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These techniques provide healthy alternatives to manage stress and promote overall well-being. It is important to note that symptoms such as changes in sleep, mood, and fatigue may persist for months after alcohol withdrawal. Seeking medical guidance and support during this process is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.
Can Tapering Off Alcohol Work?
Triggers are situations or emotions that make you want to drink, and they can vary from person to person. By taking the time to identify your triggers, you can develop strategies to avoid or manage them, which can help you stay on track with your goals. If that is, in fact, the case, and they are going to experience the symptoms of withdrawal anyway, then it might be more helpful for them to undergo a more streamlined and straightforward detox process. This should, of course, still be done under the care and supervision of a medical professional at a treatment center specializing in medical detoxification. Fortunately, deaths resulting from alcohol withdrawal are a rare occurrence.
Treatment is the best way to ensure long-term abstinence from alcohol. This is especially true if you are suffering from an alcohol use disorder. Addiction alters the chemical balance in a person’s brain, making it extremely difficult to quit drinking alcohol on one’s own. Another strategy for a successful taper is to drink just enough to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. If you find it is difficult to prevent yourself from drinking too much and getting drunk, locking your alcohol up in a cabinet and giving your friend or family member the key can help. Although with this method, it is important that the friend or family member is accessible when symptoms of withdrawals such as tremors return.
How Long Can You Stay in Inpatient Rehab?
Alcohol will increase the effect of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) – the neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that creates feelings of peace and relaxation. However, chronic alcohol use will suppress GABA activity in such a way that progressively increased amounts of alcohol are needed to produce the desired effects – which is known as tolerance. Chronic alcohol use also suppresses glutamate activity, the neurotransmitter that produces feelings of excitement. In excessive alcohol users, the glutamate system has to function at a higher level to maintain equilibrium.
How does alcohol affect personal relationships?
Figuring out where to start your alcohol taper schedule can be challenging. Counting each drink you consume may seem simple, but all drinks are not created equal. The alcohol content itself is important, and it depends on the percentage of alcohol, the proof of the alcohol and the actual amount of alcohol in the drink. You also need to be in contact with licensed and trained mental health providers who specialize in substance use challenges so that you receive the medical direction and supervision you need. In this blog, we will explore a step-by-step guide on how to taper off alcohol safely.
You may find success decreasing your number of drinks by a set amount each day. You could do one a day if you’re very weary of withdrawal symptoms, but you might drag it out unnecessarily. It’s important to communicate your goals and intentions to your support system, as they can help you stay motivated and hold you accountable.
Treatment Programs
Some people who have repeatedly gone through cold turkey withdrawal without tapering off become more and more likely to have bad withdrawals form even small amounts of alcohol. People who have undergone kindling can suffer withdrawal seizures from drinking as little as a six pack of beer. Some decades ago some detox facilities forced clients to undergo cold turkey withdrawal to “teach them a lesson”. Not only did this fail to stop people from drinking, it resulted in many people suffering from kindling. Kudzu root has been found to significantly reduce alcohol consumption in both rat studies and human clinical trials (Benlhabib et al, 2004, Lukas et al 2005). The dosage of kudzu root for humans is two 500 mg capsules of kudzu root extract taken three times daily–a total of 3,000 mg per day.
It is essential to have a comprehensive plan that includes strategies for coping with cravings and emotional distress. Engaging in therapy, support groups, and other recovery resources can provide the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of alcohol tapering successfully. The direct taper is the first and Halfway house most obvious method to stop drinking heavily. Suppose that you usually have five to seven drinks per day at the height of your alcohol addiction. The goal of direct tapering off is to reduce your daily drinks, one drink at a time. Instead, tapering off alcohol allows you to detox from drinking slowly.
- After successfully completing detox, there are additional treatment options at Serenity Lane.
- Helping a loved one enter drug rehab involves researching treatment centers, exploring financial aid, providing emotional support, and planning for aftercare.
- It can be tempting to throw yourself into an alternative behavior or substance use in order to distract from the difficulties of recovery.
- The tapering approach may minimize withdrawal symptoms’ severity and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
- Learn how to qualify for inpatient physical rehab with comprehensive evaluations, medical criteria, insurance insights, goal setting, and discharge planning for optimal recovery.
It’s generally recommended to decrease your alcohol consumption by no more than 10% per week to minimize withdrawal symptoms and ensure a safe tapering process. In medical detox, doctors and nurses provide around-the-clock care while helping you detox from alcohol. We offer a full continuum of care and are an in-network provider for a range of insurance companies, including Aetna, Cigna and America’s Choice. Contact us today to learn more about the insurance we accept and find an alcohol addiction treatment program that can work well for your situation. As many as 71% of people who go through alcohol detox experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening, so anyone considering stopping alcohol should speak with a medical professional to determine which method is best for them.
Alcohol Rehab Options for Long-Term Recovery
The Recovery Village Columbus offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Tapering alcohol is beneficial because you can avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This is because when you drink heavily for months or years, your body can start to depend on alcohol to function normally. When you are physically dependent on a substance like alcohol, your body adapts accordingly.
Taking days off within the week is a common strategy to encourage drinking less overall. “Many people still want to enjoy socializing but are mindful of wanting to average one to two drinks per day. They often try to not drink at all during the week, and allow for moderate drinking Friday through Sunday,” Dr Lee said. Triggers such as certain people, places, or situations can increase the urge to drink. When planning how to wean off alcohol, it’s important to identify and avoid these triggers whenever possible. This might mean skipping social events where alcohol is present or finding new ways to cope with stress without turning to alcohol.
During recovery, the liver may return to its original mass and function. Antidepressant medications are not meant to be used for treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder unless there is evidence of a co-occurring disorder for which an antidepressant is an indicated treatment. Intensive therapy & support for those who do not require 24/7 hospitalization. Expert strategies to address substance use and spring break concerns with your college kid.