You’ve developed an addiction to alcohol, and you want to stop drinking. Is it wise to try to quit all at once, on your own, without professional help? Could the sudden absence of alcohol actually be harmful to your body? Can an alcoholic die from quitting cold turkey?
Dangers of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey
Quit cold turkey. Rip the bandage off all at once. Make a clean break.
There are many metaphors for abruptly ending your alcohol use. While these terms may be vivid and memorable, none of them convey the difficulty (and potential danger) of suddenly stopping.
Before we answer, can an alcoholic die from quitting cold turkey, let’s take a moment to review the non-fatal dangers of this action.
When you stop drinking after becoming addicted to alcohol, your body may respond with a variety of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. The type, intensity, and duration of your symptoms can be influenced by several individual factors, such as:
- Your age and metabolism
- How long you’ve been addicted to alcohol
- How much and how often you usually drink
- If you have also been using or become addicted to any other substances
- If you have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns
Depending on those factors, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Strong cravings for alcohol
- Intense headaches
- Stomach aches and nausea
- Heart palpitations
- Elevated body temperature
- Excessive perspiration
- Shakiness, primarily in your hands
- Agitation and irritability
- Anxiety
You can begin to develop withdrawal symptoms within six to 12 hours of your last drink. Symptoms usually peak after about three days, then slowly begin to subside.
Here are a few reasons why quitting cold turkey can be dangerous:
- When you try to quit drinking at home on your own, you will still have access to alcohol. Even if you’ve thrown out every alcoholic beverage, it won’t be difficult to get more. So, when your symptoms intensify, it can be tempting to try to ease your distress by having a drink. This can quickly push you back into the downward spiral of compulsive alcohol abuse.
- Failed attempts to quit drinking can be sources of shame, frustration, and an array of other negative emotions. If your initial failure causes you to believe that you’re simply not capable of not drinking, it may be a long time before you try again. And as long as you are living with untreated alcoholism, you remain at risk for myriad physical, psychological, and social problems.
- Even if you’re able to get through a week or so of withdrawal, that doesn’t mean you’re out of the proverbial woods. Some people experience what experts refer to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS. This can involve extended symptoms such as cravings, persistent fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, continued anxiety or irritability, and insomnia. PAWS can last for months or sometimes even years.
Also, as we’ll discuss in the next section, in severe cases alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening.
Can an Alcoholic Die From Quitting Cold Turkey?
Alcohol withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant, but can it actually be fatal? Can an alcoholic die from quitting cold turkey?
Yes, they can.
It is thankfully rare, but some people who go through alcohol withdrawal develop symptoms that can be deadly if not treated immediately.
This set of particularly dangerous symptoms is known as delirium tremens, or the DTs. It can include:
- Extreme confusion and disorientation
- Dangerously high heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
- Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels)
- Auditory, visual, and/or tactile hallucinations
- Combativeness or aggression
- Seizure
The DTs usually occur about 48 hours (two days) after a person’s last drink. Research indicates that about 3%-5% of people who develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms will experience the DTs. Your risk may be increased if you meet criteria such as:
- History of heavy drinking over a long period
- Previously going through withdrawal
- Co-occurring addiction to other substances
- History of seizures and certain other medical conditions
- Being age 30 or above
Experts estimate that the anticipated fatality rate of untreated DTs would be as high as 37%. Thankfully, with proper treatment, more than 95% of those who develop the DTs survive the experience.
How to Safely Withdraw from Alcohol
The best way to safely withdraw from alcohol is to enroll in a detoxification (detox) program at a reputable addiction treatment facility. The benefits of detox include:
- Residing in a closely monitored environment where you won’t be able to access alcohol or other dangerous substances
- Being cared for by experienced professionals who are familiar with all phases of the withdrawal process
- Receiving medical interventions as necessary to minimize your distress and protect your health
- Taking part in therapy sessions to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms and start to prepare for a healthier future in recovery
- Transferring directly into a residential or outpatient program after completing detox, so you can establish a solid foothold in early recovery
Getting through withdrawal is just one step on the path to long-term recovery. But for many people, it is an essential step. Choosing to begin in a detox program gives you the best chance to start your recovery journey safely and successfully.
Contact Phoenix Rising Recovery to Join Our Alcohol Detox Center
Phoenix Rising Recovery offers a full continuum of care, including on-site medical detox, to help adults who have been struggling with addictions to alcohol and other substances.
At our alcohol detox center in Palm Springs, CA, a team of skilled and compassionate professionals can help you get through withdrawal safely and as comfortably as possible. Then we can develop a customized residential or outpatient treatment plan to help you prepare for lifelong recovery.
To learn more about how Phoenix Rising Recovery can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
Published: 2/4/2025