The consequences of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be serious and lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be fatal in severe cases. 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. Other people use medication-assisted treatment, which can help reduce alcohol cravings as you cut back. Lastly, engaging in alcohol therapy can also make a major difference in your healing journey. A therapist will work with you to create a personalized plan for cutting back and provide ongoing guidance and accountability.
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This phenomenon is often described as “alcohol dependence.” The most common more mild withdrawal symptoms include headaches, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Some individuals experience a neurological condition known as the “kindling effect” as a result of repeated alcohol withdrawal. Individuals who have experienced the kindling effect may have more severe symptoms, including seizures, even when they use small amounts of alcohol. Alcohol tapers are strategies to stop drinking by slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person consumes. This simple yet straightforward method can be safe and effective. Creating a structured plan including more resources and increased self-care builds a strong foundation for recovery.
Can people successfully use alcohol to taper off?
If you are struggling to stop or cut down through alcohol tapering, this may be a sign to seek more help, Lee said. There are a variety of resources to explore, including 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery, Lee explained. Taking days off within the week is a common strategy to encourage drinking https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ less overall.
- When the alcohol is completely taken away then this adrenaline and its cousins are left to run rampant in the brain.
- With kindling, the brain becomes increasingly sensitized to stopping alcohol.
- Generally, light to moderate drinkers should plan to taper for a week or more.
- Severe withdrawal symptoms, called delirium tremens (DT) can be fatal.
If it is a mixed drink, it can contain sugar or other additives that should not be included in the taper and may worsen the effects of withdrawal symptoms. Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can start as soon as six hours after the last drink of alcohol. Once they appear, acute symptoms may continue for around a week. If you’ve decided to taper off alcohol, you’ll need to be prepared with some strategies to make the process easier. You’ll likely face the urge to drink more than you’ve planned each day, but there are some good tricks to help you delay that next serving and keep yourself honest. Some find tapering is not a suitable option to stop drinking due to various factors such as social responsibilities or peer pressure.
Choosing To Wean Yourself off Alcohol
Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or the resources needed to get a professional detox. People who have successfully tapered from alcohol before may be especially likely to benefit from this strategy. Over time, this can help you slow down and make more intentional choices about how much you’re drinking.
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However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them. If you’re not sure if cold turkey or tapering is right for you, you can join the Monument Community to hear from others who have confronted similar questions. Although it is possible for some to quit drinking without any side effects, it leads to painful alcohol withdrawal symptoms for most.
That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. Some people are facing problems with their health or personal lives which require them to quit immediately. However, for many people with alcohol use disorder, tapering off alcohol is a far better experience than quitting abruptly. The time it takes to taper off alcohol varies based on how much a person drinks. Regardless, The initial detoxification process may take several days.
When To Seek Medical Attention
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. Part of an alcohol tapering plan should include ways you’ll tend to yourself during times when you have a craving or a bad day. Planning for social situations where you know there will be alcohol can help you navigate how to respond. Below are some ideas to help people reduce their drinking by alcohol tapering. “Any relative reduction in daily alcohol intake is healthy and headed in the right direction,” explains Lee.
- If you must get drunk during your taper, do yourself a favor and just get buzzed, not completely trashed.
- A therapist will work with you to create a personalized plan for cutting back and provide ongoing guidance and accountability.
- Whether that’s watching TV, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, going for a walk, or taking a bath.
- Having a plan can help you stay on track and it can keep you safe.
After Tapering is Complete
Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about tapering off alcohol. They can provide recommendations to help you avoid harmful side effects. An alcohol taper is a way to wean yourself off alcohol and avoid withdrawal symptoms. Although all forms of alcohol cessation should be done with medical guidance, tapering your alcohol intake may allow you to self-wean from drinking at home. You may find success decreasing your number of drinks by a set amount each sober house day. You could do one a day if you’re very weary of withdrawal symptoms, but you might drag it out unnecessarily.
- Rather than quitting cold turkey, which could lead to severe (maybe even fatal) withdrawal symptoms, tapering is a slower reduction of alcohol over time.
- Essentially, tapering provides less intense withdrawal symptoms but over a longer amount of time.
- If you start noticing these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately.
- But deciding to cut back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper.
- If you go through a medical detox the people they may rehydrate you with an IV and may also give you vitamin shots.
It is important to only attempt a taper while under a doctor’s care. However, understanding how an alcohol taper works and what the process is like can help you prepare yourself and find the support you need. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are more likely in heavy drinkers. Withdrawal usually begins 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and peaks within 72 hours. There are several ways to taper your alcohol consumption without therapy. You should not begin a tapering plan before talking to your doctor.
But, as many in recovery will tell you, it is only the first chapter in a long process. Start by estimating how much you drink on a daily basis—and be honest with yourself. It can help to make use of standard drink measurements, as mentioned above. Then come up with a reduction rate you think will be safe, and that you can stick to.
The safest way to taper off alcohol is with a doctor’s help. By looking at your medical history and alcohol intake, your doctor can determine whether you need to taper in a medical detox facility or can safely detox at home. Prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption can impact your brain, causing changes to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors.