How to Taper off Alcohol Safely and Effectively

On top of this, quitting immediately — or “cold turkey” as many users and professionals call it — can be dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms are generally uncomfortable to deal with, but they can be fatal. To avoid or reduce the impact of the withdrawal symptoms, people struggling with alcohol may choose to progressively taper off alcohol rather than quit abruptly. You may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking alcohol. This can happen whether you’re quitting alcohol cold turkey or tapering.

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Tapering can help minimize these symptoms, but you might still experience some of them while your body adjusts to the lack of alcohol. They involve unwanted symptoms like nausea, headache, fatigue, and dizziness. However, if caffeine is not part of your daily routine, you should avoid drinking it with a hangover. For non-coffee-drinkers, the added caffeine could cause unwanted effects that can make a hangover feel worse. Caffeine and alcohol may be mildly dehydrating and can also slightly increase blood pressure.

Tapering is meant to reduce the withdrawal symptoms from quitting alcohol, but this isn’t a guarantee. As mentioned above, many people will still experience some level of withdrawal, just to a lesser degree. This may work for many people, but in practice each individual will respond best to a different pace, and each doctor will have their own recommendations.

How to Wean Off Alcohol Safely

For others, simply cutting back the number of drinks can bring on alcohol withdrawal symptoms, making https://www.longchamp-sale.us/page/28/ it more difficult to stop. Depending on how much alcohol you drink to start with, the amount of time an alcohol weaning schedule takes may vary. For example, those who drink more heavily may need more time to taper than those who drink less alcohol.

What Are The Dangers Of Stopping All At Once?

Further, if you start to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the taper, your doctor may instruct you to pause or slow the taper as a result. These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper. Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that https://legalny-bukmacher.eu/category/british-bookmakers/ you use over time. This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change.

• If you need help figuring out how to taper off alcohol, or want to find alcohol detox services near you, our treatment specialists at Vertava Health can help.
• Severe withdrawal can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization or medical detox.
• Tough days might come, but with our supportive sober community, you’re never alone.
• In some cases, medications may be administered to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

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As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder. But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done. Tapering alcohol is beneficial because you can avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This is because when you drink heavily for months or years, your body can start to depend on alcohol to function normally. When you are physically dependent on a substance like alcohol, your body adapts accordingly.

People with AUD may be unable to quit drinking alcohol on their own or have attempted to quit before and relapsed. If you properly taper your alcohol use, you’re less likely to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink can help give your body the time it needs to adjust to the lack of alcohol. The kindling effect is an aspect of alcohol withdrawal that makes repeated attempts at withdrawal less safe.

• By gradually drinking less instead of stopping cold turkey, your body has a chance to adapt to smaller and less frequent drinks.
• Withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and depend on many factors, such as drinking history, metabolism, age, medical condition, what other substances or medication you take, and more.
• Talk to a medical professional to find the best detox option for you.
• Even if the tapering process is not ultimately successful, even a short period of time of reduced alcohol consumption can lessen the likelihood of severe harms.
• We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.

For example, if you normally drink 6 glasses of wine each night, you can try reducing that to 5 glasses of wine a night. After several days of 5 glasses of wine, you can reduce that down to 4. Eventually, after a period of time, you will have tapered down to zero drinks. If you’re interested in medication-assisted treatment, medication to curb cravings can be a helpful tool for reducing your consumption. The best and safest first step is to consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment plan for you. A medical professional will evaluate your medical history and current symptoms or problems to determine the best treatment plan to meet your unique needs.

Tapering Off Alcohol vs. Going Cold Turkey

• There are lots of well-meaning sources out there that recommend that you go through withdrawal from alcohol by simply cutting out your drinking.
• Unfortunately, your brain may be sensitized to withdrawal due to kindling, which can set you up for unexpectedly severe withdrawal symptoms.
• You’ll be tempted to drink more of the beverages with lower alcohol content, but this taper only works if you slow down consumption.
• There are also a number of anti-craving medications to help you avoid drinking again, or even help with your tapering process.
• When planning how to wean off alcohol, it’s important to identify and avoid these triggers whenever possible.

Contact us today to learn more about the insurance we accept and find an alcohol addiction treatment program that can work well for your situation. Without alcohol, the body may be flooded with excessive levels of glutamate, an excitatory chemical. This imbalance can result in withdrawal symptoms that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. As a result, if you choose to quit alcohol “cold turkey,” it’s generally safest to do so under medical supervision, where professionals can address any withdrawal complications immediately. Those who find that they cannot taper off the number of drinks for any significant length of time have likely developed alcohol use disorder, a condition commonly known as alcoholism.

If you plan on tapering on your own, it’s vital to recognize the risks. Symptoms that start out mild can quickly escalate into serious withdrawal effects like agitation or hallucinations, making it harder to seek help. Because of this, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare professional to determine whether tapering at home or under medical observation is the better choice.