Addiction Coping and Recovery Methods and Support The Risks of Quitting Cold Turkey By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 17, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. He is the medical director at Alcohol Recovery Medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Dominic Cox / EyeEm/Getty Images Quitting substance use suddenly and abruptly, or "cold turkey," carries very significant risks if the drug you are discontinuing is alcohol, a benzodiazepine, or an opiate. It is also not advisable if you have been using any drug in large amounts and/or for a long time, because what you have been using may contain one of the high-risk drugs mentioned, or because you may suffer from extreme withdrawal symptoms. Press Play for Advice On Recovery From Addiction Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring best-selling author Mallory Ervin, shares how overcome to addiction and live a full life. Click below to listen now. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS The Appeal of Quitting Cold Turkey For many people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs, quitting cold turkey is more appealing for a number of reasons. One is because it can be easier to avoid the drug entirely than to use it moderately when your usual mode is to take the drug in an unrestrained manner. Many feel that they can more easily separate themselves from the world of drug use if they do so completely, avoiding all of the people, places and other reminders of the drug and starting afresh. Risks of Quitting Cold Turkey Quitting can be dangerous to do on your own because of the way the nervous system adapts to certain high dependency drugs. Abruptly taking these drugs out of your system can cause a variety of serious and potentially life-threatening medical conditions, including seizures and heart problems. Developing delirium tremens (DTs) is the main risk of alcohol withdrawal. Also known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, this complication can occur when people suddenly stop consuming alcohol. It is more likely to occur following long-term, heavy alcohol use and is potentially fatal. It has a mortality rate of around 5%. Symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal typically begin 6 to 24 hours after a person has their last drink. Some of these symptoms may include: Loss of appetiteNauseaTremorsIncrease heart rate and blood pressureIrritability and restlessnessDelusionsHallucinationsSeizuresHyperthermia While the progression of symptoms varies from one person to the next, the severity of their symptoms can predict the risk of death. Even drugs that have less pronounced physical dependence, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine, can produce severe and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that can make life uncomfortable and emotionally difficult. One danger of quitting cold turkey is that your body will quickly lose tolerance to alcohol or drugs, so if you relapse and then take your usual amount of the drug, you have a higher risk of overdose. How to Cope With Drug Withdrawal Medical Supervision for Drug Abstinence Is Safest This does not mean you can't become abstinent, but especially if you are quitting alcohol, a benzodiazepine or an opiate, you should quit under the management of a physician, who can give you medication to lessen the effects of withdrawal. Doctors affiliated with the American Board of Addiction Medicine have special training in addiction medicine and are particularly helpful in managing withdrawal safely. In many cases, a brief time in detox can be the safest option so that medical staff is on hand in case of a medical emergency. The staff can also help with providing nutrition, hydration, and medications intravenously if you are suffering from significant nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea during your withdrawal. However, many people are able to detox safely at home or in the community while meeting regularly with their doctor or health professional to ensure they remain well throughout the process. Your doctor may prescribe you different medications depending on the drug you are withdrawing from. How to Feel Better During Withdrawal When to Call 911 The risks of withdrawal from alcohol are much greater than they are for other substances. In particular, alterations in consciousness can be a critical symptom of delirium tremens. If you or someone you know is showing signs of a heart attack, seizure, or changes in consciousness while quitting cold turkey, call 911 immediately. Symptoms of a heart attack may include: Shortness of breathChest painPain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or backWeakness, lightheadedness, or faintnessPain or discomfort in the arms or shoulderNauseaVomiting If you or someone you know is experiencing any concerning physical or neurological signs while quitting cold turkey, call 911 immediately. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. 4 Physical Detoxification Services for Withdrawal From Specific Substances. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2006. Khan A, Levy P, DeHorn S, Miller W, Compton S. Predictors of mortality in patients with delirium tremens. Acad Emerg Med. 2008;15(8):788-90. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2008.00187.x Ornato JP, Hand MM. Warning signs of a heart attack. Circulation. 2014;129:e393-e395. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.006126 Get Treatment for Addiction Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.