Cold turkey
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Cold turkey describes the abrupt cessation of a substance after physical dependence has been established and the resulting unpleasant (and sometimes life-threatening) experience. It is opposed to gradually easing the process through reduction over time (tapering) or by using replacement medication; however, there are some cases in which going cold turkey may be preferred since tapering can take more self-discipline. It is a practice which is less recommended than tapering for those who are physically dependent on substances because stopping one's extended usage abruptly (cold turkey) can result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be life-threatening.[1] The sudden discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates can result in fatal seizures and death.[2]
In some cases, however, the cold turkey method can be preferred by individuals or even more effective than tapering for some substances. For example, studies show that the cold turkey method of tobacco cessation is more likely to be effective for individuals looking to quit smoking.[3] In other cases, cold turkey can be a result of lack of access or a sense of personal trial, which may also motivate someone to deal with withdrawal rather than tapering or seeking alternatives. Cold turkey may also offer a quicker solution to ending symptoms over a shorter but more acute period of time.
The disadvantages related to the abuse of drugs such as alcohol and benzodiazepines are unbearable withdrawal symptoms from the total abstinence, which may cause tremendous stress on the heart and blood vessels (and, in a worst-case scenario, death). Heroin withdrawal shares many of these same symptoms, although deaths only occur in "rapid-detox" treatments alongside other administered medications, such as Naltrexone or Naloxone.[4]
Sudden withdrawal from drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates can be extremely dangerous, leading to potentially fatal seizures. For long-term alcoholics, going cold turkey can cause life-threatening delirium tremens, rendering this an inappropriate method for breaking an alcohol addiction.[5]
In the case of dependence upon certain drugs, including opiates such as heroin, going cold turkey may be extremely unpleasant but less dangerous.[6] Life-threatening issues are unlikely unless one has a pre-existing medical condition. ==See also==l
References
- ↑ Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain - Appendix B-6: Benzodiazepine Tapering | http://nationalpaincentre.mcmaster.ca/opioid/cgop_b_app_b06.html
- ↑ A fatal case of benzodiazepine withdrawal. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19465812
- ↑ Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation: A Randomized, Controlled Noninferiority Trial | http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2501853
- ↑ "All About Addiction" by Adi Jaffe, Ph.D.
- ↑ Hughes, John R. (2009). "Alcohol withdrawal seizures". Epilepsy & Behavior. 15 (2): 92–7. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.02.037. PMID 19249388.
- ↑ Opiate withdrawal. Medline Plus — NIH.
