Author: Alex Thompson
The Risks of Quitting Cold Turkey and Withdrawal Symptoms
Having a support system in place is also critical to successfully reintroducing alcohol into your life. This can include friends or family members who understand your goals and can help keep you accountable. Additionally, there are many support groups available for people who are trying to quit or moderate their drinking.
- Tapering alcohol may be uncomfortable, and there may be subconscious triggers that stimulate the desire to drink alcohol.
- If you’ve decided to taper off alcohol, you’ll need to be prepared with some strategies to make the process easier.
- If you’re unfamiliar with the meaning of cold turkey, it is defined as the “abrupt complete cessation of the use of an addictive drug.”
- Reintroducing alcohol into your life can be a daunting task, but with the right mindset and preparation, it can be done successfully.
- Discover effective strategies to regain control and live a balanced life.
These urges and compulsive behaviors can control your life, but you can take back control. Relay’s addiction recovery program provides a comprehensive, outpatient approach to behavioral change – at home, at your own pace. Try the Relay program for free here; if you need help as you get set up, contact us now at Remember, quitting drinking is a personal journey that requires patience, persistence, and support. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, seek help and support as soon as possible. In addition, seeking professional help can be a crucial step in the recovery process.
Withdrawal and Safety When Tapering Off Alcohol
Thus, a user will likely seek out alcohol again to rid themselves of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Surround yourself with individuals who support your decision to quit drinking alcohol. Inform your close friends and family members about your journey, and ask for their understanding and encouragement. Consider joining support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, where you can connect with others who have similar experiences and receive ongoing support. The first step in how to quit drinking cold turkey is to recognize and acknowledge the harmful impact alcohol has on your life. This realization is crucial in motivating you to make a significant change.
Before delving into the strategies to quit drinking alcohol cold turkey, it’s vital to understand alcohol withdrawal and its potential risks. When you consume alcohol regularly and heavily, your body becomes accustomed to its presence. The sudden cessation of alcohol intake can lead to withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to functioning without it.
Some people are facing problems with their health or personal lives which require them to quit immediately. However, for many people with alcohol use disorder, tapering off alcohol is a far better experience than quitting abruptly. Before you embark on this journey, you should know some important information on quitting alcohol cold turkey, and why it can be dangerous. 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.
One such group is Alcoholics Anonymous, which offers meetings and resources for people who want to stop drinking or reduce their alcohol consumption. There are many resources available for people who want to quit drinking. One option is attending meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), where people can connect with others who are going through the same struggles and receive support and guidance. Another option is seeking professional help, such as therapy or rehab, which can provide individualized care and support. Some people are nervous about quitting drinking because they worry about the withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detoxification.
What Happens When You Quit Drinking Cold Turkey?
They’re common among individuals with a history of alcohol withdrawal, heavy drinkers, and those who have experienced an addiction to alcohol for more than 10 years. Establishing new habits and routines, and dealing with the underlying causes of your drinking habits, are essential to lasting recovery. Alcohol also changes your brain chemistry, which can result in higher levels of anxiety and depression for the first several months. Finally, just because you’ve gotten past the withdrawal phase doesn’t mean you won’t continue to face psychological aspects of addiction—including alcohol cravings and drinking triggers. Depending on how much you drink, tapering off alcohol can take one to several weeks.
You’ll likely face the urge to drink more than you’ve planned each day, but there are some good tricks to help you delay that next serving and keep yourself honest. After you detox from alcohol, attend a substance use treatment program to help you stay sober. If you don’t learn healthy coping skills and address the reasons why you abuse alcohol, relapse is almost inevitable. But if you are quitting alcohol, a benzodiazepine, or an opioid, doing so under the management of a physician who can give you medication helps to safely lessen the effects of withdrawal. For people who are heavy users of alcohol or drugs, quitting cold turkey may be more appealing—for a number of reasons. One is because it can be easier to avoid the drug entirely than to use it moderately when your usual mode is to take it in an unrestrained manner.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
It’s crucial to note that alcohol withdrawal can be unpredictable, and severe symptoms may require medical attention. It’s difficult to quit drinking cold turkey and maintain sobriety without a formal addiction treatment program. One study followed people who had stopped drinking for several years and found that after three years, over half of the people who did not receive treatment had relapsed. Quitting alcohol cold turkey without medical detox puts you at risk of relapse because of withdrawal symptoms.
Quitting cold turkey doesn’t necessarily mean that you can never drink again. For some people, quitting cold turkey may be the best option, especially if they have a problem with alcohol. However, it’s important to have a plan in place for when you’re ready to reintroduce alcohol into your life.
The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. 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 is help available to you if you or a loved one has a physical dependence or psychological dependence on alcohol.
Alcohol often serves as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions. Identify alternative ways to manage these feelings, such as practicing mindfulness, exercising regularly, journaling, or seeking therapy. Developing healthy coping mechanisms can significantly reduce the urge to turn to alcohol. From recognizing triggers to building support, regain control and embrace a healthier relationship with food. There are many resources available to help you quit drinking, and it’s important to have a support system in place. Whether it’s family, friends, or a support group, having people who understand what you’re going through can make all the difference.
Withdrawal symptoms are generally uncomfortable to deal with, but they can be fatal. To avoid or reduce the impact of the withdrawal symptoms, people struggling with alcohol may choose to progressively taper off alcohol rather than quit abruptly. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can lead to various withdrawal symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to severe health risks. A healthcare professional can help develop a treatment plan that addresses both the addiction itself as well as any co-occurring mental or physical health conditions. There are several treatment options available for those who are struggling with alcohol addiction. One of the most effective ways to quit drinking is through medication-assisted treatment.
Questions about treatment options?
It occurs in roughly 1 out of 20 people who experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. You’ll need to stick with gradual reduction every day and not revert to previous levels of consumption, otherwise it won’t work. If it’s too hard to control how much you drink each day, weaning might not be the right strategy. That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. For people with an alcohol use disorder, withdrawal symptoms usually occur in three phases.
Alcohol Tapering Schedule
These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper. Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time. This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change. Tapering will normally create less severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms but will spread them out over a prolonged period.