medications for anxiety, depression, or other co-occurring conditions. They also evaluate patients for dual diagnosis treatment, which is essential for those battling both addiction and mental health disorders.
- Therapists and Counselors: Licensed therapists and addiction counselors provide individual and group therapy, helping patients uncover and tackle the root causes of their addiction. They also teach relapse prevention strategies.
- Social Workers: Social workers assist with aftercare planning, including helping patients find support groups, sober living homes, and continued outpatient services once they leave the treatment center. Their role is critical in ensuring a smooth transition from rehab to daily life.
The medical and clinical professionals found at a treatment center can help quitting alcohol cold turkey go much more smoothly.
What Are The Benefits of Quitting Alcohol?
Getting over alcohol addiction and embracing sobriety will improve your life in so many ways. The most immediate difference you’ll notice is in your health. Your blood pressure will be lower, which means less risk of heart disease or stroke. Your immune system will return, meaning you’ll get sick less often. And you may even lose weight due to no longer consuming so many empty calories from alcohol.
Your mental health may also improve in the form of better sleep, better memory and concentration, and a more stable mood. Finally, while it may take longer, you may gradually be able to restore damaged relationships with friends, family, and coworkers.
How Long Is Alcohol Rehab?
The exact length of time quitting alcohol cold turkey takes will depend on a range of factors. These include things like the severity of the addiction, the presence of any co-occurring mental health issues, the quality of the treatment program, and individual factors.
Levels of Care for Alcohol Rehab
Alcohol rehab takes place on different levels of care. These levels of care generally start from the most intensive and gradually decrease in intensity as the person makes progress on their recovery.
Inpatient Alcohol Treatment
Also known as residential treatment, inpatient rehab involves living full-time at a facility while receiving 24/7 medical supervision and support, making it ideal for individuals quitting alcohol cold turkey who are at risk of dangerous withdrawal symptoms. It typically takes between 30 to 90 days but can extend further based on the individual’s needs.
Residential alcohol addiction treatment offers a highly structured environment where individuals are removed from daily stressors and triggers, making it a key step for those struggling to maintain sobriety on their own.
Outpatient Programs for Alcohol Abuse
Outpatient treatment offers more autonomy, allowing individuals to attend therapy and counseling sessions while continuing to live at home and attend to work or family obligations. These programs vary in intensity and can last from a few months to a year, depending on the individual’s recovery progress.
Aftercare for Alcohol Abuse
After successfully quitting alcohol cold turkey, ongoing support is essential for maintaining sobriety. Aftercare programs provide long-term support and accountability to prevent relapse.
Examples include:
- Sober Living Homes: These are group homes that provide a sober living environment and support individuals transitioning from rehab back into everyday life. Stays can range from several months to over a year.
- 12-Step Programs: Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery offer peer support and can be attended for as long as needed. Many individuals participate in 12-step meetings for years after rehab.
The length of aftercare varies but often extends beyond the initial treatment period, ensuring individuals have ongoing resources for maintaining sobriety.
- Where does the phrase ‘cold turkey’ come from? | Merriam-Webster
- Delirium Tremens – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
- Mortality, Disability, and Prognostic Factors of Status Epilepticus | Neurology
- Alcohol Abuse Statistics [2023]: National + State Data – NCDAS (drugabusestatistics.org)
- Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use — United States, 2016–2021 | MMWR (cdc.gov)
- Recovery from alcohol problems with and without treatment: prevalence in two population surveys. – PMC (nih.gov)