Recovering from drugs or alcohol is a process that takes time, patience and hard work. However, some substance users mistakenly believe that there are ways to cut corners during the recovery process. In an effort to get withdrawal “over with,” many recovering addicts opt to go cold turkey. In reality, though, this decision ends up causing more harm than good.
Cold turkey can have a host of dangerous effects on a person’s mind and body. It’s important to understand the negative consequences of this recovery route and how it can hinder a person’s attempts to attain sobriety. Here’s everything you need to know about going cold turkey and how long its effects last.
Going “cold turkey” refers to abruptly stopping the use of an addictive substance like alcohol nicotine or drugs without any aid or support. It’s an attempt to break free from addiction through sheer willpower alone. But how long do the difficult withdrawal symptoms of cold turkey last? And is it the safest or most effective path to recovery? This comprehensive guide examines everything you need to know.
What Does “Cold Turkey” Mean?
The phrase “cold turkey” originated from the appearance of goosebumps on the skin of people undergoing withdrawal from opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers Their skin resembled the bumpy texture of cold turkey meat.
Today, “cold turkey” refers to complete cessation of any addictive substance without tapering or medical support. People choose this route hoping to “get it over with” faster by ripping off the bandaid in one go. But this unassisted detox can be dangerous and set up relapse.
How Long Do Cold Turkey Withdrawals Last?
The duration and severity of cold turkey withdrawal depends on
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Substance used – Withdrawal is longer for substances like benzodiazepines, opioids, and alcohol. Shorter for nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamines.
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Frequency/dose used – The more heavily someone has used a substance, the worse their withdrawal.
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Individual factors – metabolism, genetics, environment, and mental health impact withdrawal.
On average, here is how long cold turkey withdrawal may last by substance:
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Alcohol: Peak at 24-72 hours, taper by 5 days, potential PAWS for 18 months
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Opioids: Peak at 36-72 hours, taper by 7-10 days
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Benzodiazepines: Peak at 2-4 days, can last weeks to months
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Nicotine: Peak at 3-5 days, most symptoms subside in 1-4 weeks
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Cocaine: Crash in 24 hours, subside in 2-10 weeks
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Amphetamines: Crash in 24 hours, subside in 1 week
Keep in mind withdrawal represents only the physical addiction. Psychological cravings and PAWS can last for months or years without proper support.
What to Expect From Cold Turkey Withdrawal
Sudden substance cessation triggers a reactive shock to the body and brain. Cells and nerves have come to depend on the drug to maintain homeostasis. When the substance disappears, the body struggles to regulate itself, causing acute symptoms:
Common Symptoms
- Agitation, anxiety, restlessness
- Depression, suicidal thoughts
- Insomnia, nightmares when sleeping
- Fatigue, low energy, lack of motivation
- Headaches, muscle aches and pains
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
- Shakes, tremors, seizures
- Heart palpitations, high blood pressure
Specific to Alcohol
- Fever, sweating, clammy skin
- Confusion, disorientation
- Hallucinations (visual, auditory, or tactile)
- Irregular heartbeat, arrhythmias
Specific to Opioids
- Runny nose, eyes, and yawning
- Dilated pupils, blurry vision
- Goosebumps on skin (“cold turkey”)
Specific to Benzodiazepines
- Dizziness, loss of coordination
- De-realization, distorted reality
- Hypersensitivity to touch, pain, sound
- Ringing ears, blurred vision
- Seizures (if a heavy user)
Specific to Stimulants
- Excessive sleeping and lethargy
- Hunger and sugar cravings
- Slowed thinking and movements
- Memory and attention problems
Dangers of Cold Turkey Withdrawal
Detoxing from any substance without medical assistance carries risks:
- Relapsing during withdrawal to immediately feel relief
- Life-threatening symptoms like seizures, arrhythmias, or delirium
- Injuring oneself unintentionally during a seizure or blackout period
- Extreme dehydration, malnutrition, or electrolyte imbalances
- Suicidal ideation brought on by abrupt depression
Cold turkey is especially risky for:
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Alcohol – Potential seizures, heart failure, and delirium tremens (DTs). High chance of relapse.
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Benzodiazepines – Life-threatening seizures if a longtime user. Psychosis also possible.
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Opioids – Possible respiratory depression or cardiac arrest. High chance of relapse.
For these substances, medically-assisted detox is strongly recommended over cold turkey withdrawal.
How to Survive Cold Turkey Withdrawal
If you or someone you know is determined to go cold turkey, these tips may help weather the storm:
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Seek medical advice – Consult a doctor to determine if cold turkey is safe or advise on medications to ease symptoms. At minimum, inform them of the attempt.
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Taper slowly – For substances where safe to do so, gradually tapering the dosage over weeks can minimize shock to the body.
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Stock up on supplies – Have OTC meds, electrolyte drinks, easy foods, and distractions on hand.
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Secure the environment – Remove all access to substances. Clear schedule of obligations and secure needed time off. Have a support person present if possible.
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Hydrate and nourish – Withdrawal can prevent eating and drinking enough. Stay hydrated and get nutrients in any way possible. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar.
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Rest and relax – Get ample rest between waves of symptoms. Do relaxing activities during rough times, like reading, warm baths, light exercise, or meditation.
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Seek support – Surround yourself with recovery-focused friends and family to stay accountable and lift your spirits. Have hotlines and mental health resources on hand if thoughts go dark.
Is Cold Turkey the Best Choice for Recovery?
Research shows medically-assisted detox followed by ongoing treatment leads to the highest long-term recovery success rates. But is abruptly stopping “cold turkey” ever advisable?
For mild addictions, or when professional help is unavailable, cold turkey withdrawal may make sense if:
- The substance does not carry high medical risks (no alcohol, benzos, opioids)
- The person has strong social support and accountability
- Professional help will begin immediately after withdrawal
However, choosing to undergo cold turkey withdrawal should not be taken lightly. It can be traumatic both mentally and physically without proper medical guidance.
In most cases, a slow drug or alcohol detox in a supervised rehab facility is far safer and more comfortable. It sets you up for the psychological work ahead without a traumatic first step.
The Bottom Line
How long cold turkey withdrawal lasts depends on many factors, but can persist for weeks or months. Supporting the body and mind properly through detox gives you the best chance of overcoming addiction for good. So reach out for help, and don’t be afraid to start again if your first attempt doesn’t stick. With resilience and the right resources, lifelong sobriety is within your grasp.
What Is Cold Turkey?
Cold turkey refers to the process of quitting drugs or alcohol all at once, rather than tapering off the substance in stages. Many people opt to stop taking a substance immediately in the hopes that it will make it easier to conquer their addiction. Instead of enduring the struggle of gradually quitting alcohol or drugs, they prefer to abruptly remove it from their lives.
In most cases, though, the opposite is true. If you’ve developed a strong dependence on a substance, you may be at risk of suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms can be harmful or even life-threatening in certain situations.
Another major risk of going cold turkey is battling the urge to use drugs or alcohol again. When you suddenly stop using a substance, your body isn’t prepared for it. It will therefore react by developing a strong craving for the substance that will be nearly impossible to ignore. As a result, choosing to quit cold turkey often causes addicts to regress in their recovery.
How Long Cold Turkey Lasts
Cold turkey can lead to a number of dangerous symptoms, both mental and physical. Some of these effects include nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, sweating, hallucinations, depression, anxiety and irritability. But how long do these symptoms tend to last?
The answer varies based on a number of factors. However, you can expect withdrawal symptoms to appear about 8 hours after you first quit cold turkey. Everyone’s experience is different, though, and the severity of your withdrawal process may be influenced by the type of substance you’re using and how frequently you’ve been using it.
In addition, the total duration of the withdrawal process varies significantly. Because quitting cold turkey takes such a severe toll on the mind and body, it often takes recovering addicts a long time to complete the withdrawal process. The length of withdrawal may also be complicated by cravings that tempt addicts to start using a substance again.
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