Risks of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey: What You Need to Know Before You Stop

Medications such as benzodiazepines may be used to manage acute alcohol withdrawal. A safer way to quit drinking is through a medically supervised detox, like what is available at Avenues Recovery. This quitting drinking cold turkey approach reduces the risk of severe symptoms and allows for swift treatment if any problems arise. Additionally, receiving support from therapists, support groups, and loved ones can help make quitting alcohol safer and more successful.

Complications from delirium tremens include kidney damage or failure, heart rhythm changes, respiratory failure, and death. AWS is a syndrome with various symptoms that can range in presentation, depending on how physically dependent you are on alcohol; it can present as mild to severe symptoms. People who have alcohol use disorder that goes undiagnosed may have an especially difficult time cutting back on their alcohol consumption. If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals. There are also outpatient medical detox programs, where you can receive medical care without checking into a facility.

There are thousands of people living sober, healthy lives today who once thought they couldn’t go a single day without drinking. Research has shown that professional help improves your ability to overcome an addiction to alcohol or cut back if you have found it difficult. The most common research technique among those surveyed is an internet search (61%), followed by asking a doctor or medical professional (55%). If you’re relying on internet searches to find potential treatment centers, make sure to ask these ten questions to find a licensed facility that can meet your needs. People who want to reduce their alcohol consumption often do not realize how much of their social and daily routines alcohol has become. Tapering alcohol may be uncomfortable, and there may be subconscious triggers that stimulate the desire to drink alcohol.

Why Do People Experience Alcohol Withdrawal?

More severe symptoms, such as hallucinations, disorientation, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, and seizures, can occur within 24 to 48 hours. More severe symptoms of AWS include delirium tremens (DTs), a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can be fatal if not treated appropriately. DTs typically occur within 48 hours to three days after abruptly quitting alcohol and can last up to five days. Symptoms of DTs include severe tremors, severe mood swings, seizures, psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, disorientation, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, and sweating.

• Regardless of its deleterious effects, going cold turkey and completely turning your back on drinking may feel like the only way to move forward.
• Medical detoxification, or detox, is a crucial first step in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) for individuals with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Discover affordable rehab centers near you, offering easy access and convenience.
• Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Why Alcohol Withdrawal Occurs

To find a detox program near you, contact a treatment provider today. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and typically start within six hours after your last drink and can last up to two weeks. Mild symptoms include headaches, insomnia, mild anxiety, stomachaches, sweating, mild tremors, and loss of appetite. More severe symptoms that may develop within hours include disorientation, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, and seizures. Medical detoxification, or detox, is a crucial first step in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) for individuals with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD). It involves the supervised withdrawal from alcohol in a safe and controlled environment, typically in a hospital or specialized detox center.

At some point, it may be helpful to include your partner or family, too. For two to seven days, doctors may manage your withdrawal with medications. However, some groups have stepped in to try to bridge this gap and have published sample tapering schedules to help those trying to stop drinking.

Can You Stop Drinking Alcohol Safely?

The condition typically emerges after a sudden reduction in or abstinence from alcohol, such as when quitting alcohol cold turkey. Individuals with a history of alcohol withdrawal or heavy alcohol use are at a higher risk for developing DTs. As we’ve listed, the constellation of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be extensive and difficult to manage.

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

Once you stop drinking and all the alcohol is out of your system, your diarrhea should start to get better. If you’re getting through alcohol withdrawal at home, here’s what can help. These medications aren’t for everyone but could help lessen severe DT symptoms, such as hallucinations and aggression. If you’re given this type of medication, you’ll need to be closely monitored. As your body gets used to no alcohol, different treatments can make you more comfortable and keep your symptoms from getting worse. For women, heavy drinking means four or more drinks on any day or eight or more drinks per week.

Choosing to taper off alcohol is an admirable decision and a step in the right direction. As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder. But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done. A healthcare provider can assess your level of alcohol dependence and tailor a tapering plan or inpatient detox programme to keep you safe throughout the process. These factors may contribute to a sooner onset of alcohol withdrawal symptoms or a prolonged withdrawal from alcohol.

Because quitting drinking cold turkey can be dangerous, it’s crucial to plan everything out if you’re not going to seek medical attention. Proper preparation can help mitigate risks and provide a smoother path to sobriety. The alcohol withdrawal timeline can vary between people based on different factors.

Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. Deciding to quit drinking and following through isn’t just about willpower. Many other factors go into play with these difficult and trying scenarios. Tolerance, dependence, social habits, setting, the biology of the individual and more must all be considered.

In fact, in 2023, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism said that there were 28.9 million people over the age of 12 who struggled with Alcohol Use Disorder in the USA. Stopping drinking alcohol can have many positive benefits, such as better overall health, more energy, weight loss, and reduced financial strain. However, they may persist longer depending on the severity of your addiction.

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For almost every person who suffers from an alcohol or substance addiction, there will be times when they feel the desperate urge to escape, by any means necessary. Regardless of its deleterious effects, going cold turkey and completely turning your back on drinking may feel like the only way to move forward. Researchers believe that certain risk factors may impact alcohol withdrawal and its symptoms.

• A healthcare provider can assess your level of alcohol dependence and tailor a tapering plan or inpatient detox programme to keep you safe throughout the process.
• While it comes with challenges, understanding the process, preparing adequately, and having a robust support system can make the journey smoother.
• The dangers of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be even more prominent for people with other health issues.
• 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.
• DTs occur when the brain can’t readjust after someone stops drinking alcohol.

Quitting alcohol cold turkey can have dangerous and possibly fatal effects on the body, including a decreased level of brain functioning, seizures, and heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a well-known condition that occurs after the abrupt cessation of heavy/constant drinking. AWS can present as mild to severe symptoms, including delirium tremens (DTs) or alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD), which can be fatal if not treated appropriately or promptly. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and typically start within six hours to two days after your last drink. Mild symptoms may include headache, insomnia, anxiety, stomachache, sweating, tremors, and loss of appetite.

A slow and steady reduction over a couple of weeks is often recommended. For example, you can start by reducing your alcohol intake by 5% to 10% and maintaining that level for a few days before cutting down further. This measured approach helps minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms and gives your body and mind time to adjust. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction and considering quitting cold turkey, it is crucial to seek professional help. Addiction specialists and treatment centers can provide guidance and support to ensure a safe and effective recovery journey.