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Here’s how to wean off alcohol—including useful strategies, how to create a tapering schedule, and how to stay safe throughout the process. People tapering off alcohol may begin experiencing early withdrawal symptoms within 6 to 12 hours after their last drink. The Monument platform can help determine what timeline will work for you based on your past drinking habits and risk of withdrawal. Whatever schedule is chosen, it’s important to commit so you can build upon your progress and avoid withdrawal symptoms as much as possible.
Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking. Sometimes, tapering isn’t enough to help reduce alcohol intake.
Alcohol Detox at Home
Unlike a home environment, medical detox services have the professional support and resources necessary to treat severe withdrawal symptoms. This medical supervision allows for some patients to quit drinking cold-turkey without compromising safety. For those at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms, medically-supervised detox is often the safest choice for beginning their sobriety or moderation journey.
- With physical dependence, your body becomes used to the presence of alcohol in your system and begins to adapt accordingly.
- An alcohol taper1can be an effective strategy to begin recovery and help set a realistic goal for people who are not ready to quit alcohol completely, but they’re not for everyone.
- A medical professional must supervise anyone who experiences DTs when lowering alcohol intake.
- However, for people with an AUD, quitting cold turkey or tapering is not advisable.
- If the taper process proves too stressful or difficult for you, be forgiving.
- These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper.
Treat alcohol like your withdrawal medication, rather than something you look forward to. Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe. Learn which signs to look out for, and how to care for your well-being. Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today. Join a supportive discussion about the challenges you may encounter in the earlier days, including physical, emotional, and social changes. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms consistent with DT, call 911.
Why You May Need to Taper Your Alcohol Use
You’ll need to stick with gradual reduction every day and not revert to previous levels of consumption, otherwise it won’t work. If it’s too hard to control how much you drink each day, weaning might not be the right strategy.
Cautious tapering may take longer than medically supervised detox, but it will help you avoid major health problems. People who have alcohol use disorder that goes undiagnosed may have an especially difficult time cutting back on their alcohol consumption. In many cases, people with a moderate to severe alcohol use disorder may be advised to undergo medical detox, where they slowly rid the body of alcohol under medical supervision rather than a taper. If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals. If you are struggling with severe alcohol use or addiction, tapering off alcohol at home may not be a safe option. The most effective option for alcoholics to stop drinking is to find a treatment program that offers medical detox services. If you are interested in medical detox, contact one of our Vertava Health treatment specialists to find alcohol detox programs near you.
Avoid Peer Pressure
The main neurotransmitter system involved in alcohol withdrawal is the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) system. Simply put, GABA receptors how to taper off alcohol cause a person to feel calm, relaxed or sleepy. This is why when people drink alcohol they will feel calm, relaxed, or sleepy.
Her primary focus is to provide all clients with a safe, structured environment while coordinating their care. Alexandra understands addiction from both familial and personal standpoints, as she is active in her own recovery. Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. Her innovative approach as Director of Operations gives her clients a safe and compassionate place at The Freedom Center to begin their recovery journey. These symptoms can last for several days or weeks depending on how much alcohol you drink regularly and the length of time you have been drinking excessively. While these symptoms are not life-threatening per se, they can be pretty uncomfortable.