Some people even have seizures or see things that aren’t there (hallucinations). Your doctor or substance abuse therapist can offer guidance and may prescribe medication like benzodiazepines or carbamazepine to help you get through it. The purpose of tapering off alcohol is to avoid major withdrawal symptoms so you can achieve sobriety safely. The time it takes to taper will depend on how long you’ve been drinking, how much you’ve been drinking and a variety of personal factors.
- It is important that people seek help if they suspect that they are becoming dependent on alcohol.
- Depending on how long you have used alcohol and how much you typically drink, the severity of these symptoms can range from mild to severe.
- While the process may take several years, the outcome is a happier, healthier life where you have the freedom to fulfill your full potential.
- Millions of people join support groups to help stop drinking and stay stopped.
- Meanwhile, the brain is producing more and more neurotransmitters, making a person further imbalanced.
Be prepared to discuss any problems that alcohol may be causing. You may want to take a family member or friend along, if possible. It’s important to be honest about your alcohol use — and any other substance use — so your provider can give you the best care. Each of these symptoms can increase in intensity depending on the severity of the withdrawal. It can be helpful to write down your reasons for quitting and the difficulty of withdrawal while it is fresh in your mind.
How to Stop Drinking: Making a Plan That Works for You
With alcohol out of the equation, though, these chemicals cause withdrawal symptoms. Over time, however, the body builds a tolerance to alcohol, and a person may have to drink more and more to get the same feeling. Meanwhile, the brain is producing more and more understanding alcohol withdrawal stomach pain lantana recovery neurotransmitters, making a person further imbalanced. To stop drinking alcohol, you first need to understand your relationship with drinking. From there, you may need social support, consistent self-care, and new routines that can help redirect your mind.
Consider professional support
Studies show support groups play an instrumental role in helping people develop healthy social networks that result in continued sobriety. Tap into your social network to help support you through alcohol withdrawal. Find a supportive friend or family member to be with you while you withdraw and support your new non-drinking lifestyle.
The stages of alcohol recovery
There are many support options available that can help guide you through alcohol withdrawal, as well as abstaining from alcohol after withdrawal. People who drink daily or almost motivational enhancement therapy: uses benefits techniques every day should not be left alone for the first few days after stopping alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can quickly go from a bad hangover to a serious medical situation.
Since withdrawal symptoms tend to ebb and flow, you may be tempted to feel like you’re not making progress ― even though in reality, you’ve come a long way. If you think you may have a drinking problem, you’re definitely not alone. In 2021, researchers estimated nearly 30 million people ages 12 years and older in the United States had alcohol use disorder (AUD). But treatment varies based on the severity of alcohol withdrawal and the likelihood that it could progress to severe or complicated withdrawal.