Alcohol misuse can lead to physical dependence, making it highly challenging for those affected to quit drinking or cut back. Unfortunately, abruptly discontinuing alcohol use is unpleasant and, in extreme cases, dangerous and can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, health experts urge alcohol-dependent individuals to choose medically-assisted detox. For those who opt to detox at home, tapering down is much less risky than trying to quit cold turkey. Still, this process requires doctor approval and supervision to ensure it’s safe to do in your specific situation.
Whether you decide to quit drinking on your own, per a doctor’s orders, or under clinic supervision, you are urged to seek professional help in the aftermath. While detox is the first and most critical step of recovery, many people find formal treatment is necessary to address their emotional dependence. This includes learning new coping mechanisms to more effectively deal with life’s stressors and managing triggers and cravings for relapse prevention.
Guardian Recovery offers comprehensive, evidence-based programs and several levels of care, including medical detox, residential inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and aftercare. Contact us today to learn more if you need help detoxing from alcohol or could benefit from therapy and support in a secure, comfortable environment.
Start Healing Today!
Choose recovery and take control of your life, it’s the path to a brighter future filled with health, happiness, and fulfillment.
What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Drinking excessively over an extended period can result in physical dependency. When this happens, the brain and body have become accustomed to alcohol exposure and have adapted accordingly. Withdrawal symptoms occur because alcohol stimulates the neurochemical GABA, which slows down the brain and promotes relaxation. In response, the brain reduces its natural production of GABA to offset the effects of alcohol. (1)
As a result, when a person quits drinking, it will take time for GABA levels to stabilize and return to normal. Until this happens, they will experience symptoms related to brain hyperactivity, such as anxiety, rapid heart rate, restlessness, etc. Some symptoms can onset within a few hours, and the most severe tend to take two or three days to manifest.
What Is an Alcohol Taper?
Tapering is a method of gradually reducing the use of an addictive substance such as alcohol. This process can help alcohol-dependent people avoid unpleasant and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. (2) When exposure to alcohol is reduced in a controlled way, the brain has more time to stabilize and won’t respond as intensely as it would after abrupt cessation.
Tapering off alcohol is not an unreasonable approach to detox for many who want to quit drinking. This strategy can be especially beneficial for those who can’t suddenly stop without experiencing adverse symptoms. At-home alcohol tapering can be accomplished in many cases, but having a doctor approve and devise a tapering plan is highly recommended to ensure safety. Individuals who have consumed alcohol excessively for many years or developed a severe dependence are typically advised to undergo a medically-monitored detox in a supervised clinical setting.
Tapering Off Alcohol at Home
The first step in designing a tapering schedule is estimating the number of drinks you typically consume daily (your baseline.) (3) When you’ve determined this, you (and ideally, your doctor) will devise a plan where you begin reducing your intake on day two and continue to make reasonable but consistent reductions each day thereafter.Â
The length of time you’ll need depends on your baseline and how rapidly you want the process to go. Typical schedules are 3-7 days long and require two fewer drinks than the day before. (4)
Tapering Schedule Example:
- Day one: 10 drinks
- Day two: 8 drinks
- Day three: 6 drinks
- Day four: 4 drinks
- Day five: 2 drinks
- Day six: No drinks
Generally speaking, consuming fewer drinks than the preceding day is the goal, and adhering to your planned schedule as much as possible. However, if you experience withdrawal symptoms, this is a sign that you are tapering too fast for your system to manage. In this event, you can slow the tapering process by decreasing drinks in increments less than you planned. For example, you could start tapering down by one drink per day instead of two. You can also hasten your schedule, but you are advised to have this approved by your doctor.
Relapse Prevention
The most effective way to prevent relapse is to be supervised in a medical detox. However, there are a few strategies that can help you avoid some of the potential pitfalls of withdrawing at home.Â
The nature of relapse is different if you are weaning off alcohol versus cold turkey. For example, it might consist of not reducing your alcohol intake appropriately. Or, it could mean stopping your tapering altogether. When detoxing at home, always follow your doctor’s advice and tell them if you’re struggling with your tapering schedule or think you need to alter it to help you cope.
One way to help prevent yourself from allowing this is to keep only enough alcohol in your home to satisfy your schedule. Ideally, you could enlist a loved one to help you by obtaining your scheduled amount each day to avoid the temptation to purchase more than you need. Having a friend around to supervise you can also help keep you accountable and ensure you get medical treatment if you need it.
Complimentary Insurance Check
Find Out Today!
"*" indicates required fields
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms vary in type and severity depending on how long it’s been since you had your last drink. However, anyone with even a relatively mild alcohol use disorder will likely experience at least some symptoms unless a tapering schedule is used or they undergo medical detox.
Mild symptoms typically onset between 6-12 hours after your last drink and persist while more severe symptoms begin to appear. (5)
Mild Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal Include:
- Headache.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Poor appetite.
- Anxiety.
- Upset stomach.
- Heart palpitations.
- Fatigue.
- Insomnia.
Moderate withdrawal symptoms occur approximately 12-48 hours after the last drink is consumed. At this time, the aforementioned symptoms will continue, possibly increase in intensity, and more will arise.
Moderate Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Include:
- Confusion.
- Profuse sweating.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Fever.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Mild tremors.
- Increased anxiety.
- Rapid, shallow breathing.
Severe alcohol withdrawal can include those listed above, in addition to increasingly intense anxiety and severe tremors. If left untreated, a life-threatening condition known as delirium tremens (DTs) can develop. It typically onsets 48-96 hours after the last drink and may persist for one to five days. (6) DTs is a medical emergency and can result in stroke, heart attack, and death.
Research has suggested the fatality rate of people who develop DTs is approximately one in 20. (7) Medical intervention significantly decreases the likelihood of death, so if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of DTs, call 911 immediately.
Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Include:
- Visual and auditory hallucinations.
- Profound disorientation/confusion.
- Extreme agitation.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Tremors.
- Overactive reflexes.
- Seizures.
- High body temperature.
Choosing Medical Detox for Alcohol Dependence
As noted, for people with moderate-severe alcohol dependencies, medical detox is always considered the safest option. People who use this process will have access to health professionals trained to identify and address potential withdrawal complications. Because these can be unpredictable and escalate rapidly, in severe cases, it may be vital to have a medical team standing by who can readily intervene. By monitoring withdrawal symptoms, supervising medical staff can determine the severity of withdrawal and what treatment options may be needed.
In addition, medication-assisted treatment can be prescribed in clinical settings, which can help manage cravings and further lessen the severity of certain withdrawal symptoms. Constant supervision also effectively prevents relapse, which is more likely to occur if you are trying to detox at home.
Finally, after detox, you can transfer directly into comprehensive treatment. Here, you’ll receive the tools, resources, support, and aftercare plan you need to sustain long-term sobriety in the real world.
Our LocationsÂ
Our Facilities & Teams Transform Lives
Changing lives by providing comprehensive support and rehabilitation, empowering individuals to overcome addiction and regain control of their health and well-being.
Delray Beach, Florida
Princeton, New Jersey
Denver, Colorado
Largo, Florida
Portland, Maine
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Pine Brook, New Jersey
Learn More About Medical Detox & Customized Addiction Treatment
If you’ve made the critical decision to quit drinking, physical withdrawal is your first hurdle. This process is typically safer and more comfortable if you decide to detox under medical supervision instead of doing it alone. No one can force you into formal treatment. Still, we strongly encourage you to learn more about our therapeutic services before you decide if you want to pursue professional help or not.
At Guardian Recovery, we will answer all your questions and provide you with a free, no-obligation health insurance benefits check. Contact us today to speak to an addiction treatment advisor who can explain your program options in depth. If you are ready to reclaim the fulfilling addiction-free life you deserve, we can guide you on your journey to long-lasting recovery.
SELF-ASSESSMENT:
Do I have an Addiction issue?
Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
Sources
