Many people with addictions wonder if quitting cold turkey works. The truth is that a lot depends on what substances they’re using as well as their health and history. There are a lot of severe risks for suddenly quitting if you’re using things like opioids or even alcohol. If you are wanting to try this method, it’s important to take the right precautions so that you are doing it safely. It’s also helpful to know what to expect from the process so you can know if you need help. There are many methods for getting sober, from cold turkey quitting, to twelve-step programs, and full rehab facilities. It’s important to figure out what the safest and most effective option is for yourself so you can be successful at getting sober.
Quitting Cold Turkey: Does it Work for Getting Sober
What is Quitting Cold Turkey?
Quitting cold turkey is a way of ending addiction by simply quitting the substance all of a sudden. For example, if you’re a smoker, quitting cold turkey would mean throwing out all of your cigarettes and never smoking again. Some people do this for drugs and alcohol as well. Many people develop goosebumps during withdrawal, which makes their skin look like the skin of a cold turkey in the refrigerator. Thus, the name cold turkey.
Risks
Quitting cold turkey causes your body to go into withdrawal. This is the brain’s reaction to suddenly being deprived of substances that it has become reliant on. For harder substances like drugs, this withdrawal can cause seizures or heart problems. Heavy drinkers that have had an addiction for many years can also suffer the same risks. Withdrawal can even be fatal in some cases.
How to Prepare
Before quitting cold turkey, it’s important to prepare yourself for the unpleasant effects of withdrawal. You should speak with your doctor to make sure that it is safe for you to quit. They might insist that you get medical care or go to a rehab facility for your safety. If you get the all-clear, rid your house of the substance so you aren’t tempted to go back to it. Find things that will distract you and ask your friends and family for support. Your doctor might also prescribe medication to help you.
What to Expect
Quitting cold turkey is unpleasant for everybody, even if it’s not downright dangerous. You should expect that your body is going to react badly to suddenly being deprived of the substance it’s addicted to. You might experience nausea, chills, fever, shaking, and muscle aches. Some people also develop paranoia, and hallucinations, or experience depression and anxiety. These effects can last from a few days to weeks depending on the substance and on your body.
Quitting cold turkey can be an effective way to get sober. However, depending on the substance that you have an addiction to, it can also be dangerous. It’s important to check with your doctor before you attempt quitting this way. If they give you the okay to begin, prepare yourself mentally for the unpleasant days to come. Surround yourself with distractions and supportive friends or family. Hopefully, you will experience mild symptoms that will begin to subside in a few days. However, it’s important to know when to get help. If you experience a high fever, seizures, irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, or trouble breathing you need to go to the emergency room. Getting sober is incredibly hard no matter what method you use. However, getting clean will improve your life and your health significantly.
