Overstimulation in your nervous system can affect important unconscious functions like your heart rate, blood pressure, and electrical impulses. This is why you can experience seizures and heart failure during alcohol withdrawal. For one thing, it https://ecosoberhouse.com/what-are-sober-living-houses/ creates tangible goals for the person tapering to reach, helping to build their confidence in themselves and the belief that they can eventually stop drinking completely. Tapering can be a long process that takes weeks or even months to finish.
Avoiding the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
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 allow you to self-wean from drinking at home. Whichever method you choose, what is most important is to commit to your alcohol tapering schedule, so you can be sure that you have avoided the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as much as possible. This should, of course, still be done under the care and supervision of a medical professional at a treatment center specializing in medical detoxification. This is why many people dependent on alcohol will choose to taper down their usage rather than stop drinking altogether. Someone will slowly diminish the amount they drink with the intention of avoiding the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal completely and will hopefully be able to avoid a relapse as well.
Benefits of Getting Professional Help for Tapering Off
Quitting abruptly can be dangerous without medical supervision due to potential withdrawal symptoms. Gradually decreasing alcohol intake through supervised tapering can make quitting safer and ease withdrawal severity. 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. If you drink heavily on a regular basis, it can be dangerous to stop alcohol cold turkey. For this reason, you should not suddenly quit drinking without talking to your doctor.
How to stop drinking alcohol completely
- In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.
- Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can start as soon as six hours after the last drink of alcohol.
- Gradually decreasing alcohol intake through supervised tapering can make quitting safer and ease withdrawal severity.
- If you’re interested in medication-assisted treatment, medication to curb cravings can be a helpful tool for reducing your consumption.
Without any medication to help you through it, the process is even harder. Sudden alcohol cessation can cause hallucinations, seizures, and even heart failure that may result in death. Although this is rare, you never really know how your body will react to detox until you’re going through it. However, tapering can be dangerous if you have severe AUD, leading to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. If you start noticing these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately.
- As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper.
- Eating is an important part of your recovery because alcohol affects how your body metabolizes and utilizes nutrients.
- It can mean more time for your other interests, and even new interests.
- The main difference between tapering and quitting alcohol cold turkey is how fast you quit.
- If you have the shakes, medical intervention is typically necessary, as shakes can be a sign of more serious withdrawal complications.
- If you turn to alcohol to ease anxiety, try exercise as a healthy alternative.
Exercise releases endorphins into your brain, creating natural happy feelings within a person. Not only is exercise one of the most effective natural remedies for alcohol withdrawal, how to taper off alcohol at home but it’s also good for your self-confidence and recovery. In addition, social pressures can make it hard to quit drinking, especially if your friends or family also drink heavily.
When Is It Safe to Detox from Home?
