Cold turkey is a method of quitting alcohol or any other substance that you have been using regularly. It can be very scary the first time you do it but as soon as you get over that, it becomes way simpler than you think. Though it may sound daunting and somewhat challenging at first, in actuality, it is not as hard as people make it out to be. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the thought of quitting everything at once. You may even feel like you are going to fail miserably at it. But if you approach it positively, give yourself some time and research for resources, and stay committed… then eventually, after a few attempts and failures, cold turkey will become your new normal and the easiest thing ever! And trust us when we say that being free from drinking or drugs is more wonderful than anything else ever could’ve been imagined about life!
What is a “Cold Turkey” quit?
A cold turkey quit is when you stop using alcohol or drugs on your own, and you do not get any kind of support from a doctor, therapist, or other kind of professional to do it for you. You just stop using it, and then live your life as usual like nothing is different. People often wonder if cold turkey is even safe to do, and the truth is that there are no health risks involved in quitting cold turkey. The only possible risk is psychological, but even that is very low, and there are a lot of great resources to help you fight through that.
Check with a professional first
Quitting drugs or alcohol “cold turkey” (abruptly and without medical supervision) can be dangerous and even life-threatening, depending on the substance and the individual’s level of dependence.
Some drugs, such as benzodiazepines, opioids, and alcohol, can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens, which can be life-threatening without proper medical intervention.
It is always recommended to seek medical advice before quitting drugs or alcohol, especially if you have been using these substances for a prolonged period or have a history of seizures, mental health issues, or medical conditions.
A healthcare professional can provide you with a personalized treatment plan and support to help you safely manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse. Depending on your situation, they may recommend a gradual tapering off of the substance or prescribe medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Strategies to help you quit cold turkey
- Prepare – You Have to be Ready Before You Ever Start – To be successful at quitting cold turkey, you must be fully prepared for whatever you are about to experience. This means that you have to know what your withdrawal symptoms are going to be like, and you have to be fully prepared for the fact that you will feel extremely anxious and depressed for at least a few weeks.
- Find a Support Group – The more support you get the better. Support groups provide you with lots of information about how to quit, and they also provide you with a lot of moral support. If you are going to quit cold turkey, you are probably going to feel pretty bad, and you are going to need as much support as you can get.
- Don’t Try to Cut Out Drinks or Drugs All at Once – Most people try to stop drinking or drugging all at once. This is a mistake. Instead, you should try to keep a small amount of alcohol or drugs in the house and then gradually stop using it.
- Get Rid of All Substances – This is the most important thing. Even if you are mentally prepared and ready to quit, if you still have any alcohol or drugs in your house, you are never going to be able to quit.
Tips for the first few days of quitting
- Try to avoid stressful situations. Take a vacation from work if you can. Get some rest and avoid as many thoughts about drinking or drugs as possible. Avoid thinking about them, and you will be less likely to think about them.
- Avoid spending a lot of time with people who use drinking and drug excessively. This will not only make you feel more isolated and alone, but it will also make you think about drinking and drugs more.
- Drink a lot of water. Drinking fluids will help you flush out your system, and it will also keep you hydrated. Remember to drink lots of water while you are quitting, and you will be less likely to think about drinking excessively.
- Make sure that you are eating healthy, nutritious foods while you are abstaining from drinking and drugs. This will help keep you from gaining weight, and it will give you the nutrients and energy you need so that you do not fall into depression or anxiety.
- Make sure that you get enough sleep. Sleep is crucial in order to be productive and focused. If you are not getting enough sleep, you are going to be more likely to think about drinking and drugs.
Recovery will get easier as you constantly push yourself slowly every day and keep the rhythm alive. If you start a gym routine, do not give it up for anything else. Work out regularly because, in the process, you’ll train your mind to remain focused. The smallest wins in the sobriety journey are worth celebrating to reinforce good behavior. Trust the process, and life will fall into place, and you will become happy during and after your tough sobriety process. Call us at 844-844-3463.