If you are concerned about your drinking and want to address this issue immediately, you might have considered quitting “cold turkey.”
While quitting cold turkey might sound like an efficient way to tackle the problem, there are some important risks associated with doing this which you need to be aware of.
When you abruptly stop using alcohol or drugs, you may experience withdrawal symptoms and for some people, these can be potentially quite dangerous.
Whether or not you will experience withdrawal symptoms and how severe these symptoms will be can depend on how much you have been drinking and for how long.
Long-term heavy drinkers are more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms, and those symptoms are more likely to be severe (heavy drinking is defined as 15 or more drinks per week for men and 8 or more drinks per week for women).
Binge drinkers are also more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms (a binge is defined as 5 or more drinks on one occasion for men and four or more drinks on one occasion for women).
Editor’s note: When we talk about an “alcoholic,” we’re referring to someone who is struggling with an alcohol use disorder. While the term “alcoholic” is still widely used, it is outdated and can sometimes carry negative connotations and judgment, which can hinder understanding and compassion. In certain instances, we do include “alcoholic” to ensure that a wide range of individuals – who adopt a wide range of terms – can easily find and access our resources. However, it’s more accurate and empathetic to use the phrase “person with an alcohol use disorder.” This term reflects the complexity of the condition rather than ascribing it to someone as a personality trait.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal: Signs of danger
But anyone can experience withdrawal symptoms.
The symptoms could be mild, such as nausea or insomnia, or more intense, such as seizures, elevated heart rate or severe tremors.
The fact is: Withdrawal symptoms resulting from quitting alcohol can be risky and in some severe cases, can even be fatal.
Certain medical issues or medications can also put you at risk for more severe dangerous withdrawal symptoms. For example, those with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease or diabetes might face even greater risks during alcohol withdrawal. Those with a history of seizures or who have experienced severe tremors when they stop drinking are at greater risk for severe withdrawal symptoms.
So, if you quit cold turkey, you’re potentially taking a risk with your health.

Now obviously, some people quit alcohol cold turkey on their own with no serious problems. But how do you know if you’re someone who can safely quit cold turkey on their own?
Ideally, you should consult a medical provider to help make that determination. If you have been drinking heavily for a long time, your provider might advise against quitting cold turkey. Instead, they may:
- Suggest you visit an inpatient medical detox facility to safely taper off alcohol
- Offer ambulatory detox so you can detox as an outpatient
- Offer medication to help you deal with detox symptoms, as well as medication to help with cravings
Ambulatory detox is a detox which is done in an outpatient setting without an admission to a detox facility, treatment program or hospital. A medical provider prescribes medication to safely manage the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and monitors the patient during outpatient visits.
In some instances, your provider may decide that your level of drinking and your overall health does not put you at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms and give you the go ahead to stop cold turkey on your own.
Quitting alcohol “cold turkey” on your own
Do some people decide to stop drinking cold turkey without consulting with a medical provider?
Yes, that happens. And often, it can turn out just fine.
But if you do this, know that you are taking a risk. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can potentially be life endangering. Certainly not in every case, but it is a possibility.
Plus, if you experience any uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, your provider can offer medication to manage the symptoms. And it’s definitely easier to quit drinking and maintain sobriety if you are not uncomfortable while doing it.
But some people are reluctant to talk to their medical provider about their drinking. They may fear they will be judged or feel ashamed of their behavior.
But having an addiction to alcohol is a medical condition like any other. You wouldn’t be ashamed to see your doctor about diabetes or a heart condition… so there’s no reason to feel ashamed about getting help for alcohol use disorder.
The most likely scenario? Your provider will be glad you are addressing this issue head-on and working on improving your health.

Other people worry about taking time away from work or family if they need to do inpatient detox – and it can definitely be hard to make time for this. But for some people, if they don’t get their drinking under control, the resulting problems can end up taking more time away from work or family than detox would.
You might have gone to a lot of trouble to keep drinking, and sometimes it’s necessary to make the same amount of effort to stop drinking if you want to finally get sober.
After you quit drinking
Once you have quit – whether cold turkey on your own or with medical supervision – it’s important to be aware that you now have greatly decreased tolerance. This means that your body is no longer used to the amount of alcohol you used to drink and previously developed a tolerance for.
If you were to resume drinking soon after you quit, it can be hard on your body and potentially risky for your health. The amount of risk depends on how much and how long you have been drinking and your overall health.
So, once you stop using, it’s important to have a plan for how you are going to stay stopped so you avoid the risks of resuming drinking when you have low tolerance.
Now, assuming you are able to safely stop cold turkey, is it a good idea, in terms of being able to stay sober?

This is going to depend on a host of factors including your level of motivation, what kind of support system you have, your level of cravings, and whether you reside in or spend time in situations which present a high risk for relapse.
To give yourself the best chance of success, avoid triggers – people, places and things associated with your old drinking lifestyle – and find yourself a sober support network. A 12-step meeting can be a good place to do that. If more support is needed, find a substance use treatment program. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, and consider counseling if needed. If your cravings are hard to manage, ask your provider if you are a candidate for medications such as Naltrexone.
And find good tools for holding yourself accountable, such as BACtrack View.
So, when you’re ready to stop drinking, it’s best to do it safely – don’t go “cold turkey” without consulting a professional first. And then, make a solid plan to remain sober, and keep that turkey cold.