Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment

Choosing to taper off alcohol is an admirable decision and a step in the right direction. As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder. But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done. We’re here 24/7 to help you get the care you need to live life on your terms, without drugs or alcohol. Talk to our recovery specialists today and learn about our integrated treatment programs. Alcohol addiction is characterized by both psychological and physical dependence.

The answer is complicated, and depends on that person’s individual relationship to alcohol. Dry January (as well as its cousins Dry July and Sober October) has become a popular way for people to experiment with drinking less. Officially https://ecosoberhouse.com/ begun in Great Britain in 2013, it has grown quickly, with over four million people in the U.K. Mindful drinking means being attentive to the impact that alcohol has on you, and making conscious choices about how you consume it.

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Then come up with a reduction rate you think will be safe, and that you can stick to. Relapses happen during rehabilitation, but what’s important is how you move forward from it. You may want to talk with a loved one or therapist about why it happened and what you can do differently next time. Keep it interesting and varied with sparkling water, virgin cocktails (also known as mocktails), fruit juices, low-fat milk, or kombucha. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers on hand that includes contact info for your doctor, the police, a nearby hospital, and someone you trust.

It’s best to speak to a doctor first, especially if you have a heavier drinking habit and you expect more severe withdrawal symptoms. You may be able to cut back on your drinking ahead of time, which will lessen the effects of withdrawal. Ria Health offers access to many of these tools, including prescription medications, recovery coaching, and online support groups—all through a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app. Creating a tapering schedule you can stick with is a crucial part of weaning yourself off alcohol. The best schedule varies based on how much you drink each day and your overall health. As mentioned above, we strongly recommend speaking with a doctor to ensure your plan is a safe one, and won’t cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Hospital Detox

Using alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress or negative emotions and experiencing difficulty stopping after a few drinks also signals an issue. Intensive inpatient medical rehabs offer the highest level of care and monitoring. These programs can keep you safe and medically stable while you taper off dangerous drugs. Some inpatient detox programs rely on peer support along with some medical care.

• Establishing new habits and routines, and dealing with the underlying causes of your drinking habits, are essential to lasting recovery.
• By slowly reducing your drinking over time instead of stopping suddenly, you allow your brain to change its GABA production.
• As you begin to notice those health benefits, you’ll likely feel more energized and inspired to keep up your progress.
• By Sarah Bence

  Sarah Bence, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and freelance writer.

A direct taper means drinking the regular substance of choice but lowering the amount that’s consumed every day. Someone should only direct taper if their drink of choice is beer with a low alcohol percentage. All of these withdrawal symptoms are common during acute how to taper off alcohol alcohol withdrawal syndrome. For example, depression could cause suicidal thoughts, and eating poorly can weaken your immune system. If you’re more of a moderate to occasional drinker, you may find the hardest part of stopping drinking to be the social pressures.

Sample Alcohol Tapering Schedule

The amount of time it takes to taper off of alcohol can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may be able to taper quickly and quit alcohol completely, while others may take a longer time. But making the difficult decision to cut back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper.

• Or, you may find that quitting all at once is too drastic and decide to start by practicing harm reduction.
• However, learning more about how an alcohol taper works can help you prepare to quit.
• You can also get help by reaching out to a professional rehab facility directly, like The Recovery Village.

Avoid taking prescription drugs that your doctor hasn’t prescribed to you. If withdrawal is so uncomfortable that you’re turning to drugs for comfort, you should contact your doctor or a rehab center to discuss medically supervised withdrawal. Late symptoms begin between two and four days after the last drink, and they usually include changes in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Serious symptoms caused by delirium tremens include hallucination and seizure.

If you simply show up and you’re not having a medical emergency, they might just refer you to a local substance abuse treatment center. It’s physically dangerous, and it may also cause emotional instability. Discussing these issues with a loved one can help you avoid relapse. If you’re ready to quit drinking alcohol, but unsure where to find help, Ria Health may have a solution that works for you. Our program offers access to expert medical advice, prescription medications, recovery coaches, online support groups, and digital tracking tools, all through your smartphone. As previously mentioned, there are situations in which quitting alcohol can be dangerous.

Attempting to quit alcohol abruptly without professional supervision can lead to these dangerous complications, especially if you’re used to larger amounts of alcohol consumption. A detox and rehab center can best serve most individuals looking for recovery services due to the availability of therapy and treatment. 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. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness. We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful.

How to Taper Off Alcohol at Home

As it turns out, thinking of alcoholism as a medical condition opens up new solutions for managing it, or solving the problem. However, for many, the right combination of stress and environmental factors can set this chain reaction in motion. For some people, alcohol has been or continues to be a problem in their lives, and they have chosen to avoid it. For others, it seems to fulfill an ordinary social role—easing communication, helping them feel relaxed in new situations, or simply helping them unwind after a long day.

• Alcohol addiction is characterized by both psychological and physical dependence.
• Individuals should be prepared to be uncomfortable during this period and have someone on call in case medical help is needed.
• For this reason, it is best to seek medical advice on whether you should taper at home or under medical observation.
• A doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine as part of the tapering process.
• None require you to believe in a higher power, or work within the 12 steps.
• But if you still have control over your drinking and want to drink less, you may be able to self-taper.

By opening up about your relationship with alcohol, you might also encourage others to explore their own drinking habits. To stop drinking alcohol, you first need to understand your relationship with drinking. From there, you may need social support, consistent self-care, and new routines that can help redirect your mind. Therapy can help you understand why you drink and learn new habits so you can live a healthy lifestyle that doesn’t rely on alcohol as a crutch. It can also help you gain a new perspective as you consider how your life will change without alcohol. 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.

How To Wean Yourself off Alcohol Safely

Getting professional treatment and long-term support are two of the most valuable strategies for avoiding relapse. Cutting down your alcohol intake may not be as easy as it sounds. People who want to reduce their alcohol consumption often do not realize how much of their social and daily routines alcohol has become.

Cautious tapering may take longer than medically supervised detox, but it will help you avoid major health problems. Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening in some cases, safety is crucial when you work towards sobriety. Little scientific evidence exists regarding tapers, but medical detox has been proven to be a safe and effectiveway to quit drinking.

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