How To Taper Off Alcohol Safety Tips & Strategies June 23, 2023 – Posted in: Sober living

If you have wanted to quit drinking alcohol but were hesitant to do so because you feared that the withdrawal symptoms would be too severe, you are not alone. Many people are afraid that if they quit drinking, withdrawal symptoms could be difficult to manage, or even dangerous. Knowing what helps with alcohol withdrawal can make the experience less uncomfortable and risky. Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time. This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change.

tapering off alcohol

Note that in some states, doctors may commit individuals at risk of harming themselves to 72 hours of involuntary treatment for addiction. These states include, but are not limited to, California, Colorado, Delaware, DC, Florida, Maine, Mass, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. These are offered to patients with moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorder, having the goal of reducing alcohol comsumption and achieving abstinence. Prefer Topiramate or Gabapentin if patients are intolerant to or have not responded to Naltrexone and Acamprosate. However, it should not cause someone to become stuck on a step, which would defeat the purpose of a taper.

Tips to Stop Drinking and Quit Alcohol

By Buddy T

Buddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. Even if you fail, there are still plenty of treatment options you can turn to. With these things in mind, you need to weigh the pros and cons of tapering your alcohol use—ideally with someone you trust—to make a fully informed decision. 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.

The goal of tapering down is to make a gradual change while causing less stress on your body, both physically and emotionally. 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. Because everyone’s body reacts differently, there’s not a lot of research that proves tapering can decrease the effects of alcohol withdrawal. 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. Tapering involves gradually and progressively reducing your alcohol consumption over time.

What to Know About Tapering Off Alcohol

This phenomenon is often described as “alcohol dependence.” The most common more mild withdrawal symptoms include headaches, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness. We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful.

tapering off alcohol

If you’re struggling to wean off alcohol, it might be best to seek addiction treatment. Various treatment programs are available to help you recover from addiction. To learn about how our substance abuse treatment programs address alcohol dependence and withdrawal management, please contact us today. There’s no set time frame for Charles Kelley Shares Emotional Track as His Goodbye to Alcohol that works for everyone. Even if your situation seems like someone else’s, your body may respond differently to the tapering process. An effective tapering schedule may include cutting out one drink at a time at regular intervals.

How much alcohol should I drink when tapering off?

Staffed by medical professionals, these programs offer 24-hour monitoring so you always have support if any complications arise. It’s especially influential if you have an alcohol use https://g-markets.net/sober-living/14-reasons-being-sober-makes-your-life-better/ disorder. Don’t try to reduce your alcohol intake based on what feels right. However, tapering can be dangerous if you have severe AUD, leading to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

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. 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.