Content
People who experience tremors, shakes or confusion when they quit drinking should consider medically supervised detox. You should talk to a doctor about the safest way to detox https://ecosoberhouse.com/ if you experience any withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Sadly, the threat of severe withdrawal symptoms prevents millions of people from stopping their alcohol abuse.
The reason for this is that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can quickly snowball and worsen. Mild anxiety, for example, can turn into overwhelming agitation or even hallucinations. When symptoms become that serious, it can be difficult to seek help. Seeking help as early as possible during the withdrawal process is the best way to stay safe as you cleanse your body of alcohol. For people with moderate to severe alcohol addiction, utilizing an alcohol detox center is always the safest option.
Reach out to a support group.
If you have 20 or more drinks per day, they suggest one drink per hour the first day, every hour and a half the next, then reducing by 2 drinks per day after that. 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.
Depending on a variety of factors, it could be dangerous for you to reduce or stop drinking without medical support. The best and safest first step is to consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment plan for how to taper off alcohol you. There can be medical risks to reducing or stopping alcohol use. A medical professional will evaluate your medical history and current symptoms or problems to determine the best treatment plan to meet your unique needs.
Self-Care Alternative – Medically Monitored Detox
You may find that things you used to do when you were drunk aren’t fun, TV shows you used to like seem stupid, and people that used to delight you are incredibly boring. Unfortunately, the best thing you can do is bear through it and put one foot in front of the other until it goes away.
- That’s why your tolerance is so high and you need to drink so much to feel drunk.
- Sadly, the threat of severe withdrawal symptoms prevents millions of people from stopping their alcohol abuse.
- Anxiety and depression are common alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- Each person’s alcohol metabolism is different, and even though a blood alcohol content of .085is considered legal intoxication, a BAC lower than .08 may adversely affect some people.
- When you’re learning how to taper off alcohol properly, you will have to make a lot of decisions.
Whether you’re a daily imbiber, heavy drinker, or frequent binge drinker, you’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit. Unfortunately, there’s little to no evidence that tapering off reduces the effects of alcohol withdrawal, some of which can be severe or even life-threatening. Quitting with proper medical supervision may be more important than whether you stop gradually or all at once. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can lead to life-threatening health conditions and even death. Withdrawal symptoms may begin within a few hours after the last drink and may last up to 48 to 72 hours. Psychological alcohol withdrawal may continue long after the physical symptoms subside. In fact, many in recovery report having psychological cravings years after they stopped drinking.