In addition to the psychological aspects of alcohol addiction, the ailment also has significant short-term and long-term physiological impacts on the body. There are no specific negative side effects of quitting if the person does not have an AUD. Negative side effects tend to occur when the individual has some degree of dependence. But people with more manageable levels of alcohol consumption may decide that this is an appropriate course of action for them to quit. Given the potential harms of alcohol consumption, it is not surprising that many people want to quit altogether.
If you take a higher dose of escitalopram, your risk of experiencing withdrawal may be even greater upon discontinuing its use. Lexapro (escitalopram) is an antidepressant typically used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can also be dangerous, potentially resulting in death if this drug is stopped suddenly. Quitting substance use “cold turkey” carries very significant risks if the drug you are discontinuing is alcohol, a benzodiazepine, or an opioid. 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.”
- It’s important to weigh the pros and cons—in particular, costs and insurance coverage—of the type of treatment with your family members and primary care physician.
- That’s why – for people who are alcohol dependent – it’s important to talk to a knowledgeable health professional before stopping drinking.
- Another myth surrounding quitting alcohol cold turkey is that it is dangerous.
- It’s also one of the hardest to quit due to being widely available.
Signs of alcohol abuse and drug abuse in teens include trouble in school, worsened academic performance, secretive behavior, and sudden changes in mental health. They may also start hanging out with new people, start becoming aggressive, miss curfew, or be suspended constantly. These symptoms can happen even if you used to drink at relatively low levels, if you were drinking regularly. For most people they pass quite quickly, and are just a temporary blip before they start to feel the benefits of cutting out alcohol. But if you experience these symptoms for more than about five days after stopping or find them particularly troublesome, your GP will be able to offer some advice.
Addiction Therapy Programs
That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. The idea of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be unsettling to some. Annie shares what science has to say solution based treatment and detox addiction medicine murrieta ca webmd and her best advice when considering quitting. The CDC reports that about 90% of people who drink excessively would not be expected to meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for having a severe alcohol use disorder.
An intervention is a conversation that has rehabilitation as its goal. Identifying your ‘triggers’ (situations or places where you’re tempted to drink) is important. Avoiding the pub is an obvious one for many people, but remember to think about whether alcohol is still readily available at home too. Maybe you could start writing a shopping list in advance of a trip to the supermarket – if there’s no alcohol on the list, you will be less tempted to buy some.
Stopping produces cravings that can be difficult or nearly impossible to resist. Alcohol withdrawal happens when a person suddenly stops drinking after extended and heavy alcohol abuse. Many people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) experience withdrawal symptoms. However, this can be a dangerous approach if a person is quitting severe alcohol dependence or certain drugs, such as heroin. If this is the case, there are may be serious side effects from going cold turkey that can become life threatening.
Tapering vs Cold Turkey
Discover outdoor adventures, wellness retreats, and cultural experiences. Even relatively low-volume daily drinking can compromise liver function. In the first few weeks and months after stopping, you will experience a number of health benefits, according to Finn.
Quitting Cold Turkey Is Easy if You Only Drink on Weekends
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. Quitting alcohol cold turkey involves abruptly stopping alcohol consumption without any gradual reduction or assistance. While some individuals may find success with this method, it’s crucial to recognize the potential challenges that may arise during the process.
Other research indicates the condition has an anticipated mortality rate of 37% without appropriate treatment. Doctors affiliated with the American Board of Addiction Medicine have special training in addiction medicine and are particularly helpful in managing withdrawal safely. Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this alcohol-induced blackouts blackout drunk alcohol blackouts episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring best-selling author Mallory Ervin, shares how to overcome addiction and live a full life. Even if you fail, there are still plenty of treatment options you can turn to. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.