Is Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey Safe?

Key Takeaways

• Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to severe physical health issues, including liver inflammation, pancreatitis, and an increased risk of various cancers.
• Mental health problems can also arise from heavy alcohol consumption, ranging from anxiety and depression to hallucinations and dementia. 
• People who consume large amounts of alcohol or suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD) should consider reducing their alcohol consumption or abstaining from alcohol entirely.
• However, quitting alcohol “cold turkey” is rarely recommended, as it can cause severe withdrawal symptoms and carries significant risks without medical supervision.
• Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions like seizures and delirium tremens (DTs).
• Medical supervision can help minimize some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and are essential for safe alcohol cessation.
• Therapy and counseling services can provide additional help for people trying to transition to a sober lifestyle.

The Effects of Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence – also called alcohol use disorder (AUD) – represents a complex health issue, characterized by an uncontrollable urge to consume alcohol despite the health problems it causes. These health problems are often serious, and they can affect a person’s physical and mental health. 

The Physical Health Effects of Alcohol Use Disorder

Physiologically, prolonged heavy drinking can cause a variety of problems, including:

• Fatty liver (steatosis)
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Liver cancer

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart muscle)
• Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
• Stroke

• Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
• Peptic ulcers
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (a severe form of thiamine deficiency)
• Alcohol-related brain damage (including shrinkage and cognitive impairments)
• Increased risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast cancer
• Malnutrition

• Infertility
• Sexual dysfunction

• Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones)
• Muscle weakness and wasting

These problems are so serious that the World Health Organization has identified alcohol consumption as a significant risk factor for global disease burden.

The Mental Health Effects of Alcohol Use Disorder

The mental health effects of AUD are equally troubling, and include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Increased risk of suicide
• Mood destabilization
• Exacerbation of existing mental health disorders
• Increased aggression
• Paranoia
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations 
• Irritability
• Dementia

While these mental health problems are serious, many can be addressed by abstaining from alcohol and seeking professional help. 

Health Benefits of Alcohol Cessation

The decision to stop drinking alcohol can lead to a multitude of health benefits that improve both physical and mental well-being. Some of the most noteworthy health benefits include:

• Improved mental clarity
• Improved cognitive functions, including learning, memory, planning, and focus
• Reduced risk of developing Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
• Improved sleep quality 
• Reduced risk of developing chronic diseases 
• Improved liver function
• Improved skin health
• Increased energy levels
• Decreased risk of heart disease
• Decreased risk of cancer
• Reduced inflammation

Long-term sobriety can also yield social and financial benefits. Relationships often improve as a result of the individual’s increased presence and engagement, and there can be substantial financial savings from not purchasing alcohol.  

Understanding the Problems with Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey

While the health benefits of alcohol abstinence are clear, it is important that heavy drinkers and people suffering from AUD quit drinking in the proper fashion. 

For example, quitting “cold turkey” can be very unpleasant or even dangerous.

The term “cold turkey” is used to describe the process of abruptly stopping the use of an addictive substance, such as alcohol, without gradually tapering off or seeking professional medical assistance.

The phrase originates from a comparison to the cold, clammy feel of a turkey’s skin and the similar sensation a person might experience during withdrawal. 

While quitting alcohol cold turkey is a common method attempted by many individuals struggling with alcohol dependence, it comes with significant risks. 

Abruptly discontinuing alcohol can lead to relatively mild symptoms including:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating
• Tremors (shakiness)
• Insomnia
• Nightmares

However, quitting alcohol cold turkey can also cause a variety of severe – even dangerous – symptoms. Some of the most noteworthy include:

• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Increased body temperature (hyperthermia)

Most importantly, quitting cold turkey can lead to a potential fatal condition called delirium tremens (DTs). A severe form of withdrawal, DTs can cause symptoms including:

• Confusion and disorientation
• Severe agitation
• Fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Profuse sweating

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal often manifest within 6 to 24 hours of the last drink consumed, and often peak between 24 and 48 hours. 

Given the potential severity of these symptoms, medical supervision is strongly recommended for those attempting to quit alcohol, especially for heavy drinkers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved nonaddictive medications to aid in alcohol use disorder, and support from treatment programs can provide necessary guidance through withdrawal and recovery.

Supervised Detox: An Alternative to Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey

A supervised detox and alcohol treatment program can ensure that withdrawal symptoms are managed effectively. 

In outpatient settings, mild to moderate symptoms can be treated while the individual remains at home, with regular visits to a treatment facility. However, more severe cases may require hospitalization. 

Medication may be used to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of severe complications such as seizures. Some of the most notable medications used to manage withdrawal symptoms include:

• Benzodiazepines: These medications, which include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and clonazepam (Klonopin) help reduce withdrawal symptoms, prevent seizures, and alleviate anxiety. They are often the first line of treatment in managing alcohol withdrawal.
• Anticonvulsants: Anticonvulsants, including carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproate (Depakote), and gabapentin (Neurontin), can be used to reduce the risk of seizures and help manage withdrawal symptoms.

• Adrenergic Medications: Medications like clonidine (Catapres) and propranolol (Inderal) help manage autonomic hyperactivity symptoms such as high blood pressure and rapid heart rate.
• Antipsychotics: Antipsychotic medications, such as haloperidol (Haldol), may be used to manage severe agitation and hallucinations.

Therapy and Other Forms of On-Going Help for Quitting Alcohol

Medications often prove very helpful for individuals going through alcohol withdrawal, but detox is only the initial step in the journey to sobriety. 

Ongoing treatment, which may include medication and counseling, is essential for long-term recovery. Some of the therapies, techniques, and approaches that are often employed include:

• Counseling: Counseling provides emotional support and helps individuals cope with the anxiety, depression, and stress that often accompany detox. Additionally, establishing a trusting relationship with a therapist can offer a safe space for individuals to express their feelings and fears.
• Behavioral Strategies: Behavioral strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with alcohol use. Motivational interviewing (MI), is also helpful, as it enhances motivation to stop alcohol use.
• Stress Management Techniques: Counselors and healthcare professionals can teach patients techniques for managing stress without relying on alcohol.
• Addressing Underlying Issues: By treating co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, therapists can help patients move to a sober lifestyle. Additionally, trauma therapy helps individuals process and heal from past traumas that may be fueling their addiction.
• Help Building Support Systems: Things like family and group therapy can help provide support and the opportunity to share experiences, which helps reduce feelings of isolation and increase a sense of accountability. 

Get Help for Alcohol Use Disorder Now

Understanding what makes someone addicted to alcohol can be the first step in helping a person seek treatment. Depending on how bad their alcohol abuse has been or if medically-assisted alcohol detox will be needed for withdrawal symptoms, entering into a treatment center may be a necessary option. Professional medical staff can assist in the difficult process of withdrawal, making the transition into sobriety less daunting. 

Alcohol abuse treatment programs teach people how to move into an alcohol-free lifestyle while teaching them healthy coping strategies. They can simultaneously help treat any co-occurring mental health issues. Contact The Recovery Village Palmer Lake if you have questions about treatment or if you’re ready to get on the path to recovery and end your addiction to alcohol.