How to Taper off Alcohol Safely and Effectively

Orlando Recovery Center says that when you taper your alcohol intake over time, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms7. This is because this process gives your brain more time to get used to the changes and damage that alcohol originally created. Depending on how much you drink, tapering off alcohol can take one to several weeks. It’s best to reduce your drinking by a small amount each day to avoid the shock to your system.

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You may still experience some of the less severe withdrawal symptoms. If you notice any severe withdrawal, you may need to slow your taper, drink alcohol immediately, or seek medical attention. Guidance for tapering off alcohol can vary, and there’s limited specific advice available. However, some sample tapering schedules suggest reducing alcohol intake by two drinks each day until reaching zero drinks for individuals who drink fewer than 20 standard drinks a day. A Guide To Sober House Rules: What You Need To Know For those who drink more than 20 drinks a day, the tapering schedule becomes more complex.

• Her writing has appeared in publications such as Everyday Health, Well+Good, Rewire News Group, Prism, and more.
• If you’ve been drinking for a long time, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking.
• For those who consume more than 20 drinks a day, the tapering schedule becomes more complex and should be undertaken with professional guidance.
• Mild to moderate symptoms may include anxiety, shaky hands, sweating, nausea, and insomnia.

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There are many factors that can affect how long weaning off alcohol will take. Other people use medication-assisted treatment, which can help reduce alcohol cravings as you cut back. Lastly, engaging in alcohol therapy can also make a major difference in your healing journey. A therapist will work with you to create a personalized plan for cutting back and provide ongoing guidance and accountability. Alcohol Tapering is a method of decreasing alcohol intake slowly and in a manageable manner. Rather than quitting cold turkey, which could lead to severe (maybe even fatal) withdrawal symptoms, tapering is a slower reduction of alcohol over time.

Developing a Tapering Plan

Usually, alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur within 12–24 hours after stopping alcohol and can last 2–10 days. With these things in mind, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of tapering your alcohol use to make a fully informed decision. If your health, wellness, and even life may be at risk, quitting alcohol should only be attempted with the help of a medical professional. Tapering is meant to reduce the withdrawal symptoms from quitting alcohol, but this isn’t a guarantee.

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It is a crucial step in breaking the chains of alcohol dependency and moving towards a healthier future. Abstinence, or total and lifelong avoidance of alcohol, is the best treatment for those who have gone through alcohol withdrawal. It’s critical to be in a living situation that supports sobriety. The mental and emotional toll of tapering is another significant challenge.

• You can also get help by reaching out to a professional rehab facility directly, like The Recovery Village.
• Whichever method you choose, what is most important is to commit to your alcohol tapering schedule, so you can be sure that you have avoided the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as much as possible.
• 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.
• When done under medical supervision, tapering off alcohol has few downsides.
• Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems.

This could include engaging in new hobbies, exercising, or seeking support from friends, family, or support groups. Additionally, understanding and avoiding personal triggers can help prevent relapse. Quitting alcohol can be extremely hard, especially without medical support. Further, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression are extremely common in those who struggle with drinking, and these disorders can make it even harder to stay sober.

If you’re cross-addicted to harder drugs like stimulants or opiates, you need to stop using those. Experience has shown me most people who continue using other hard substances simply get high and then continue drinking. Don’t quit other lighter substances while you’re detoxing from alcohol. I’m specifically talking about things like weed, cigarettes, and vaping. Pick a drink that goes down easy https://thecinnamonhollow.com/a-guide-to-sober-house-rules-what-you-need-to-know/ and has a high concentration of water so you don’t get too dehydrated.

Regardless, The initial detoxification process may take several days. The chance of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms increases if you’ve had them before, or if you’re older. Make sure they’re aware of the severe withdrawal symptoms that can occur and tell them what to do if you experience them (get a drink and possibly call 911).

This journey is often non-linear, and your goals can change over time. You might be surprised to find that you don’t need alcohol to enjoy certain events and previously would drink out of habit. “Replacing time or events spent drinking with other enjoyable activities is helpful. Exercise, family time, or cooking may provide distraction and promote your wellness,” Dr Lee said.

• Overall, effective monitoring and adjustment of the alcohol taper schedule are essential to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and to support the individual’s journey toward sobriety.
• Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results.
• If you notice yourself going through severe withdrawal in the beginning, slow down.
• If you are struggling to stop or cut down through alcohol tapering, this may be a sign to seek more help, Lee said.
• Some people are facing problems with their health or personal lives which require them to quit immediately.
• You can start building the foundation for a happy future by going to rehab for alcohol.

If you find it difficult to cut down on your number of drinks per day, try making your drinks weaker by using less alcohol per drink. You may also find it easier to stick to your taper schedule if you avoid certain places and situations. It is important to note that alcohol tapers are generally not recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. Most healthcare professionals recommend a medically-assisted detox as the best way to get off alcohol. This is why it is important to stop regular, heavy drinking only under the supervision of medical staff.

Mental Health Resources

This is what causes many of the positive and negative effects of drinking, and it causes the effects of prescription depressants. In addition, social pressures can make it hard to quit drinking, especially if your friends or family also drink heavily. Quitting drinking can feel very isolating, making it even more difficult to do alone at home without medical support. We believe everyone deserves access to accurate, unbiased information about mental health and addiction.