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How To Taper Off Alcohol Risks of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey
By Thrive | Sober living
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Particularly severe alcohol withdrawal experience, the more effective option may be to try tapering off alcohol safely instead of attempting to abruptly quit all at once. Long-term alcohol use can lead to developing an alcohol use disorder and physical dependence. If your body becomes physically dependent9on alcohol, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal when you stop how to taper off alcohol drinking. Studies have shown that between 13 and 71%9of people going throughalcohol detoxdevelop withdrawal symptoms. Factors such as pattern of alcohol use, other medical conditions, genetics, and how your body responds to alcohol can all play a role in withdrawal symptoms. As many as 71%8of people who go through alcohol detox experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Further,mental health disorderslike anxiety and depression areextremely commonin those who struggle with drinking, and these disorders can make it even harder to stay sober. If you or a loved one are considering quitting alcohol or changing your drinking habits, it is important to seek medical advice. It’s always best to speak with a healthcare provider when changing your relationship with alcohol. Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking. Sometimes, tapering isn’t enough to help reduce alcohol intake. Many insurance companies will help pay for some or all of the treatment costs, which may be vital to recovery. Unlike inpatient treatment, tapering allows people to maintain their lifestyles while improving their drinking habits.
With physical dependence, your body becomes used to the presence of alcohol in your system and begins to adapt accordingly. Research has shown that professional help improves your ability to overcome an addiction to alcohol or cut back if you have found it difficult. The most common research technique among those surveyed is an internet search (61%), followed by asking a doctor or medical professional (55%). If you’re relying on internet searches to find potential treatment centers, make sure to ask these ten questions to find a licensed facility that can meet your needs.
People with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms may benefit from outpatient rehabilitation and safe tapering. In certain circumstances, individuals may start out strong, tapering off alcohol, but then fall back into their usual habits.
When you quit drinking cold turkey, your body suffers from a cascade of changes caused by the sudden shift. Since alcohol depresses central nervous system activity, quitting drinking can cause an imbalance of an excitatory neurotransmitter calledglutamate. This excess glutamate triggers alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases. It can be very hard to quit drinking, and isn’t something that should be done alone. If someone were to attempt to stop drinking alcohol without tapering off their use, this will then display symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Although all forms of alcohol cessation should be done with medical guidance, tapering your alcohol intake may give you the ability to self-wean from drinking at home. Even though tapering off your alcohol consumption is one of the best ways to stop drinking, it’s important to note that this will need to be done with professional help. This can ensure that you are more likely to succeed with getting on the road to recovery, and that you are less likely to relapse.
Its manifestations include intense anxiety, tremors, insomnia, seizures, hallucinations, high blood pressure, racing pulse. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates.