There are serious, potentially life-threatening risks involved with detoxing from alcohol—especially when you’re doing it on your own. Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can start as soon as six hours after the last drink of alcohol. Tapering is the practice of slowly reducing the a guide to taking ecstasy as safely as possible regular consumption of a substance like alcohol. Tapering can sometimes help a person avoid uncomfortable and sometimes deadly symptoms of withdrawal. Because tapering can be tricky and alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, you should never start a taper before talking to your doctor.
- Detox at a professional rehab facility is typically the most recommended method for addressing alcohol addiction and dependence.
- Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety.
- Start by estimating how much you drink on a daily basis—and be honest with yourself.
- There is no way to completely prevent these symptoms if you quit abruptly.
Officially begun in Great Britain in 2013, it has grown quickly, with over four million people in the U.K. Mindful drinking means being attentive to the impact that alcohol has on you, and making conscious choices about how you consume it. It is a form of moderate drinking, and can be helpful in maintaining boundaries and setting limits with alcohol. Regardless of the path you choose, the most important thing is finding an approach you can stick with. Do your research in advance, make a solid plan, find a good support system, and be patient with yourself.
Surrounding yourself with other people who are sober will dramatically improve your chances of staying away from alcohol. All your goals should follow SMART rules; they should be specific, measurable, achievable, ecstasy withdrawal and detox symptoms and timelines realistic, and time bound. As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper. That said, it’s also important for your well-being and personal health is to set clear boundaries.
Remove alcohol from your house.
For some, the issue may not be daily, heavy drinking, but a pattern of binging on certain evenings or weekends. Telemedicine is a growing industry, and is making medical assistance easier to access than it was before. People can now talk to a doctor through video chat and get help for many common ailments. Alcohol abuse turns out to be no exception, and resources like medical counseling, recovery coaching, and even prescriptions are now available through telemedicine programs.
When you quit drinking or wean off alcohol, your body will adjust to the lack of alcohol in your body. Alcohol withdrawal is potentially fatal, especially for people with an alcohol addiction. Sometimes, they may experience seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off may be a good option. However, quitting cold turkey or tapering is not advisable for people with an AUD.
Create a Plan
However, it should not cause someone to become stuck on a step, which would defeat the purpose of a taper. A person is free to increase the taper speed (e.g., lower by three drinks instead of two) as they see fit. It is important to only attempt a taper while under a doctor’s care. However, understanding how an alcohol taper works and what the process is like can help you prepare yourself and find the support you need. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings.
Choosing To Wean Yourself off Alcohol
If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms while tapering off alcohol, adjust your plan. The goal of tapering is to make the withdrawal process safer and more bearable. Although tapering down has many advantages, it is critical that you consult with a medical or addiction treatment professional first. In many cases, medically-supervised alcohol detox is the only safe way to stop drinking, especially if you’re suffering from AUD.
Drugs & Supplements
Alcohol is a depressant, so your nervous system compensates for long-term heavy drinking by becoming more hyperactive. This option is increasingly popular—especially during the pandemic era. Putting treatment on your phone eliminates commuting time, and makes it easier to fit appointments into your schedule. It also reduces cost—even if you pay out of pocket it’s usually much cheaper than regular rehab. Most people recover from alcohol withdrawal within a week, but people with severe dependency may experience withdrawal for multiple weeks. Alcohol causes serious changes in the brain, and prolonged symptoms such as sleep problems, mood changes and fatigue may take months to overcome, according to the U.S.
Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance. Alternative therapies offer diverse methods to support and complement the traditional path. They can help reduce cravings, manage stress, and provide overall well-being, making the journey more holistic and individualized.
