It’s best to reduce your drinking by a small amount each day to avoid the shock to your system. So, if you normally have 6 beers a day, you could be done tapering within one week. It’s always best to consult a physician on the best strategy, especially if you drink heavily. Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems. If you have a severe alcohol addiction, it might be best to seek professional addiction treatment. Your body, your risk factors, your drinking history, your medical history—all of these are considerations.
- Quitting alcohol can be extremely hard, especially without medical support.
- If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, treatment at a medical rehabilitation facility is your best option.
- The chemical binds to its receptors on your nerve cells and opens up a channel that allows a negative charge to shut down or slow your nervous system’s excitatory functions.
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- This form of tapering would likely involve medications to eliminate withdrawal symptoms.
- For those at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms, medically-supervised detox is often the safest choice for beginning their sobriety or moderation journey.
- Remember, it’s not about achieving immediate perfection but about making steady progress towards your goal of sobriety.
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What Are Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
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Transition to treatment
With a slow taper, you can plan ahead by getting your consumption to a safer level by the date you will be starting care. With a doctor’s help, you can taper off alcohol slowly to avoid severe symptoms. You may cut back on drinking slowly over time, but if you have an alcohol use disorder, it can be very challenging to resist drinking too much for an effective taper. Instead, you may be treated with benzodiazepines, a class of medications that are chemically similar to alcohol.
Tapering Off Alcohol vs. Going Cold Turkey
Overall, do whatever you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible. If you’re sweating, place a cold towel on your forehead or on the back of your neck. Prepare a playlist of your favorite songs or movies to pass the time. Seizures can occur within the first 24 hours, but seizures occur only in about 25 percent of patients, according to the NIAAA. Alcohol withdrawal can cause many symptoms, some of which can be fatal. Sitting and talking with others who share your struggle can help you feel supported.
People looking to quit drinking may consider either tapering or going cold turkey, meaning they abruptly stop all alcohol consumption without weaning. weening off alcohol 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. The best alcohol tapering-off detox method should be determined by a medical professional who can evaluate your specific needs and risks. Weaning off alcohol in a safe way can help reduce the severity of some withdrawal symptoms. Orlando Recovery Center says that when you taper your alcohol intake over time, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms7.
You Experience Withdrawals When You Stop Drinking
Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals. Set up therapy, counseling and support groups, a plan for sober living, and follow-up medical evaluations. 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.
Getting Help for Alcohol Withdrawal
If you are thinking about quitting drinking, talk to your healthcare provider. Medical supervision, behavioral health treatment, and mutual-aid groups can help you through alcohol withdrawal and stay stopped. If you suddenly quit drinking, your brain can start to make more of an excitatory substance called glutamate. This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous. 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. The long and the short of it is–tapering off alcohol with medical support can help you quit drinking.