While the safest way to taper is with professional help in a detox facility, this may not be an option for everyone. A person may need to detox at home for many reasons, including cost or time. The second situation involves counting the daily drinks and switching them to a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer.
How to Taper Off Alcohol: A Comprehensive Guide
But since alcohol addiction can also be dangerous, you may need to get through withdrawal to achieve sobriety and better health. Learn more here about tapering off alcohol and how to wean off it safely. For people who drink heavily and frequently, it’s wise to consult with a medical professional before tapering. “Some will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop abruptly, which is an indicator for medically managed alcohol withdrawal treatments from a health professional. Programs such as inpatient or outpatient rehab, medical detox, individual or family therapy and support groups are available. Through these programs, our caring and dedicated staff can help you on your road to recovery.
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Many insurance companies will help pay for some or all of your treatment costs. Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection. Diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis are more frequent in individuals who chronically drink.
- If you choose moderate alcohol use, the best way to avoid alcohol withdrawal is to refrain from alcohol use two days in a row.
- A taper might be helpful for those who find they cannot stop drinking without experiencing negative symptoms.
- For example, if you typically drink five beers a night, you might cut down to four, then three, and so on.
- Smaller drinks with a higher percentage of alcohol are stronger than the same size drink containing a lower-proof liquor.
You Have a High Risk of Addiction or Complications From Drinking
Moreover, physical withdrawal can be challenging, and there’s also a phenomenon called the kindling effect to consider. Ethanol, the chemical name for drinkable alcohol, can also bind to GABA receptors. It doesn’t take GABA’s place; rather, it binds to a different site on the receptor and makes GABA even stronger. When GABA opens the channel to a negative charge, ethanol keeps that channel open for longer, leading to feelings of sedation, muscle relaxation, and other depressant-like effects. We have taken the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure and transmission of the Coronavirus to those in our treatment programs, allowing them to focus on their recovery.
- Making a plan for tapering alcohol is a crucial part of the process to ensure a healthy outcome.
- Below I share some key information so you can determine if weaning off alcohol is right for you.
- A 2021 review found that in women, drinking even a moderate amount of alcohol can increase the risk of hypertension.
- Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that they can lead to death.
- When you quit drinking cold turkey, your body suffers from a cascade of changes caused by the sudden shift.
- The alcohol withdrawal symptom delirium tremens (DT) is estimated to kill up to 5% of those attempting to quit suddenly after chronic usage.
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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. These can indicate a life threatening condition called delirium tremens. It’s important to seek urgent medical care if you experience any of these symptoms.
It is important to note that prescription medication should not be used for a substitution taper unless it has been prescribed as part of a medical detox program. Stopping alcohol use is the first step of the recovery journey, but staying sober for longer and longer periods is the goal. Getting professional treatment and long-term support are two of the most valuable strategies for avoiding relapse.
- This is a highly personal decision, which can be made through self-reflection, and with the support of a medical professional and your peers.
- Finally, just because you’ve gotten past the withdrawal phase doesn’t mean you won’t continue to face psychological aspects of addiction—including alcohol cravings and drinking triggers.
- The phrase cold turkey refers to abruptly stopping drug or alcohol use.
- This can be done by reducing the number of drinks, increasing time between drinks or choosing a weaker drink with a lower alcohol content.
- A doctor can supervise your tapering progress, helping you manage your cravings and prevent relapse.
Recognize Dangerous Withdrawal Symptoms
But if heavy drinkers cut back on their average number of drinks too quickly, they may be at risk of life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms while tapering off alcohol, adjust your plan. The goal of tapering is to make the withdrawal process safer and more bearable. More serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms may require medical attention. If you have a friend or family member who knows that you’re trying to taper off alcohol, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. They can take you to the https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview hospital or help you get medical support.
Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox may not take as long or produce severe withdrawal symptoms, but it is still an essential beginning to your recovery. Tapering off alcohol at home can be safe for some individuals, but it carries risks, and it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider to assess your suitability for this approach. Exercise can be a beneficial component of a comprehensive strategy to reduce alcohol consumption, but it should not be the sole method. Consult with a healthcare provider for a personalized plan that may include exercise as part of your recovery.
Creating a structured plan including more resources and increased self-care builds a strong foundation for recovery. Part of an alcohol tapering plan should include ways you’ll tend to yourself during times when you have sober house a craving or a bad day. Planning for social situations where you know there will be alcohol can help you navigate how to respond. Alcohol Tapering can help people start their recovery journey, including those with goals of stopping completely or curbing drinking.