How to Wean Off Alcohol & Safely Taper Drinking

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how to wean off alcohol

Explore the 5 levels of care in rehab, guiding recovery from addiction with the ASAM criteria for effective treatment. If drug treatment programs don’t seem to help my daughter, explore supportive measures and effective resources. Dietary guidelines recommend that how to wean off alcohol if you drink, men limit daily drinking to two drinks or less per day and women limit their drinking to one drink or less per day. Consuming more than that can lead to liver damage and heart disease, and increase your risk for some cancers. Maybe you’ve never been interested in logging your innermost thoughts, but journaling can be a great tool to track your feelings as you work on quitting alcohol.

  • Most healthcare professionals recommend a medically-assisted detox as the best way to get off alcohol.
  • In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.
  • It can be helpful to make a plan ahead of time for how to handle a relapse.
  • Mixing alcohol with certain medications can have adverse effects on health.
  • There are several ways to taper your alcohol consumption without therapy.
  • If the drink of choice is liquor, it is difficult to measure amounts and easy to binge drink.

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

This being the case, it can be scary and feel a little counterproductive to go through a more dangerous withdrawal process than is necessary. Following your provider’s tapering recommendations makes withdrawing from alcohol safer. Remember, overcoming alcohol dependency is a journey that requires commitment, patience, and support.

Medications for Withdrawal Symptoms

If you’re unable to reduce how much you drink, you may have a disease called alcoholism that requires professional addiction treatment. Alcohol rehab helps you taper off alcohol, and it treats other side effects and causes of alcoholism. You should plan to taper for between three and seven days depending on how much you’re used to drinking. Slowly reduce the amount of alcohol you consume each day until you reach sobriety.

how to wean off alcohol

Ready to Break Free From Addiction?

  • When done under medical supervision, tapering off alcohol has few downsides.
  • By gradually drinking less instead of stopping cold turkey, your body has a chance to adapt to smaller and less frequent drinks.
  • Tapering refers to gradually reducing alcohol intake rather than stopping abruptly.
  • Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can start as early as 6 hours after the last drink and can range from mild to severe, depending on the amount and duration of alcohol consumption.

They can be managed with prescribed medications such as benzodiazepines. Maintaining a calm and comfortable environment, staying hydrated and avoiding stimulants like caffeine is also helpful. If you have the shakes, medical intervention is typically necessary, as shakes can be a sign of more serious withdrawal complications. Like deep breathing, meditation can help you stay balanced and relaxed during your withdrawal. At times, it’s easy to forget why you entered recovery in the first place. Meditation can help clear your mind to focus on what really matters.

how to wean off alcohol

Alcohol Tapering Strategies

If withdrawal symptoms become severe, it may be necessary to adjust your tapering plan or seek immediate medical attention 2. However, remember that every individual is different, and what works for one person may not be safe for everyone. It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting an alcohol tapering plan. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back.

Drugs & Supplements

how to wean off alcohol

These symptoms may start a few hours or a few days after your last drink of alcohol. Sometimes, symptoms may be severe enough to require medical treatment at a hospital or rehabilitation facility. Here are suggestions for how to get through alcohol withdrawal at home. Long-term alcohol use can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and physical dependence.

how to wean off alcohol

Tapering is meant to reduce the withdrawal symptoms from quitting alcohol, but this isn’t a guarantee. As mentioned above, many people will still experience some level of withdrawal, just to a lesser degree. Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems. If you have a severe alcohol addiction, it might be best to seek professional addiction treatment. If you’ve been drinking for a long time, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking.

Treatment for alcohol withdrawal involves a combination of nonpharmacological approaches and pharmacotherapy. Nonpharmacological approaches, such as supportive counseling, education, and creating a safe environment, are suitable for individuals with mild symptoms. Pharmacotherapy, particularly benzodiazepines, is recommended for those with more severe symptoms. Prompt treatment, even for mild symptoms, can help prevent the development of more severe withdrawal symptoms in subsequent episodes 6. Recognizing and avoiding triggers that may lead to heavy drinking is crucial for successful alcohol withdrawal. Triggers can be external stimuli or internal emotions and situations that prompt the desire to drink.

  • Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or the resources needed to get a professional detox.
  • Discover how the effects of alcohol are ruining my family and explore paths to healing and support.
  • Discover 10 ideas to help you give up alcohol and empower change for a healthier, happier life.
  • You may be able to detox at home and recover from alcoholism with the help of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcohol Tapering Methods

These vitamins and minerals help support nerve function and overall health, which can be compromised due to long-term alcohol use. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplements, as they can advise on the most appropriate regimen based on individual health needs. Remember that everyone’s journey to sobriety is unique, and it’s important to find the support and strategies that work best for you. Alongside professional help, developing healthy habits, avoiding triggers, and seeking support from friends and family can contribute to a successful alcohol tapering process. Utilizing resources such as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) can provide additional guidance and support throughout your journey.

The Link Between Hypnosis and Drug Addiction

For example, if you start to suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms despite an attempt to taper, your symptoms may worsen before you have the chance to seek medical attention. For this reason, even at-home tapers should be done under a doctor’s care. For people with moderate to severe alcohol addiction, utilizing an alcohol detox center is always the safest option. Alcohol detox centers have professionals trained to recognize and treat complications caused by alcohol withdrawal. Because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, quitting drinking can cause your body to have too much of an excitatory substance called glutamate as it tries to rebalance.

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