Tapering Off Alcohol Safely: How to Manage Withdrawal

taper off alcohol

Tapering off alcohol is a method of reducing your alcohol intake gradually. This process can help your body break its dependency on alcohol with minimal side effects. Although it is possible to taper your alcohol use alone, professionals highly advise that you seek medical attention. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects your brain.

  • If you and your doctor decide that a taper is proper for you, it is crucial to remember there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy.
  • This will help you establish a baseline from which to start reducing your intake.
  • Alcohol-related mortality and morbidity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with people from lower-socioeconomic groups disproportionately affected.
  • Aside from unavoidable triggers, tapering off alcohol can also have side effects which can be difficult to manage at home.
  • If you find it is difficult to prevent yourself from drinking too much and getting drunk, locking your alcohol up in a cabinet and giving your friend or family member the key can help.
  • It’s vital in this process to have professional help, so you can stay safe and as comfortable as possible.

Tapering Off Alcohol vs. Going Cold Turkey

Educate your loved ones on dangerous symptoms, too, so they can look out for you and get you medical attention if you need it. 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 one’s perfect.

taper off alcohol

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We believe everyone deserves access to accurate, unbiased information about mental health and addiction. That’s why we have a comprehensive set of treatment providers and don’t charge for inclusion. We do not and have never accepted fees for referring someone to a particular center. Providers who advertise with us must be verified by our Research Team and we clearly mark their status as advertisers. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can help reinforce your goals and boost your spirits. Surrounding yourself with those going through the same process you are, and learning the same life lessons you are, can make a big difference in your healing journey.

Avoiding the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

taper off alcohol

Tapering off alcohol involves gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink. Besides its positive health benefits, it can help you quit drinking after weeks or months. Some find tapering is not a suitable option to stop drinking due to various factors such as social responsibilities or peer pressure. For many people, tapering alone is insufficient to help heal their addiction. Although you can use methods to taper off alcohol at home, the best way to taper is to talk to a doctor. They can monitor your intake and adjust it accordingly to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

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taper off alcohol

Moreover, physical withdrawal can be challenging, and there’s also a phenomenon called the kindling effect to consider. This involves directly reducing the amount of alcohol you consume regularly. For example, if you typically drink five beers a night, you might cut down to four, then three, and so on.

  • You may also consider joining an online support group to help you feel less alone.
  • By avoiding alcohol, you’re taking a big step toward improving physical health.
  • Both methods allow the body to adjust gradually and reduce overall alcohol intake.
  • When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated.
  • But 8 ounces is a small serving size once you measure it out in a glass.

It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol. 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 how to taper off alcohol at home likely benefit from additional medical interventions. If you or someone you know is quitting alcohol and experiences seizures, DTs, hallucinations, or other major effects, seek immediate medical attention or call 911 for help. Individuals who’ve consumed higher amounts of alcohol over time can develop life-threatening complications when trying to quit.

  • A taper may not be right for you if you frequently drink more than you intended, try to cut back but cannot or feel that your alcohol use is affecting your life.
  • However, for many people with alcohol use disorder, tapering off alcohol is a far better experience than quitting abruptly.
  • Medical detox is often the safest and most effective way to manage alcohol withdrawal for those with severe alcohol dependence.
  • At a rehab clinic, an alcohol withdrawal taper can be provided to slowly get you back to normal life.

Tapering Off Alcohol: Weaning Off Alcohol to Avoid Withdrawal Symptoms

The exact symptoms you experience will depend on factors such as how much alcohol you’re consuming, other medical conditions you have, medications you take, and your body’s response to the taper. Following medical detox, individuals are typically encouraged to enter a comprehensive addiction treatment program, which may include therapy, counseling, and other therapeutic modalities. An alcohol taper should only be undertaken under the supervision of a medical professional.

taper off alcohol

Your Guide to Tapering Off Alcohol

More concerning is the prevalence of binge drinking and heavy alcohol use. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 61.6 million people binged on alcohol in 2020, which is excessive drinking that elevates one’s blood-alcohol concentration to 0.08% or higher. In the same year, 28.3 million people had https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/why-we-have-a-fear-of-being-sober-5-fears-about-it/ an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Aside from unavoidable triggers, tapering off alcohol can also have side effects which can be difficult to manage at home. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or sober living houses can help you get connected with peers who are going through the same journey as you are.

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