Alcohol Tapering How to Taper Off Alcohol Safely

It’s important to treat these moments with kindness and understanding. They’re not roadblocks, but stepping stones on our path to an alcohol-free life. Receive 24/7 text support right away.There is no obligation and you can opt out at any time. From the stomach, most of the alcohol travels to the small intestine. In the small intestine, alcohol is easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

An alcohol taper1 can be an effective strategy to begin recovery and help set a realistic goal for people who are not ready to quit alcohol completely, but they’re not for everyone. Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period of time may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse. Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person, anyone struggling with an alcohol use disorder should eco sober house cost seek professional medical assistance before considering an alcohol taper. If you drink heavily, this includes making sure you have a safe plan for quitting alcohol. Heavy drinkers should never abruptly quit alcohol without medical supervision, as alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous. Tapering involves slowly decreasing alcohol use over time, which helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and improve safety when quitting alcohol.

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I’d encourage you to read them all, but at the very least please read the sections on withdrawal symptoms and the schedule itself. Providers may prescribe medications such as benzodiazepines to reduce the effects of alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal usually begins within 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and peaks within 72 hours. However, for people with an AUD, quitting cold turkey or tapering is not advisable. Concerns about tapering off alcohol should be discussed with a medical professional. For the majority of people, this will need to be gradually increased over a period of time.

When symptoms become that serious, it can be difficult to seek help. Seeking help as early as possible during the withdrawal process is the best way to stay safe as you cleanse your body of alcohol. However, in order to safely taper off alcohol use, medical supervision is highly encouraged. It’s not advised to taper off alcohol, as an at-home detox can make relapse more likely. Instead, those who suffer from alcohol use disorders should seek professional treatment to help address both addiction as well as underlying mental health issues. Tailored programs can help individuals achieve long-term sobriety.

Pros of Tapering Down Alcohol Intake

Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field. She graduated from The University of Maryland with a master’s degree in social work. As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder. Alexandra oversees all operations with The Freedom Center to ensure clients are given the best chance at success.

When you quit cold turkey without supervision, you’re more likely to relapse and binge drink, which increases the likelihood of overdose. Going cold turkey can lead to acute alcohol withdrawal for those who have a history of long-term and/or heavy alcohol use. However, achieving sobriety is a process that can take quite some time. To speed up the processes, many choose to try going “cold turkey,” aka, stop drinking and never pick up a glass again.

Things to Consider When Planning to Taper Off Alcohol

This can cause your brain to become hyper-excitable and leads to withdrawal symptoms. 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. Before you start your detox, ensure you have enough alcohol on hand to last you a few days. Always keep some extra alcohol available in the event you experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

The second situation involves counting the drinks you consume daily and switching them for a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer. Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink. Consuming a lighter alcoholic drink like beer also makes it easier for someone to stay hydrated throughout the taper.

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Staffed by medical professionals, these programs offer 24-hour monitoring so you always have support if any complications arise. People tapering off alcohol may begin experiencing early withdrawal symptoms within 6 to 12 hours after their last drink. In 2019 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that 14.5 millions of americans suffered from Alcohol Use Disorder. Treatment is the best way to ensure long-term abstinence from alcohol. This is especially true if you are suffering from an alcohol use disorder. Addiction alters the chemical balance in a person’s brain, making it extremely difficult to quit drinking alcohol on one’s own.

You may feel you’re in control of your addiction, and that it’s okay to have a cheat day and drink a little more. Easier said than done, but if you go down this path, you’ll be right back where you started. If you need to taper in the first place, you have already proven that you can’t drink like a normal person. I don’t recommend tapering yourself at all, and I especially https://sober-house.net/ don’t recommend doing it rapidly, but it has been done. Some people have done a rapid taper in which they go from their baseline to zero in a weekend or so. While this probably still reduces the risk of a seizure or DTs, it’s certainly better than just quitting completely on day one, you’re going to be putting your body and brain through hell doing this.

What Are The Dangers Of Stopping All At Once?

I utilize a person-centered approach to my clients to help empower change within themselves. Currently enrolled in a master’s program for Social Work, he is committed to expanding his knowledge and providing comprehensive care. Inspired by his upbringing in Bolivia, marked by poverty, unaddressed mental health, and substance use, he brings a unique perspective to his role as a Primary Therapist at the Freedom Center. He tailors treatment plans to meet individual needs, fostering healing and growth. Outside of work, he finds solace in outdoor activities like hiking and woodworking. With his expertise, experience, and passion for helping others, David is an asset to the Freedom Center, empowering individuals on his recovery journey.

• Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection.
• If you drink heavily on a regular basis, it can be dangerous to stop alcohol cold turkey.
• When you are physically dependent on a substance like alcohol, your body adapts accordingly.

In this case, the body slowly adjusts to life without the substance. Tapering off helps reduce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and prevent life-threatening complications. Some people might need medications or tapering drugs to help ease any withdrawal symptoms that arise throughout the tapering-off process. The guidelines for tapering from alcohol are generalized; you may need to modify the tapering schedule if you have difficulties with the original plan.

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Fortunately, deaths resulting from alcohol withdrawal are a rare occurrence. Whether you decide to taper down your alcohol use or safely begin with abstinence, having a sobriety toolkit and support system will be the most important factor towards success in reaching your goals. Getting curious about a life without alcohol is already an incredible step, and a healthier lifestyle is within reach.

• Small victories can build momentum, helping us stay committed to the journey.
• In essence, tapering is a detoxification process that is not being administered or observed by a doctor or medical staff.
• This is what causes many of the positive and negative effects of drinking, and it causes the effects of prescription depressants.
• This is why many people dependent on alcohol will choose to taper down their usage rather than stop drinking altogether.
• Tapering or weaning means ramping down your alcohol use until you get to zero—or to a more moderate level of drinking that you prefer.
• You can read all about mindful drinking in this article by a licensed therapist at Monument.

If you decide to taper with benzos, don’t mix them with alcohol. Mixing alcohol with benzos is very dangerous and will land you in the hospital really fast. Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection. You’ll meet hundreds of your fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.