When you are detoxing from alcohol at a rehab center, nurses and doctors monitor vital signs, provide adequate nourishment and treat complications if they occur. You should start by determining how much alcohol you drink per day in terms of standard drinks. Nanci Stockwell of Advanced Recovery Systems discusses the risks of detoxing at home and the benefits of detoxing from alcohol and other drugs in a safe environment. 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. Now that you’ve successfully completed the detoxification process, it’s time to build your sobriety toolkit through treatment.
Is it Better to Taper Off Alcohol or Quit “Cold Turkey?”
For this reason, you should always talk to your doctor before attempting to quit drinking. The main difference between tapering and quitting alcohol cold turkey is how fast you quit. Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once. Tapering or weaning means ramping down your alcohol use until you get to zero—or to a more moderate level of drinking that you prefer. That said, tapering off alcohol doesn’t completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms.
Mood Swings, Brain Fog, and Anxiety
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 Sober House specialists to find alcohol detox programs near you. At Orlando Recovery Center Drug and Alcohol Rehab, we offer many alcohol addiction treatment options led by train medical professionals.
Can You Taper Too Slowly?
Just for reference a 12 ounce regular strength (5%) beer is one standard drink. A standard (750 ml) bottle of wine at 12% alcohol contains 5 standard drinks. It is also very important when tapering off to fight dehydration and to replenish lost vitamins. If you go through a medical detox the people they may rehydrate you with an IV and may also give you vitamin shots. If you are doing a self detox be sure to drink lots and lots of fluids and to take vitamin pills. If you choose to drink water make sure that you get enough salt for electrolyte balance so that you avoid water intoxication.
- Stress is a common trigger that makes it hard to modify your alcohol intake.
- Detoxing at home usually takes longer because you should be cautious to avoid serious complications.
- This pivotal moment was the beginning of my journey to understanding the deeper reasons behind alcohol consumption, a journey I now navigate with my clients.
- Luckily, this nationwide issue has resources available to help you heal.
- Withdrawal symptoms are generally uncomfortable to deal with, but they can be fatal.
Getting Sleep, Dealing With Cravings
Detox programs involve short-term (usually less than seven days) inpatient treatment during which specially trained professionals monitor your withdrawal closely and administer medications as needed. A healthcare provider may also suggest vitamins and dietary changes help with your withdrawal symptoms. People who consume large amounts of alcohol may be more prone to certain nutritional deficiencies, including B vitamins. Your doctor may recommend taking supplements to address these deficiencies. You may have tried to quit drinking alcohol and discovered that the symptoms you experienced were more severe than you anticipated. Maybe you decided to go back to drinking just to relieve those symptoms.
Understanding and Implementing an Alcohol Taper Schedule
The longer and harder a person has drunk alcohol–the more severe the withdrawal will be. Alcoholism is linked to many chronic diseases, including heart https://thesandiegodigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ disease, liver disease, and certain cancers. Chronic, heavy drinking can significantly increase your risk of serious illness and premature death.
Done With Alcohol? Here’s How To Stop Drinking
It can also help you gain a new perspective as you consider how your life will change without alcohol. A sober life doesn’t have to mean more time at home as you try to block out triggers. It can mean more time for your other interests, and even new interests.
- If the withdrawal symptoms persist for five days, many give in and take a drink to get some relief.
- If you’re continuing to suffer physical symptoms after two weeks of abstinence from alcohol, consult your healthcare provider.
- The main downside of tapering off is that it requires discipline.
- Tapering helps people stop using alcohol and other substances in small and manageable steps.
One of the primary challenges is managing the withdrawal symptoms that can occur even with a gradual reduction in alcohol intake. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe health issues, making the tapering process difficult without proper guidance and support. It can be tempting to just “rip off the Band-Aid” when getting sober, but tapering off alcohol is often much safer—and much less stressful.
