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If you try tapering off alcohol and find that you are struggling with withdrawal and relapse, it is a good idea to seek the assistance of a professional medical alcohol detox facility. If you are ready to get clean or stop drinking, the staff at WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab is ready to help. The slow taper method has proven to be the most effective detox approach for many different drugs, from legal substances like alcohol to street drugs like heroin and other opioids. But no matter what kinds of substance use disorder you have been struggling with, you can take your life back and live more successfully. Things may look dark now, but we can assure you that there is a better, brighter, and safer life on the other side of your addiction.
- Nonetheless, quitting cold turkey might be the only way for people who don’t have an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- If your BASELINE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION is less than 20 drinks per day then we recommend reducing consumption by two standard drinks per day.
- Educate your loved ones on dangerous symptoms, too, so they can look out for you and get you medical attention if you need it.
- This excess glutamate triggers alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases.
A person is free to increase the taper speed (e.g., lower by three drinks instead of two) as they see fit. The second situation involves counting the drinks you consume daily and switching them for a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer. Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink. Consuming a lighter alcoholic drink like beer also makes it easier for someone to stay hydrated throughout the taper. A substitution taper can involve substituting a prescription drug for alcohol.
Alcohol Recovery On Your Own Vs Professional Help
You may receive medication to ease withdrawal symptoms—such as anti-diarrheal medicines or over-the-counter pain relievers. A doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine as part of the tapering process. All of these withdrawal symptoms are common during acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. For example, depression could cause suicidal thoughts, and eating poorly can weaken your immune system.
People tapering off alcohol may begin experiencing early withdrawal symptoms within 6 to 12 hours after their last drink. Others must taper at medical https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-taper-off-alcohol/ detoxification programs, where they receive 24/7 medical supervision. While these symptoms are uncomfortable, they are generally not life-threatening.
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This can trigger alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases. Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time. This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change. 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.
On the second day drink one beer every hour and a half for a total of ten beers. Then continue to taper down by reducing the amounts by two beers per day until you are down to zero. You’ll need to stick with gradual reduction every day and not revert to previous https://ecosoberhouse.com/ levels of consumption, otherwise it won’t work. If it’s too hard to control how much you drink each day, weaning might not be the right strategy. That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
The safest way to taper off alcohol is to do so with a doctor’s help. By looking at your medical history and alcohol intake, your doctor can determine whether you need to taper in a medical detox facility or can safely detox at home. An alcohol taper is a way to wean yourself off alcohol and avoid withdrawal symptoms. Although all forms of alcohol cessation should be done with medical guidance, tapering your alcohol intake may give you the ability to self-wean from drinking at home.
- You have already taken the first step to a lifetime of recovery just by coming here and reading these words, and now we encourage you to keep going.
- Through her relentless pursuit of excellence, Sydney empowers individuals on their journey towards recovery, offering hope and healing to those in need.
- If you want to cut back your alcohol consumption or stop drinking alcohol altogether, tapering may help.
- Treatment is the best way to ensure long-term abstinence from alcohol.
This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous. As many as 71%8 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. When a person decides to stop drinking, they must decide whether to stop “cold turkey” or taper their alcohol use. Quitting cold turkey involves suddenly stopping all alcohol use, while tapering involves slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person drinks each day.