Her unwavering commitment to peer support, coupled with her own lived experience, fuels her drive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing similar challenges. I began working in the treatment field for alcohol and drug addiction in January 2020, and it has provided me with a sense of purpose, as helping others has always been a passion of mine. I worked in construction prior to this field and needed a complete change in career as I was too suffering from substance addiction. I watch clients walk through the door, broken, and still remember when it was I who felt hopeless. After learning the necessary coping skills and engaging in a 12-step fellowship, my life began to change, and only for the better. I now enjoy working with others and helping them get through the hard times of early recovery.
Should I Quit Alcohol Cold Turkey or Gradually Reduce My Drinking?
- Alcohol dependence, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic condition characterized by the compulsive consumption of alcohol despite adverse consequences.
- Once alcohol is stopped, your brain continues to be hyperactive until it readjusts to the absence of alcohol.
- Be sure to research your options and choose the one which will provide the best long-term benefits for you.
- When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated.
- Each method has pros and cons, but regardless of which one you choose, you must have the knowledge and resources to make a quit attempt successful.
- Melissa’s personal experiences with addiction and mental health struggles instilled within her a profound passion for supporting others on their recovery journey.
The most common research technique among those surveyed is an internet search (61%), followed by asking a doctor or medical professional (55%). If you’re relying on internet searches to find potential treatment centers, make sure to ask these ten questions to find a licensed facility that can meet your needs. However, even the best-designed tapers can put you at risk for alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Challenges of Cutting Down Your Alcohol Intake
He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion http://www.barius.ru/biblioteka/book/6940 for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community.
The risks and benefits of quitting ‘cold turkey’
Evaluate the pros and cons of tapering and consider quitting with medical help instead of trying to do it yourself. Choosing to taper off alcohol is an admirable decision and a step in the right direction. As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder. But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol dependence, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
- When someone with a drinking problem chooses to stop drinking, that is a positive step.
- But the reality is adhering to the reduction can be difficult if the person encounters any triggers that encourage drinking.
- If you drink heavily, your doctor may recommend quitting with the help of a medical detox center.
- Shannon is a certified A.D.T. who has worked in different capacities at several rehabilitation centers in the state of Maryland.
Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking. For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off may be a good http://www.ukrainehotelsonline.com/en/Travel-News/rak-pecheni-simptomy-i-lecheniye-bolezni.html option. However, quitting cold turkey or tapering is not advisable for people with an AUD. Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about tapering off alcohol.
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Lazare has accumulated over eight enriching years in the provision of holistic care to a wide variety of clients, with psychiatric conditions. Benzodiazepines are a class of drug that slows down brain and nervous system activity, which makes them an effective counter to anxiety and other conditions such as insomnia and epilepsy. But despite its effectiveness, benzodiazepines are also known for their high… Studies suggest that a tapering regimen that gradually decreases doses at fixed intervals can be beneficial. It’s common for the first symptoms to appear within a few hours after your last drink.
- Regardless, The initial detoxification process may take several days.
- They may also think if they cut the substance out entirely, they will feel less tempted to use it again while quitting.
- The memory loss experienced will usually concern the events after the individual developed Korsakoff psychosis as they cannot form any new memories.
- Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time.
- This means that an unsuccessful tapering attempt isn’t just a failed attempt; it can actually be harder to try again in the future.
Erin is grateful to be a part of the dedicated, caring and compassionate Freedom Center Team. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each approach and how to taper off http://dp72.ru/board/subsection-woman_clothes/ alcohol so that you can decide which one is right for your situation. One of the keys to a successful taper is taking gradual steps that will cause as few side effects as possible.
The detox process should be followed by behavioural therapies to tackle severe alcohol dependence. Long-term alcohol abuse and past heavy drinking require the most attention as it is the most dangerous. Quitting drugs cold turkey can carry similar dangerous risks with those involved in quitting severe alcohol addiction. This is because of how a person’s nervous system adapts to specific high dependency drugs. People looking to quit drinking may consider either tapering or going cold turkey, meaning they abruptly stop all alcohol consumption without weaning.
Deirdre graduated in 2012 from Pace University and completed her bachelor’s at Columbia University in New York and has her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner. Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues. In addition, Deirdre has experience in caring for young adults, women’s health issues and adolescents with HIV/AIDS. She served as a Wellness coordinator at Search for Change, Inc and currently serves as an Independent Practice Coach from 2011 to present. As the Family Nurse Practitioner, Deirdre performs history and physical exams, and works with clients to diagnose and treat dual diagnosis clients.
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