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 June 10, 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 "cold turkey" carries very significant risks if the drug you are discontinuing is alcohol, a benzodiazepine, or an opioid. If you're unfamiliar with the meaning of cold turkey, it is defined as the "abrupt complete cessation of the use of an addictive drug." Quitting cold turkey is also not advised if you've been using any drug in large amounts or for a long time. This is because you may suffer from extreme withdrawal symptoms upon quitting suddenly, such as with Lexapro withdrawal. 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 The Appeal of Quitting Cold Turkey For people who are heavy users of alcohol or drugs, quitting cold turkey may be 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 it in an unrestrained manner. Plus, some people feel that they can more easily separate themselves from the world of drug use if they do so completely. Quitting cold turkey enables them to avoid all the people, places, and other reminders of the substance so they can start sobriety afresh. Risks and Withdrawal Symptoms Quitting some substances cold turkey can be dangerous to do on your own because of the way the nervous system adapts to certain high-dependency drugs. Abruptly stopping these drugs can cause serious and potentially life-threatening medical issues, including seizures, heart problems, and psychosis. 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. Alcohol Withdrawal 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 drinking. It is more likely following long-term, heavy alcohol use and is potentially fatal, with a mortality rate of around 5%. Symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal typically begin 6 to 24 hours after a person has their last drink and may include: Loss of appetite Nausea Tremors Increased heart rate and blood pressure Irritability and restlessness Delusions Hallucinations Seizures Hyperthermia While the progression of symptoms varies from one person to the next, the severity of symptoms can predict the risk of death. Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Benzodiazepine withdrawal can also be dangerous, potentially resulting in death if this drug is stopped suddenly. Abruptly quitting benzodiazepines can also result in seizures. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is common in people who abruptly cease the use of this type of drug after taking it for more than three to four weeks and, in addition to seizures and death, can result in symptoms such as: Anxiety Confusion Delusions Depression Dizziness or lightheadedness Hallucinations Headache Heart palpitations Insomnia Muscle aches and pain Nausea Sweating Tremors Vision issues Opioid Withdrawal Long-term use of opioids such as codeine, heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone can lead to withdrawal symptoms if they are suddenly stopped. Opioid withdrawal is typically not life-threatening but can still be very uncomfortable, creating symptoms such as: AnxietyDiarrheaHot and cold flushesInsomniaMuscle crampsNausea and vomitingPerspirationWatery discharge from the eyes and nose It is recommended that individuals withdrawing from opioids be monitored several times a day to ensure that there are no complications, such as the development of seizures. Lexapro Withdrawal Lexapro (escitalopram) is an antidepressant typically used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Quitting Lexapro cold turkey can result in withdrawal symptoms. Common Lexapro withdrawal symptoms when suddenly stopping its use include: DizzinessHeadachesIrritabilityNausea or vomitingNightmaresParesthesia (prickling of the skin) These symptoms typically start within a few days of stopping the drug and can last for several weeks. If you take a higher dose of escitalopram, your risk of experiencing withdrawal may be even greater upon discontinuing its use. 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. How to Cope With Drug Withdrawal Medical Supervision for Drug Abstinence Is Safest This does not mean you can't become abstinent from these substances. But if you are quitting alcohol, a benzodiazepine, or an opioid, doing so under the management of a physician who can give you medication helps to safely 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 an emergency. The staff can also help with providing nutrition, hydration, and medications intravenously if you are experiencing significant nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea during your withdrawal. If you choose to detox on your own, meeting regularly with your healthcare provider can help ensure that you remain well throughout the process. They may prescribe you a medication to make detoxing easier, depending on the drug you are withdrawing from. How to Feel Better During Withdrawal When to Call 911 If you or someone you know is showing signs of a heart attack, seizure, or changes in consciousness while quitting cold turkey, immediate medical attention is required. Symptoms of a heart attack may include: Shortness of breathChest discomfort or painPain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, neck, back, or stomachLightheadednessNauseaCold sweats If you or someone you know is experiencing any concerning physical or neurological signs while quitting cold turkey, call 911 immediately. Frequently Asked Questions Is it possible to quit alcohol and drinking cold turkey? If you don't drink often, quitting alcohol cold turkey typically doesn't present any issues. However, if you regularly consume alcohol or tend to drink heavily, stopping drinking abruptly can be dangerous. Working with your healthcare provider can help you stop your alcohol use safely. What happens if I quit Lexapro cold turkey? Stop this drug abruptly and you can experience Lexapro withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms most common when suddenly stopping Lexapro include dizziness, irritability, nausea or vomiting, headaches, and prickling or tingling of the skin (paresthesia). How long can withdrawal symptoms last if I quit cold turkey? The length of withdrawal symptoms varies depending on the substance used. For instance, you can experience withdrawal symptoms from quitting alcohol for up to 48 hours while withdrawal symptoms from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Lexapro can last several weeks. What Is Precipitated Withdrawal? 12 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. Merriam-Webster. Cold turkey. Lerner A, Klein M. Dependence, withdrawal and rebound of CNS drugs: an update and regulatory considerations for new drugs development. Brain Communic. 2019;1(1):fcz025. doi:10.1093/braincomms/fcz025 Joy PS, Kumar G. Delirium tremens leads to poor outcomes for acute coronary syndrome. Cardiology. 2015;132:172-175. doi:10.1159/000435781 Fluyau D, Revadigar N, Manobiando BE. Challenges of the pharmacological management of benzodiazepine withdrawal, dependence, and discontinuation. Therap Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(5):147-168. doi:10.1177/2045125317753340 Brett J, Murnion B. Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence. Aust Prescr. 2015;38(5):152-155. doi:18773/austprescr.2015.055 World Health Organization. Clinical guidelines for withdrawal management and treatment of drug dependence in closed settings. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Escitalopram (Lexapro). Yasui-Furukori N, Hashimoto K, Tsuchimine S, et al. Characteristics of escitalopram discontinuation syndrome: A preliminary study. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2016;39(3):125-127. doi:10.1097/WNF.0000000000000139 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Detoxification and substance abuse treatment [internet]: 4 physical detoxification services for withdrawal from specific substances. American Heart Association. Warning signs of a heart attack. Jesse S, Bråthen G, Ferrara M, et al. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: mechanisms, manifestations, and management. Acta Neurolog Scandinavica. 2016;135(1):4-16. doi:10.1111/ane.12671 Fava GA, Gatti A, Belaise C, Guidi J, Offidani E. Withdrawal symptoms after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: A systematic review. Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84:72-81. doi:10.1159/000370338 By 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. 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