Cold turkey

"Cold turkey" is a term describing the actions of a person who gives up his habit or addiction at a single moment, rather than through gradually easing the process through tapering off or supplemental medication. The term allegedly derives from the comparison of a cold turkey carcass and the state of a withdrawing addict -- most notably, the cold sweats and gooseflesh. It is often preceded by the word 'going', as 'going cold turkey'.

Related Topics:
Addiction - Medication - Turkey

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Sudden withdrawal from benzodiazepines and barbiturates can be extremely dangerous, leading to potentially fatal seizures. In long-time alcoholics, going cold turkey can cause life-threatening delirium tremens and thus is not an appropriate method for breaking an alcohol addiction.

Related Topics:
Withdrawal - Benzodiazepines - Barbiturate - Alcoholics - Delirium tremens

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In the case of most other drugs, going cold turkey may be extremely unpleasant, but not actually dangerous.

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