How to Safely Taper Off Alcohol Alcohol Detox Programs

Factors such as pattern of alcohol use, other medical conditions, genetics, and how your body responds to alcohol can all play a role in withdrawal symptoms. The main downside of cold turkey is how unpleasant and risky it can be. If you drink heavily, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be harsh, dangerous, and even fatal. For this reason, it’s generally best to avoid quitting abruptly, or at bare minimum speak with a doctor first and have someone looking out for you.

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Medications Used When Tapering Off Alcohol

A person who drinks more alcohol will probably have a longer taper than a person who drinks less alcohol. During alcohol detox, doctors closely monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs. They may also how to taper off alcohol at home prescribe medications, such as benzodiazepines, to help manage your symptoms. Once you have completely tapered off alcohol, you will have to decide if you want to follow a path of total abstinence or moderate alcohol use.

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Why Taper Off Alcohol?

While many may choose to attempt the process alone, it’s highly advised that you undergo the process under the supervision of a trained medical team via either inpatient or outpatient treatment. That way, you can rest assured that your vitals are being monitored and you are taking the necessary steps to achieve a full recovery with very minor, if any, medical complications. Going cold turkey can lead to acute alcohol withdrawal for those who have a history of long-term and/or heavy alcohol use. However, achieving sobriety is a process that can take quite some time. To speed up the processes, many choose to try going “cold turkey,” aka, stop drinking and never pick up a glass again.

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• The risk of tapering too slowly is that you won’t stick with it, while the risk of tapering too fast is severe withdrawal.
• And when we finally reach that point where a glass of wine is no longer a need but a choice, the taste of victory is far sweeter than any drink could ever be.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms consistent with DT, call 911. DT can be fatal, and a person going through them should have medical support in a hospital or rehab facility. As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life.

Red Wine and Your Health: Looking Beyond the “French Paradox”

This is a benefit that isn’t available to all who attempt to taper at home. Medicines can be used to reduce nausea, severe anxiety, other flu-like symptoms, and treat seizures. By gradually decreasing your alcohol consumption over time rather than abruptly ceasing it, you allow your brain to adjust its production of GABA and glutamate. Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site.

Small victories can build momentum, helping us stay committed to the journey. When we stop drinking all at once, rather than tapering, these symptoms can be a stressful shock to the system. The discomfort can then cause some to give up completely and return to drinking. In tapering off, you may experience less stress and potentially fewer symptoms.

If you struggle with drinking, the safest way to quit is under a doctor’s care. If you drink heavily, your doctor may recommend quitting with the help of a medical detox https://ecosoberhouse.com/ center. In medical detox, you receive around-the-clock care from doctors and nurses to help prevent and treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and their complications.

At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives. You can receive 24/7 text support right away and at your convenience. There is no obligation to enter treatment and you can opt out at any time. Educate your loved ones on dangerous symptoms, too, so they can look out for you and get you medical attention if you need it. You’ll meet hundreds of your fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.

Tapering will normally create less severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms but will spread them out over a prolonged period. Essentially, tapering provides less intense withdrawal symptoms but over a longer amount of time. From here, you can plan a schedule for gradually reducing how much you drink per day. Ideally, this schedule will be determined with the assistance of a doctor or addiction treatment professional.

It is crucial to ensure that each day’s drink count is lower than the previous day to maintain a gradual reduction. It’s also important to avoid getting stuck at a particular step, as it would defeat the purpose of the taper. Individuals can adjust the taper speed according to their preference, such as reducing the drink count by three instead of two if desired. We have taken the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure and transmission of the Coronavirus to those in our treatment programs, allowing them to focus on their recovery.

Alcohol tapers are a strategy used to slowly decrease the amount of alcohol a person consumes.

Having faced addiction in his own life, and having worked through recovery, James truly understands what it takes to get sober and stay sober. James now has the opportunity to do what he loves and help others achieve long-term recovery. Each method has pros and cons, but regardless of which one you choose, you must have the knowledge and resources to make a quit attempt successful. If you’re trying to quit cold turkey and need help, please find professional help from an addiction rehab center.

On top of this, quitting immediately — or “cold turkey” as many users and professionals call it — can be dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms are generally uncomfortable to deal with, but they can be fatal. To avoid or reduce the impact of the withdrawal symptoms, people struggling with alcohol may choose to progressively taper off alcohol rather than quit abruptly. In any severe addiction scenario, a medical detox at rehab is advised due to the professional assistance that can be gained. Not only do you have access to prescription medication, but they are able to monitor your health to ensure a safe recovery is achieved. Tapering off alcohol at home versus under medical supervision can also lengthen the process, for the sake of safety.