It’s vital to do this under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure the process is safe and smooth. This is why many people dependent on alcohol will choose to taper down their usage rather than stop drinking altogether. Someone will slowly diminish the amount they drink with the intention of avoiding the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal completely and will hopefully be able to avoid a relapse as well. River Rocks Recovery offers tailored programs to support your journey, such as Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and Outpatient Programs. These programs include medical guidance, therapy, and coping strategies to help you taper safely and build a lasting recovery plan. The reality is that alcohol withdrawal can lead to some very serious health conditions.
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Many insurance companies will help pay for some or all of your treatment costs.
Challenges to Weaning Off Alcohol
You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance. These are offered to patients with moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorder, having the goal of reducing alcohol comsumption and achieving abstinence. Prefer Topiramate or Gabapentin if patients are intolerant to or have not responded to Naltrexone and Acamprosate. There are many other potential diseases that long-term alcohol use can cause, and it is important to stop using alcohol heavily if you are. A taper may help you to get off of alcohol; however, medical detox is typically recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. It can be tempting to throw yourself into an alternative behavior or substance use in order to distract from the difficulties of recovery.
- In a direct taper, you may cut out one drink every day until you get sober entirely.
- Evaluate the pros and cons of tapering and consider quitting with medical help instead of trying to do it yourself.
- We’ll talk more later on this page about how to taper off alcohol safely to avoid putting your health at risk.
- Additionally, having a support system in place, such as friends, family, or a support group, can significantly enhance your chances of safely and successfully tapering off alcohol.
- These strategies should be implemented according to an individual’s specific needs and drinking habits, under the guidance of a healthcare professional or addiction specialist.
Extending the Time Between Drinks
When you quit through tapering, you drink a little less each day until you’re able to have no alcohol at all. It can lower the severity of symptoms, and it can make you more likely to meet your goals. Some people can taper at home with mild to moderate dependence, but it’s risky without medical supervision. Heavy drinkers or those with a history of severe withdrawal should consult a doctor or consider a medically supervised detox program. If you’re hesitant to involve friends or family, professional emotional support is another option. Therapists, counselors, or addiction specialists can provide personalized guidance and help you address underlying emotional issues that may contribute to alcohol use.
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. Gradually reducing alcohol consumption can be achieved through a substitution taper. This can involve switching to a different alcoholic beverage or replacing alcohol with a prescription drug, but the latter should only be done under the guidance of a drug addiction medical professional.
Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms and Timeline
After a few days have passed of drinking 9 beers instead of 10, you can drop it to 8 and continue the progression. Tapering off alcohol is one of those things where slow and steady tends to win the race. As anyone who has attempted an alcohol detox will attest, there are strong withdrawal symptoms and other challenges that will be encountered.
- Another advantage is that lighter drinks can help you stay better hydrated as you taper.
- The long and the short of it is–tapering off alcohol with medical support can help you quit drinking.
- Seeking help as early as possible during the withdrawal process is the best way to stay safe as you cleanse your body of alcohol.
- Her writing has appeared in publications such as Everyday Health, Well+Good, Rewire News Group, Prism, and more.
- The main difference between tapering and quitting alcohol cold turkey is how fast you quit.
While a taper may seem appealing to some, it is not a medically recommended method of detoxing from alcohol due to the increased risk of not completing it. Medical detox involves stopping alcohol all at once and managing withdrawal symptoms through medications and other treatments instead of reducing them with a taper. Generally, alcohol withdrawal starts within eight hours of the last drink but can occur anytime within the first several days after you stop drinking. In most cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak after 24–72 hours but may continue for weeks.
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For those who drink more than 20 drinks a day, the tapering schedule becomes more complex. It’s crucial to consult with a doctor before starting an alcohol taper. At Orlando Recovery Center Drug and Alcohol Rehab, we offer many alcohol addiction treatment options led by train medical professionals. Our levels of care include medical detox, inpatient rehabilitation and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
Stay in tune with your mental health and seek professional support if needed. Talking to a counselor or joining a support group can help you stay emotionally balanced as you learn how to taper off alcohol. The main downside of cold turkey is how unpleasant and risky it can be. If you drink heavily, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be harsh, dangerous, and even fatal. For this reason, it’s generally best to avoid quitting abruptly, or at bare minimum speak with a doctor first and have someone looking out for you. Start by tracking your current alcohol consumption, then reduce it by a small, consistent amount daily or every few days.
Connecting with others who understand your journey provides motivation, encouragement, and accountability. Despite your best efforts, things might not go as smoothly as you’d like. So, be ready and willing to adjust your alcohol taper at any point to give yourself the best chance of success.
It’s important to note that stopping drinking can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It’s vital to speak with a medical professional before you begin weaning off alcohol to ensure you have a plan to do so safely. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
An Alcohol Taper Schedule and Guidance on Weaning Off Alcohol
Educate yourself on potential withdrawal symptoms and have a support system in place. Evaluate the pros and cons of tapering and consider quitting with medical help instead of trying to do it yourself. Once alcohol is stopped, your brain continues to be hyperactive until it readjusts to the absence of alcohol. This process is often referred to as detox and often causes withdrawal symptoms.
For this reason, you should not suddenly quit drinking without talking to your doctor. The consequences of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be serious and lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be fatal in severe cases. Tapering off alcohol at home can be emotionally challenging, and having a strong support system is crucial for success. Seeking emotional support from friends, https://ecosober.com/ family, or support groups can provide the encouragement and guidance needed to stay on track.
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. Tapering is also a strategy used by people with a substance or alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Typically, quitting cold turkey from a 12-beer-a-day habit is going to be more stressful than tapering off slowly. Tapering off alcohol can be a reasonable strategy for anyone who desires to stop drinking. A taper might be helpful for those who find they cannot stop drinking without experiencing negative symptoms.