Alcohol Tapering Avoiding the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Generally, light to moderate drinkers should plan to taper for a week or more. Instead, Meyers last month opted to buy the similar drugs sold by a compound pharmacy in Florida. He did so with his doctor’s cautious blessing and despite the various unknowns — like what’s in the drug, exactly, or how he might react to it. But on Zepbound – the newest GLP-1 agonistdrug to launch – Meyers lost 35 pounds and loves feeling free from hunger.

Be aware of your triggers

If you plan to taper your drinking in order to stop, make sure that you limit your intake consistently, avoid fluctuations, and adhere to a weekly reduction schedule with a set date to stop. Generally speaking, alcohol home detox is neither the most effective nor the safest method of quitting alcohol. However, it is inexpensive and may be suitable for someone whose https://thecoloradodigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ job, relationships, and well-being are not in jeopardy. It is also very important when tapering off to fight dehydration and to replenish lost vitamins. 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.

how to taper alcohol

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  • Working with a physician on the Monument platform can help determine what timeline will work for you based on your past drinking habits and risk of withdrawal.
  • However, improper tapering could lead to relapse, overdose, and severe health consequences.
  • If you or someone you know needs help detoxing from alcohol, The Recovery Village Ridgefield Drug and Alcohol Rehab is here for you.
  • For those at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms, medically-supervised detox is often the safest choice for beginning their sobriety or moderation journey.
  • Evaluate the pros and cons of tapering and consider quitting with medical help instead of trying to do it yourself.
  • This is because Delirium tremens is caused by hyperactivity in the nervous system, which is now without the depressant effects of alcohol and is instead going into overdrive.
  • To avoid severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you should slowly reduce alcohol consumption.

While tapering off alcohol, maintaining a healthy diet rich in B vitamins, staying hydrated, and avoiding prolonged consumption at the same level are key strategies to support the body’s recovery. Ultimately, the goal of alcohol tapering is to make the process of quitting less daunting and more attainable, leading to improved health outcomes and quality of life. For others, simply cutting back Top 5 Advantages of Staying in a Sober Living House the number of drinks can bring on alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Creating a tapering schedule you can stick with is a crucial part of weaning yourself off alcohol. The best schedule varies based on how much you drink each day and your overall health. As mentioned above, we strongly recommend speaking with a doctor to ensure your plan is a safe one, and won’t cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

How Long Does Tapering Off Alcohol Take?

“The role of GABAA receptors in mediating the effects of alcohol in the central nervous system.” Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, July 28, 2003. Remove all alcohol from your home or ask a friend or family member to do it for you. This includes beer, wine, and liquor, as well as products that contain alcohol such as rubbing alcohol and vanilla extract. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers on hand that includes contact info for your doctor, the police, a nearby hospital, and someone you trust. 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. This is offered to patients with moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorder, having the goal of achieving abstinence.

  • Also, learn to cope with and avoid situations that might cause you to want to drink more.
  • All the same, “a quick drink” often turns into three or four drinks.
  • Alcohol also inhibits the glutamate receptor–which is the cause of staggering, slurring, and general interference with muscular coordination.
  • However, it should not cause someone to become stuck on a step, which would defeat the purpose of a taper.
  • Here are suggestions for how to get through alcohol withdrawal at home.

If you are interested in medical detox, contact one of our Vertava Health treatment specialists to find alcohol detox programs near you. The kindling effect is an aspect of alcohol withdrawal that makes repeated attempts at withdrawal less safe. If you go through alcohol withdrawal multiple times, a kindling effect can occur. With kindling, the brain becomes increasingly sensitized to stopping alcohol.

It teaches you healthy ways to cope with stress and techniques for overcoming the underlying causes of alcohol addiction. Ultimately, you shouldn’t taper off of alcohol unless you’ve checked with your doctor first. Because of the risk of a lower success rate and prolonged alcohol exposure, most healthcare professionals will recommend a professional detox over tapering. The Recovery Village Ridgefield medical detox center in Vancouver, WA, is a fully staffed rehab facility designed to help you wean off alcohol in comfort.