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 how to taper off alcohol trying to quit drinking. 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.
Cost of Ativan
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that works in the brain by slowing down activity. It achieves its effects by working with an inhibitory neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid, known as GABA. GABA is a chemical messenger in the brain that slows activity in the central nervous system so that you can rest, relax, and sleep. It is important in curbing the effects of anxiety and vigilance when it’s time for you to get some rest. The chemical binds to its receptors on your nerve cells and opens up a channel that allows a negative charge to shut down or slow your nervous system’s excitatory functions.
Recognize Dangerous Withdrawal Symptoms
- Although it is possible to taper your alcohol use alone, professionals highly advise that you seek medical attention.
- Get professional treatment and long-term support to prevent relapse.
- Your pharmacist or doctor can help if you’re having trouble swallowing pills.
- People with moderate to severe alcohol addiction may find an alcohol taper difficult to accomplish.
- Let them know your plan, your progress, and how withdrawals are going for you.
- If you or someone you know is quitting alcohol and experiences seizures, DTs, hallucinations, or other major effects, seek immediate medical attention or call 911 for help.
Contact emergency health services if you or someone you know experiences more than one symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal. Some find tapering is not a suitable option to stop drinking due to various factors such as social responsibilities or peer pressure. For many people, tapering alone is insufficient to help heal their addiction. When you quit alcohol cold turkey, you quit drinking completely and suddenly.
- This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous.
- A substitution taper can involve substituting a prescription drug for alcohol.
- Typically, when a person thinks about the word tapering they think of tapering off medications like opioids.
- Benzodiazepines are the most common medications physicians use to taper alcohol and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
- You should always seek medical advice before attempting any kind of alcohol withdrawal.
- Even when using this method to quit drinking, withdrawal symptoms may appear.
Unsupervised Medical Care
If you or someone you know is quitting alcohol and experiences seizures, DTs, hallucinations, or other major effects, seek immediate medical attention or call 911 for help. As the name suggests, this method involves gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink over time, so you consume less and less alcohol each day or week. The gradual reduction method can be difficult, as you must strictly control how much you drink daily. It is important to note that alcohol tapers are generally not recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol.
What Are The Dangers Of Stopping All At Once?
Reduce Your Number of Drinks Per Day
How to Gradually Stop Drinking
