How to Safely Taper Off Alcohol Safely Quit Drinking

Angelo Vertti, 30 de dezembro de 2020

Some people avoid medically supervised rehab because they prefer natural remedies for alcohol withdrawal. Slowly tapering off alcohol is the safest way to naturally overcome alcohol withdrawal, and many at-home remedies can help you cope with mild withdrawal symptoms. However, medical treatment is necessary to treat major symptoms of withdrawal. Tapering off alcohol at home versus under medical supervision can also lengthen the process, for the sake of safety. Unlike a home environment, medical detox services have the professional support and resources necessary to treat severe withdrawal symptoms.

Cold Turkey Method

Aside from unavoidable triggers, tapering off alcohol can also have side effects which can be difficult to manage at home. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or sober living houses can help you get connected with peers who are going through the same journey as you are. Direct tapering is not recommended for liquor drinkers as it is challenging to measure Sober House amounts and can result in binge drinking. Additionally, mixed drinks may contain sugar or other additives that could exacerbate withdrawal symptoms and should be avoided during the taper. After two weeks, continue to listen to your body, adding more alcohol-free days and seeking support as needed. The plan can be adjusted and extended based on individual progress.

  • You may not need to completely reinvent your life to quit drinking, but making a few changes in your surroundings to help avoid alcohol triggers can make a big difference.
  • At Orlando Recovery Center Drug and Alcohol Rehab, we offer many alcohol addiction treatment options led by train medical professionals.

How to Talk to Someone about Your Alcohol or Drug Use

However, individuals may encounter several challenges during this process. One of the primary challenges is managing the withdrawal symptoms that can occur even with a gradual reduction in alcohol intake. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe health issues, making the tapering process difficult without proper guidance and support. Adjusting an alcohol taper schedule is a critical step in safely managing withdrawal symptoms and ensuring a successful reduction in alcohol consumption. The taper schedule must be flexible to accommodate individual responses and progress.

Lincoln Recovery

Tapering is also a strategy used by people with a substance or alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, improper tapering could lead to relapse, overdose, and severe health consequences. Weaning off alcohol gives your body chemistry a chance to adjust, reducing the shock to your system. It also lets you start working new habits and routines into your day to replace drinking, starting the transition. Rather than beginning your sober life drained and dazed from a week of feeling ill, you can already be getting on your feet. They can be managed with prescribed medications such as benzodiazepines.

If you keep drinking too much then only buy enough for 1 day at a time. Going from 750ml liquor per day to lite beer is a big cut down and not a taper. One factor to remember is that the discomfort of withdrawal is only temporary. This thought process can be a useful mental tool when the physical pain of withdrawal is most severe.

Impaired Driving

Meditation can help clear your mind to focus on what really matters. It pulls you out of a reactive state of mind and into a proactive state, which can be a powerful tool in helping treat alcohol withdrawal. There are two types of triggers that can set off a person’s urge to drink. External triggers are people, places, things, or times that offer opportunities to drink and remind a person of alcohol. Internal triggers are thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations that cause a person to drink. Being exposed to either form of a trigger can result in unwanted relapse.

That said, If you’ve been drinking excessively, then stopping drinking cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Over time, this can help you slow down and make more intentional choices about how much you’re drinking. You can read all about mindful drinking in this article by a licensed therapist at Monument. Contact emergency health services if you or someone you know experiences more than one symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal. Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about tapering off alcohol.

What vitamins and supplements help with alcohol withdrawal?

For example, depression could cause suicidal thoughts, and eating poorly can weaken your immune system. By talking with your doctor or an addiction treatment specialist, together you can determine a safe tapering schedule that suits your needs. Medical detox programs for alcohol dependency commonly offer medications https://thechigacoguide.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ to ease the discomfort or pain of withdrawal. This is a benefit that isn’t available to all who attempt to taper at home. Medicines can be used to reduce nausea, severe anxiety, other flu-like symptoms, and treat seizures. Many people can recover by going to a specialized rehab center that uses proven treatments.

best way to taper off alcohol

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 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. When they suddenly quit drinking, the brain continues its hyperactivity, but alcohol no longer suppresses the effects. This can cause seizures and delirium tremens, a severe form of withdrawal marked by tremors and hallucinations.