They can provide personalized advice, monitor your progress, and ensure your safety throughout the tapering process. However, help and support aren’t just something for when you finish detoxing; it is also important while initially stopping alcohol. The Recovery Village at Baptist Health can help you start your recovery with alcohol addiction treatment — safely, comfortably and with your future in mind. Reach out to one of our Recovery Advocates and begin the healing process.
Taking It Slow: Importance of Gradual Quitting
Eventually, after a period of time, you will have tapered down to zero drinks. If you’re interested in medication-assisted treatment, medication to curb cravings can be a helpful tool for reducing your consumption. When talking about tapering or gradually reducing alcohol use, it is important to have awareness of possible withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawing from alcohol happens when we reduce or stop alcohol use that has been occurring often for a long period of time. The best and safest first step is to consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment plan for you. A medical professional will evaluate your medical history and current symptoms or problems to determine the best treatment plan to meet your unique needs.
“It’s been shown in clinical trials that people actually develop aversions to what they used to crave and cravings for foods they used to avoid, essentially because of taste bud rehab,” he said. If you’re concerned about the possible harm of artificial sweeteners, here are some expert tips on how to cut or at least reduce them. The FDA, however, has approved six artificial sweeteners and considers them “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS. Those FDA-approved sugar substitutes include sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ or Ace-K, neotame and advantame. Cutting back on drinking requires you to be honest with yourself about what makes you want to drink. These are called “triggers” and they subconsciously encourage you to drink alcohol.
- Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous form of substance withdrawal, creating unpleasant symptoms that can be potentially deadly for those with more severe symptoms.
- By seeking support and professional guidance, you are taking proactive steps towards a brighter future free from the grip of alcohol.
- Consider talking with a therapist or counselor to help identify triggers and develop strategies for avoiding future relapses.
- You may be able to detox at home and recover from alcoholism with the help of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
- However, individuals who suffer from alcohol addiction require professional rehab.
Identifying a Standard Drink
The thought of abstaining from alcohol completely can feel daunting, and in some cases, it can even be dangerous without medical supervision. Below I share some key information so you can determine if weaning off alcohol is right for you. If you suspect you have an alcohol use disorder or you feel overtly dependent on alcohol, it is helpful to consult a healthcare provider before attempting to quit. They can help you stop drinking in a more regulated way without triggering serious withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating, shaking, etc.
#2: Create a Plan
They will also be able to prescribe you medications that can curb your cravings Living in a Sober House: Fundamental Rules or reduce your withdrawal symptoms. Tapering down also increases the likelihood that the individual will achieve sobriety. Because quitting cold turkey produces such intense withdrawal symptoms, people are more likely to consume alcohol to stop them. Stopping alcohol use is the first step of the recovery journey, but staying sober for longer and longer periods is the goal.
How do you reset your body from alcohol?
Understanding how to quit alcohol, the support systems available, and the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms will set you on the right path. This comprehensive guide will take you through the process of quitting with helpful tips, familiarise you with the benefits of quitting, and assist you with overcoming the challenges. However, when you quit drinking abruptly, your body’s chemical balance will be thrown off suddenly, leading to uncomfortable side effects.
- Still, it has a decreased level of success when compared to the alternative and requires discipline that can be difficult for those with an addiction.
- Quitting abruptly can be dangerous without medical supervision due to potential withdrawal symptoms.
- They can provide recommendations to help you avoid harmful side effects.
- Cutting back or completely stopping alcohol consumption is challenging, even if you are not at the point of addiction.
If you know you’re heading to an event where you’ll be offered alcohol, prepare what you’re going to say before you get there, says Young. There is also an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that includes group therapy, individual counseling, and education about the disease of addiction. Serenity Lane is here for all Oregonians in need of help to overcome alcohol addiction.
- Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety.
- Figuring out where to start your alcohol taper schedule can be challenging.
- A sample taper schedule involves calculating the number of drinks consumed per day.
- It is important to measure your alcohol use in standard drinks while tapering to allow for an accurate comparison of how much you use from day to day.
- Many insurance companies will help pay for some or all of your treatment costs.
- This is because drinking heavily over a long period can cause your body to become physically dependent on alcohol.
Slowly, to reduce the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms, you will come off the medication with the goal being complete abstinence from alcohol. Tapering off alcohol is the act of slowly reducing alcohol intake until a person becomes completely abstinent. Tapering off alcohol to reduces potential withdrawal symptoms and decreases the likelihood of a potentially fatal withdrawal from alcohol in individuals who consume alcohol on a regular basis. Tapering alcohol is beneficial because you can avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This is because when you drink heavily for months or years, your body can start to depend on alcohol to function normally.
Why Alcohol Withdrawal Occurs
Let them know your plan, your progress, and how withdrawals are going for you. Stopping alcohol can be rewarding, but it’s not without challenges. You may face social pressure, ingrained habits, and emotional reliance on alcohol.
Overall, do whatever you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible. If you’re sweating, place a cold towel on your forehead or on the back of your neck. Prepare a playlist of your favorite songs or movies to pass the time.
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