This can trigger alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases. Quitting cold turkey is the preferred method of withdrawal, but only if how to taper off alcohol done under medical supervision, where symptoms can be treated as they occur. When done under medical supervision, tapering off alcohol has few downsides.
For many types of addiction, you need supervision from medical and addiction professionals to taper and stay clean. In some cases, quitting on your own can cause life-threatening complications. With the right help and some lifestyle changes, you can successfully taper off from a drug or alcohol addiction. Usually, alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur within 12–24 hours after stopping alcohol and can last 2–10 days. The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is known as delirium tremens, which develops in about 3 to 5% of people with severe alcohol addiction. Delirium tremens is also more common in people of older age, those with a history of seizures, and people with co-occurring illnesses or disorders.
You Experience Withdrawals When You Stop Drinking
They can help you decide if tapering is the safest option for you. When someone stops drinking, they must decide whether to quit “cold turkey” or taper their alcohol use. Quitting cold turkey involves suddenly stopping all alcohol use, while tapering involves slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person drinks daily. Weaning off alcohol reduces the chance of experiencing withdrawal or the severity of withdrawal symptoms. If you drink alcohol and are thinking about quitting, it is important to make sure you do so safely. One potential way to quit drinking is through tapering, which involves slowly reducing your alcohol intake over time.
- Then continue to taper down by reducing the amounts by two beers per day until you are down to zero.
- When you drink heavily, your brain changes its sensitivity to GABA.
- This can be done by reducing the number of drinks, increasing time between drinks or choosing a weaker drink with a lower alcohol content.
- Alcohol detox medications can make the process safer and more comfortable.
People who only drink occasionally probably won’t notice any physical or psychological symptoms. People who have a severe reaction to quitting alcohol should seek emergency treatment. These symptoms may start a few hours or a few days after your last drink of alcohol. Sometimes, symptoms may be severe enough to require medical treatment at a hospital or rehabilitation facility.
Alcohol Detox at Home
This means that if you quit drinking cold turkey, your brain will not be sensitive enough to GABA. This can cause your brain to become hyper-excitable and leads to withdrawal symptoms. Typically, alcohol withdrawal symptoms happen for heavier drinkers.
However, tapering can sometimes be unsafe if you attempt to do so on your own without a doctor’s knowledge. For example, if you start to suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms despite an attempt to taper, your symptoms may worsen before you have the chance to seek medical attention. For this reason, even at-home tapers should be done under a doctor’s care. For those at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms, medically-supervised detox is often the safest choice for beginning their sobriety or moderation journey. Others may discover after consulting with a doctor that it’s safe for them to quit alcohol cold turkey if they choose to.
Find Professional Treatment
They might have eight drinks when they go to the bar and think it’s average compared with their friends. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when you stop using alcohol after a prolonged period of heavy use. Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous form of substance withdrawal, creating unpleasant symptoms that can be potentially deadly for those with more severe symptoms.
- If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is.
- A rare but very serious syndrome called delirium tremens can occur during alcohol withdrawal.
- The support of an alcohol detox program may help you wean off alcohol more quickly and with fewer unpleasant side effects.
- For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Talk to a medical professional to find the best detox option for you. You can taper off alcohol if you worry that you are developing alcohol addiction. There’s no set time frame for tapering off alcohol that works for everyone. Even if your situation seems like someone else’s, your body may respond differently to the tapering process. That’s why it’s vital to have support while tapering off alcohol. Deciding to quit drinking and following through isn’t just about willpower.
Minimized Risk of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Unstable vital signs increase the risk of complications and can be managed with medications. People who experience severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs may require hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) treatment during alcohol. A rare but very serious syndrome called delirium tremens can occur during alcohol withdrawal. Also known as DTs, an estimated 2% of people with alcohol use disorder and less than 1% of the general population experience them. Unfortunately, your brain may be sensitized to withdrawal due to kindling, which can set you up for unexpectedly severe withdrawal symptoms.
This journey is often non-linear, and your goals can change over time. Tapering can help you overcome alcohol dependence, which is a side effect of chronic alcohol use that causes cravings and withdrawal. Detox doesn’t treat addiction, which is a disease characterized by compulsive behaviors, such as chronic alcohol use. Start by estimating how much you drink on a daily basis—and be honest with yourself.
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