As many as 71% 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. Chronic and excessive alcohol use disrupts the brain’s neurotransmitters. Alcohol will increase the effect of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) – the neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that creates feelings of peace and relaxation. However, chronic alcohol use will suppress GABA activity in such a way that progressively increased amounts of alcohol are needed to produce the desired effects – which is known as tolerance. Chronic alcohol use also suppresses glutamate activity, the neurotransmitter that produces feelings of excitement.

Are there any alternative strategies to taper off alcohol?

Unfortunately, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can worsen quickly, and they can include agitation and hallucinations that make https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview it more difficult to seek help. For this reason, it is best to seek medical advice on whether you should taper at home or under medical observation. Along with withdrawal symptoms, it may be even more difficult to cut back or taper your alcohol use if you struggle with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

As you prepare to wean off alcohol, consider taking the following steps ahead of time to have a clear path to success. Right now, I am thinking it will be better to taper not by drink count but by checking my BAC and just working to stretch out the time I am at 0.00%. But I would like to hear what others have tried that either did or didn’t work for them. Engage in healthy coping mechanisms like exercise, mindfulness practices, or speaking with a therapist to manage cravings effectively. If you’re self-tapering, I assume you don’t want to go to rehab.

tapering off alcohol reddit

Talk to Your Doctor

Others may discover after consulting with a doctor that it’s safe for them to quit alcohol cold turkey if they choose to. However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them. 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. For people with moderate to severe alcohol addiction, utilizing an alcohol detox center is always the safest option. Alcohol detox centers have professionals trained to recognize and treat complications caused by alcohol withdrawal. Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be unpredictable and may escalate quickly, having an on-site medical team that can quickly intervene is the safest way to quit heavy drinking.

Pros and Cons of Tapering Off Alcohol Intake

The most recommended form of alcohol to use in tapering is beer due to its lower alcohol content. Consumption should be minimal; just enough to prevent withdrawal symptoms and gradually reducing the amount until you are no longer using alcohol. You should be able to taper off alcohol within a few days, 3 to 5 days at the most. While you are tapering off alcohol, it is important that you stay hydrated.

Check your state’s regulations if this is a concern to you. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are more likely in heavy drinkers. Withdrawal usually begins 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and peaks within 72 hours. There are several ways to taper your alcohol consumption without therapy.

Can Tapering Down Alcohol Use Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

Remember, every journey toward sobriety is unique, so it’s essential to find the approach that works best for you. I don’t recommend tapering yourself at all, and I especially don’t recommend doing it rapidly, but it has been done. Some people have done a rapid taper in which they go from their baseline to zero in a weekend or so.

These programs offer more flexibility than residential rehab, while still supporting a healthy lifestyle for people in recovery. Sober living homes provide a comfortable, safe place for you to focus on your healing. sober house Tapering off alcohol is a step in the right direction, but there’s more to the story. It’s vital in this process to have professional help, so you can stay safe and as comfortable as possible.

tapering off alcohol reddit

Likewise if your average consumption is 6 standard drinks per day you can set a taper schedule of 4, 2, 0. It can help you reach goals and can minimize some of the unpleasant and severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Tapering can be easier to manage than quitting cold turkey.

Alcohol works by increasing the potency of a neutral chemical in the brain called GABA, or gamma-Aminobutyric acid. GABA is a neurotransmitter responsible for your brain’s rest and digest response, which helps to facilitate sleep, relaxation, and anxiety release. Alcohol influences this process by making GABA more powerful. However, your body is adaptable, and after a period of regular, heavy drinking, your nervous system will adapt to the presence of alcohol. Central nervous system depressants are a class of drugs that includes several prescription medications like benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and sedative-hypnotics. Depressants are so-called because they depress activity in the central nervous system.

Tapering off is a standard medical practice for many other drugs. For example, healthcare providers usually don’t take patients off antidepressants suddenly; rather, they gradually lower the dosages to help reduce antidepressant discontinuation symptoms. Once your taper is complete, discard or immediately give away any remaining alcohol in your house and try to avoid high-risk environments such as bars, liquor stores, casinos, etc. The hardest thing will probably be to stop yourself from starting again.

Take Days Off Drinking

They can provide recommendations to help you avoid harmful side effects. With that said I think it’s up to the individual to be realistic with themselves and make the safest decision possible. Depending on how much you drink and for how long, one rule of thumb is to avoid cutting more than 25% of your drinking intake at a single time to avoid withdrawal symptoms. If you or a loved one is suffering from an alcohol use disorder, it can feel like being trapped in a tunnel with no way out. Our admissions specialists will help you find the facility and treatment program best suited to the recovery needs of you or your loved one. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team is available 24/7 to help get you or someone you care about into treatment and answer any questions or concerns you might have.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction

I have a complete guide on Alternatives to Rehab, which has over a dozen different options to select from. If you repeatedly cannot cut back on your drinking or otherwise cannot get lower than a certain point in the taper, this might not be the right method for you. You can look into medication assisted treatment, such as getting the anti-craving medication Naltrexone, see if your doctor will give you benzodiazepines to taper with, or go to rehab/detox. If you mess up once or twice and drink more than you intended to, don’t be too discouraged.

Get professional treatment and long-term support to prevent relapse. Set up therapy, counseling and support groups, a plan for sober living, and follow-up medical evaluations. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. However, it’s important to communicate your intentions and limitations to friends, family, and peers, and consider engaging in social activities that do not revolve solely around drinking.

If your health, wellness, and even life may be at risk, quitting alcohol should only be attempted with the help of a medical professional. Research has shown that professional help improves your ability to overcome an addiction to alcohol or cut back if you have found it difficult. The most common research technique among those surveyed is an internet search (61%), followed by asking a doctor or medical professional (55%). If you’re relying on internet searches to find potential treatment centers, make sure to ask these ten questions to find a licensed facility that can meet your needs. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them. Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it.

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