How To Stop Alcohol Addiction At Home

The Signs Of Harmful Alcohol Use

You or someone you know might be drinking too much if they:

• have a strong urge to drink
• cannot control how much they drink
• feel physical effects like nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety if they stop after a period of heavy drinking
• need to drink more over time to get the same good feeling
• drink while alone, or hide alcohol from members of the household
• struggle with work, education or relationships for no obvious reason
• lie about how much they drink
• drink early in the day or are anxious about when they will be able to drink
• forget what they said or did while they were drinking

Alcohol Tapering How To Safely Taper Off Alcohol

If youve been drinking alcohol on a regular basis in large amounts, quitting alcohol alone cold-turkey can be dangerous. Tapering off alcohol, or entering a medical detox program, is the safest way to reduce or stop drinking.

Drinking alcohol on a daily basis, and in heavy amounts, can build up a persons tolerance for alcohol and lead to dependence. Alcohol dependency can range from mild to severe, depending on how much a person drinks, how often, and for how long.

Becoming dependent on alcohol can lead to symptoms of withdrawal, which can also range from mildly-uncomfortable to severe in nature. People with severe alcohol dependence can experience serious and even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms without proper medical support.

If you are a frequent drinker determined to reduce or stop your alcohol intake, the safest way to do this at home is through a gradual tapering process. Attempting to quit all at once can lead to severe symptoms that can be difficult to manage safely outside of a detox setting.

If you are struggling with severe alcohol use or addiction, tapering off alcohol at home may not be a safe option. The most effective option for alcoholics to stop drinking is to find a treatment program that offers medical detox services. If you are interested in medical detox, contact one of our Vertava Health treatment specialists to find alcohol detox programs near you.

Take Our Substance Abuse Self

Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

For those with significant alcohol dependence, quitting is not without its own risks. Acute alcohol withdrawal may be associated with certain medical complications. At American Addiction Centers , we offer the 24-hour supervision and care of medical detox. We can get through the withdrawal process together. Safely and with the aid of medical professionals. Call one of our admissions navigators at

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• They suffer from childhood abuse or sexual abuse
• They have been drinking since they were young

Finnish scientists have decoded changes in the brain that make people susceptible to alcoholism. The brain tissue of alcoholics has a range of hormonal and neurotransmitters changes compared to normal people. One of the common changes in all alcoholics is the increase in the amount of dehydroepiandrosterone in the brain. Dehydroepiandrosterone is a steroid hormone that affects the central nervous system. Increased levels of this hormone may explain why alcohol does not produce a pleasant feeling for the person who drinks a lot of alcohol for a long period of time. In addition, all alcoholics have a reduced serotonin level associated with sensory and social awareness.

What Are Common Symptoms Of Alcohol Addiction?

Here are common symptoms of this condition:

• Drink too much alcohol and too often
• High alcohol tolerance
• When you do not drink alcohol, the symptoms you experience are tremor, nausea and vomiting
• Faint and cannot remember anything after a night of drinking

You may experience other symptoms not mentioned. If you have any questions about the signs of the disease, please consult your doctor.

Who Is At High Risk Of Alcohol Addiction?

When To See A Doctor?

Focus On Hydration First

Alcohol withdrawal causes a variety of different symptoms including fatigue, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are most severe between 24 and 72 hours after the last drink and may limit your ability to eat.

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids during this time as it will help rehydrate your body and get rid of toxins. Water, juice, broth, ice pops, and gelatin are good choices for hydration during the early stages of withdrawal.

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Finding A Middle Ground

For some people, the issue of problem drinking may not be a full-blown dependence on alcohol, but a sense that things are getting slightly over the line. You may be noticing that youre drinking a bit more than youd likeon social occasions or on your own. You may also just be generally interested in the impact of alcohol on your health, your social life, and how you manage difficult feelings or anxiety.

You may have also noticed, in the course of trying to quit, that abstinence is not a good goal for you. All of these and more are good reasons to consider moderating, or cutting back on your drinking. And it turns out that, contrary to popular belief, this is possible for many people.

Treatment For Alcohol Withdrawal During Detox

No one should attempt to detox from alcohol alone. Medical professionals at hospitals and recovery centers are able to help people with the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. For example, doctors and nurses often provide detox patients with Benzodiazepines and medications to help them cope with anxiety and avoid seizures. They also monitor their patients blood pressure and other vital signs and make sure they stay hydrated.

In addition, recovery centers often have therapists and counselors on staff to talk to patients and help them manage their emotions as they progress through detox. Someone who is detoxing at a treatment center will probably also receive a thorough diagnosis of any physical or mental problems which co-exist with their addiction.

Common Questions About Rehab

• About

Nathan Yerby is a writer and researcher. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida.

Clinically Reviewed:

Deborah Montross Nagel

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All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

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What Is Alcohol Detox

The best way to conquer addiction to alcohol or any other substance is to stop using. When someone undergoes alcohol detox, they deliberately abstain from drinking to give their body time to adjust to functioning without alcohol. Alcohol detox can be painful, distressing, and dangerous because it requires a person to experience the full range of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal often causes a person to relapse, but detox affords them the opportunity to stop drinking safely and less painfully. Someone who resolves to experience withdrawal and not suppress it by having another drink will take the process most seriously, but the gain is lost if they endanger their life by using again.

Since some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are dangerous, people should undergo alcohol detox under medical supervision at a rehab facility. People who detox from alcohol with professional help are more likely to weather the process safely and successfully. Detox may not be pleasant, but it is a necessary first step for anyone who wants to recover from alcoholism. After detox is over, a person in recovery can begin therapy in a treatment program.

Featured Centers Offering Alcohol Detox

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Handling Setbacks In Your Recovery

Alcohol recovery is a processone that often involves setbacks. Dont give up if you relapse or slip. A drinking relapse doesnt mean youre a failure or that youll never be able to reach your goal. Each drinking relapse is an opportunity to learn and recommit to sobriety, so youll be less likely to relapse in the future.

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Eating A Healthy Diet Eases Alcohol Cravings

Great natural ways to stop alcohol cravings is eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet will include lean proteins such as chicken, eggs, and fish. It also contains lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes, beans, and whole grains.

Eating every three hours helps avoid hunger which can lead to alcohol cravings. And, once the shakes set in, the alcohol cravings become more intense. Avoiding sugary snacks can also help in easing alcohol cravings.

How To Stop Alcohol Shakes

Tremors are one of the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms. So its no surprise that many people are interested in knowing how to stop alcohol shakes. Its not always possible to avoid shakes, but you can use the following techniques to manage them effectively.

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Ways To Stop Drinking

Here are six ways to stop drinking alcohol:

1. Counseling

Therapy can help you self-reflect and understand the reason you drink. It can also help you change your thought patterns to avoid alcohol.

2. Change Your Friend Group

Spending time with people who always drink can tempt you to drink again. Spending time with people who don’t drink helps you practice new habits

3. Remove Access to Alcohol

Take alcohol out of your house. Avoid bars and liquor stores.

4. Change Your Habits

Reshape your habits that were linked to drinking. For example, if you go to happy hour often, change locations to a cafe.

5. Support Groups

You can attend Alcoholics Anonymous or other support group meetings. This will provide you with a community of other sober friends.

6. Seek Treatment

Attending an outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation facility is the best way to stop drinking. These programs have the highest success rate of any other method.

ALCOHOL REHAB HELP

Tips How To Get Rid Of Alcohol Addiction Forever Naturally At Home

Alcohol addiction is a disease and it can be different from one person to another. This disease can become more serious and affect the both physical and mental health over time. Signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction include strong urges to drink alcohol, an inability to reduce alcohol intake, tolerance to alcohol. Also, some people with alcohol addiction experience physical withdrawal symptoms including sweating, nausea and shaking whenever they do not drink.

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Pros And Cons Of Rehab

To really kick the habit once and for all, you may be tempted to foot the bill, check into a rehab clinic, and commit to a long period of withdrawal and recovery. This has some advantages as well, but like AA, rehabs reputation may be inflated in the popular imagination.

The truth is that, while there are some effective programs out there, the recovery industry has grown to be very large and is not highly regulated. There is no guarantee that the program you are signing up for is truly effective. In a series of exposes entitled Addiction, Inc., the New York Times found that many rehab programs lacked scientific evidence for their methods, and had poor long-term success rates. On top of this, the cost was often dramatically inflated.

With such variation in the reliability of rehab, and such a big commitment required in money and time, it may be better to consider options closer to home. Quitting drinking can be a major undertaking, but it doesnt need to empty your wallet or overturn your daily life.

Treatment For Stopping Alcohol

Not everyone is able to stop drinking alcohol at home. Some require medical intervention and a stay in a residential treatment facility. If this applies to you or someone you know, Delamere offer first class addiction treatment within our purpose built addiction treatment and behavioural wellness facility.

At Delamere we understand that no two people are the same, therefore every treatment programme and treatment we deliver is tailored specifically to each guest

We combine traditional evidence based treatment methods with thoroughly researched and proven innovative holistic treatments. With us, you can expect an interesting, immersive and varied treatment programme that will enable you to completely transform and grow beyond your addiction. Call us to find out more.

References:

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What Is Heavy Drinking

Heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week for men or 8 drinks or more per week for women.12 According to the NIAAA, binge drinking entails a pattern of alcohol consumption that results in blood alcohol concentration levels of 0.08 g/dL and above.4 For adult men, thats usually around 5 drinks in a couple of hours, and for adult women, its generally about 4.4

Here are some links that can teach you more and help you get started.

What Is A Recurrance Of Use

Recurrence of use or relapse is when a person in recovery returns to using drugs or alcohol. Addiction is a chronic disease, and those in recovery constantly deal with the risk of relapse. However, it is common for a person in recovery to relapse at least once, if not more. In fact, it is considered part of the recovery journey.

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Involve Your Loved Ones

Family and friends can provide encouragement and support when you stop drinking.

Maybe your partner, sibling, or roommate is also thinking about making a change. Changing drinking habits together allows you to support each other while also boosting your motivation and accountability.

Turner notes the importance of bringing along a trusted support person when attending events that involve alcohol. Its often easier to turn down a drink when you dont have to do it alone.

Explore New Tools To Cope

Once you identify some of the main reasons why you drink, you can begin finding new methods of addressing those triggers.

The most helpful coping mechanism often depends on the circumstances:

• When you feel sad but need alone time, you might consider a favorite album or comforting book.
• When you want to drink to avoid relationship conflict or stress, you might vent to a loved one or practice better communication skills to reconnect with your partner.
• If loneliness triggers the desire to drink, you might look into ways to connect with distant friends or explore ways to build new friendships.

At the end of the day, one of the most important tools you have at your disposal is self-compassion. Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and having a drink, remember that no ones perfect. What matters most is your ability to maintain an open, curious outlook as you learn what does and doesnt work for you.

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Make Your Intentions Known

Tell your family and friends that youre aiming to stop drinking alcohol and explain why. This way, you can share your successes with them, and theyll understand why youve started turning down drinks or trips to the pub.

Frequently reminding yourself and the people close to you why you want to stop drinking can help keep you on track, and may even encourage someone else to give up or cut down with you.

I Made The Most Of My Hangover

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One of the best things about giving up alcohol alongside the better sleep, weight loss, clearer skin and having more money is gaining back the time I wouldve spent hungover on the sofa. Now Ive reclaimed my weekends, I decided to make the most of my new found time and energy by running. I know its not for everyone, but Id definitely suggest trying to find something you love that you had neither the time or the energy for after drinking. It could be baking, doing a fitness DVD or simply arranging more early morning outings with the kids.

I actually started running a couple of years ago, but stopped when my hangovers started lasting several days. Back then, I couldnt run for more than two minutes without wanting a break that is no exaggeration but, I very gradually worked my way up to 5k with the Couch to 5k podcast. This is a brilliant and FREE podcast of guided runs that very gradually build up, until before you know it you can run for 30 minutes without stopping. Even the super-sceptical writer Charlie Brooker is a fan.

I moved on from 5K and downloaded a running app by Verv recently . Along with the 5K it also includes other gradual workouts to help you reach 10K, a half marathon or a full marathon.

The plus side of this one, is you can choose between plenty of different soundtracks and it also tracks your distance, speed, GPS route and calories burned.

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Get A New Stress Reliever

Its very hard to stop drinking at first because the stress makes you want to drink heavily. However, the most important thing to do when you first start your new recovery plan is to find a new outlet.

Running is an amazing way to focus all of your emotions into one activity. Taking up exercise as a form of stress relief is a great excuse to finally join a gym.

Some other healthy ways to relieve stress are:

• Swimming. Water is soothing and you can get in shape while easing your anxiety.
• Writing. Keep a journal about your recovery or start creative writing.
• Music. Listening or playing an instrument can help calm your mind immensely.
• Cooking. Time to learn some new healthy recipes!

Note: It is normal for people with alcohol dependence to experience symptoms such as a headache, nausea and sweating when they start to detox. However, if you experience any of the following, you should seek emergency help either at the ER or a detox centre :

• Severe vomiting