If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate. Weaning off alcohol is a hard process, but it is something that you should be immensely proud of. That’s why it’s important to remember that relapse is not failure. Make sure your support network knows about your goals and is committed to helping you achieve them. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery should also be a component. A therapist can help you understand your triggers and develop healthy coping skills for dealing with them.
Long-Term Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse on Mental Health
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them. Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it. When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated. 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. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range in severity depending on how extensive the misuse behavior was.
Ready to make a change?
Rather than beginning your sober life drained and dazed from a week of feeling ill, you can already be getting on your feet. Part of an alcohol tapering plan should include ways you’ll tend to yourself during times when you have a craving or a bad day. Planning for social situations where you know there will be alcohol can help you navigate how to respond. Depending on the amount and length of time someone drinks, they may experience symptoms when tapering. Symptoms of tapering are similar to mild or moderate withdrawal symptoms, which include the following.
But could weaning yourself off alcohol help you stay sober for good? In fact, 30 million people have alcohol use disorder1 in the United States alone. Luckily, this nationwide issue has resources available to help you heal. If you suddenly quit drinking, your brain can start to make more of an excitatory substance called glutamate. This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous. Choosing to taper off alcohol is an admirable decision and a step in the right direction.
What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol
- Handling social pressures when trying to quit alcohol involves intentional communication and planning.
- As a Certified Professional Recovery Coach, I often speak with people who want to wean off alcohol.
- However, it still poses some serious risks, especially for individuals with long-term and/or severe alcohol problems.
- Xenia Ellenbogen (she/they) is a journalist specializing in health, mental health, and wellness.
- Read on to learn how to wean off alcohol, whether alcohol withdrawal can kill you, and other common questions about quitting drinking.
However, using this method can help you avoid severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms and decrease the risk of a relapse. Overall, effective monitoring and adjustment of the alcohol taper schedule are essential to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and to support the individual’s journey toward sobriety. For those at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms, medically-supervised detox is often the safest choice for beginning their sobriety or moderation journey. Others may discover after consulting with a doctor that it’s safe for them to quit alcohol cold turkey if they choose to.
The Effects of Alcohol is Ruining my Family and Relationships
For people who drink heavily and frequently, it’s wise to consult with a medical professional before tapering. “Some will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop abruptly, which is an indicator for medically managed alcohol withdrawal treatments from a health professional. Science has discovered the best ways to motivate people to change their behaviour. But when it https://thecinnamonhollow.com/a-guide-to-sober-house-rules-what-you-need-to-know/ comes to talking about alcohol dependence, most of us do the opposite. Rather than talking them out of change, remind them of times in the past where they met difficult goals. Help them discover their own powerful motivation to drink less, not yours.
The Benefits of Developing a Morning Routine in Sobriety
When you quit through tapering, you drink a little less each day until you’re able to have no alcohol at all. It can lower the severity of symptoms, and it can make you more likely to meet your goals. Tapering off alcohol helps some people start their recovery journeys. It can also be a good idea for people who don’t want to, or can’t, attend any type of full detoxification program. As a rule of thumb, HAMS (a harm reduction support organization) suggests reducing your consumption by two standard drinks per day until you reach zero. 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.
You should include strategies to both reduce drinking and prevent relapse. Before you attempt to quit alcohol, it is critically important that you first consult with a medical professional. There are two ways to taper off alcohol—a direct or substitution taper. The success of these strategies will depend on A Guide To Sober House Rules: What You Need To Know how much you drink and what you drink. Tapering can be an excellent way to prevent harmful withdrawal effects after ceasing alcohol intake. You can taper off alcohol if you worry that you are developing alcohol addiction.
Who Should Consider Alcohol Tapering?
Studies show that those who receive some type of formal treatment after detox are more likely to maintain sobriety8. The search for addiction and mental health treatment can be overwhelming. We created this guide to support you in finding treatment that meets your needs. Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being. When you reduce alcohol intake, your body might seek other sources of sugar, leading to cravings.