Monitoring you pulse and blood pressure can be a very good idea while you are tapering especially if you have high blood pressure. If your pulse exceeds 100, your blood pressure goes very high, or you have irregular heart beat then this means that you are tapering too fast and you need more beer. After successfully completing detox, there are additional treatment options at Serenity Lane.
Gradual Reduction Method
If you repeatedly cannot cut back on your drinking or otherwise cannot get lower than a certain point in the taper, this might not be the right method for you. Sober House Rules: A Comprehensive Overview If you notice severe hallucinations, extreme brain fog, the world slows down around you; you feel drunk when you’re not, you may have warning signs of delirium tremens (DTs). Always have one of your drinks late at night before you go to bed, to prevent this from happening while you’re sleeping. You need to make your own schedule and determine what’s best for you. If you try a slower taper, you risk dragging it out too long and decreasing your chances of quitting. If you do it too fast, you increase your chance of severe withdrawal.
Medications Used When Tapering Off Alcohol
It’s kind of like exposure therapy for not drinking for longer periods of time. You’ll get better at navigating spaces without an alcoholic beverage in hand and build up the muscle to deal with the anxiety you have about not drinking. Next, there is a day treatment program or partial hospitalization program (PHP) at Serenity Lane. As a step down from residential inpatient treatment, PHP allows participants the flexibility to balance the demands of both their personal and professional lives.
Can people successfully use alcohol to taper off?
As you reduce your alcohol consumption, you may notice improvements in mood, anxiety, and overall mental well-being. However, the initial stages of tapering can also bring emotional challenges, as your body and mind adjust to lower levels of alcohol. Engaging in therapy during this time can provide essential support and coping strategies. If you are detoxing at home, anything beyond mild symptoms should trigger you to seek medical help. Delirium tremens (DTs) is a serious condition that some people struggling with alcohol withdrawal go through. It is characterized by severe nausea, seizures and hallucinations.
You Experience Withdrawals When You Stop Drinking
Having a plan can help you stay on track and it can keep you safe. One of the keys to a successful taper is taking gradual steps that will cause as few side effects as possible. It’s common for the first symptoms to appear within a few hours after your last drink. There are a range of symptoms you can experience when you stop drinking. Tapering can help minimize these symptoms, but you might still experience some of them while your body adjusts to the lack of alcohol.
Don’t quit other lighter substances while you’re detoxing from alcohol. I’m specifically talking about things like weed, cigarettes, and vaping. If you mess up once or twice and drink more than you intended to, don’t be too discouraged.
Step 2
12-step programs and other support groups can provide an empathetic community of people who understand your struggles. They can teach you different coping strategies and techniques to manage cravings. Eating healthier helps your body heal from the effects of alcohol. It also ensures your body has proper nutrition to maintain stamina during the stress it will go through during detox.
Self Care
By being in a medical facility, you can focus on detoxing without feeling stressed or tempted by alcohol. It provides relapse prevention techniques, therapeutic interventions, and aftercare support. Ask friends or family to check on you throughout the detox process. Aside from providing emotional support, they can also call medical professionals if something goes wrong. Overall, the process can take weeks, and you might still feel withdrawal symptoms for months. Setting aside time to focus on the detox can help you prepare for withdrawal.
- As long as safety precautions are taken, there’s no wrong way to begin a sobriety or moderation journey.
- The numbers may be less for women, individuals with smaller bodies, and people who are underweight.
- Some withdrawal is normal, and some symptoms can be potentially life-threatening.
- Pick a number of drinks per week as part of your plan to cut back on drinking, and be sure to keep track of this data.
- These can include improved liver function, better sleep quality, enhanced cognitive function, and a lower risk of developing alcohol-related diseases.
Being exposed to either https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ form of a trigger can result in unwanted relapse. A cold shower can help you physically reset if you are experiencing strong urges to relapse. It can help clear your mind and has many other great benefits beyond helping you deal with alcohol withdrawal.
