If you are struggling with severe alcohol use or addiction, tapering off alcohol at home may not be a safe option. The most effective option for alcoholics to stop drinking is to find a treatment program that offers medical detox services. If you are interested in medical detox, contact one of our Vertava Health treatment specialists to find alcohol detox programs near you. In medical detox, doctors and nurses provide around-the-clock care while helping you detox from alcohol. We offer a full continuum of care and are an in-network provider for a range of insurance companies, including Aetna, Cigna and America’s Choice. Contact us today to learn more about the insurance we accept and find an alcohol addiction treatment program that can work well for your situation.
River Rocks Recovery offers tailored programs to support your journey, such as Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and Outpatient Programs. These programs include medical guidance, therapy, and coping strategies to help you taper safely and build a lasting recovery plan. This prescription medication may not be a long-term solution for your substance use, but it can be very valuable to you in the early days of alcohol withdrawal. According to research, MAT reduced hospitalization for mental health issues and ER visits.
A substitution taper refers to switching strong liquor for an alternative that contains less alcohol, like beer. Once you’ve changed to a less alcoholic option, you can gradually reduce your drink amount. Tapering can be an excellent way to prevent harmful withdrawal effects after ceasing alcohol intake. There are two types of triggers that can set off a person’s urge to drink.
But could weaning yourself off alcohol help you stay sober for good? In fact, 30 million people have alcohol use disorder1 in the United States alone. Luckily, this nationwide issue has resources available to help you heal.
Recognizing Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
When you’re reducing alcohol consumption, it’s important to focus on your physical health. Drinking plenty of water and eating balanced, nutritious meals can help your body recover from the effects of alcohol dependency. Proper hydration and nutrition also make it easier to manage withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Seek professional how to safely taper off alcohol help if you experience severe symptoms or want to talk to a provider about your process with addiction. A healthcare professional can offer guidance and support and may prescribe medication to help you cope with withdrawal symptoms. Long-term alcohol use can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and physical dependence.
Therefore, seeking professional care to develop a customized tapering strategy is highly recommended. In some cases, a benzodiazepine regimen may be used to replace the body’s alcohol needs during tapering. It is important to note that prescription medication should not be used for a substitution taper unless it has been prescribed as part of a medical detox program. 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. Over time, this can help you slow down and make more intentional choices about how much you’re drinking.
- Excessive alcohol consumption can adversely affect your physical health by potentially causing liver damage, high blood pressure, and increased cancer risk.
- This abruptness can increase the risk of relapse, as they may become overwhelmed and struggle to cope with the changes.
- Many medical professionals even believe they outweigh the potential benefits.
- This method works best with gradual reduction, as alcohol withdrawal symptoms can start within 12–24 hours after stopping drinking.
- Medical detox is often the safest and most effective way to manage alcohol withdrawal for those with severe alcohol dependence.
What to Expect During Inpatient Rehab at Samba Recovery
By gradually drinking less instead of stopping cold turkey, your body has a chance to adapt to smaller and less frequent drinks. Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety. 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.
The Importance of Tapering Off Alcohol
This can be done by reducing the number of drinks, increasing time between drinks or choosing a weaker drink with a lower alcohol content. Quitting drinking poses many challenges, including cravings and psychological dependence on alcohol. Social pressures and habitual drinking settings can also make quitting difficult.
- Educate yourself on potential withdrawal symptoms and have a support system in place.
- Because tapering is not the recommended way to stop using alcohol, there is no recommended tapering schedule.
- These medications are prescribed and managed by healthcare providers.
- Inpatient treatment may be an expensive option in terms of time and money.
- Non-addictive prescription medication may be able to help you manage anxiety, mood disorders, and other common ailments that would traditionally prompt you to have a drink.
How can tapering off alcohol work for you?
But if you still have control over your drinking and want to drink less, you may be able to self-taper. Reducing alcohol intake can have significant positive effects on mental health. As you reduce your alcohol consumption, you may notice improvements in mood, anxiety, and overall mental well-being. However, the initial stages of tapering can also bring emotional challenges, as your body and mind adjust to lower levels of alcohol. Engaging in therapy during this time can provide essential support and coping strategies.
Some detox programs also offer therapy to prepare you for addiction treatment. In summary, while it is possible to wean oneself off alcohol safely, it is essential to be aware of the potential for severe symptoms. It is always recommended to seek professional medical help in these cases to ensure safety and proper care during the withdrawal process. This is a key part of understanding how to wean yourself off alcohol safely. The first step in developing a tapering plan is to honestly assess your current alcohol consumption levels.
The success of these strategies will depend on how much you drink and what you drink. If you have a severe level of addiction or dependency, you may need a detox program. Talk to a medical professional to find the best detox option for you. A final strategy to assist with an alcohol taper is to get a good network of peer support. If withdrawal symptoms are intense, professional help can ensure safe management and support. This widespread prevalence highlights that alcohol dependency is a significant public health issue impacting millions of individuals and families across the country.
Preparing To Wean Off Alcohol
These symptoms peak around 48 hours after your last drink and may persist to some degree for multiple weeks. Quitting alcohol cold turkey means stopping all alcohol consumption abruptly. While it might seem like a quick solution, this method can be risky without medical support. The tapering down process can take place for the first several weeks or even months of the alcohol recovery timeline. There are many factors that can affect how long weaning off alcohol will take. Other people use medication-assisted treatment, which can help reduce alcohol cravings as you cut back.
Lastly, engaging in alcohol therapy can also make a major difference in your healing journey. A therapist will work with you to create a personalized plan for cutting back and provide ongoing guidance and accountability. If your tapering plan feels overwhelming or you’re experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms, seeking professional help can make a difference. Addiction treatment centers like River Rocks Recovery offer personalized support and evidence-based strategies to ensure safe, effective tapering.
The process of tapering yourself off alcohol begins with planning. 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. Patients who experience more severe alcohol withdrawal should receive pharmacotherapy to treat their symptoms and reduce their risk of seizures and delirium tremens. The medications with the best efficacy and safety are the benzodiazepines, which enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA on the brain.