There are several explanations about how this phrase came to be so popular in the United States. One involves an older saying that goes, “talking turkey” or “talking cold turkey.” This just refers to someone who speaks bluntly or gets directly to the point.

Some believe that it may be referring to cold turkey as a food dish because it is so easy to prepare. This one seems a little more far-fetched, but it could be true. It is also possible that the term refers to the sensation of chills or goose bumps that people often experience during withdrawal.

Regardless, today we know that this phrase refers to quitting something abruptly. It can be used to refer to drug addiction, alcoholism, cigarette smoking, or even drinking soda.

The former President of the United States, George W. Bush, had a history of heavy drinking. He stopped in 1976, when he was 40 years old. This was after getting arrested for drunk driving on one occasion and disorderly conduct prior to that.

Former First Lady, Laura Bush stated that, “He liked to drink beer, bourbon and B&B afterwards. George just woke up and he knew he wanted to quit. And he stopped, and he was able to stop. A lot of people can’t. A lot of people need to stop. He just stopped cold turkey.”

Jada Pinkett Smith, wife of Will Smith, began recognizing that she had a drinking problem. She was not struggling with full-blown alcoholism, but she knew that if she did not get a handle on it, it would only get worse.

She states, “I found myself drinking two bottles of wine on the couch, and I said, ‘Jada, I think we’ve got a problem here.’” After that day, she quit cold turkey and never turned back.

Everyone knows Brett Favre as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. What many do not know is that at one time, he was battling a serious opioid painkiller addiction.

It was normal for him to take 15 Vicodins at one time, and it was a dosage he worked up to gradually. It also meant that he was going through a month’s prescription in only two days.

One day, he says he hit rock bottom and he flushed his last four pills down the toilet. The next month was very difficult because of the withdrawal. Fortunately, he did not suffer any serious complications.

Brett states, “I just went cold turkey – I don’t say that braggingly, I just know that was the worst month, in terms of any kind of recovery, I ever went through. I shook every night, cold sweats, it was a constant battle.”

Detoxing is the process of removing drugs and alcohol from the system. It allows for the patient to receive the necessary treatment for withdrawal symptoms. It can also radically reduce the risk of any complications. This means that someone who would be at risk for DTs or seizures may not experience them if they detox first.

There are several different types of treatments that doctors will use when a person goes through detox. Everyone is different, which means the program must be tailored to the needs of the individual. There may also be various options, depending on the type of substance the person was using.

Medical Tapering

For patients who suffer from a prescription drug addiction – such as Oxycodone or Adderall – a medical taper may be ordered. This allows the staff members to slowly lower their dosage of the drug until they are off it completely.

Sometimes people attempt to do a taper themselves at home, but this could cause a lot of problems. It is rare that someone knows how to do it properly. They may cut the doses too soon, or not cut them fast enough. It is important for tapering to only be done in a medical setting by qualified professionals.

Medical Detox Programs

Most experts agree that almost everyone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can benefit from a medical detox. This allows the patient to take medications that will help with their withdrawal symptoms. It also provides them with medical support in the event of a complication.

There are many different medications that can be given to help with withdrawal. Usually, the medical team addresses specific symptoms. For instance, if someone has been using a drug that is known to cause seizures when it is stopped, an anticonvulsant may be given. For people who suffer from anxiety or depression, they may be started on an antidepressant.

Medical detox does have its risks. This is why it is important for people to only utilize programs that have been proven to be successful for others. Patients should never be kept on certain medications long-term. There can be a risk of a secondary addiction to the new drug that can develop. But with close and careful monitoring, that risk can be minimized.

Medication Assisted Treatment or ORT

This form of treatment is frequently referred to as MAT or opioid replacement therapy. It is specifically designed to treat opioid addiction and help with withdrawal symptoms. Doctors can prescribe certain drugs for this purpose. Many of them are also opioids, but they’re approved by the FDA for detox.

Some examples of MAT medications include:

• Suboxone
• Subutex
• Buprenorphine
• Butrans
• Methadone

Vivitrol for Alcoholism and Opioid Addiction

Vivitrol is one of the newest medications on the market to treat both alcohol and opioid addiction. Unlike other drugs, it is not an opioid. But it has been demonstrated to work very well for those with that type of an addiction.

Vivitrol is also much more convenient than other medications. It is given by injection every 30 days. There is no risk with it because it is non-addictive. That in itself makes it a good option for people who are addicted to opioids.

Vivitrol services are becoming more available all over the country. It is a drug that has shown great promise for those seeking long-term recovery.

Holistic Detoxification Methods

Regardless of what type of medical detox a patient receives, doctors will often prescribe holistic detox as well. This means that they will experience non-medical treatment methods as well.

For many drug addicts or alcoholics, they often don’t eat as well as they should. Many will go days or even weeks without eating much at all because they are so consumed by their addictions. The first course of action will be to address their diets. They need to have the right combination of vitamins and nutrients in order for their bodies to function properly. Otherwise, their liver and kidneys will not be able to process toxins out efficiently.

They will probably also be started on a regular exercise program, participate in meditation, and receive other treatments. When used along with medical detox, holistic detoxification is very effective.