In medical detox, you receive around-the-clock care from doctors and nurses to help prevent and treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and their complications. This can set you up for a safe and effective detox and put you in a good position to continue your recovery in rehab. Managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms requires a comprehensive approach that involves medical supervision, personal support, and appropriate medications when necessary. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Taper Off Alcohol Safely?
However, weaning yourself off alcohol can help make the transition easier and less overwhelming. Mild withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and tremors. On the other hand, severe withdrawal symptoms can include hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens (DTs). If you typically drink liquor or mixed drinks, a direct taper can become tricky. Liquor is harder to measure accurately, and mixed drinks often include sweeteners or other additives that might disrupt a steady reduction plan or worsen certain withdrawal symptoms.
Tapering vs Cold Turkey
If you continue to drink, your body will come to rely on alcohol to maintain its chemical balance. As your body adapts to alcohol, it will change its natural chemical balance to include alcohol. Quitting will cause your body’s chemical balance to be thrown off suddenly, leading to withdrawal symptoms. The most secure way to taper is often under the guidance of a medical detox program, but not everyone has access to or can afford such care. Some individuals opt to taper at home due to time constraints or financial considerations. If you’re going with a substitution taper, you may substitute one drink each day for another each day.
Vitamin C deficiency is particularly common in individuals with alcohol use disorder. This deficiency can result in various issues, including problems with wound healing, swollen and bleeding gums, tooth loss, and jaundice 1. Orlando Recovery Center specializes in compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your needs. Addressing these hurdles often involves professional support, a personal support network and sometimes group recovery meetings.
How To Taper Off Alcohol
Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. Contact emergency health services if you or someone you know experiences more than one symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal. 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.
- Medically assisted detox and addiction treatment can give you the best chances for tapering your drug or alcohol use.
- Tucked away from the noise of the city, our residential treatment center offers a peaceful escape with sweeping panoramic views of Los Angeles in the distance.
- Despite the challenges, tapering off alcohol can lead to significant health improvements and overall quality of life.
However, tapering can sometimes be unsafe if you attempt to do so on your own without a doctor’s knowledge. For example, if you start to suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms despite an attempt to taper, your symptoms may worsen before you have the chance to seek medical attention. For this reason, even at-home tapers should be done under a doctor’s care. It can be tempting to just “rip off the Band-Aid” when getting sober, but tapering off alcohol is often much safer—and much less stressful.
Does Alcohol Tapering Work?
- When it comes to weaning yourself off of alcohol, identifying your triggers is a crucial step.
- Friends, family, support groups, or professional counselors can provide encouragement, guidance, and accountability.
- When we identify a patient with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, we determine the severity of the withdrawal risk and then place the patient in a level of care appropriate for that particular patient.
- Alcohol withdrawal can be a challenging and potentially dangerous process.
- Although it is possible to taper at home, having medical supervision and assistance can ensure a successful taper.
As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper. Withdrawal usually begins 6 to 8 hours after the last drink drug addiction treatment and peaks within 72 hours. Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection. Diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis are more frequent in individuals who chronically drink. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.
Setting Goals and Creating a Plan
Online support groups provide a virtual community for individuals going through similar experiences with alcohol dependence. These groups offer a supportive environment where individuals can share their struggles, successes, and coping strategies. Participating in online support groups allows individuals to receive encouragement, advice, and a sense of belonging from others who understand their journey. In times of crisis related to alcohol use, individuals can call or text 988 for immediate help and support in the United States 6. This helpline provides confidential and free assistance to individuals seeking guidance and resources related to alcohol dependence.
This comprehensive approach significantly increases the chances of maintaining long-term sobriety and achieving a healthier, more fulfilling life. These symptoms typically appear within six to 24 hours after the last drink and may persist for several days. However, it’s important to note that the severity and duration of symptoms can vary based on individual circumstances, such as the amount and duration of alcohol consumption. It’s also vital to consult a doctor about any withdrawal symptoms, even if they appear mild at first, such as slight tremors or nervousness.
So, can you just stop taking naltrexone without consulting with a doctor? Generally, alcohol withdrawal starts within eight hours of the last drink but can occur anytime within the first several days after you stop drinking. In most cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak after 24–72 hours but may continue for weeks. They can create a taper schedule to decrease your benzo dose over time.
This can taper you off alcohol while still helping you keep up with your normal drinking routine, making the process easier. If you find it difficult to cut down on your number of drinks per day, can you wean off alcohol try making your drinks weaker by using less alcohol per drink. You may also find it easier to stick to your taper schedule if you avoid certain places and situations. Weaning off alcohol involves gradually decreasing the amount of alcohol you drink.
Together, you can develop a plan that works for you and increase your chances of success. Additionally, these programs may include medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Medications such as benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, or beta blockers may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, or elevated blood pressure. However, it is crucial to remember that medications should only be taken under medical supervision to ensure their safe and effective use. Either option can help you limit severe withdrawal effects, but which method is right for you can depend on personal factors like your typical drinking habits and health needs. Tapering involves gradually and progressively reducing your alcohol consumption over time.
