Did you know most insurance companies will cover the cost of drug and alcohol detox? The craving for alcohol may be a persistent challenge during and after withdrawal. There will be multiple points throughout the process where you will be tempted to drink. It’s helpful to think of your craving as a wave; Cravings build, peak, crash and dissipate. The point is that eventually, your craving will go away — the wave will crash.
Alcohol Tapering Schedule
- Aside from unavoidable triggers, tapering off alcohol can also have side effects which can be difficult to manage at home.
- The goal of tapering is to make the withdrawal process safer and more bearable.
- I’ll be honest, your chances of staying sober on your own are slim to none.
- It can help you reach goals and can minimize some of the unpleasant and severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Unfortunately, alcohol tapering has not been extensively studied. This means that there is little data about the best way to taper your drinking. However, some groups have published tapering examples to assist those trying to quit drinking. Gradually reducing alcohol consumption can be achieved through a substitution taper. However, even the best-designed tapers can put you at risk for alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Quick Read
- If you can get through a day with no physical withdrawal symptoms, you probably won’t need to taper.
- As your body detoxifies and heals, you may experience increased energy levels and overall well-being.
- Or you might just sidestep the conversation by saying that you have to get up early the next morning or want to make sure you’re good to drive later.
- “Using a medication such as naltrexone increases the overall chances that people can cut down or quit,” Lee said.
If you need to taper in the first place, you have already proven that you can’t drink like a normal person. Tapering is the process of gradually decreasing your consumption of a substance over time to lessen the withdrawal symptoms if you’re physically dependent. This is the same thing they’ll do if you go to a detox facility or hospital, except they’ll use medications https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview instead of alcohol for the taper.
The Benefits of Breaking Up With Booze
But, as many in recovery will tell you, it is only the first chapter in a long process. Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder. When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective.
– Get medical assistance if you experience anything beyond mild withdrawal symptoms.
But deciding to cut back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper. You may decide to seek medical treatment for your withdrawal symptoms or make the choice to enter a professional detox or rehab center. Even if you don’t succeed the first time, there are still plenty of treatment options you can turn to. It can help you reach goals and can minimize some of the unpleasant and severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Ria Health offers access to many of these tools, including prescription medications, recovery coaching, and online support groups—all through a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app.
Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results. Thus, a user will likely seek out alcohol again to rid themselves of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The amount of alcohol it takes to cause withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. For this reason, you should always talk to your doctor before attempting to quit drinking. Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems. If you have a severe alcohol addiction, it might be best to seek professional addiction treatment.
Alcohol Tapering Timeline
Make sure you have access to medical care and social support. While tapering can be helpful for some, others may require medical supervision. For severe alcohol addiction, seeking help from healthcare professionals or addiction specialists is crucial.
Mental Health Resources
The letter’s content should be encouraging and remind you why you are going through the challenge of detox in the first place. Pull the letter out and read it to yourself when you feel tempted. It’s even helpful to read it out loud, as this has been shown to help you retain the information more sober house effectively.
It becomes more hyperactive and balances out the effects of alcohol. As a result, it brings more balance to the brain’s function. It can be tempting to throw yourself into an alternative behavior or substance use in order to distract from the difficulties of recovery. If you notice an urge to use other substances, observe your feelings and consider talking to a counselor to help navigate the emotional impact of tapering your alcohol use. When you drink heavily, alcohol is present in your bloodstream constantly. Alcohol suppresses your brain’s normal function, and your body adjusts to this constant presence of alcohol by making your brain more hyperactive.