What Does Quitting Drugs Cold Turkey Mean?

Quitting drugs “cold turkey” refers to the complete halt of taking a drug. This method of quitting can be very dangerous and is difficult to sustain. If you’ve thought about quitting on your own, you’re not alone—but doing it without help can cause serious health problems. Withdrawal symptoms can hit fast and hard. Some can even be life-threatening. You don’t have to go through that pain alone. A Pennsylvania rehab like ours offers safe, medically supervised treatment. If you’re thinking about quitting drugs cold turkey, take a moment to learn what really happens and how you can stay safe.

Dangers Of Quitting Cold Turkey?

An individual quitting drugs abruptly, or “cold turkey,” will experience symptoms of withdrawal. Symptoms will vary depending on the type of drug and severity of the dependency. Still, what happens when you suddenly stop taking a drug can be unpredictable and harmful. Those going through this without prescription drug addiction treatment may face more intense or dangerous symptoms. General symptoms of withdrawal linked with quitting cold turkey include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Shaking
• Feeling agitated or irritable 
• Anxiety and depression
• Sleeping problems
• Concentration issues

In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. So, can you die from quitting drugs cold turkey? Yes—especially with alcohol or benzo withdrawal. For example, in the case of alcohol withdrawal, seizures and delirium tremens (hallucinations, tremors, and more) can be fatal. Delirium tremens kills every 1 in 20 people who develop its symptoms. 

The spread of misinformation on the internet also poses a danger to the cold turkey method. A common misconception about withdrawal symptoms is that electrolytes and lots of water will decrease the severity. This is not true. But is it bad to quit drugs cold turkey? It usually is—especially without medical support. Individuals should have professional medication assisted treatment Pennsylvania healthcare providers recommend to assist them when detoxing.

Factors That Affect Success of Quitting Cold Turkey

Without the help of medical professionals, there is an overwhelming number of variables that negatively affect recovery. Quitting drugs and alcohol cold turkey leaves you more vulnerable and at risk of relapse. Getting help from an alcohol rehab Pennsylvania residents trust can lower those risks and improve your chance of success.

Substance You Are Addicted To

As mentioned above, the type of drug you are addicted to will play a role in your path to sobriety. For example, alcohol withdrawal could include seizures, tremors, and hypothermia. 25% of patients even develop hallucinations. Opiate withdrawal usually presents itself in flu-like symptoms and can leave patients prone to infections. 

The Severity of Your Addiction

The severity of withdrawal symptoms often correlates with the severity of the addiction. People often ask, how long do withdrawals last? It depends, but symptoms can drag on for weeks. In the case of barbiturates and benzodiazepines, barbiturate and benzo withdrawal symptoms are usually mild but can be severe in chronic users. Severe symptoms include seizures and the breakdown of muscle tissue, infecting the blood.

Co-Existing Conditions

Many addicts also suffer from additional medical or traumatic conditions. This increases the risk associated with withdrawal. A common symptom in recovery from cocaine abuse is depression and dysphoria. These symptoms can last for several weeks, as the recovery process is often very long. Dual diagnosis treatment centers Pennsylvania residents turn to can help manage both addiction and mental health issues at the same time.

How Can You Avoid These Dangers?

Medication-assisted treatment is the best way to avoid the dangers of quitting cold turkey. Our medical professionals understand that withdrawal symptoms are severe and can cause lasting discomfort and pain. Providing prescription withdrawal medication helps minimize these effects. If you’re thinking about how to quit drugs cold turkey, you need to know the risks involved first.

Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used prescription drug to treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, according to the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. They have the general effect of calming the nervous system, which in turn numbs the pain of withdrawal symptoms. The most commonly used benzodiazepines are: 

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Oxazepam (Serax)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)

Quitting cold turkey and taking one of these prescriptions on your own can lead to the development of a new dependency. Here at Little Creek Recovery PA, these medications are administered with direct supervision from our medical professionals. So, is it better to go cold turkey when quitting? No—supervised care is always the safer option. Prescription intakes are closely monitored to ensure that all patients are safe. 

Relapse Statistics

Quitting a substance that you are dependent on takes a lot of willpower and requires support from loved ones. This necessary support and structure can be found in our treatment programs while quitting cold turkey can be very isolating. Quitting alcohol is a clear example of this. Without professional treatment or self-help programs, only about 20% of alcoholics can sustain their sobriety. 

A huge factor of success when quitting drugs and alcohol is aftercare. Detoxing is only the first step. We will help you move through the 5 stages of grief towards acceptance, practice mindfulness, and focus on spiritual growth. The recreation program is just one way we at Little Creek Recovery PA promote these ideologies and help guide you through your aftercare journey.

Starting Your Road To Sobriety

Quitting drugs cold turkey is an isolating experience with more cons than pros. Some people ask, can you quit drugs cold turkey and still recover. It’s possible, but very unsafe. The withdrawals can be dangerous without medical supervision and the sustainability rate is low. Here at Little Creek Recovery PA, we want you to have all of the tools you need to maintain your sobriety.  

Reach Out To Little Creek Recovery Today!

You don’t have to do this alone. Support, structure, and medical care can make the difference between relapse and real recovery. If you or someone you love is ready for change, we’re here to help. Call us, ask questions, and get real answers. Taking that first step could save your life.  Our goal is to help guide you on your journey to sobriety mentally, physically, and spiritually. We know that accepting you have a problem and asking for help can be difficult. Don’t wait until it’s too late. To learn more about Little Creek Recovery and the programs we offer to help you, contact us today!

References:

• https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/treatment/benzodiazepines/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459239/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20456734/