A taper might be helpful for those who find they cannot stop drinking without experiencing negative symptoms. When it comes to managing alcohol withdrawal, there are several strategies and resources available to ensure a safe and successful journey towards sobriety. Two important aspects to consider are medical detoxification programs and the role of vitamin supplements. Alcohol withdrawal can be a challenging and potentially dangerous process.
Why Alcohol Withdrawal Occurs
Dr. Streem suggests starting with the World Health Organization’s Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). It can be a particularly helpful way to help you get a clearer understanding of your drinking habits and your relationship with alcohol. It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol. If you’ve been unable to quit on your own, you should consider attending an alcohol rehab center. It teaches you healthy ways to cope with stress and techniques for overcoming the underlying causes of alcohol addiction.
Measure your drinks.
Tapering off alcohol is not the most beneficial option for everyone. People who are severely dependent or addicted to alcohol should seek medical support for alcohol detox. If the drink of choice is liquor, it is difficult to measure amounts and easy to binge drink. If it is a mixed drink, it can contain sugar or other additives that should not be included in the taper and may worsen the effects of withdrawal symptoms.
- Some people can taper quickly and quit alcohol completely, while others may take longer.
- Don’t try to reduce your alcohol intake based on what feels right.
- The key is to find a method that aligns with your goals and ensures safety during the transition.
- This involves carefully assessing your current alcohol consumption, setting achievable goals, and continuously monitoring and adjusting your plan as needed.
When to Seek Help
Serious symptoms caused by delirium tremens include hallucination and seizure. If you’re used to drinking less than 20 beers per day, HAMS recommends reducing your alcohol consumption by two beers per day until you achieve sobriety. how to taper off alcohol You should start by determining how much alcohol you drink per day in terms of standard drinks. Establishing new habits and routines, and dealing with the underlying causes of your drinking habits, are essential to lasting recovery.
Strategies for Weaning off Alcohol
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. If you taper off alcohol slowly or with medical supervision, the brain has time to adapt without causing severe side effects. In alcohol detox treatment, medical providers work to safely remove alcohol from your body so that you don’t experience painful or uncomfortable withdrawal. Detox treatment usually occurs in a detox center such as a hospital or treatment facility under the supervision of medical professionals. They monitor you, provide what you need throughout the process, and administer medications to help slowly wean you off of alcohol.
If you suddenly quit drinking, your brain can start to make more of an excitatory substance called glutamate. This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous. If your alcohol use has been heavy and chronic, talk to a doctor about medically supervised detox. If you detox at home, talk to a healthcare provider about medications that may help and use self-care strategies to make it easier to cope with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. If you are a frequent drinker determined to reduce or stop your alcohol intake, the safest way to do this at home is through a gradual tapering process.
- The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.
- With these things in mind, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of tapering your alcohol use to make a fully informed decision.
- For example, one 12-ounce can of beer contains roughly the same amount of alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a mixed drink containing 1.5 ounces of alcohol.
- This method works best with gradual reduction, as alcohol withdrawal symptoms can start within 12–24 hours after stopping drinking.
A sample taper schedule involves calculating the number of drinks consumed per day. After this is calculated, make a schedule where you consume your normal amount on the first day and make regular reductions each day after. A substitution taper can involve substituting https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a prescription drug for alcohol. It can also involve substituting the drink of choice with another drink; for example, a person may taper off hard alcohol with beer. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms consistent with DTs, call 911.
How to Know When It’s Time to Cut Back
Long-term alcohol use can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and physical dependence. If your body becomes physically dependent on alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Studies have shown that 13–71% of people undergoing alcohol detox develop withdrawal symptoms. Factors such as pattern of alcohol use, other medical conditions, genetics and how your body responds to alcohol can play a role in withdrawal symptoms. For individuals looking to wean themselves off alcohol safely, seeking professional help is highly recommended. Professional assistance can provide the necessary support, guidance, and medical supervision to ensure a successful recovery journey.
- This is particularly true when the symptoms are severe and potentially life-threatening.
- Your liver can start to heal, your risks of heart disease and cancer go down, and you may begin to sleep better.
- Sometimes, people think that they don’t need medical help if their symptoms are mild.
- Certain vitamins have shown potential benefits in supporting individuals during alcohol withdrawal.
- It is therefore extremely important that you talk to your doctor before you start the process of weaning off alcohol.
- The goal of tapering is to make the withdrawal process safer and more bearable.
Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.
