How to Wean Off Alcohol & Safely Taper Drinking

In order to fully recover, you can start your healing process by safely ridding yourself of alcohol. Getting professional treatment for alcohol addiction can give you the tools to create, and maintain, a healthy and happy lifestyle. In 2019 the Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services Administration reported that 14.5 millions of americans suffered from Alcohol Use Disorder. Treatment is the best way to ensure long-term abstinence from alcohol. This is especially true if you are suffering from an alcohol use disorder.

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This assessment will serve as a baseline to measure your progress as you gradually reduce your intake. By acknowledging the need for change and understanding the benefits of tapering off, individuals can take the first steps toward achieving a healthier and alcohol-free lifestyle. It can be tempting to throw yourself into an alternative behavior or substance use in order to distract from the difficulties of recovery. If you notice an urge to use other substances, observe your feelings and consider talking to a counselor to help navigate the emotional impact of tapering your alcohol use.

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 Living in a Sober House: Fundamental Rules benefit from this strategy. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol, it’s important to have an honest conversation with a doctor about your drinking habits before you start tapering off. They’ll be able to help you create a tapering schedule that won’t only raise your chance of success but also avoid severe symptoms. That said, tapering off alcohol doesn’t completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous if you don’t do it properly. If the drink of choice is liquor, it is difficult to measure amounts and easy to binge drink. 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.

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A doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine as part of the tapering process. “Management of moderate and severe alcohol withdrawal syndromes.” September 15, 2023. Your insurance plan may cover some or all of the cost of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. Our online health insurance verification system will estimate your in-network and out-of-network deductibles, coinsurance percentages and out-of-pocket maximums.

Tapering with Support: Key Tools for Alcohol Recovery

• These strategies work in different ways to help you quit drinking, and one may be more appropriate for you based on your needs.
• The alcohol content itself is important, and it depends on the percentage of alcohol, the proof of the alcohol and the actual amount of alcohol in the drink.
• Manufacturers often add one or more polyols for bulk in artificial sweeteners sold for baking and in small individual packets.
• These are offered to patients with moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorder, having the goal of reducing alcohol comsumption and achieving abstinence.
• Others may discover after consulting with a doctor that it’s safe for them to quit alcohol cold turkey if they choose to.

If you’re addicted to alcohol, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover without some form of addiction treatment. You may be able to detox at home and recover from alcoholism with the help of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. However, medically supervised detox and professional rehab are more likely to help you maintain long-term sobriety.

How to Taper off Alcohol Safely

A direct taper means you continue to drink your regular drinks but slowly decrease the amount over time. Direct tapers are better if you prefer drinks that contain a low percentage of alcohol. There are two ways to taper off alcohol⁠—a direct or substitution taper. The success of these strategies will depend on how much you drink and what you drink. A standard drink is a term used because different alcoholic beverages have different concentrations of alcohol, giving you varying amounts of alcohol depending on the fluid you drink.

Quitting alcohol can be extremely hard, especially without medical support. Further, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression are extremely common in those who struggle with drinking, and these disorders can make it even harder to stay sober. 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. People looking to quit drinking may consider either tapering or going cold turkey, meaning they abruptly stop all alcohol consumption without weaning.

Focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. This will not only support your overall health but also help you feel more energized during the day. Adjust your goals and milestones based on your personal circumstances and progress. It’s important to celebrate each milestone achieved, as it signifies your commitment and dedication towards a healthier and brighter future without alcohol.

Now that you’ve successfully completed the detoxification process, it’s time to build your sobriety toolkit through treatment. Studies show that those who receive some type of formal treatment after detox are more likely to maintain sobriety8. One of Arizona’s leaders in personalized residential addiction treatment, The Hope House boasts 10,000 sq ft facilities as home to just 10 patients at a time. Alcohol withdrawal usually lasts for a few days, but some effects may linger for months. Symptoms are most severe around day 34, and the total process can last for 2 to 10 days.

This can equate to as much as a full bottle https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ of beer or less than two tablespoons of whisky. It is important to measure your alcohol use in standard drinks while tapering to allow for an accurate comparison of how much you use from day to day. 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.

• 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.
• Surrounding yourself with other people who are sober will dramatically improve your chances of staying away from alcohol.
• Essentially, tapering provides less intense withdrawal symptoms but over a longer amount of time.
• There are multiple health benefits you can experience when you start drinking less alcohol.

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The gradual reduction method can be difficult, as you must strictly control how much you drink daily. If you find it difficult to cut down on your number of drinks per day, try making your drinks weaker by using less alcohol per drink. You may also find it easier to stick to your taper schedule if you avoid certain places and situations. 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. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects your brain.

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If you’ve tried to quit multiple times, each subsequent withdrawal can become more severe. This means that an unsuccessful tapering attempt isn’t just a failed attempt; it can actually be harder to try again in the future. The kindling effect is an important reason to approach quitting and seek professional guidance seriously. Deciding to reduce or eliminate your alcohol consumption is a big step and will open up a whole new world of improved health and well-being.

What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol

Yes, therapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy, is highly effective in helping you reduce alcohol intake. It helps you address underlying triggers of alcohol use, develop coping strategies, and bring you back on track when you relapse. This is especially the case where drinking is a big part of your social life. To overcome this challenge, ask your friends and family for support and engage in activities with them that do not involve alcohol. Before you can learn about how to quit drinking, it is critical to assess your relationship with alcohol. Or are you just a social drinker and need it to unwind after a long day?

If you start noticing these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately. The Recovery Village Ridgefield medical detox center in Vancouver, WA, is a fully staffed rehab facility designed to help you wean off alcohol in comfort. We offer 16 detox beds and around-the-clock medical care provided by a multidisciplinary team of addiction experts. Alcohol detox medications can make the process safer and more comfortable. They can also ensure your alcohol detox is successful by making it nigh impossible to relapse if symptoms get difficult.