How to Taper off Alcohol Safely and Effectively
While the safest way to taper is with professional help in a detox facility, this may not be an option for everyone. A person may need to detox at home for many reasons, including cost or time. A substitution Top 5 Advantages of Staying in a Sober Living House taper can involve substituting 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.
Who is likely to have significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
The effects of alcohol can vary depending on weight, gender, age and other factors. Each person’s alcohol metabolism is different, and even though a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .085 is considered legal intoxication, a BAC lower than .08 may adversely affect some people. Get professional treatment and long-term support to prevent relapse.
You Experience Withdrawals When You Stop Drinking
Alcohol tapering is definitely possible, but the question of whether or not it works is not quite as straightforward. In the same way that everyone person is unique and their experience with addiction is going to be unique, the most effective method of recovery is also going to vary from person to person. It can take between two to four days for the symptoms of delirium tremens to fully manifest, and at least another three days for them to run their course. Aside from unavoidable triggers, tapering off alcohol can also have side effects which can be difficult to manage at home.
Create a Plan
Working with a medical professional to taper your alcohol consumption can help the likelihood and severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Instead of quitting alcohol cold turkey, you can steadily reduce your consumption so that your body has time to gradually readjust to absence of alcohol. It’s important https://megapolisnews.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ to note that stopping drinking can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It’s vital to speak with a medical professional before you begin weaning off alcohol to ensure you have a plan to do so safely. Alcohol tapering is a medically guided strategy for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Does an instance of alcohol withdrawal mean that I can never safely drink again?
However, here is a sample timeline of what the average person can expect. It is important to only attempt a taper while under a doctor’s care. However, understanding how an alcohol taper works and what the process is like can help you prepare yourself and find the support you need. Replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcohol drinks is a great method of helping during a taper. By substituting alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic drinks, you can still engage in most of your habit without getting the alcohol that makes it addictive.
- People who try tapering off alcohol won’t have the guided support of medical professionals that they would at inpatient treatment.
- The most significant factor is whether or not you’ve become chemically dependent.
- This can help address the habitual aspect of drinking, like having a beverage in hand at social events without the alcohol content.
- Another strategy for a successful taper is to drink just enough to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.
- Each of these challenges requires a unique approach and often the support of professionals, loved ones and support groups.
- If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, contact us to learn more and get started with alcohol addiction treatment.
- If an individual experiences severe withdrawal symptoms, such as increased anxiety, shaking, or signs of delirium tremens, it may be necessary to slow down the tapering process.
Decreased Risk of Alcohol-Related Death
Avoiding the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
- But, as many in recovery will tell you, it is only the first chapter in a long process.
- Finally, finding a therapist or a recovery coach can help you develop new coping mechanisms and move forward in your life.
- Overstimulation in your nervous system can affect important unconscious functions like your heart rate, blood pressure, and electrical impulses.
- Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.
- Quitting cold turkey involves suddenly stopping all alcohol use, while tapering involves slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person drinks daily.