Further, the severity of withdrawal symptoms can cause a person to resort back to drinking alcohol to relieve any symptoms. However, doing so without the guidance of a physician, can complicate tapering and ultimately delay when, if ever, sobriety is reached. Benzodiazepines are the most common medications physicians use to taper alcohol and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Before a doctor begins a tapering plan with medications, they will assess the medical stability, including vital sign stability, and pattern of withdrawal symptoms in the patient.
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them. Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it. When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated. Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results. Thus, a user will likely seek out alcohol again to rid themselves of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms timeline
When you consider how to go about giving up alcohol, account for factors like how much you drink and your reasons for drinking. Start by estimating how much you drink on a daily basis—and be honest with yourself. It can help to make use of standard drink measurements, as mentioned above.
The hardest thing will probably be to stop yourself from starting again. I’ll be honest, your chances of staying sober on your own are slim to none. It doesn’t mean you have to go to rehab (though that’s certainly an option). 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. If you think you’re tapering too quickly, it’s okay to slow down.
How Do You Safely Taper Off Alcohol?
I’m specifically talking about things like weed, cigarettes, and vaping. From what I understand, most hospitals WILL give you 3-5 days worth of benzos to taper with at home. Most doctors would rather save the beds in their psych wards for people who are actually suicidal and send you home. Delirium tremens (DTs) can begin 48 hours after your last drink and last up to five days.
This can taper you off alcohol while still helping you keep up with your normal drinking routine, making the process easier. If you need help figuring out how to taper off alcohol, or want to find alcohol detox services near you, our treatment specialists at Vertava Health can help. While the safest way to taper is with professional help in a detox facility, this may not be an option for everyone.
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The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Only people how to taper off alcohol who are tapering down from very large quantities of alcohol such as a liter of vodka per day will need to start drinking in the morning in order to taper. If you are tapering from smaller quantities and feel no withdrawal symptoms until afternoon or evening then you can wait until then to consume your taper beers.
- Those who are dependent on alcohol can taper off safely by engaging with supervised medical detoxification at one of our pet-friendly treatment facilities.
- Someone should only direct taper if their drink of choice is beer with a low alcohol percentage.
- Alcohol detox centers have professionals trained to recognize and treat complications caused by alcohol withdrawal.
- Medical detox may include psychological support to address the emotional aspects of addiction and help individuals prepare for ongoing treatment.
Although the symptoms can vary for each person based on personal factors, many people share common experiences during this process. Substituting a prescription drug for alcohol should only happen with the help of a medical professional. No one should ever attempt a substitution taper with prescription medication unless their doctor specifically prescribed it for that purpose in a medical detox program.
If you choose to drink water make sure that you get enough salt for electrolyte balance so that you avoid water intoxication. The length of the tapering process can vary based on the needs of the person. People with a greater dependency on alcohol may need to stretch out the process to gradually reduce their alcohol intake. If you are tapering yourself off alcohol for the first time, it can be helpful to know what symptoms to expect during the process.
- This is because drinking heavily over a long period can cause your body to become physically dependent on alcohol.
- Because tapering can be tricky and alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, you should never start a taper before talking to your doctor.
- This can give your body the chance to adjust, helping you avoid the worst of withdrawal symptoms.
- Generally, alcohol-free days are better towards the end of a gradual reduction, not towards the beginning.
