Alcoholism can be a deadly disease, and it can be particularly deadly if a severe alcoholic attempts to stop drinking cold turkey. Alcohol is a drug that is addictive both mentally and physically. If an individual has been physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol for some time, quitting cold turkey can be extremely dangerous and can even be fatal. For this reason, a person should never attempt to quit drinking alcohol cold turkey.
Since alcohol is a legal substance, many people find it surprising to learn that if they are in the habit of drinking heavily, they can’t simply quit any time they want. Discontinuing the use of alcohol abruptly can cause the body to experience extremely unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, and can include seizures, hallucinations and possibly even death. For More Information About Our Treatment Programs for Alcoholics Call Us At: (310) 455-5258
Quitting alcohol cold turkey refers to suddenly stopping drinking alcohol without slowly tapering consumption or undergoing medically-supervised detox. This abrupt cessation of alcohol use carries significant health risks especially for long-term heavy drinkers. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can potentially be deadly.
Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
When someone who is physically dependent on alcohol suddenly stops drinking, they are likely to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These occur because the brain has adapted to the frequent presence of alcohol. It alters its own chemistry to compensate. When alcohol is removed, the brain is thrown out of balance. This prompts withdrawal symptoms as it tries to re-stabilize.
Withdrawal from alcohol follows a predictable timeline. Symptoms generally start within 6-24 hours after the last drink. They peak in intensity at 24-72 hours. Some symptoms can persist for weeks in some cases. However, the most dangerous period is within the first 3-5 days.
Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe Common symptoms include
- Anxiety, jumpiness, shaking, and unease
- Depression, sadness, and intense mood swings
- Fatigue, lack of energy, and difficulty sleeping
- Headache, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Nightmares, hallucinations, disorientation, and confusion
- Sweating, clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure
- Seizures
Seizures related to alcohol withdrawal usually begin 48 hours after the last drink. They are a sign that withdrawal has progressed to a serious and potentially life-threatening stage.
Delirium Tremens
The most severe manifestation of alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens, commonly called DTs. This state involves powerful hallucinations and severe confusion.
DTs usually begin 2-4 days after the last drink. Only about 5% of people going through alcohol withdrawal experience full-blown DTs. However, up to 20% may exhibit some early symptoms leading up to DTs.
DTs are an emergency medical situation. The disturbed brain function can cause body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate to fluctuate dangerously. DTs can provoke seizures, heart attack, stroke, and metabolic disturbances. Without treatment, the mortality rate is estimated to be 1-5%.
What Puts People at Risk of Severe Withdrawal?
Certain factors indicate a higher likelihood of dangerous withdrawal symptoms:
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Long history of heavy drinking. The brain becomes more dependent on alcohol over time.
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Underlying health conditions. Liver disease, diabetes, malnutrition, and heart problems increase risks.
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Prior history of severe withdrawal. Past episodes can signal greater physical dependency.
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Recent attempts to reduce drinking. A “kindling effect” causes some drinkers to experience more intense symptoms with each subsequent detox.
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Older age. For unclear reasons, people over age 65 seem more prone to complications.
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Use of other central nervous system depressants. Combining alcohol and sedatives like benzodiazepines or barbiturates increases risks.
Dangers of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey
Attempting to quit alcohol without medical help is always risky for heavy drinkers. Dangers include:
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Experiencing more severe, medically dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
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Potential progression to delirium tremens and related life-threatening issues.
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Increased likelihood of potentially-fatal seizures.
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Developing long-lasting post-acute withdrawal symptoms due to unchecked withdrawal.
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Higher risk of relapsing back into alcohol abuse soon after withdrawal.
Without support and treatment, quitting alcohol cold turkey also rarely leads to sustained sobriety. The best chances for recovery involve a comprehensive treatment program.
Medically-Assisted Alcohol Detox
Because of the serious risks of untreated withdrawal, professional detox is recommended for most heavy drinkers. Here are some key elements of a medical detox program:
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Evaluation of withdrawal history to gauge risks and create a treatment plan. Ongoing monitoring tracks vitals and symptoms.
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Prescription medications to ease symptoms. Benzodiazepines such as Valium help prevent seizures and delirium. Other drugs treat nausea, anxiety, blood pressure changes, etc.
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Nutritional support to correct vitamin deficiencies exacerbated by alcoholism. Healthy, balanced meals and hydration help stabilize metabolic function.
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Observation 24/7 by nurses. Any emerging complications can be immediately addressed.
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Transition planning for long-term rehab program after detox. Detox alone has minimal lasting impact without subsequent treatment.
How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Last?
With medical management, the most intense symptoms of withdrawal typically improve or resolve within 5-7 days. However, some effects such as fatigue, sleep disruption, mood instability, and cravings can linger for weeks or months.
Ongoing treatment and support are vital even after withdrawal subsides. Therapy, counseling, peer groups, relapse prevention, and sometimes medications all help to maintain sobriety.
Can Alcohol Withdrawal Be Fatal?
Yes, alcohol withdrawal can be fatal in severe cases. However, medically supervised detox provides effective treatment for withdrawal symptoms and greatly reduces risks.
With professional help, only about 1-2% of alcoholics going through withdrawal die. In contrast, the death rate for untreated alcohol withdrawal has been estimated between 10-15%.
Proper medical detox ensures safety during this vulnerable time. Ongoing treatment and recovery support then help enable long-term sobriety. Together, treatment and self-care make it possible to quit alcohol safely and work towards a healthier life free from dependence.
Why Do People Experience Withdrawal Symptoms When They Quit Drinking?
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It slows brain function and the way nerves work, which is why people may feel like it calms them down and relieves feelings of agitation and anxiety. When an individual drinks to excess, this depressant effect can cause them to experience slurred speech, declining ability to concentrate and a reduced ability to think clearly.
The more heavily and frequently they drink, the more difficult it is for their body to adjust to no longer having this depressant in their system. Their brain becomes out of balance and hyperactive. Their heart rate and body temperature rise, and they experience withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
If an individual is physically dependent on alcohol, they are likely to begin to experience overpowering withdrawal symptoms within a few hours of the last drink. Withdrawal symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Nervousness or agitation
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Tremor of the hands
- Shaky, clammy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
A person who has been drinking heavily on a long-term basis who quits alcohol abruptly may experience even more serious withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold turkey may lead to a very serious form of alcohol withdrawal called delirium tremens, or the DTs. This form of withdrawal is a medical emergency, and it has a high mortality rate.
Symptoms of delirium tremens usually develop one to four days after withdrawal begins. These symptoms may include:
- High fever
- Hallucinations, which includes seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
- Sense of impending doom
- Disorientation
- Seizures
- Deep sleep
A person who has DTs is at risk of physical injury during seizures. Other complications may develop, such as a reduced ability of the pancreas to produce insulin or cardiac problems, which could lead to sudden death. Low phosphate levels can cause the alcoholic to stop breathing, experience muscle weakness or go into a coma.
How to Quit Drinking Cold Turkey | Alcoholism
FAQ
What happens if an alcoholic suddenly stops drinking?
Can alcohol withdrawal cause death?
What is the most serious withdrawal symptom associated with alcoholism?
How long does it take for your body to detox from alcohol?
What does it mean to quit alcohol cold turkey?
Quitting alcohol cold turkey refers to abruptly stopping alcohol consumption without tapering off or medical supervision. This method can be dangerous, especially for those with severe alcohol dependence, due to the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and even death.
Is it dangerous to quit vaping nicotine cold turkey?
Quitting vaping nicotine ‘cold turkey’ is not dangerous, but it can be very unpleasant. This is because nicotine alters the way your brain functions such that your body feels dependent on it. Some of the unpleasant side effects of quitting abruptly are tremors, headaches, and nausea. These side effects can make it very hard to quit and often cause people to relapse. Fortunately, these unpleasant side effects can be partially or completely avoided by gradually cutting down your use instead of quitting abruptly. Your primary care physician can help you design a plan to quit vaping nicotine.
Should you try to detox cold turkey?
Each person will go through their own process and faces different difficulties and symptoms. Many people might try to detox cold turkey on their own for a number of reasons. Undergoing detox at home is one option, but for many reasons, it’s a much better idea to seek professional help.
What happens if you stop drinking alcohol?
Quitting drinking (safely) may improve or reverse some of alcohol’s negative effects on your physical health, including improving or reversing cognitive damage, lowering blood pressure, reversing some forms of alcohol-related liver injury, and reducing the risk of certain cancers each year you’re sober. 9,10