How To Taper Off Alcohol Risks of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey
You may be able to detox at home and recover from alcoholism with the help of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. However, medically supervised detox and professional rehab are more likely to help you maintain long-term sobriety. Tapering is meant to reduce the withdrawal symptoms from quitting alcohol, but https://thecinnamonhollow.com/a-guide-to-sober-house-rules-what-you-need-to-know/ this isn’t a guarantee. As mentioned above, many people will still experience some level of withdrawal, just to a lesser degree. Depending on how much you drink, tapering off alcohol can take one to several weeks.
Assessing Severity and Treatment Options
Studies show that those who receive some type of formal treatment after detox are more likely to maintain sobriety8. Alcohol withdrawal usually lasts for a few days, but some effects may linger for months. Symptoms are most severe around day 34, and the total process can last for 2 to 10 days.
- “People are sometimes substituting sugar for alcohol; many of those drinks are very high in sugar content,” says Carr.
- Stress management techniques are an important part of a comprehensive strategy on how to quit drinking safely.
- Some people withdrawing from alcohol could be at risk for delirium tremens (DTs).
- Discover expert strategies on how to solve withdrawal symptoms and effectively manage addiction recovery.
- With the right strategies and professional guidance, it is possible to wean oneself off alcohol safely and successfully.
Role of Support Systems
For example, if you typically have 10 drinks per day, you could cut back to 8 the first day, then 6, 4, 2, and finally none. If you have 20 or more drinks per day, they suggest one drink per hour the first day, every hour and a half the next, then reducing by 2 drinks per day after that. If you’ve decided to taper off alcohol, you’ll need to be prepared with some strategies to make the process easier. You’ll likely face the urge to drink more than you’ve planned each day, but there are some good tricks to help you delay that next serving and keep yourself honest. Quitting binge drinking may require different strategies than either tapering or cold turkey.
Talk to Your Kids About Drugs Without Talking About Your Own Drug Use
These schedules are largely based on my experience of self tapering, what I’ve read on r/dryalcoholics and HAMS Harm Reduction Guide to Tapering. Find a reason to stay sober and keep that in mind as you go through this process. Ultimately, you need to decide to get sober for yourself, but if getting sober for someone else or something else motivates you in the beginning, it’s still a step in the right direction. My first recommendation is to seek professional help at an inpatient rehab facility, a dedicated detox center, or, in severe cases, the emergency room.
How Long Does Medicare Pay for Inpatient Rehab
- Game or craft nights, bowling, museum-exploring, and pottery are all things that can be done sans-alcohol (though your friends might bring some anyway).
- However, in cases of severe symptoms like seizures and hallucinations, seeking medical care is crucial.
- Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them.
- This is because drinking heavily over a long period can cause your body to become physically dependent on alcohol.
- Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that leads to an increase in brain neurotransmitters that slow down your brain’s functions, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Nutrient-rich foods provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to support the healing process and enhance physical and mental well-being. In the journey of quitting alcohol, the support of others is crucial. This support can come from friends and family, as well as from community resources and support groups. In addition, social pressures can make it hard to quit drinking, especially if your friends or family also drink heavily. Quitting drinking can feel very isolating, making it even more difficult to do alone at home without medical support. Direct tapering is not recommended for liquor drinkers as it is challenging to measure amounts and can result in binge drinking.
How do I assess my relationship with alcohol and recognize withdrawal symptoms?
Take a moment to write down these motivations and keep them visible. By formalizing your thoughts, you solidify your commitment to change. This can also make it easier to reflect on your progress and celebrate small victories as you navigate your journey. Remember, knowing your “why” can help you stay focused during difficult moments. Start by estimating how much you drink on a daily basis—and be honest with yourself.
Discover how to stop sugar addiction with expert tips on weaning off, identifying hidden sugars, and curbing cravings. Discover the effectiveness of short-term rehabilitation for addiction, customized recovery programs, and goal setting. Explore what are stages of addiction, from initiation to treatment, and understand the journey toward recovery.
One of the primary advantages of tapering off alcohol is the ability to minimize withdrawal symptoms. However, it is important to be aware of the risks of attempting a taper on your own. Sometimes, people think that they don’t need medical help if their symptoms are mild. Unfortunately, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can worsen quickly, and they can include agitation and hallucinations Sober Houses Rules That You Should Follow that make it more difficult to seek help. For this reason, it is best to seek medical advice on whether you should taper at home or under medical observation. Programs such as inpatient or outpatient rehab, medical detox, individual or family therapy and support groups are available.
You can try support groups, therapy, psychiatrists, spiritual groups, and outpatient rehab services. I have a complete guide on Alternatives to Rehab, which has over a dozen different options to select from. You may find success decreasing your number of drinks by a set amount each day. You could do one a day if you’re very weary of withdrawal symptoms, but you might drag it out unnecessarily.
The second situation involves counting the daily drinks and switching them to a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer. Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink. Consuming a lighter alcoholic drink like beer also makes it easier for someone to stay hydrated throughout the taper.