Ria Health offers access to many of these tools, including prescription medications, recovery coaching, and online support groups—all through a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app. We support both moderation and abstinence as goals and, although we cannot provide medical detox remotely, we can help you design an effective tapering schedule to reduce your drinking. Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body.

• Depressants are so-called because they depress activity in the central nervous system.
• Pretty sure the ER doc knows better than some bullshit web site written by sober people.
• We can leverage our resources and team to help you reduce and eventually end your alcohol use.
• It is important to note that prescription medication should not be used for a substitution taper unless it has been prescribed as part of a medical detox program.
• So before you begin planning to reduce your drinking, try and stabilise your drinking as much as possible.

How To Wean Yourself off Alcohol Safely

Ideally, this schedule will be determined with the assistance of a doctor or addiction treatment professional. The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is known as delirium tremens, which develops in about 3 to 5% of people with severe alcohol addiction. Delirium tremens is also more common in people of older age, those with a history of seizures, and people with co-occurring illnesses or disorders. Symptoms of delirium tremens can develop within 48 hours and, in some cases, have fatal consequences without proper treatment. Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be overcome with rest and at-home remedies, and it is possible for some people to taper off alcohol without supervision. However, individuals who suffer from alcohol addiction require professional rehab.

Insurance May Cover The Cost of Alcohol Rehab

Tapering off alcohol can be psychologically and physically challenging, and reaching out for support could be essential. When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment. If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate.

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Direct tapers are better if you prefer drinks that contain a low percentage of alcohol. Substitution involves replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic how to taper off alcohol ones. This can help address the habitual aspect of drinking, like having a beverage in hand at social events without the alcohol content.

• When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment.
• Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse.
• Your physical health, medical history, body composition, age and drinking history will all affect what happens.
• The reason for this is that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can quickly snowball and worsen.
• These complications can develop within a few hours or days and appear in the form of seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and hallucinations, sometimes even leading to death.
• Quitting cold turkey is likely to cause more intense withdrawal symptoms than if you taper off alcohol slowly.

You may receive medication to ease withdrawal symptoms—such as anti-diarrheal medicines or over-the-counter pain relievers. A doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine as part of the tapering process. The second situation involves counting the daily drinks and switching them to a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer. Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink. Consuming a lighter alcoholic drink like beer also makes it easier for someone to stay hydrated throughout the taper. The amount of time it takes to detox from alcohol depends on several factors, including whether you’re detoxing at home or with medical supervision.

How Does Alcohol Dependence Work in the Brain?

“It coats and soothes the throat, reducing irritation and infection – making it easier to swallow and suppressing coughs. Honey’s antioxidants also reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. When you’ve come down with a nasty cold, the priority is shaking it off as fast as possible – but sadly the experts agree that molten cheese on toast will not help your cause.

How to safely taper off your alcohol consumption