For many people, tapering alone is insufficient to help heal their addiction. Inpatient treatment may be an expensive option in terms of time and money. Unlike inpatient treatment, tapering allows people to maintain their lifestyles while improving their drinking habits. Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about tapering off alcohol.
Create a Plan
A relapse can serve as an opportunity for you to refocus on your larger goals, practice self-forgiveness, and find ways to stay motivated. All your goals should follow SMART rules; they should be specific, https://thechigacoguide.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ measurable, achievable, realistic, and time bound. You should develop this plan while you are in treatment, so you can use it to protect and maintain your sobriety once your stint in treatment ends.
What helps with alcohol withdrawal at home?
If you go through a medical detox the people they may rehydrate you with an IV and may also give you vitamin shots. If you are doing a self detox be sure to drink lots and lots of fluids and to take vitamin pills. If you choose to drink water make sure that you get enough salt for electrolyte balance so that you avoid water intoxication. 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.
Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
Ria Health offers a combination of remote medical supervision, anti-craving medication, weekly recovery coaching, online support groups, and app-based tools. Avoid taking prescription drugs that your doctor hasn’t prescribed to you. If withdrawal is so uncomfortable that you’re turning to drugs for comfort, you should contact your doctor or a rehab center to discuss medically supervised withdrawal. But if you’re living with alcohol use disorder, drinking is more than a habit. People with alcohol use disorder can’t stop drinking even when it causes problems, like emotional distress or physical harm to themselves or others.
- If you’re not sure if cold turkey or tapering is right for you, you can join the Monument Community to hear from others who have confronted similar questions.
- In conclusion, safely tapering off alcohol is a process that requires careful planning, professional guidance, and strong support.
- Tapering off alcohol is a critical step for individuals dealing with alcohol dependence.
- Before you begin an alcohol taper, a little preparation can go a long way, especially when it involves handling your triggers and tracking how much you drink.
- Risk factors contributing to AUD include genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and psychological factors.
- It often raises many questions, especially regarding effective strategies for managing symptoms and ensuring safety.
To determine whether—and where—you fall in the alcohol use disorder (AUD) spectrum, answer the following questions. Having a plan can help you stay on track and it can keep you safe. One of the keys to a successful taper is taking gradual steps that will cause as few side effects as possible. It’s common for the first symptoms to appear within a few hours after your last drink. If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support. Becoming more aware of your alcohol triggers and reasons for drinking can help you plan ways to help manage the urge to drink.
They will also be able to prescribe you medications that can curb your cravings or reduce your withdrawal symptoms. Although tapering down has many advantages, it is critical that you consult with a medical or addiction treatment professional first. In many cases, medically-supervised alcohol detox is the only safe way to stop drinking, especially if you’re suffering from AUD. The main difference between tapering and quitting alcohol cold turkey is how fast you quit. Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once. Tapering or weaning means ramping down your alcohol use until you get to zero—or to a more moderate level of drinking that you prefer.
Most people recover from alcohol withdrawal within a week, but people with severe dependency may experience withdrawal for multiple weeks. Alcohol causes serious changes in the brain, and prolonged symptoms such as sleep problems, mood changes and fatigue may take months to overcome, according to the U.S. If you’re used to drinking less than 20 beers per day, HAMS recommends reducing your alcohol consumption by two beers per day until you achieve sobriety. If you’ve been unable to quit on your own, you should consider attending an alcohol rehab center. It teaches you healthy ways to cope with stress and techniques for overcoming the underlying causes of alcohol addiction. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, treatment at a medical rehabilitation facility is your best option.
However, it is inexpensive and may be suitable for someone whose job, relationships, and well-being are not in jeopardy. It can be helpful to make a plan ahead of time for how to handle a relapse. For example, some people choose to write a list of reasons why they want to stop drinking alcohol, and revisit the list to remind themselves after a relapse. You may want to speak with a loved one or therapist about a strategy to prevent relapses from happening.
Late symptoms begin between two and four days after the last drink, and they usually include changes in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Serious symptoms caused by delirium tremens include hallucination and seizure. The amount of Top 5 Advantages of Staying in a Sober Living House time it takes to detox from alcohol depends on several factors, including whether you’re detoxing at home or with medical supervision. Detoxing at home usually takes longer because you should be cautious to avoid serious complications.