“I say that we both ended up winning because it changed my perspective entirely about how alcohol is affecting my brain, my body, my mood, my life, and my career,” she says. Luckily, these expert tips for people looking to drink less make it a lot simpler. To learn about how our substance abuse treatment programs address alcohol dependence and withdrawal management, please contact us today. All of these withdrawal symptoms are common during acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. For example, depression could cause suicidal thoughts, and eating poorly can weaken your immune system. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when alcohol use is suddenly stopped, removing its suppressing effect.
Usually, alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur within 12–24 hours after stopping alcohol and can last 2–10 days. Ideally, your support network will include mental health, medical, and addiction treatment professionals, as well as friends and family. Because symptoms such as seizures and delirium tremens can be fatal, reducing alcohol consumption can be dangerous for some. It is therefore extremely important that you talk to your doctor before you start the process of weaning off alcohol.
What Is Alcohol Tapering?
Is alcohol beginning to take up more and more of your time, budget, and life? You may be wondering how to begin the process of ridding yourself or your loved one of alcohol use once and for all. You can also take the lead in other ways by volunteering to host or inviting people to get togethers where alcohol isn’t center-stage or even present at all, says Young. 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).
Delay your drinking by 30 minutes.
By gradually decreasing alcohol consumption over time, individuals can adjust to lower alcohol levels without triggering severe withdrawal symptoms. Research indicates that a carefully managed tapering schedule can decrease the likelihood of relapse and facilitate a smoother transition to abstinence. Cutting back your drinking each day can help your body and mind adjust to a new normal. But the idea of alcohol tapering, the gradual reduction of alcohol, might seem counterintuitive. After all, you’re trying to stop or lessen drinking, not continue.
Everyone is different, so it’s ultimately up to you to decide if you want to taper or not. The rest of this guide addresses pre-planning, withdrawal symptoms, planning, creating a taper schedule, and the next steps after a taper. I’d encourage you to read them all, but at the very least, please read the sections on withdrawal symptoms and the schedule itself. While it is possible for some to wean off alcohol at home, it is highly inadvisable to do so without first consulting with medical and addiction treatment professionals.
- Are you tapering because you physically depend on alcohol, or are you tapering because you want an excuse to drink longer?
- In fact, a relapse can be a valuable learning experience that helps you avoid slipping in the future.
- The search for addiction and mental health treatment can be overwhelming.
- The last thing you want is to run out of booze at three in the morning thinking you’re about to have a seizure.
- Figuring out where to start your alcohol taper schedule can be challenging.
There are many other potential diseases that long-term alcohol use can cause, and it is important sober house to stop using alcohol heavily if you are. A taper may help you to get off of alcohol; however, medical detox is typically recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. Your body needs time to adjust to the changes it will experience. Respect your body’s need to heal and avoid any extreme activity levels beyond what you would normally do. If you’re self-tapering, I assume you don’t want to go to rehab. You can try out any of the things in my guide on Alternatives To Inpatient Drug Rehab.
Alcohol Rehab
Depending on how much alcohol you drink to start with, the amount of time an alcohol weaning schedule takes may vary. For example, those who drink more heavily may need more time to taper than those who drink less alcohol. Further, if you start to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the taper, your doctor may instruct you to pause or slow the taper as a result. These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper. Anyone wanting to stop using alcohol may benefit from tapering if they first consult with their doctor to ensure they are tapering safely. Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or the resources needed to get a professional detox.
Adjusting the Tapering Schedule
“Replacing time or events spent drinking with other enjoyable activities is helpful. Exercise, family time, or cooking may provide distraction and promote your https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ wellness,” Dr Lee said. Choosing a drink with less alcohol content can help people taper. You might select a light beer instead of a harder liquor, like whiskey. To curb habitual drinking, alternating between alcohol and water is useful. If you start to experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
A popular way to taper off alcohol is to gradually reduce the number of drinks you consume over a period of time. For example, if you normally drink 6 glasses of wine each night, you can try reducing that to 5 glasses of wine a night. After several days of 5 glasses of wine, you can reduce that down to 4. Eventually, after a period of time, you will have tapered down to zero drinks.
Have you ever been out to dinner and the first person to order gets an espresso martini and then suddenly everyone else at the table orders an espresso martini? That’s because drinking can also be about sharing an experience, says Sheinbaum. The thing is, your shared experience doesn’t have to be with alcohol. Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs. About 10 percent of people experience more severe symptoms, such as fever, fast breathing, and heavy sweating. Educate your loved ones on dangerous symptoms, too, so they can look out for you and get you medical attention if you need it.
- The goal of tapering down is to make a gradual change while causing less stress on your body, both physically and emotionally.
- They shouldn’t hold you down and there’s no real need to worry about choking on your tongue.
- Various treatment programs are available to help you recover from addiction.
- Develop alternative plans for social interactions, such as organizing outings that don’t revolve around alcohol, like going for coffee or attending a fitness class.
- Identifying triggers for alcohol use is a crucial step in managing cravings effectively.
Find out if Cigna covers addiction treatment in Kansas and explore your options for comprehensive care. Doing a dry challenge with a friend gives you a built-in support to vent to and cheer you on. Having a conversation in advance can also help set expectations on your friends’ part.
Establishing new habits and routines, and dealing with the underlying causes of your drinking habits, are essential to lasting recovery. Alcohol also changes your brain chemistry, which can result in higher levels of anxiety and depression for the first several months. Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems. If you have a severe alcohol addiction, it might be best to seek professional addiction treatment. It’s always best to speak with a healthcare provider when changing your relationship with alcohol. Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking.
If cravings become overwhelming, reach out for professional help or contact support services like SAMHSA’s National Helpline for additional resources. Remember to set milestones and celebrate achievements, which reinforces dedication and progress toward a healthier, alcohol-free lifestyle. Depending on the organ and whether or not there has been relapse(s), recovery is possible. There is hope that even after years of heavy alcohol use, the liver has the ability to regenerate or regrow.
Alcohol treatment uses various methods to help with withdrawal and addiction. With these interventions, people can find health and happiness in sobriety. Staying hydrated and maintaining proper nutrition is also vital, as alcohol withdrawal can lead to dehydration and nutrient imbalances. Proper hydration and nutrition can alleviate some withdrawal symptoms and support overall health during the tapering process.