Tapering Off Alcohol vs Quitting Cold Turkey

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. However, in order to safely taper off alcohol use, medical supervision is highly encouraged. It’s not advised to taper off alcohol, as an at-home detox can make relapse more likely. Instead, those who suffer from alcohol use disorders should seek professional treatment to help address both addiction as well as underlying mental health issues. Making a schedule to slowly reduce your alcohol intake is a safe way to taper off the substance. This will ensure that you are not quitting cold turkey which could result in severe and debilitating  withdrawal symptoms or even death.

It is best to consult with a medical professional first before reducing or stopping alcohol use. Depending on a variety of factors, it could be dangerous for you to reduce or stop drinking without medical support. Maybe they don’t have peer support or maybe their alcohol addiction is too severe. Being surrounded by triggers can make it extremely difficult to stay on track and avoid overdoing it on alcohol. Another strategy for a successful taper is to drink just enough to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.

How To Taper Off Alcohol Safely Tips & Strategies

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.

• According to an abnormal psychology textbook, alcohol affects many parts of your body.
• You’ll need to stick with gradual reduction every day and not revert to previous levels of consumption, otherwise it won’t work.
• In autumn and winter, the days get shorter, and skies are often cloudy, depriving us of natural sunlight and unleashing all sorts of mood disturbances in many people.
• One of those decisions will be what you will do when friends or family pressure you to drink.
• Typically, when a person thinks about the word tapering they think of tapering off medications like opioids.

It is also important to note that the degree of symptoms will depend on how much alcohol you have been using, the frequency of use, and how long you have been drinking. If you are an average to moderate drinker – a couple drinks a night, several nights a week – then you may experience moderate withdrawal. On the other hand, if you engage in excessive alcohol use, you could experience severe alcohol withdrawal.

How to Taper Off Alcohol

While these symptoms are uncomfortable, they are generally not life-threatening. However, some people develop a severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome called delirium tremens (DTS). However, it’s important to talk with your doctor or addiction treatment team before https://goodmenproject.com/everyday-life-2/top-5-tips-to-consider-when-choosing-a-sober-house-for-living/ on your own. One of the best ways to stop drinking and get on the road to recovery is to taper off your alcohol consumption. It is worth noting that the effectiveness will differ from person to person, so this is why it will be important to get professional treatment advice.

Throughout his tenure at The Freedom Center, he has strategically built relationship with referring providers, hospitals and local government leaders. Corey has continued to grow The Freedom Center brand, educate his local community on Substance Use Disorder and become a pillar of the local recovery community. Corey’s mission is to provide quality behavioral health care to local community members who reach Top 5 Tips to Consider When Choosing a Sober House for Living out in need, regardless of their financial situation. Outside of The Freedom Center, Corey enjoys playing golf, hiking and most of all being the best father to his three young boys. It can be difficult to say no to people, especially when they care about you. This is why it’s essential to surround yourself with the right support system, such as a 12-step community that can help you maintain your progress.

Tapering Off Alcohol Does It Reduce Symptoms Of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. You can also get help by reaching out to a professional rehab facility directly, like The Recovery Village. We can leverage our resources and team to help you reduce and eventually end your alcohol use. Delirium tremens (DTs) can begin 48 hours after your last drink and last up to five days. About 10 percent of people experience more severe symptoms, such as fever, fast breathing, and heavy sweating. Intoxicating beverages have been around since the Neolithic period (about 10,000 BC) which is a lot longer than modern medications.

This excess glutamate triggers alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases. The purpose of alcohol tapering is to avoid some of the more dangerous symptoms of detox. The length of time for alcohol tapering depends entirely on your baseline of use.