How To Taper Off Alcohol Risks of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey

There’s no set time frame for tapering off alcohol that works for everyone. Even if your situation seems like someone else’s, your body may respond differently to the tapering process. If you are suffering from alcoholism, you should not quit alcohol abruptly. Reach out for professional help to discuss a treatment plan that is safe and effective.

For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health . But, perhaps most importantly, understand that setbacks happen and that progress takes time or may look different than imagined. It is all part of the process, and no one’s process is the same.

Does Everyone That Drinks Need an Alcohol Withdrawal Taper?

To learn about how our substance abuse treatment programs address alcohol dependence and withdrawal management, please contact us today. Alcohol abuse affects how you feel and how you make decisions. It’s especially influential if you have an alcohol use disorder. Don’t try to reduce your alcohol intake based on what feels right. Because alcohol use disorder and depression often go hand in hand, detoxing from alcohol might exacerbate mood disorders. Withdrawal symptoms can make anxiety and depression feel worse.

While this is a valiant effort and it can work for some people, an abrupt cessation of alcohol can be dangerous for those who have a long history of alcohol abuse and addiction. However, achieving sobriety is a process that can take quite some time. To speed up the processes, many choose to try going “cold turkey,” aka, stop drinking and never pick up a glass again.

Alcohol and Metabolism

Some people might need medications or tapering drugs to help ease any withdrawal symptoms that arise throughout the tapering-off process. The reason for weaning off alcohol instead of quitting cold turkey is to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. 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 within the first 12 to 48 hours of stopping. When they suddenly quit drinking, the brain continues its hyperactivity, but alcohol no longer suppresses the effects. This can cause seizures and delirium tremens, a severe form of withdrawal marked by tremors and hallucinations.

If alcohol withdrawal is so dangerous, is tapering off alcohol necessary for everyone who drinks? If you’ve been drinking consistently for a long time, it’s a good idea to consider the safest way to stop when it’s time to cut back. However, weaning off alcohol isn’t always necessary for people who want to cut back or stop drinking. The most significant factor is whether or not you’ve become how to taper off alcohol chemically dependent. However, when you quit drinking abruptly, your body’s chemical balance will be thrown off suddenly, leading to uncomfortable side effects. You will have an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory chemicals in your nervous system. This is why many of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms seem to be related to overstimulation, like shaky hands, racing thoughts, and insomnia.

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This condition most often occurs when someone who has long-term alcohol dependence stops drinking cold turkey. But if heavy drinkers cut back on their average number of drinks too quickly, they may be at risk of life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. The alcohol withdrawal process can be dangerous and even life-threatening, so you should consult a healthcare professional or addiction treatment specialist before trying to wean yourself off alcohol. Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can become so severe that alcohol withdrawal can lead to death. The safest way to prevent and cope with withdrawal symptoms is by working with a medical professional who can monitor you. 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.

• Detoxing at home usually takes longer because you should be cautious to avoid serious complications.
• Someone should only direct taper if their drink of choice is beer with a low alcohol percentage.
• However, your body is adaptable, and after a period of regular, heavy drinking, your nervous system will adapt to the presence of alcohol.
• Depending on how much alcohol you drink to start with, the amount of time an alcohol weaning schedule takes may vary.
• Choose drinks with a consistent ABV to make it easier, and either measure your drinks out or drink prepackaged servings .
• It’s vital to speak with a medical professional before you begin weaning off alcohol to ensure you have a plan to do so safely.

Others may discover after consulting with a doctor that it’s safe for them to quit alcohol cold turkey if they choose to. However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them. If you’re not sure if cold turkey or tapering is right for you, you can join the Monument Community to hear from others who have confronted similar questions. When you quit drinking, you should also seek medical advice about any alcohol withdrawal symptoms you experience. This includes early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as mild tremors and anxiety. The reason for this is that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can quickly snowball and worsen.

How Long Does It Take To Detox?

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. In particular, it alters the neurotransmitter https://ecosoberhouse.com/ gamma-aminobutyric acid . When you drink a lot over a long period, your brainreducesthe amount of GABA it makes. This means that if you quit drinking cold turkey, your brain will not have enough GABA.

• Once they appear, acute symptoms may continue for around a week.
• Dependence is often accompanied by tolerance, which is when it takes more and more alcohol for you to achieve the same effects that you experienced when you first started.
• In that role, James audited a national trade association with over 1,300 member companies that sell health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans.
• Again, this all depends on factors such as one’s previous drinking habits and physical dependence on alcohol.
• As a rule of thumb, HAMS suggests reducing your consumption by two standard drinks per day until you reach zero.
• Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs.

Finally, just because you’ve gotten past the withdrawal phase doesn’t mean you won’t continue to face psychological aspects of addiction—including alcohol cravings and drinking triggers. Weaning off alcohol gives your body chemistry a chance to adjust, reducing the shock to your system. It also lets you start working new habits and routines into your day to replace drinking, starting the transition. Rather than beginning your sober life drained and dazed from a week of feeling ill, you can already be getting on your feet.