Tapering Off Alcohol and it’s Side Effects
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This surge in glutamate can trigger alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be potentially dangerous in certain cases. Tapering off alcohol can be compared to how healthcare providers gradually reduce the dosage of certain medications rather than having a client abruptly stop treatment. Quitting alcohol cold turkey poses significant risks to your health. Currently enrolled in a master’s program for Social Work, he is committed to expanding his knowledge and providing comprehensive care. Inspired by his upbringing in Bolivia, marked by poverty, unaddressed mental health, and substance use, he brings a unique perspective to his role as a Primary Therapist at the Freedom Center. He tailors treatment plans to meet individual needs, fostering healing and growth.
How many attempts does it take to stop drinking?
In a practical sense, this means the number of serious recovery attempts an individual needs varies depending on how severe their circumstances are (e.g., depression, lack of social support, addiction severity). Accordingly, some people need many attempts, but most people need 2 or less.
However, in order to safely taper off alcohol use, medical supervision is highly encouraged. It’s not advised to taper off alcohol, as an at-home detox can make relapse more likely. Instead, those who suffer from alcohol use disorders should seek professional treatment to help address both addiction as well as underlying mental health issues. When coming off drugs or alcohol tapering is the best way to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. Tapering is the act of gradually reducing alcohol use until completely abstinent.
What to Expect in Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal
She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland. She has served in both clinical and leadership positions in a number of roles, in inpatient and outpatient settings, as a Primary Therapist and Clinical Supervisor. James Scribner holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. His career began working in the accounting industry as a financial auditor. In that role, James audited a national trade association with over 1,300 member companies that sell health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans.
This process gives your body the time and space it needs to heal completely so you can get on with the rest of your life. One of the best ways to stop drinking and get on the road to recovery is to taper off your alcohol consumption. It is worth noting that the effectiveness will differ from person to person, so this is why it will be important to get professional treatment advice. If you’re ready to stop drinking, it’s best to first consult with your doctor, especially if you’ve been drinking heavily or over an extended period of time. Quitting too fast can be dangerous in some circumstances because the body and brain have become so accustomed to alcohol that removing it cold-turkey can actually be detrimental. Your doctor will be able to develop a proper diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Tapering off Alcohol: What You Need To Know
The annual cost of excessive alcohol use to Oregon’s economy each year is $3.5 billion due to lost productivity, health care expenses, criminal justice costs, and motor vehicle crashes. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, or a substance that reduces arousal and stimulation. Alcohol, or ethanol (the type of alcohol in beverages), is an intoxicating or strong ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation, or the breakdown, of yeast, sugars, and starches. Is alcohol beginning to take up more and more of your time, budget, and life? You may be wondering how to begin the process of ridding yourself or your loved one of alcohol use once and for all.
While tapering off alcohol means you can still drink to some extent, it’s still important that you eliminate as much temptation as you can. By removing all alcohol from your home, you are significantly reducing the temptation to drink in excess. This allows your body to break its dependency without causing alcohol withdrawal. This process can https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-taper-off-alcohol/ last several days, weeks, or months depending on your tolerance level, history of use, and other factors. The best recommendation when struggling with alcohol misuse is to seek medical and mental health professional consultation as soon as possible. The professionals can determine the best treatment plan for you and your unique set of needs.
Treatment Services
This is dangerous because if you have unsuccessfully tried to stop drinking in the past with only mild withdrawal symptoms, you may assume you can handle another attempt on your own without help. Unfortunately, your brain may be sensitized to withdrawal due to kindling, which can set you up for unexpectedly severe withdrawal symptoms. In addition, social pressures can make it hard to quit drinking, especially if your friends or family also drink heavily. Quitting drinking can feel very isolating, making it even more difficult to do on your own at home without medical support. Always remember that if the taper is not working for you or if you are having major withdrawal that it is safest to check into a medical detox because alcohol withdrawal can kill you.
If you want to know about our medically-assisted detox program, call today, and one of our admissions agents can help you get started. 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. Safe alcohol withdrawal is an important part of starting a recovery process.
With a profound understanding of the complexities surrounding addiction, Sydney has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals struggling with substance abuse. With herself and her staff their main goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for our clients. Through her relentless pursuit of excellence, Sydney empowers individuals on their journey towards recovery, offering hope and healing to those in need. I have experience working in psychiatric hospitals, inpatient, outpatient, detox, and partial hospitalization programs providing clinical social work services. My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of the unique experiences and perspectives of each of my clients . I utilize a person-centered approach to my clients to help empower change within themselves.
- It may seem simple to count each drink you consume, but all drinks are not created equal.
- But where are the harm reduction tips for heavy or dependent drinkers?
Give your loved ones as much information as you can about your self-tapering strategy. Let them know your plan, your progress, and how withdrawals are going for you. Tapering, if that’s your goal, should be done with the aim of avoiding withdrawal, not getting intoxicated.
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. Making a schedule to slowly reduce your alcohol intake is https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a safe way to taper off the substance. This will ensure that you are not quitting cold turkey which could result in severe and debilitating withdrawal symptoms or even death. Depending on how much alcohol you’ve been consuming, it can take days or over a week to gradually reduce your dose safely and get off alcohol.
Once your alcohol tapering schedule is complete, the work of maintenance begins. Continue to abstain from alcohol and monitor cravings or urges to drink. Don’t try to go through the recovery process alone — reach out for help and support.
As a result, little information is available regarding the best way to taper. That said, some independent groups have stepped in, publishing sample tapering schedules to guide people who are trying to cut back on drinking. Some individuals experience a neurological condition known as the kindling effect as a result of repeated alcohol withdrawal. Individuals who have experienced the kindling effect may more severe symptoms including seizures, even when they use small amounts of alcohol. Fortunately, there is a way to detoxify from alcohol without entering the overburdened healthcare system or requiring prescription meds. It’s called tapering, and it can save the lives of people whose liquor supply has been cut off and who may not seek or receive professional help.
- Our hope is to create the safest, most comfortable environment for you to begin your treatment journey.
- He received his medical degree in Mexico with further certification from Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey.
- Alcohol is produced by the fermentation, or the breakdown, of yeast, sugars, and starches.
- You don’t have to let the fear of alcohol withdrawal stop you from cutting back or quitting.
- Discussing these issues with a loved one can help you avoid relapse.
