- Alcohol withdrawal syndrome refers to a wide range of physical and psychological events that occur when a person stops drinking alcohol.<\/li>
- Rather, alcohol being classified as a depressant merely means that it achieves its effects by inhibiting the functioning of the body\u2019s central nervous system (CNS).<\/li>
- Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of mortality in the United States, with approximately 95,000 people dying from alcohol-related causes each year.<\/li>
- Evaluate the pros and cons of tapering and consider quitting with medical help instead of trying to do it yourself.<\/li>
- It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.<\/li><\/ul>\r\n
For example, you may start with five drinks on the first day, four on the second day, and so on. It may be that you need to see a therapist or a psychiatrist if you\u2019ve been self-medicating with alcohol for a long time. Non-addictive prescription medication may be able to help you manage anxiety, mood disorders, and other common ailments that would traditionally prompt you to have a drink. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to helping you create a personalized treatment plan that fits your unique needs and goals.<\/p>\r\n
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Symptoms timeline<\/h2>\r\n
That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems. If you have a severe alcohol addiction, it might be best to seek professional addiction treatment. The time it takes to taper off alcohol varies based on how much a person drinks. Regardless, The initial detoxification process may take several days. Even with tapering, you may still experience some withdrawal symptoms.<\/p>\r\n
- The amount of alcohol it takes to cause withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person.<\/li>
- Little data is available about the safety and effectiveness of alcohol tapers.<\/li>
- Going \u201ccold turkey\u201d means abruptly stopping drinking entirely, leading to uncomfortable withdrawal effects.<\/li>
- The exact benefits will depend on how much alcohol you were drinking and on factors such as your genetics, overall health, and how your body responds.<\/li>
- Planning for social situations where you know there will be alcohol can help you navigate how to respond.<\/li><\/ul>\r\n
Common Medications Used When Tapering Off<\/h2>\r\n
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For example, if you normally drink 6 glasses of wine each night, you can try reducing that to 5 glasses of wine a night. After several days of 5 glasses of wine, you can reduce that down to 4. Eventually, after a period of time, you will have tapered down to zero drinks. If you\u2019re interested in medication-assisted treatment, medication to curb cravings can be a helpful tool for reducing your consumption.<\/p>\r\n