Tapering

Tapering refers to the gradual lowering of a drug's dosage over a prolonged period of time. It is a harm reduction practice which is highly recommended for those who are physically dependent on psychoactive substances because stopping one's extended usage abruptly (also known as going "cold turkey") can result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be life-threatening.^[1] It is important to note that the sudden discontinuation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates can result in seizures and death.^[2]

Withdrawal symptoms may occur after ceasing usage abruptly following a few weeks or longer of steady dosing and the severity of the withdrawal symptoms increase the longer one uses the substance. Withdrawal symptoms can generally be minimized or avoided by tapering the dose slowly and carefully monitoring for symptoms. Symptoms vary depending on the specific substance and can include (but are not limited to) increased heart rate and/or blood pressure, irritability, anxiety, nausea, headaches, tremors, insomnia, depression, sensitivity to pain, hallucinations, seizures, and death.

Tapering method

In contrast to the cold turkey method, tapering can take more self-discipline. It is recommended that users give the psychoactive substance to someone trustworthy and have them only give the dosage on the pre-planned tapering schedule.

References

↑ Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain - Appendix B-6: Benzodiazepine Tapering | http://nationalpaincentre.mcmaster.ca/opioid/cgop_b_app_b06.html
↑ A fatal case of benzodiazepine withdrawal. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19465812

Responsible drug use index

[1] Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain - Appendix B-6: Benzodiazepine Tapering | http://nationalpaincentre.mcmaster.ca/opioid/cgop_b_app_b06.html

[2] A fatal case of benzodiazepine withdrawal. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19465812

[1]

[2]


Health	Comedowns • Anxiety and panic attacks • Serotonin syndrome • Dehydration • Seizures • Overheating • Health consequences of drug use • Prenatal drug exposure • Sedation risks (Respiratory depression • Sedation injuries • Aspiration of vomit) • Stimulant psychosis • Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

Dosage	Dosage classification • Choosing dosages • Dosage measurement (Eyeballing, Milligram scales) • Volumetric liquid dosing • Allergy testing • Routes of administration • Drug overdose • Compulsive redosing • Dosage form

Harm reduction	Reagent testing kits • Dangerous combinations • Festival and rave safety • International Day of Drug Checking • Safer injection guide • Sharing injection materials • Cotton fever • Recovery position • Naloxone • Mushroom hunting • Substance adulteration • Substance legality • Behavioral toxicity

Hallucinogens	Responsible use § hallucinogens • Set and setting (Setting • Mindset • Physical state) • Trip sitters • Anchors • Bad trips • Aborting trips

Specific drugs	Research chemicals • Synthetic cannabinoids • Cannabis • Stimulants • Benzodiazepines • Thienodiazepines • Opioids • Alcohol • Barbiturates • GHB, GBL, & 1,4-Butanediol • Hallucinogens • Deliriants • Dissociatives • Psychedelics

Addiction	Addiction • Addiction treatment • Tapering • Cold turkey • Drug withdrawal • Delirium tremens • Kindling • Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) • Physical dependence • Psychological dependence • Tolerance • Drug rehabilitation • Cravings • Anti-craving drugs • Drug replacement therapy • Relapse • Smoking cessation

Resources	Laboratory testing, botanical testing, purity testing kits, reagent testing kits • Safe injection sites (also known as drug consumption facilities) • Needle distribution programs • Naloxone programs • Methadone clinics • Crack pipe kits

Tapering

Tapering method

See also

References