When you’re ready to begin the recovery process, it may be tempting to quit using drugs or alcohol “cold turkey,” which entails tapering off use gradually. However, due to the complexity of addiction, willpower is frequently insufficient to overcome cravings or the uncomfortable side effects of abruptly ceasing drug or alcohol use. Furthermore, abruptly stopping some substances, or quitting “cold turkey,” can result in severe and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms.
You run the risk of cravings, withdrawal, and relapse if you try to stop using drugs or alcohol on your own. The knowledgeable addiction treatment professionals at River Oaks can provide evidence-based, helpful care to help you begin your recovery and safely stop using drugs and alcohol.
Quitting drugs cold turkey can be dangerous, and in some cases, even deadly. This is especially true for certain types of drugs, including:
- Heroin: Heroin is a highly addictive opioid that can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, chills, muscle aches, and anxiety. These symptoms can be so severe that they can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even death.
- Opioid Painkillers: Prescription opioid painkillers, such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet, can also cause severe withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are similar to those of heroin withdrawal and can be just as dangerous.
- Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that are often used to treat anxiety and insomnia. They can also be addictive, and quitting them cold turkey can lead to seizures, hallucinations, and even death.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant that can also be addictive. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can lead to a condition called delirium tremens (DTs), which can be fatal.
It’s critical to get professional assistance if you have a drug addiction in order to safely stop using these substances. Quitting cold turkey can be dangerous, and it is not recommended.
How to Quit Drugs Safely
If you are addicted to drugs, there are a number of safe and effective ways to quit. The best approach for you will depend on the specific drug you are addicted to and your individual circumstances. However some general tips for quitting drugs safely include:
- Talk to your doctor: Your doctor can help you develop a safe and effective plan for quitting drugs. They can also prescribe medications that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- Seek professional help: There are a number of addiction treatment programs available that can help you quit drugs and stay sober. These programs can provide you with the support and guidance you need to overcome addiction.
- Join a support group: Support groups can provide you with a safe and supportive environment to talk about your addiction and get help from others who understand what you are going through.
- Take care of yourself: When you are quitting drugs, it is important to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. This means eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. It also means finding healthy ways to cope with stress and triggers.
Quitting drugs can be a challenging process, but it is possible. It is possible to overcome addiction and lead a healthy, fulfilling life with the correct help and resources.
What to Expect During Detox
When you quit drugs, you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can vary depending on the drug you are addicted to and your individual circumstances. However, some common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they are usually not life-threatening. On the other hand, you should see a doctor if your withdrawal symptoms are severe.
Detox is the first step in the addiction recovery process. It is a process of ridding your body of the toxins from drugs. Detox can be done in a variety of settings, including hospitals, residential treatment centers, and outpatient clinics.
The length of detox will vary depending on the drug you are addicted to and your individual circumstances. However, most detox programs last for a few days to a few weeks.
After Detox: Addiction Treatment
After you have completed detox, it is important to continue with addiction treatment. You can address the root causes of your addiction and create healthy coping mechanisms with the aid of addiction treatment.
There are a number of different types of addiction treatment programs available, including:
- Inpatient treatment: Inpatient treatment programs provide 24-hour care and supervision. This can be a good option for people who need a lot of support or who are at risk of relapsing.
- Outpatient treatment: Outpatient treatment programs provide less intensive care than inpatient programs. This can be a good option for people who are able to live at home and maintain their daily responsibilities.
- Individual therapy: Individual therapy can help you address the underlying causes of your addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- Group therapy: Group therapy can provide you with a safe and supportive environment to talk about your addiction and get help from others who understand what you are going through.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): MAT can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it easier to stay sober.
The best type of addiction treatment program for you will depend on your individual needs and circumstances, Talk to your doctor or a qualified addiction treatment professional to learn more about your options
Relapse Prevention
Relapse is a common part of the addiction recovery process However, there are a number of things you can do to prevent relapse, including:
- Identify your triggers: Triggers are things that can make you want to use drugs again. These can be people, places, or things that remind you of your addiction. Once you know what your triggers are, you can avoid them or develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with them.
- Develop a support system: Surround yourself with people who support your recovery. This can include family, friends, therapists, and other people in recovery.
- Take care of yourself: When you are stressed or overwhelmed, you are more likely to relapse. Make sure to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. This means eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. It also means finding healthy ways to cope with stress.
- Seek help if you need it: If you are struggling to stay sober, don’t hesitate to seek help. There are many resources available to help you, including addiction treatment programs, support groups, and hotlines.
Quitting drugs can be a challenging process, but it is possible. With the right support and resources, you can overcome addiction and live a healthy and fulfilling life. If you are addicted to drugs, please reach out for help. There are many people who care about you and want to see you succeed.
Risks of Quitting Drugs or Alcohol Cold Turkey
In 2011, the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reports that around 2.5 million people in the United States visited an emergency department (ED) for a medical emergency related to drug abuse and about 250,000 of these ED visits were people seeking detox (or substance abuse treatment) services. In 2020, there were almost a million alcohol-related emergency department visits.
Never stop taking medication “cold turkey” as this can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms that could be fatal or cause a medical emergency. ” These drugs include:
- Alcohol.
- Prescription painkillers (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl).
- Prescription sedatives and tranquilizers (e.g., benzodiazepines, sleep aids, and “z-drugs”).
- Heroin.
In general, medical detox is regarded as the safest way to help the body process opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol while avoiding potentially lethal withdrawal symptoms. These drugs are usually tapered off gradually during medical detox to allow the body and brain time to stabilize and reach a state of balance prior to the start of treatment again. Professionals can keep an eye on your vital signs, recommend medication to help with difficult cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and ensure your comfort and safety at all times.
Central Nervous System Depressants
Alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids all depress the central nervous system, which slows down the body’s essential life-sustaining functions like blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiration rate while also affecting some of the chemical messengers in the brain.
When these medications are used frequently and in high doses, dependence on them can arise quickly and worsen over time. The method by which these drugs are abused can also influence the level of drug dependence (e. g. , snorting, smoking, injecting, or swallowing them) as can biological, genetic, and environmental factors. A person’s degree of dependence on one of these drugs increases the likelihood that they will experience more severe withdrawal symptoms.
The journal Psychology Today warns that withdrawal from opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol can be fatal; therefore, it should never be attempted cold turkey and without the help of trained professionals.
Opioid drugs include both the street and illicit drug heroin and prescription narcotic pain relievers, like OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and more. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) places warnings in the drug prescribing information on drugs such as OxyContin, for example, indicating that these drugs should not be stopped suddenly after taking them for a period of time and instead should be tapered off slowly. These drugs attach themselves to opioid receptors in the brain and along the central nervous system, blocking pain sensations and also elevating mood.
While not necessarily life-threatening, opioid withdrawal can be incredibly difficult to manage on your own. The symptoms can be intense, uncomfortable, and are often debilitating.
Withdrawal symptoms from an opioid drug typically begin within about 12 hours after stopping use, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) reports. Withdrawal can include both physical and emotional symptoms, such as:
- Insomnia and restlessness.
- Chills and goosebumps.
- Irregular heart rate.
- Trouble breathing.
- Concentration and memory issues.
- Mental health concerns, like depression and anxiety.
- Irritability.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle aches and bone pain.
- Suppressed appetite and weight loss.
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Inability to feel pleasure.
- Dilated pupils.
- Sweating.
- Increased blood pressure.
Opioid withdrawal is often physically similar to the flu. It can also be emotionally difficult, which is why these drugs are often tapered off slowly instead of stopped suddenly. Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be effectively managed with medications during medical detox.The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that a combination of medications and therapies is ideal when treating opioid addiction.
Alcohol is perhaps one of the most dangerous addictive substances to stop cold turkey once a dependence has formed. Half of those who battle alcohol addiction will experience withdrawal symptoms, and 3-5 percent will suffer from the most severe and potentially life-threatening form of withdrawal, delirium tremens (DTs), the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) publishes.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range in severity and can even start while alcohol is still present in the bloodstream. Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include insomnia, mild anxiety, and tremulousness.
Further, according to the AAFP, seizures may occur during the withdrawal period — particularly in individuals who have a history of multiple episodes of detoxification. Seizures can be life-threatening.
Additional side effects of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Increased heart rate.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Sweating and heightened body temperature.
- Tremors.
- Headache.
- Body aches.
- Fatigue.
- Insomnia.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Shallow breathing.
- Trouble focusing and concentrating.
- Short-term memory loss.
- Sensitivity to sound and light.
- Irritability and agitation.
- Disorientation.
The risk of experiencing potentially deadly outcomes is increased as the result of quitting alcohol cold-turkey. It’s recommended that you see a doctor or other qualified addiction specialist when trying to stop drinking alcohol. These professionals can work with you to develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs.
Doctors typically prescribe benzodiazepines, which are sedatives and tranquilizers, to treat anxiety, manage seizures, and encourage sleep. Benzodiazepine drugs include:
- Xanax (alprazolam).
- Valium (diazepam).
- Klonopin (clonazepam).
- Ativan (lorazepam).
Benzodiazepines, or benzos for short, can be quickly habit-forming especially when used with other substances. When these drugs are discontinued, withdrawal can be similar to that of alcohol withdrawal.
Z-drugs, sometimes referred to as nonbenzodiazepine sleep aids, are additional prescription drugs for insomnia that function chemically differently from benzodiazepines but in a similar way. These drugs include:
- Ambien (zolpidem).
- Lunesta (eszopiclone).
- Sonata (zaleplon).