Can Tapering Off Alcohol Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

If you want to know if tapering off alcohol is the best detox method to reduce or avoid withdrawal symptoms, you’re in the right place. Making a schedule to slowly reduce your alcohol intake is a safe way to taper off the substance. This will ensure that you are not quitting cold turkey which could result in severe and debilitating  withdrawal symptoms or even death. Depending on how much alcohol you’ve been consuming, it can take days or over a week to gradually reduce your dose safely and get off alcohol. If you struggle with drinking, the safest way to quit is under a doctor’s care. If you drink heavily, your doctor may recommend quitting with the help of a medical detox center.

However, learning more about how an alcohol taper works can help you prepare to quit. Alcohol metabolizes more quickly in individuals with a high tolerance to alcohol. On the other hand, it will take longer to metabolize in someone with a lower tolerance. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives. When you frequently drink large amounts of alcohol, your brain responds to the excess GABA by producing less GABA.

Donald Trump Donates Part of Salary to Alcoholism Research

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. When you are physically dependent on a substance like alcohol, your body adapts accordingly. That said, tapering off alcohol doesn’t completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal is dangerous and it’s important to be careful throughout the process. Some people are facing problems with their health or personal lives which require them to quit immediately.

Internal triggers are thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations that cause a person to drink. Being exposed to either form of a trigger can result in unwanted relapse. This only escalates the alterations in the brain’s pathways that are then wired to need the substance. The result is physical dependence and/or psychological addiction to alcohol. Ongoing heavy drinking basically trains the brain, through its reward system, to want and need alcohol. The initial dopamine rush you experience sends a message to the brain that this is pleasurable.

Elevate Wellness Center Provides an Alcohol Tapering Schedule

Give us a call and we can help find the right treatment program for you or your loved one – even if it’s not ours! It is crucial to ensure that each day’s drink count is lower than the previous day to maintain a gradual reduction. It’s also important to avoid getting stuck at a particular step, as it would defeat the purpose of the taper.

He then attended New York Medical College for his residency training. Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors. Over the past several months, Erin has worked with our team to create a strong clinical program for our residential location in Buckeystown.

How to Modify the Alcohol Tapering Schedule Over Time

In most cases, withdrawal symptoms begin within 8 hours after a person’s last drink. They typically peak within three days, though some symptoms may last for weeks. This is a time where there is a lot of concern surrounding the spread of COVID-19 and we know that many clients are choosing to stay home in order to avoid the virus and stop it’s spread. Social distancing is extremely important to us as we understand that it’s going to take a group effort in order to slow down the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, this is also a time when many people are turning to substances as a way to cope, and there are many others who currently need treatment. Despite the current events, there is still a need for quality treatment- MD Home Detox is continuing to provide that in the safety of the client’s home.

• Erin decided to switch careers and went back to school to obtain her Addiction Counseling certification.
• Receive 24/7 text support right away.There is no obligation and you can opt out at any time.
• Aside from unavoidable triggers, tapering off alcohol can also have side effects which can be difficult to manage at home.
• Being exposed to either form of a trigger can result in unwanted relapse.
• There are many factors that can affect how long weaning off alcohol will take.
• Quitting alcohol cold turkey is not recommended and can be dangerous.

Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening in some cases, safety is crucial when you work towards sobriety. Little scientific evidence exists regarding tapers, but medical detox has been proven to be a safe and effectiveway to quit drinking. Once you have completely tapered off alcohol, it is a good idea to avoid alcohol use for a period of 30 days which will allow your body time to adjust to being alcohol-free. Some people find that they do not want to return to alcohol use while others try to find a happy medium for moderate consumption. If you have tried tapering off alcohol without success, consider a medically supervised alcohol detox program. Gallus Detox Centers can help you overcome alcohol use once and for all.

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Once the withdrawal process has been completed, the individual can begin therapy and education to help move towards recovery. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the addiction, and seeking help is never a bad idea. Tapering off alcohol does prevent most withdrawal symptoms from occurring. While you may experience some side effects, they will be extremely mild if they happen at all. The main symptom you will experience throughout the process is intense cravings for alcohol.

Generally speaking, alcohol home detox is neither the most effective nor the safest method of quitting alcohol. However, it is inexpensive and may be suitable for someone whose job, relationships, and well-being are not in jeopardy. Deciding to quit https://ecosoberhouse.com/ drinking and following through isn’t just about willpower. Many other factors go into play with these difficult and trying scenarios. Tolerance, dependence, social habits, setting, the biology of the individual and more must all be considered.

Below I share some key information so you can determine if weaning off alcohol is right for you. Alcohol detox medications can make the process safer how to taper off alcohol and more comfortable. They can also ensure your alcohol detox is successful by making it nigh impossible to relapse if symptoms get difficult.

By weaning yourself from drinking, you give your brain the chance to adjust the amount of GABA it produces. Heavy drinking causes notable changes in the brain, specifically affecting the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Over an extended period of excessive alcohol consumption, the brain reduces its production of GABA since it’s used to alcohol doing most of the work.

The main goal of tapering is to prevent or minimize withdrawal symptoms. If withdrawal symptoms appear during the tapering process, the taper may be happening too quickly and must be slowed down. Slowing down the tapering pace can help manage withdrawal symptoms effectively. Another strategy for a successful taper is to drink just enough to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. If you find it is difficult to prevent yourself from drinking too much and getting drunk, locking your alcohol up in a cabinet and giving your friend or family member the key can help. Although with this method, it is important that the friend or family member is accessible when symptoms of withdrawals such as tremors return.