Or maybe it’s a pregnancy that made you realize it’s time to stop drinking. Or maybe you’re just looking to improve your health, wake up hangover-free and give your liver (and your heart and brain) a break. How to Stop Drinking 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.
Medications to Ease Withdrawal Symptoms
It can also be difficult if the people in your immediate social circle continue to drink or if they don’t support your plans to quit. To drop the number of drinks you have each week, start with a daily limit. The federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends not drinking at all, but suggests that if you do, keep it under two drinks a day for men and one for women.
Severe Symptoms
- Individuals should be prepared to be uncomfortable during this period and have medical help available if needed.
- Let’s get you even closer to finding new hope and life in sobriety.
- Remember you are facing a difficult challenge during alcohol withdrawal, but you are not alone.
- “For psychologists, many of them are addiction-informed, and in their advertisements or on their websites they will mention that specifically,” Dr. Lembke said.
Ask your doctor whether any medications may help in the process. Identify a family member or friend who you can call on to provide emotional support. There are times when cutting back on your drinking https://ecosoberhouse.com/ can be helpful, but there are times when quitting alcohol altogether is the best solution. If you want to stop drinking for good, don’t let past relapses discourage you from trying to quit.
What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?
Sometimes, symptoms may be severe enough to require medical treatment at a hospital or rehabilitation facility. But some people choose to manage alcohol withdrawal themselves. Here are suggestions for how to get through alcohol withdrawal at home. Whether you’re sober curious, know for sure you’re ready to quit, or fall somewhere in between, Dr. Streem shares advice for how to stop drinking. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder (also known as alcoholism), you’ll likely benefit from additional medical interventions.
- You doctor also can refer you to a treatment center or experts who can help.
- People with alcohol use disorder should be monitored by a medical professional when withdrawing from alcohol.
- If you’ve been drinking for a long time, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking.
- There are times when cutting back on your drinking can be helpful, but there are times when quitting alcohol altogether is the best solution.
- It’s important to remember that they are only temporary and will usually subside within a few days.
- Talk to your doctor to see of one of those might be right for you.
- Research shows that most people who drink heavily, even those with AUD, can cut back significantly or quit.
- In addition, the editor of this article has spent the last 15 years as a health editor, covering all things health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness and adheres to the highest journalistic standards.
- Along with anxiety and irritability, you may also experience mood swings when you give up alcohol.
- It also provides an overview of the alcohol withdrawal timeline process and when to discuss your drinking with your healthcare provider.
- Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects your brain.
“Furthermore, consistent use of alcohol to induce sleep only increases the need to use alcohol in the future to get to sleep,” he explains. One of the most common side effects of giving up alcohol is insomnia.This is because alcohol acts as a sedative, so when it’s no longer in your system, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. You may also begin to notice a number of improvements in your physical health. You’ll have more energy and stamina, and you may notice that your skin looks healthier. Group therapy or a support group can help during rehab and help you stay on track as life gets back to normal. Drugs used for other conditions — like smoking, pain, or epilepsy — also may help with alcohol use disorder.
Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about tapering off alcohol. They can provide recommendations to help you avoid harmful side effects. Brittany Burke Robert has written about health for Oprah Daily, Well+Good, Livestrong, Reebok, and other publications and digital brands for over 15 years. She has extensive experience working alongside clinicians and providers to create physical and mental well-being content that’s useful, informative and clinically effective.
Check in with your body for signs of detox
To determine whether—and where—you fall in the alcohol use disorder (AUD) spectrum, answer the following questions. When you consider how to go about giving up alcohol, account for factors like how much you drink and your reasons for drinking. If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support.
- Medical experts now use the term “alcohol use disorder” rather than “alcohol abuse” to address the concern of excessive drinking.
- The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.
- While giving up alcohol can be a challenge, it’s important to remember that the benefits are well worth it.
This may be more pronounced if you often use alcohol as a way to manage existing sleep problems. Unfortunately, while alcohol may make it seem like you are falling asleep quicker, it can also lead to worse sleep quality. Group therapy, led by a therapist, can give you the benefits of therapy along with the support of other members. Hallucinations usually diminish after 7 days, though for some, they can last up to 1 month. Drink plenty of fluids, but you don’t have to drink just water.
However, medical complications can occur during the acute phase of withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild but annoying to severe and life-threatening. When that person cuts out alcohol, there is a period when their brain hasn’t yet received the message and still overproduces the stimulating chemicals. With alcohol out of the equation, though, these chemicals cause withdrawal symptoms. For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off may be a good option.
