Some people withdrawing from alcohol could be at risk for delirium tremens (DTs). According to MedLinePlus, delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal. 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. Alcohol withdrawal will last about a week to a week and a half for most people, with symptoms peaking two to three days into withdrawal.
Build a Sober Community of Support
Because quitting cold turkey produces such intense withdrawal symptoms, people are more likely to consume alcohol to stop them. Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery. Benzodiazepines are the most common medications physicians use to taper alcohol and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Before a doctor begins a tapering plan with medications, they will assess the medical stability, including vital sign stability, and pattern of withdrawal symptoms in the patient. Alcohol addiction can be difficult and sometimes dangerous to handle on your own.
Alcohol Tapering Schedule
Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or the resources needed to get a professional detox. People who have successfully tapered from alcohol before may be especially likely to benefit from this strategy. If you drink heavily on a regular basis, it can be dangerous to stop alcohol cold turkey. For this reason, you should not suddenly quit drinking without talking to your doctor. The consequences of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be serious and lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be fatal in severe cases. Reducing alcohol intake can have significant positive effects on mental health.
- Tapering helps people stop using alcohol and other substances in small and manageable steps.
- Because quitting cold turkey produces such intense withdrawal symptoms, people are more likely to consume alcohol to stop them.
- The best way to taper off alcohol is to find healthcare professionals who can assess one’s current intake.
- Research indicates that a carefully managed tapering schedule can decrease the likelihood of relapse and facilitate a smoother transition to abstinence.
- It is critical that you make and closely follow a recovery plan.
- “Replacing time or events spent drinking with other enjoyable activities is helpful.
Signs & Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
This increased hyperactivity, combined with the suppressing effect of alcohol, helps your brain function more normally. This process is called dependence because your brain depends on alcohol being present to function normally. A doctor can supervise your tapering progress, helping you manage your cravings and prevent relapse. Overall, getting professional help can improve your chances for long-term sobriety.
Why Alcohol Withdrawal Occurs
Identify specific situations, emotions, environments, and people that motivate your drinking. Examples of triggers could include stress, social gatherings with alcohol, certain friends, and bars. Attending a residential rehab or outpatient program gives you coping mechanisms and life skills that can help you for years to come after treatment. You can strengthen your emotional and communication techniques to help you work through any tough situations that may arise in the future. Blending modern and traditional approaches, a residential treatment center addressing substance use disorders with equine therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona. Alcohol withdrawal usually lasts for a few days, but some effects may linger for months.
In these sober house cases, talk to your doctor before cutting back on your drinking. When done under medical supervision, tapering off alcohol has few downsides. However, tapering can sometimes be unsafe if you attempt to do so on your own without a doctor’s knowledge.
Can I Just Quit Alcohol Cold Turkey?
Contact emergency health services if you or someone you know experiences more than one symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal. For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off may be a good option. However, quitting cold turkey or tapering is not advisable for people with an AUD. One of the more difficult parts is maintaining sobriety after you achieve it.
Severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
For example, if you typically have 10 drinks per day, you could cut back to 8 the first day, then 6, 4, 2, and finally none. If you have 20 or more drinks per day, they suggest one drink per hour the first day, every hour and a half the next, then reducing by 2 drinks per day after that. There are multiple health benefits you can experience when you start drinking less alcohol. The exact benefits will depend on how much alcohol you were drinking and on factors such as your genetics, overall health, and how your body responds.
- If severe withdrawal symptoms are experienced, the plan may need to be modified to ensure safety and comfort.
- Jeff’s work has been used in rehabs across the country as tools to help patients achieve sobriety.
- Support groups, from Alcoholics Anonymous to SMART Recovery, are one free way to find a community of people on the same journey.
- If you find it difficult to cut down on your number of drinks per day, try making your drinks weaker by using less alcohol per drink.
- These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper.
Additionally, understanding and avoiding personal triggers can help prevent relapse. Unfortunately, your brain may be sensitized to withdrawal due to kindling, which can set you up for unexpectedly severe withdrawal symptoms. This method is safer than abruptly stopping alcohol consumption, especially when switching from hard liquor to beer. Drinking beer can also help maintain hydration throughout the taper.