Quitting “Cold Turkey”

Understanding the Cold Turkey Method

In addiction terminology, going “cold turkey” means to quit using drugs or alcohol suddenly. The phrase has been associated with substance abuse since the 1920s, although its origins are unclear.

Some people theorize that the “cold” element comes from the chills and cold sweats many addicts experience during withdrawal. Others think it’s a more natural evolution of 1900s slang, where “cold” meant “straightforward” and the phrase “talk turkey” meant “speaking directly.”

Regardless of its origins, the method of quitting cold turkey can be ineffective and even dangerous, depending on the substance.

Dangers of Quitting Certain Substances Cold Turkey

Using an addictive substance long enough can make your body physically dependent on it. You feel like you can’t go on without it because your body has forgotten how to function independently.

When you abruptly take away the substance, your body goes through a rebound period called withdrawal. Depending on the substance, your withdrawal symptoms can range from mild discomfort to grand-mal seizures. Some of the most dangerous substances to quit cold turkey include the following.

Quitting Alcohol

Alcohol withdrawals are caused by fluctuations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in your brain. Without drinking alcohol, a dependent person’s brain struggles to self-balance these hormones.

You can experience withdrawal symptoms like:  

• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Insomnia/trouble sleeping
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

For people with moderate to heavy alcohol use disorder, quitting cold turkey can cause a more serious type of withdrawal called “Delirium tremens (DTs).” Symptoms of DTs can be serious or even life-threatening and include:

• Confusion
• Paranoia or hallucinations
• Poor sensory perception
• Tremors or shakes
• High body temperature (hyperthermia)
• Seizures

Left untreated, DTs can also lead to complications like heart problems, mental health concerns, and brain damage, such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Around 1 to 1.5% of people with alcohol use disorder will develop DTs, with additional risk factors including:

• Drinking heavily
• Being age 30 and older
• Previously attempting to quit
• Having a pre-existing health concern, like cardiovascular or liver disease
• Having a history of seizures
• Abusing other substances, like sedatives

Quitting Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are sedative medications used to treat mental health conditions like panic disorder, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In some cases, benzodiazepines can be a part of an alcohol detox treatment plan.

Benzodiazepines also interact with GABA levels, and like alcohol, quitting cold turkey can cause an intense and potentially dangerous withdrawal period.

Benzo withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Enhanced anxiety or panic attacks
• Irritability or agitation
• Insomnia
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Tremors
• Ear ringing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hallucinations or delirium
• Muscle pain, stiffness or spasms
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures

Quitting Opioids

Opioids are sedative drugs that bind to opioid receptors in your brain. They can be abused in various forms, including:

• Over-the-counter medications, like Codeine
• Prescription drugs, like oxycontin and fentanyl
• Illicit drugs, like heroin

All types of opioids can cause dependencies, with effects of opioid withdrawal including:

• Anxiety
• Runny nose
• Muscle aches
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Stomach cramps and diarrhea
• Sweating or goosebumps
• Nausea and vomiting

While they can be uncomfortable, opioid withdrawals typically aren’t life-threatening (although some people have died from complications like dehydration). However, quitting opioids cold turkey poses a risk of overdosing from relapses.

During a withdrawal, the discomfort and intense cravings can drive you to relapse. However, detoxing lowers your tolerance levels. So, if you take your usual dose, you can ingest more than your body can handle and overdose.

Safer Alternatives to Quitting Cold Turkey

Instead of diving into the deep end alone, It’s safer to start your recovery journey under medical supervision.

Many people associate addiction treatment with expensive inpatient rehab facilities that require taking months off work. However, that’s not the only way to quit drugs or alcohol. Instead, you may be a good candidate for outpatient rehab or medical detox programs, allowing you to live at home and keep your job during treatment.

These treatment options may be more accessible and affordable than you realize, too. For example, plans from the Healthcare marketplace all cover substance abuse treatment in part or in full. Talk with your healthcare providers and insurance company to understand which of the following addiction treatment options your plan will cover.

Medically Supervised Detox

Medical detoxification, or medical detox, helps you manage withdrawal symptoms and taper off alcohol or drugs under medical supervision. You might also take complementary medications to manage symptoms. The amount of time you’ll spend detoxing depends on how long you’ve abused a substance and your body’s tolerance level.

While you can go through medical detox in a hospital setting or in a rehab program, medical detox programs also exist as a separate service at specialized clinics. You’ll visit on a schedule, like a regular doctor’s appointment.

Tapering Off

Tapering is a technique that involves taking smaller doses of an addictive substance in set intervals until you can successfully go without it. This method can prevent more severe withdrawal symptoms associated with cold turkey.

In the case of drugs, your healthcare provider might switch you to a medication with similar properties before beginning your taper. For example, people taking short-acting benzodiazepines like alprazolam might switch to a long-acting benzodiazepine like diazepam, since it’s associated with milder withdrawal symptoms. Diazepam is also the medication of choice for alcohol withdrawals.

Since an effective tapering schedule needs precise doses and may require switching to different medications, it’s essential to seek medical guidance instead of tapering by yourself.

Additional Support

While undergoing medical detox and a taper can help with drug withdrawal symptoms, counseling can also address the root causes of your substance abuse. Counseling approaches that can prove effective for addiction recovery include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: A therapy style that focuses on addressing underlying cognitive distortions and developing healthier thought patterns.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): A therapy technique that uses specific eye movements to change your emotional responses to triggering situations.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): A type of talk therapy that helps you manage overwhelming emotions and develop alternatives to self-destructive behavior.

Some people also make great strides through support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA.) Both groups follow a structured 12-step format in a group environment. You’ll learn a framework to help you stay in recovery while talking with fellow addicts who understand what you’re going through.

Is It Ever Safe to Quit Cold Turkey?

While you should never quit alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids cold turkey, some substances aren’t as dangerous to stop abruptly.

For example, nicotine products like vapes, cigarettes, and other tobacco products can cause dependencies and addictions. However, while nicotine withdrawals can be uncomfortable, they aren’t dangerous, and going cold turkey can be an effective way to quit smoking or vaping.

That said, other methods might offer a more comfortable way to overcome nicotine addiction than the cold turkey method, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which is available in forms like:

• Nicotine patches
• Lozenges
• Chewing gum

Ask your doctor for guidance on the best options for your situation.

Find Professional Help for Alcohol, Benzo, or Opioid Withdrawals

If you or a loved one are ready to reclaim your life from alcohol or drugs, don’t go “cold turkey” and put yourself at risk of hallucinations and seizures. Instead, seek professional help to medically detox and taper off addictive substances safely.

Ask your doctor for a referral to a local addiction treatment center, or find treatment options in your area with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA’s) online treatment locator. You can also find AA or NA groups through Alcoholics Anonymous’ Meeting Guide App or Narcotics Anonymous’ virtual meetings finder.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.