It is important to note that for individuals with severe alcohol dependence, medical supervision or supervised detoxification may be necessary to ensure safety during the weaning process. When it comes to safely weaning off alcohol, several strategies and considerations can help individuals navigate this process. Gradual reduction of alcohol intake, medical supervision, and the use of medications for withdrawal symptoms are vital aspects to ensure a safe and effective transition. When you quit drinking, you should also seek medical advice about any alcohol withdrawal symptoms you experience. This includes early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as mild tremors and anxiety. The reason for this is that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can quickly snowball and worsen.
Medications for Withdrawal Management
Programs such as inpatient or outpatient rehab, medical detox, individual or family therapy and support groups are available. Through these programs, our caring and dedicated staff can help you on your road to recovery. Licensed medical professionals and highly qualified addiction specialists at The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper can help guide you toward a life without alcohol. Along with withdrawal symptoms, it may be even more difficult to cut back or taper your alcohol use if you struggle with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Challenges of Quitting Alcohol
What matters most is your ability to maintain an open, curious outlook as you learn what does and doesn’t work how to wean off alcohol at home for you. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do. If you turn to alcohol to manage emotional distress, the added overwhelm can prompt the urge to drink, making success seem even more out of reach. From month-long sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives. Remove all alcohol from your home or ask a friend or family member to do it for you. This includes beer, wine, and liquor, as well as products that contain alcohol such as rubbing alcohol and vanilla extract.
- With a slow taper, you can plan ahead by getting your consumption to a safer level by the date you will be starting care.
- If you don’t experience intense withdrawal symptoms, an at-home detox may be a good option.
- If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
- If the drink of choice is liquor, it is difficult to measure amounts and easy to binge drink.
- Often, people are tempted to turn back to alcohol to ease the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.
Rehab Resources
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. If you or a loved one has decided to taper off alcohol, it is generally a good idea to plan this process well in advance.
- Delirium tremens (DTs) is a serious condition that some people struggling with alcohol withdrawal go through.
- The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, is responsible for coordinating the activity of most of the body’s functions.
It’s vital to speak with a medical professional before you begin weaning off alcohol to ensure you have a plan to do so safely. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.