How to Safely Taper off Alcohol
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It can help to make use of standard drink measurements, as mentioned above. Then come up with a reduction rate you think will be safe, and that you can stick to. Use a journal or drink-tracking app to record how many you’ve had, and decide on a minimum interval between drinks.
Figuring out where to start your alcohol taper schedule can seem impossible. It may seem simple to count each drink you consume, but all drinks are not created equal. The alcohol content itself is important, and it depends on the percentage of alcohol, the proof of the alcohol and the how to taper off alcohol actual amount of alcohol in the drink. Stopping alcohol use is the first step of the recovery journey, but staying sober for longer and longer periods is the goal. Getting professional treatment and long-term support are two of the most valuable strategies for avoiding relapse.
Alcohol Tapering Calculator
As long as you aren’t suffering from end-stage liver disease, your liver can recover from alcohol use. Alcoholism is linked to many chronic diseases, including heart disease, liver disease, and certain cancers. Chronic, heavy drinking can significantly increase your risk of serious illness and premature death.
- Tapering off alcohol is a method of reducing your alcohol intake gradually.
- Your body needs time to adjust to the changes it will experience.
- Quitting alcoholcan be extremely hard, especially without medical support.
- The final step of tapering off alcohol is to define your alcohol-free days.
- Although it may seem like the best way to stop alcohol use is to stop drinking right away, this is not the case.
Moderate or intermediate alcohol withdrawal usually occurs hours after the cessation of alcohol intake. Its manifestations include intense anxiety, tremors, insomnia, seizures, hallucinations, high blood pressure, racing pulse. This is why it’s always best to find some form of long-term support in sobriety. Support groups, from Alcoholics Anonymous to SMART Recovery, are one free way to find a community of people on the same journey.
Medical Director
Symptoms of delirium tremens can develop within 48 hours and, in some cases, have fatal consequences without proper treatment. 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. When someone has developed an alcohol substance use disorder, this will require effective treatment in order to quit drinking. The safest way to taper off alcohol is to do so with a doctor’s help. 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.
How do I break the cycle of drinking?
- Assess your relationship with alcohol. Think about what's motivating you to take a break from alcohol.
- Make a plan.
- Notice changes in how you feel.
- Resist peer pressure!
- Take note of your mental health.
- Reassess your drinking habits.
However, even the best-designed tapers can put you at risk for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. For this reason, you should never start an alcohol taper before clearing with your doctor. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals.
A Life Free From Addiction Is Possible
You will be at serious risk of withdrawal symptoms, which can even prove deadly for some who suffer from alcohol addiction. To avoid severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, it is advised to taper off alcohol via medical assistance or by using an alcohol treatment program such as those found at AspenRidge. When you taper your alcohol, you slowly reduce your alcohol intake over time. By gradually drinking less instead of stopping cold turkey, your body has a chance to adapt to smaller and less frequent drinks.
