Cold turkey

"Cold turkey" is a slang expression describing the actions of a person who gives up a habit or addiction all at once. That is, rather than gradually easing the process through reduction or by using replacement medication. Its supposed advantage is that by not actively using supplemental methods, the person avoids thinking about the habit and its temptation, and avoids further feeding the chemical addiction.

The etymology derives from the phrase talk turkey, in which someone deals matter-of-factly with a subject. Some, however, believe the derivation is from the comparison of a cold turkey carcass and the state of a withdrawing addict — most notably, the cold sweats and goose bumps. It is often preceded by the verb "to go," as in "going cold turkey."

Sudden withdrawal from drugs such as 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.

Some say that nicotine cessation can be the most difficult form of cold turkey, more difficult than even heroin or cocaine. Others, including most long-term ex-smokers, contend that abrupt nicotine cessation is the easiest and most effective method of quitting smoking tobacco.

In the case of most other drugs and habits, going cold turkey may be unpleasant, but not life-threateningly dangerous. Terminating prescribed medication, however, may be dangerous.