This process how to taper off alcohol is often referred to as detox and often causes withdrawal symptoms. Over the long term, many health benefits occur throughout your body. Your risk of certain diseases decreases, you will begin sleeping better, and your overall health can significantly benefit. Tapering involves gradually and progressively reducing your alcohol consumption over time. This method can lessen withdrawal symptoms, allowing your body to adjust to decreased alcohol levels slowly.
Who is likely to have significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
Many medical professionals even believe they outweigh the potential benefits. Telling your close friends and family about your plan to taper off alcohol can provide you with a strong support system. Their encouragement can help you stay motivated and hold you accountable for sticking to your plan. Support from loved ones is invaluable when learning how to wean https://ecosoberhouse.com/ off alcohol safely. Research has shown that professional help improves your ability to overcome an addiction to alcohol or cut back if you have found it difficult.
Alcohol Rehab
In contrast, in-patient care can be more beneficial and less expensive in the long-term. Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that they can lead to death. Contact a medical professional immediately if you notice any withdrawal symptoms. However, if you don’t taper properly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, especially if you have severe alcoholism. Cutting back or completely stopping alcohol consumption is challenging, even if you are not at the point of addiction.
- If you go through a medical detox the people they may rehydrate you with an IV and may also give you vitamin shots.
- There’s no set time frame for tapering off alcohol that works for everyone.
- Individualized detox and residential care for addiction and co-occurring conditions using experiential healing activities like dolphin therapy on beautiful Kona.
- If you start noticing these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately.
- Those who are dependent on alcohol can taper off safely by engaging with supervised medical detoxification at one of our pet-friendly treatment facilities.
Online Therapy Can Help
Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe. Learn which signs to look out for, and how to care for your well-being. As you navigate this question, it can be helpful to think about how you typically prefer to approach change. Metaphorically speaking, do you like to dip your toe in first, or cannonball right in?
- These symptoms can indicate a serious and potentially deadly condition called delirium tremens is developing.
- Stopping alcohol can be rewarding, but it’s not without challenges.
- Typically, quitting cold turkey from a 12-beer-a-day habit is going to be more stressful than tapering off slowly.
- As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder.
- For example, one 12-ounce can of beer contains roughly the same amount of alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a mixed drink containing 1.5 ounces of alcohol.
Aftercare: What To Do After Detox
Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it. When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated. Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results. Thus, a user will likely seek out alcohol again to rid themselves of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. When you quit through tapering, you drink a little less each day until you’re able to have no alcohol at all.
Can You Taper Too Slowly?
You don’t have to let the fear of alcohol withdrawal stop you from cutting back or quitting. This is a highly personal decision, which can be made through self-reflection, and with the support of a medical professional and your peers. If it’s safe for you to quit cold turkey, you may find that cutting alcohol out entirely from the start drug addiction helps you clearly uphold your boundaries. Or, you may find that quitting all at once is too drastic and decide to start by practicing harm reduction.
- In these cases, talk to your doctor before cutting back on your drinking.
- Reach out to one of our Recovery Advocates and begin the healing process.
- This article is part of Dry January, Straight Up, your no-BS guide to cutting out alcohol for 31 days—or longer.
- Your body needs time to adjust to the changes it will experience.
- It is sometimes possible to taper your alcohol use at home if your AUD isn’t severe.
- This method can lead to withdrawal symptoms, especially if you’ve been a heavy drinker.
- Consultation with a medical professional or recovery coach is strongly recommended.
Understanding how to taper off alcohol safely is crucial for those exploring how to reduce their alcohol intake. It is important to understand safe tapering methods and how they contrast with quitting cold turkey. Taking the best path toward sobriety can make a significant difference in your journey to recovery. The tapering down process can take place for the first several weeks or even months of the alcohol recovery timeline. There are many factors that can affect how long weaning off alcohol will take.
Begin your journey to recovery.
However, tapering can be dangerous if you have severe AUD, leading to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. If you start noticing these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately. People looking to quit drinking may consider either tapering or going cold turkey, meaning they abruptly stop all alcohol consumption without weaning. It’s especially influential if you have an alcohol use disorder. Don’t try to reduce your alcohol intake based on what feels right.