The Risks & Dangers of Quitting Cold Turkey

Despite its silly name, which may evoke images of refrigerated poultry leftovers, “going cold turkey” refers to the dangerous quick-fix approach of abruptly quitting an addictive substance instead of gradually reducing usage. Read on to learn more about the dangers and potentially life-threatening effects of this risky move – and discover safer ways to quit.

Temperature‘s rising, fever is high
Can’t see no future, can‘t see no sky
(John Lennon, “Cold Turkey”, 1969)

At one point or another, most people suffering from an addiction reach a juncture when they decide to get clean. Many are drawn (and give in to) to the tempting notion of “just getting it over with quickly”, in other words, of quitting cold turkey. Moreover, they may opt to do so within the confines of their home because they a) fear judgement from monitoring professionals in treatment facilities and b) do not want to impose burdens on those around them. Nevertheless, the cold turkey approach is fraught with pain and despair, potentially leaving friends and family who witness the process with traumatic experiences and emotional scars.

My body is aching, goose-pimple bone 
Can’t see nobody, leave me alone

During this intense detoxification process, your skin may become cold, clammy, and reminiscent of a plucked turkey in the fridge – hence the peculiar term – yet this is just one among its numerous side effects. Addiction is a highly complex disorder that significantly impacts both your physical and mental well-being. Hence, it’s unsurprising that its withdrawal symptoms mirror the condition in terms of severity, discomfort, and pain.

Oh I’ll be a good boy, please make me well
I promise you anything, get me out of this hell’

Learn more about what to expect when opting for the cold turkey approach and discover the safer path.

Withdrawal starts mild …

During substance use, your body and brain develop a dependence  based on your consumption habits. Over time, your body adjusts to be able to function with drugs or alcohol on board.  When you abruptly remove substances of abuse from your system you rob your body of the time it  requires to function without them. Consequently, the mental and physical equilibrium that your body adjusted to with substances on board becomes dangerously unstable, leading to various health-damaging reactions. These withdrawal symptoms typically commence within about 6 hours of usage discontinuation and may persist for as long as 10 days.[i]

At first, you experience a period of milder withdrawal symptoms, including

• muscle & joint pain
• muscle twitching
• restlessness & insomnia
• anxiety
• profuse sweating & fever
• clammy skin
• abdominal cramps, vomiting & diarrhoea

… but can be fatal later on

This initial phase lasts approximately 48 to 96 hours before the more severe symptoms hit you. Depending on the substance used, this withdrawal stage may escalate to a medical emergency or even death. It is crucial to note that if you struggle with addiction to

• alcohol
• prescription painkillers (e. g. oxycodone, codeine, Vicodin)
• prescription tranquilisers (e. g. the “z-drugs”, benzodiazepines)
• heroin

these substances must be tapered off gradually during supervised medical detox. This is the only method to assist the brain in stabilising while mitigating harmful withdrawal symptoms. A cold turkey approach to these drugs is likely to result in life-threatening consequences.[ii]

Especially in the case of alcohol use disorder, quitting requires an extremely careful process, and you should never attempt to quit drinking without the guidance of a medical professional. Alcohol is among the most hazardous substances to quit cold turkey, as this method may lead to overstimulation of neurons in the brain, potentially triggering the life-threatening condition known as delirium tremens, aka alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD). Symptoms of AWD may not manifest until 2 or 3 days after your last drink and can include high fever, hallucinations, extreme disorientation, heart palpitations, and seizures. Failure to promptly treat these seizures can result in long-term brain damage as well as other complications such as heart failure, pulmonary dysfunction, or coma.[iii]

The risk of relapse

Given the previously mentioned side effects of attempting to quit cold turkey, it should not be surprising to discover that many who undertake this approach often end up relapsing. The intense withdrawal symptoms eventually compel them to resume substance use, providing relief from the distress. This reaction is entirely understandable. There is no shame in struggling to endure this perilous and demanding process. Confronting the challenges of going cold turkey, along with its mental and physical agonies, without medical assistance at home can bring the strongest of us to our knees.

Factors that affect the withdrawal process

We are all unique, and our bodies and minds respond differently to various substances. Factors such as genes, upbringing, and environment play a role in determining if, when, and how addiction may affect us. Consequently, withdrawal symptoms can vary in type and severity based on

• the type of drug: going cold turkey is not typically recommended, but you should n e v e r consider it when detoxing from alcohol, heroin, or prescribed tranquilisers and painkillers
• the duration of use: the longer you have been using, the more intense the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be.
• your level of tolerance: if you require a substantial amount of the addictive substance to feel the desired effect, your brain and body have already developed a high tolerance, leading to more intense withdrawal symptoms.
• co-occurring mental or physical conditions: involving additional factors in the process can cause unpredictable reactions in your body and brain, making it impossible to prepare yourself for the symptoms that may occur.

Alternative treatment

First, the good news: deciding to quit cold turkey signifies that you have taken the crucial first step on the rocky road to recovery by acknowledging your addiction. Congratulations! Recognising and admitting one’s substance use disorder is a significant move forward, especially considering that denial often plays a substantial role in the descent into addiction.

However, going cold turkey is not a viable solution and won’t help you in the short term or long term because of its hazardous side effects, and because it fails to address the root cause of  the problem. Remember, the breeding ground for addiction lies in the physical, emotional, and  mental issues that initially drove you to seek relief and escape through substances. If you genuinely want to confront these contributors and not just their effects, the best and safest approach is through professional treatment with a medically assisted detox programme.

During this medication-assisted treatment (MAT), specialists provide therapy and medication to help manage the effects of withdrawal while ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the process.

Getting help

Are you seeking professional assistance and a detoxification process in a secure environment? At NEOVIVA, we offer immersive and evidence-based care to help you safely quit drugs and support you through every stage of your recovery – from your initial decision to quit to post-rehab  aftercare. Our NEOVIVA treatment programme combines physical, mental, and emotional therapy to address the root of your substance use disorder. Reach out today to learn more.