Can Tapering Off Alcohol Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

Mild anxiety, for example, can turn into overwhelming agitation or even hallucinations. When symptoms become that serious, it can be difficult to seek help. Seeking help as early as possible during the withdrawal process is the best way to stay safe as you cleanse your body of alcohol. Whether you’re a daily imbiber, heavy drinker, or frequent binge drinker, you’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit. Unfortunately, there’s little to no evidence that tapering off reduces the effects of alcohol withdrawal, some of which can be severe or even life-threatening.

• If alcohol use is more frequent, try to abstain at least three days each week.
• Seizures are another complication of abruptly quitting alcohol that may occur within the first 12 to 48 hours of stopping.

Some studies have shown that sleep disturbances can increase the chance of relapsing…. It can be difficult to say no to people, especially when they care about you. This is why it’s essential to surround yourself with the right support system, such as a 12-step community that can help you maintain your progress. One study showed that delirium tremens had a mortality rate of approximately 25%. This, among other reasons, is why it’s important that you reconsider the idea of going “cold turkey” as part of your journey to sobriety. It is the most challenging and courageous journey you will ever undertake.

Can Tapering Your Alcohol Intake Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

For example, if you normally drink 6 glasses of wine each night, you can try reducing that to 5 glasses of wine a night. After several days of 5 glasses of wine, you can reduce that down to 4. Eventually, after a period of time, you will have tapered down to zero drinks.

The DTs usually emerge within two to five days after you stop drinking and are periods of confusion, disorientation, and hallucinations. Physical DT symptoms may include shaking, irregular heartbeat and blood pressure, sweating, and a change in body temperature. Alcohol abstinence can feel impossible early in the recovery process, and you should not expect yourself to face it alone. The Recovery Village Palm Beach Florida at Baptist Health can help you get started on your recovery with alcohol addiction treatment — safely, comfortably and with your future in mind. Reach out to one of our supportive professionals and begin the healing process. Generally, alcohol withdrawal starts within eight hours of the last drink, but can occur anytime within the first several days after you stop drinking.

What Does “Social Drinking” Really Mean?

If you’re worried about your drinking habits, and they might be affecting your health or destroying relationships with loved ones, consider seeking an alcohol treatment program. Nonetheless, quitting cold turkey might be the only way for people who don’t have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). In this case, having a strong support system, attending AA meetings, and talking with an addiction counselor is key to a successful detox process. During medical detox, medical professionals obverse the side effects of withdrawal and can help provide the support and guidance you need to continue your recovery process.

It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery. For those who try to follow their own alcohol tapering schedule at home, they are more likely to increase the level of their drinking to their original levels. This can become dangerous, as your tolerance to alcohol will reduce over time as you taper off the alcoholic beverages. The absence of alcohol will mean that if you were to return to your former levels of alcohol consumption, you could potentially put yourself in fatal circumstances. When talking about tapering or gradually reducing alcohol use, it is important to have awareness of possible withdrawal symptoms.

Tapering Off to Sobriety: How Much Cutback is Too Much Too Soon?

If a person abruptly stops drinking alcohol within 6 to 8 hours they will experience hyperactivity, anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, and confusion. Seizures are another complication of abruptly quitting alcohol that may occur https://curiousmindmagazine.com/selecting-the-most-suitable-sober-house-for-addiction-recovery/ within the first 12 to 48 hours of stopping. To avoid severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, it is advised to taper off alcohol via medical assistance or by using an alcohol treatment program such as those found at AspenRidge.

Drug and alcohol addiction is a serious health condition that can destroy lives. The good news is that recovery from addiction is possible for those who seek help. If you only drink two to three drinks per week, you can easily quit cold turkey without experiencing major withdrawal symptoms.

Alexandra works with Admissions and Clinical Departments for scheduling client admissions, transfers, discharges and outside appointments while maintaining positive relationships with all clients. Her primary focus is to provide all clients with a safe, structured environment while coordinating their care. Alexandra understands addiction from both familial and personal standpoints, as she is active in her own recovery. Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. Her innovative approach as Director of Operations gives her clients a safe and compassionate place at The Freedom Center to begin their recovery journey. Samantha is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges and find healing and recovery.

Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs. Here are some tips and strategies for how to taper off alcohol safely. Spring Hill Recovery offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs.