Alcohol Withdrawal: Why Going Cold Turkey Can Be Dangerous Blog

This could include everything from anger management classes to nutrition advice. Moderate cases may need short-term medications to lessen symptoms. Symptoms are often at their worst between 24 and 72 hours after you stop drinking. The origins of this idiom are believed to be linked to the phrase ‘talk turkey,’ which historically meant to speak plainly. Over time, it evolved to mean stopping something abruptly and without embellishment, much like having a straightforward conversation.

What Is the Cost of Opioid Rehab?

So, when alcohol is suddenly removed, the balance is thrown into chaos. The results are often anxiety, depression, overstimulation and, in severe cases, seizures and delirium tremens. The Sinclair method is an alternative, evidence-based approach to reducing alcohol intake that involves the treatment medication, naltrexone.

For many, this foundation means ongoing support through alcohol rehab, where both physical and emotional needs are met safely. Start your recovery journey with peace of mind, knowing your care is covered. Avenues Recovery is a community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center with locations across the United States.

• In a bold surge, they pour their final drink, toss the bottle and swear off alcohol forever.
• The alcohol withdrawal timeline can vary between people based on different factors.
• Many detox programs also offer IV fluids, vitamins (especially thiamine to prevent wet brain), and nutritional support.
• Being under the supervision of a healthcare professional can mitigate any of the risks that come along with quitting alcohol.
• Once your withdrawal symptoms subside, you can focus on other areas of recovery, such as therapy, counseling, and support group sessions.

You’re also at a higher risk if you have a history of epilepsy, hypoglycemia, or an electrolyte imbalance. When used along with beta-blockers,clonidine may help get your heart rate or blood pressure back down to healthy levels. This may involve one one-on-one sessions with a social worker or therapist to help you deal with mental health issues or past traumas.

Sustained Recovery

Once your withdrawal symptoms subside, you can focus on other areas of recovery, such as therapy, counseling, and support group sessions. Eating healthy foods, trying to get exercise, and getting enough sleep can help reduce some withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings. If you take prescription medication, continue to take it as directed.

Blackout Drunk: Signs, Effects, and How to Stop It

However, severe symptoms may lead to fatal complications and could necessitate medical interventions and treatments. It is always important to consult a healthcare professional before quitting to receive guidance, support, and health monitoring during withdrawal. Being under the supervision of a healthcare professional can mitigate any of the risks that come along with quitting alcohol. At Avenues Recovery, we have experience in helping people through alcohol withdrawal.

Can You Stop Drinking Alcohol Safely?

• Support options, such as mutual support groups and treatment programs, can also provide guidance through the process of withdrawal and help maintain sobriety post-detox.
• Your doctor will want to know if you have any mild itching, numbness, a pins-and-needles feeling, or burning.
• The most common benzodiazepines utilized by medical professionals for alcohol withdrawal include diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
• Quitting alcohol cold turkey can be dangerous, especially for heavy or long-term drinkers.

Quitting cold turkey is a significant challenge, especially for individuals with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) or a long history of heavy drinking. The process can pose serious health risks due to the sudden absence of alcohol in the system, which the body may have become dependent upon. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) does not follow a typical timeline due to the many variables that affect withdrawal.

Is It Dangerous to Quit Drinking Cold Turkey?

Find new hobbies, learn new skills, or engage in physical exercise to occupy your time and improve your overall well-being. Social support is also important, so spend time with supportive friends and family members who encourage your sobriety. These lifestyle changes can help you build a stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling life without alcohol. You may reach a point where you start drinking again just to relieve your symptoms. For instance, you might write a list of reasons why you want to stop drinking alcohol and read it. Some people try to avoid withdrawal symptoms by cutting back on alcohol instead of giving it up all at once.

Medical detox programs provide close monitoring and supervision by healthcare professionals, ensuring your safety and comfort during withdrawal. They may also prescribe medications, such as benzodiazepines, to manage acute alcohol withdrawal and reduce the risk of complications. Remember, detox is often just the first step in a longer-term treatment plan for sustained recovery. Whether or not it is safe to quit drinking alcohol cold turkey often depends on how much and how long a person has been drinking. Though some people manage to go cold turkey without any difficult symptoms, people who drink heavily or for a long time are more likely to have severe withdrawal symptoms.

These risk factors may increase vulnerability to experiencing symptoms, prolong the withdrawal timeline, and increase the risk of developing DTs or seizures during withdrawal. Up to two weeks after your alcohol withdrawal, you will likely be done with the physical withdrawal symptoms. Given these potential dangers, the best way to withdraw from alcohol may involve a more structured and supportive approach. A gradual tapering of alcohol consumption, rather than an abrupt stop, can make alcohol withdrawal easier. Finding an excellent treatment center for alcohol addiction is one of the best steps for a successful recovery. Look for high-quality rehab facilities that suites your needs to help you along your recovery journey.

Healthcare providers and treatment specialists agree that alcohol withdrawal, when the addiction is severe, is always safer when it isn’t quitting drinking cold turkey done alone. Some people might be lucky enough to only experience mild effects when quitting drinking, but for most who have drunk heavily for years, going cold turkey can be life-threatening. Three to seven days into your withdrawal from alcohol, you may continue to experience mild withdrawal symptoms, similar to the first 24 hours of withdrawal. You may begin to feel more normal, but your body may still exhibit mild physical withdrawal symptoms. Some people are nervous about quitting drinking because they worry about the withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detoxification.

Staying hydrated, eating nutritious meals, and getting plenty of rest are vital for your body to heal and recover during the initial stages of sobriety. Get rid of all beer, wine, and liquor, as well as any products that contain alcohol, such as rubbing alcohol and vanilla extract. If throwing everything away feels too hard, give it away to a friend or family member. You might also receive other medications along with benzodiazepines. You can take these medications by mouth, or your doctor may give you a longer-acting version of one of these drugs by IV in the hospital. Once you leave an inpatient program, you’ll be connected to resources you can continue to use, such as support groups or doctors or therapists in your area.