Tapering Off Alcohol Does It Reduce Symptoms Of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Quitting cold turkey can shock your system since it has become used to functioning with alcohol. Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs. Here are some tips and strategies for how to taper off alcohol safely.

This will be a better way to tackle an addiction to alcohol, and can reduce the likelihood of suffering from symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Even though tapering off your alcohol consumption is one of the best ways to stop drinking, it’s important to note that this will need to be done with professional help. This can ensure that you are more likely to succeed with getting on the road to recovery, and that you are less likely to relapse.

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Even if you think either option sounds like something that could work for your situation, we still recommend talking to a doctor before proceeding. By talking with your doctor or an addiction treatment specialist, together you can determine a safe tapering schedule that suits your needs. By gradually decreasing your alcohol consumption over time rather than abruptly ceasing it, you allow your brain to adjust its production of GABA and glutamate. They may have suffered the loss of a loved one and are struggling to overcome the grief. In fact, according to the NIAAA, someone with AUD is 3.6 times more likely to also suffer from a mood disorder. Always remember that if the taper is not working for you or if you are having major withdrawal that it is safest to check into a medical detox because alcohol withdrawal can kill you.

Depending on how much you drink, tapering off alcohol can take one to several weeks. It’s best to reduce your drinking by a small amount each day to avoid the shock to your system. how to taper off alcohol at home So, if you normally have 6 beers a day, you could be done tapering within one week. It’s always best to consult a physician on the best strategy, especially if you drink heavily.

About Alcohol Abuse

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. Additionally, the post-detox treatment resources available at a professional treatment center can ease the transition to sober living and give you the tools you need to stay sober long-term. Obviously quitting cold turkey from a 12-beer-a-day habit is going to be more stressful than tapering off slowly. But that does not mean home detox is effective, appropriate, or safe. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals.

Finally, finding a therapist or a recovery coach can help you develop new coping mechanisms and move forward in your life. 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. If you’ve decided to quit drinking, and tapering seems like the right approach, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to wean off alcohol—including useful strategies, how to create a tapering schedule, and how to stay safe throughout the process.

Practice Mindful Drinking

Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period of time may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse. Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person, anyone struggling with an alcohol use disorder should seek professional medical assistance before considering https://ecosoberhouse.com/ an alcohol taper. It can be tempting to just “rip off the Band-Aid” when getting sober, but tapering off alcohol is often much safer—and much less stressful. Rather than quitting drinking abruptly (or “cold turkey”), many professionals recommend gradually reducing your drinking (or tapering) over time.

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. Another strategy for a successful taper is to drink just enough to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. If you find it is difficult to prevent yourself from drinking too much and getting drunk, locking your alcohol up in a cabinet and giving your friend or family member the key can help. Although with this method, it is important that the friend or family member is accessible when symptoms of withdrawals such as tremors return.

The Potential Harms of Going Cold Turkey

Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today. Give us a call and we can help find the right treatment program for you or your loved one – even if it’s not ours! These are offered to patients with moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorder, having the goal of reducing alcohol comsumption and achieving abstinence.

• This will ensure that you are not quitting cold turkey which could result in severe and debilitating  withdrawal symptoms or even death.
• Once you have completely tapered off alcohol, you will have to decide if you want to follow a path of total abstinence or moderate alcohol use.
• Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display.