How To Safely Taper Off Alcohol
Tapering off of alcohol involves gradually reducing the amount of alcohol use over time, eventually stopping use entirely. However, tapering is not a medically recommended form of quitting alcohol because it is very difficult to do. Alcohol addiction is characterized by an inability to control ones drinking, and a taper requires very strict control of how much alcohol is used. This makes it very difficult to successfully taper yourself off of alcohol.
For those who do wish to taper off alcohol, there is very little research on how to do it because alcohol tapers are not recommended. One study suggested a 10-day schedule, but there is no accepted tapering schedule since self-tapering typically does not work for alcohol detox.
How Much Does Bcbs Of South Carolina Cover
Depending on your specific insurance plan and the treatment program you choose, some, if not all, of the costs for treatment will be covered under your Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina policy. Because everyone is unique and has different needs, there are many options for addiction treatment. Addiction services that are at least partially covered by BCBS South Carolina include:5 What types of treatments are available?
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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Is It Safe To Withdraw From Alcohol At Home
It can be safe to withdraw from alcohol at home in some situations. However, it is absolutely essential to speak with a doctor about your situation before you try this. Detoxing at home works best for people who are trying to quit alcohol for the first time and are likely to only have mild withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol can cause some of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms of any substance and can be fatal in some cases. For this reason, withdrawing from alcohol at home is highly discouraged for anyone who could experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms.
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What To Do If Someone Suffers Alcohol Poisoning
If you notice any of these signs on someone, you must seek medical attention immediatelycall 911 or your local emergency number for medical help. Be ready to provide information about the type of alcohol and the amount of alcohol the person drank.
Because alcohol poisoning affects gag reflexes, you should never leave the person alone. The most important thing you can do is everything you can to prevent them from vomiting because they can choke. Ensure theyre always in a sitting position and keep them awake to avoid losing consciousness. Ways to keep someone experiencing alcohol poisoning safe until the individual can receive medical attention include:
You also need to beware of home remedies for alcohol poisoning that can do more harm than good. Remember, this is a life-threatening situation. Dont try to ease the signs of an alcohol poisoning episode by:
- Sleeping it off
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Natural Remedies For Alcohol Withdrawal
Those experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may seek out natural remedies to ease their discomfort. However, home remedies are in no way a substitute for alcohol detox from a healthcare provider.
Its not recommended for those who have developed an alcohol dependence to stop drinking abruptly, or quit cold turkey.
Although medical professionals should address severe alcohol withdrawal, here are 10 home remedies that could help ease your symptoms.
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
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Reach Out For Support
Quitting alcohol on your own is harder for some than others, but theres no need to go it alone.
If youre having a hard time sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support.
If you feel comfortable doing so, talk about your challenges with your primary healthcare professional. Finding a therapist can also be a great starting point if youre uncomfortable opening up to your healthcare professional.
It might also be worth checking out a 12-step program in your area, like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery, to see if it feels like something that might be useful for you.
You may also consider joining an online support group to help you feel less alone.
Home Remedies Do Not Have A Good Basis Of Evidence To Support Their Usage And Even Though They Might Be Well
Home remedies are methods that people may try at home to stop drinking alcohol. Some turn to home remedies because they do not want to enter medical treatment. People may be resistant to treatment because they are embarrassed to speak about the problem with their doctor. They may distrust medicine in general or they may have a negative view of what treatment means.
Alcoholism is a complex disease and medicine is just beginning to understand it. Addiction does not have a simple cure, and home remedies, while well-intentioned, do not have good evidence to support their usage.
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Foods To Reduce Alcohol Cravings
Eating nutritious foods can help curb alcohol cravings by improving digestion, keeping blood sugar steady, and supporting a balanced brain chemistry.
The following five foods may be particularly effective in stopping cravings:
– Whole-grain bread and other complex carbohydrates
The fiber-rich, complex carbohydrates in whole-grain breads and foods like brown rice, quinoa, barley, and farro are digested more slowly, which help keep blood sugar levels steady. This is key to keeping cravings under control, especially when your body is used to using alcohol as a quick form of fuel.
Eating simple carbohydrates and processed foods may induce cravings.
– Bananas
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which the body needs to produce and use serotonin. This neurotransmitter is key to reducing depression and anxietycommon reasons people use alcohol and also common issues that arise when quitting alcohol .
– Chicken and fish
The protein in poultry and fish helps in the production of dopamine, which can help improve your mood as you fight alcohol cravings.
Omega-3-rich fish like salmon and mackerel may also help improve focus and overall brain health.
Beans, legumes, tofu, nuts, and nut butters are good alternative sources of protein for vegetarians.
– Yogurt and dairy products
Yogurt contains probiotics that are beneficial for gut health, which can be damaged from prolonged heavy drinking.
Surprising Home Remedies For Addiction To Alcohol
by Kiran Patillast updated – January 29, 2020 Evidence Based
Although alcohol is one of the most common causes of many fatal diseases, such as liver cirrhosis, it continues to be a favorite beverage of many people. While severe alcoholism needs specialized treatments, one can also follow simple home-based remedies that include consumption of grapes, bitter gourd, apples, celery, dates, almonds, evening primrose, ginseng, milk thistle, dandelion, skullcap, licorice roots, fruit juices, and a balanced diet. These home remedies have proven to be useful in many cases all over the world.
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Could A Chinese Herb Stop You Drinking Too Much
New alcohol guidelines have stressed the importance of cutting back. Could an ancient Chinese herbal remedy help you get that pleasurable buzz while drinking less, asks Michael Mosley.
One of the main reasons we drink alcohol is because it makes us feel more sociable. But when we drink too much it also does huge damage. Recent guidelines recommend we stick to 14 units a week, which will be harder for some than others.
I’m currently “enjoying” a dry January, which has turned out to be easier than I feared – I am sleeping better, losing a little weight and I don’t really miss it. Well, not much
So when I return to moderate drinking in February I plan to stick to abstinence, at least three days a week. But I also want to try out a herbal supplement called kudzu. Because, much to my surprise, it turns out that this ancient Chinese remedy for heart disease may also help us cut our alcohol consumption without really noticing it.
Now, many of us make the resolution to cut back on alcohol, but like all good resolutions there is the danger of slippage. So for those of us with the modest aim of just cutting back a bit, could kudzu really help? To find out more the Trust Me I’m a Doctor team recently put it to the test.
The Kudzu plant is a type of vine that is native to South East Asia. It’s a plant with a long history, as Prof Elizabeth Williamson of the University of Reading, explains.
Stop Slacking And Be Accountable
People who abuse alcohol are often in denial about their problem. Some are convinced that they donât drink as much as they do. Others blame their large amount of alcohol intake on the everyday problems that go on in their lives, refusing to take full responsibility for their actions and the outcomes of their abuse with alcohol. Sadly, those who are in denial about their alcohol abuse, and those that blame their problems as the reason to drink are only repeating the same mistakes that put them in the miserable spot that they are in. It is a vicious cycle. To get out of this stage, you need to buck up and be honest with yourself. Count the empty beer bottles the next day after a binge. Mark a line on the liquor bottle at the beginning of the night to see how much of the bottle is gone the next day. The results will shock you. The hope is that you will see how much you are drinking and want to sober up or at the very least decrease the amount you are drinking. If drinking seems like the only remedy to your daily problems, try and confront those difficulties with a sober mind. It will not be fun or easy, but once you have conquered a problem with a sober mind, you will see that it is not so difficult, and you may save yourself from repeating the same mistakes that lead down a road of misery.
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Best Remedies Are To Exercise
When you decide to quit drinking, you will find that you will have a lot of spare time. Instead of drinking, pick up new hobbies that can be productive for your life and body. Exercise is a great habit of picking up. Not only will you sweat out the toxins that alcohol has stored in your body, but endorphins will be released as you work out, causing you to be happy.Educate yourself about healthy foods and habits. Try cutting out other unhealthy habits like smoking, or junk food. If you have been a heavy drinker for years, your body is in some great need of some love and healthy choices. If you wish to be healthy, know that being an alcoholic and being fit do not mix. By exercising you focus your attention on your routine. Your energy is being saved up not to repair your liver but to improve your body. This is also a fantastic way to meet likeminded individuals who wish to better themselves as well. You will notice you have more energy, you donât feel shameful or guilty, and your self-esteem is getting better. These factors can help with any anxiety you have or negative thoughts and self-talk.
A post shared by Anytime Fitness Keilor Downs on Feb 27, 2018 at 8:23pm PST
How Do I Ignore Alcohol Cravings
Trying to ignore alcohol cravings is not the best way to manage them. It is better to accept them as normal and actively treat them through a variety of methods, including possibly taking medication.
About the writer: Ian Landau is a journalist who’s written extensively about health and wellness since 2010. He is also the author of The Hypochondriac’s Handbook .
About The Author
Josh Lee is a clinician and researcher with a focus on medication-assisted treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorders. He has conducted multiple clinical trials examining the use of naltrexone in primary care and other community settings. As a practicing physician, Josh helps manage the NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue addiction medicine clinic in adult primary care.
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How To Treat Alcohol Withdrawal With Natural Remedies
After consuming alcohol habitually for an extended period of time, stopping is typically accompanied by a list of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the severity of the addiction, stopping abruptly may also cause dangerous and potentially life-threatening effects. A detox plan is necessary to make the transition to sobriety as safe and comfortable as possible. Though not easy, alcohol abusers can use natural home remedies to deal with withdrawal.
Before the introduction of rehab centers and medications, people used the tapering technique to overcome the habit. Start by drinking six to 12 ounces of beer or have one mixed drink every hour or every two hours. After two or three days, reduce this amount by half or extend the time between drinks to two or three hours. Continue tapering until you can safely go 24 to 48 hours without suffering ill effects.
Dietary Requirements
Hydrate
Drink water throughout the day. Water not only helps flush toxins from the body but also reduces withdrawal symptoms. While naturally sweetened juices and sports drinks are acceptable, resist making them a major portion of your hydration efforts. Caffeinated beverages are also not beneficial. Caffeine can elevate vital signs, which are already heightened from anxiety and discomfort. The substance also adds to the problem if suffering from sleep disturbances.
Supplements
Get Support
How To Accomplish Your Goals
After you’ve set your goals to either stop or cut back your drinking, write down some ideas on how you can help yourself accomplish these goals. For example:
Get rid of temptations. Remove all alcohol, barware, and other alcohol-related paraphernalia from your home and office.
Announce your goal. Let friends, family members, and co-workers know that you’re trying to stop or cut back on drinking. If they drink, ask them to support your recovery by not doing so in front of you.
Be upfront about your new limits. Make it clear that drinking will not be allowed in your home and that you may not be able to attend events where alcohol is being served.
Avoid bad influences. Distance yourself from people who don’t support your efforts to stop drinking or respect the limits you’ve set. This may mean giving up certain friends and social connections.
Learn from the past. Reflect on previous attempts to stop or reduce your drinking. What worked? What didn’t? What can you do differently this time to avoid pitfalls?
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Talk To Your Family Members
Drinking alcohol is the worst problem that many people face today. It is necessary to discuss this problem with your family members, friends, and close ones. Your loved ones are concerned about you and will give useful tips on how to stop drinking beer easily. There are many benefits of talking to your loved ones. It might happen that your cousin also wants to stop the drinking problem. Both of you can share your problems and find new ways on how to stop being drunk.
