How To Taper Off Alcohol Risks of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey

If you drink heavily on a regular basis, it can be dangerous to stop alcohol cold turkey. For this reason, you should not suddenly quit drinking without talking to your doctor. The consequences of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be serious and lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be fatal in severe cases. Programs https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview such as inpatient or outpatient rehab, medical detox, individual or family therapy and support groups are available.

Whatever your reason to quit drinking, know that you’re doing yourself a favor. Alcohol impacts our sleep, relationships, weight, risk for serious chronic conditions and more. However, it should not cause someone to become stuck on a step, which would defeat the purpose of a taper. A person is free to increase the taper speed (e.g., lower by three drinks instead of two) as they see fit. 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.

Does Tapering Help Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

It is of the utmost importance that anyone considering tapering off alcohol first consult with a medical professional to determine their treatment needs. Some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, especially Delirium Tremens (DT) and seizures can be fatal, and hundreds of Americans die every year as a result. Choosing to taper off alcohol is an admirable decision and a step in the right direction. As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder. But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done.

Failure to Treat Addiction Is Leading to Unnecessary Deaths

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. Keeping a journal or using a tracking app can be helpful in recording your alcohol consumption accurately.

It’s important to know that if your body has developed a strong dependence on alcohol, trying to quit “cold turkey” can be hazardous to your health. For some people, it’s best to get professional help when creating your reduction plan. Tapering off alcohol helps some people start their recovery journeys. It can also be a good idea for people who don’t want to, or can’t, attend any type of full detoxification program.

• Make sure to share your successes with your loved ones and especially your sober support network.
• Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection.
• Xenia Ellenbogen (she/they) is a journalist specializing in health, mental health, and wellness.
• Understanding the impact of alcohol and implementing appropriate interventions is crucial in promoting public health and well-being.

If you are reliant on alcohol, you need to replace it with newer, healthier habits. You can engage in exercise, hobbies, or creative outlets that don’t involve alcohol. Focusing on such activities is rewarding, boosts dopamine, and helps distract you from cravings for alcohol. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Long has been a writer for Landmark Recovery since 2021. He specializes in research and writing about substance abuse from a scientific and social perspective. Unearthing information from underexplored, far-flung corners of the Internet, Long’s passion is finding emerging trends in substance use and treatment that the public should know about.

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Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time. This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change. Tapering will normally create less severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms but will spread them out over a prolonged period. Essentially, tapering provides less intense withdrawal symptoms but over a longer amount of time. Individuals with undiagnosed alcohol use disorder may struggle more when trying to cut back and may be better suited to medical detox rather than tapering.

A direct taper means drinking the regular substance of choice but lowering the amount consumed daily. Someone should typically only direct taper if their drink of choice is beer with a low alcohol percentage. It is important to only attempt a taper while under a doctor’s care. However, understanding how an alcohol taper works and what the process is like can help you prepare yourself and find the support you need.

of alcohol use, and health condition. For some, it may take weeks,

Alcohol also changes your brain chemistry, which can result in higher levels of anxiety and depression for the first several months. Finally, just because you’ve gotten past the withdrawal phase doesn’t mean you won’t continue to face psychological aspects of addiction—including alcohol cravings and drinking triggers. If you’ve decided to taper off alcohol, you’ll need to be prepared with some strategies to make the process easier.

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Sustainable recovery is possible and the best version of youself awaits at our Norcross addiction recovery center. We’ll give you skills to discover your self-worth and show you the tools for a life of hope and promise. The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. Alcohol contributes to approximately 3 million deaths each year worldwide, while also leading to disabilities and poor health for millions of individuals. These numbers highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate the harm caused by alcohol.

This is because drinking heavily over a long period can cause your body to become physically dependent on alcohol. With physical dependence, your body becomes used to the presence of alcohol in your system and begins to adapt accordingly. Weaning off alcohol can not only dramatically improve the quality of your life, but it can also actually save it. If you are looking to reduce your alcohol consumption safely, contact Legacy Healing. Also, your insurance should cover addiction treatment services, so look for therapists and/or rehabs in your network to help reduce the costs. Once you know it is medically safe to stop drinking, you should loop in a therapist or addiction specialist.

• 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.
• It is possible to rehab your taste buds to desire fewer sweets, just as many have reduced their dependence on salt when faced with heart disease, he said.
• On top of this, quitting immediately — or “cold turkey” as many users and professionals call it — can be dangerous.
• We can help you move on from alcohol and begin a new chapter in your life.
• Before you attempt to quit alcohol, it is critically important that you first consult with a medical professional.
• We understand this, which is why Landmark Recovery offers various treatment programs.

However, it may spread out the withdrawal symptoms over a longer period of time. Creating a systematic approach to tapering off alcohol is essential in the journey towards sobriety. This involves carefully assessing your current alcohol consumption, setting achievable goals, and continuously monitoring and adjusting your plan as needed. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically commence within 8 hours following the last drink, but they can also manifest days later. These symptoms generally peak between 24 to 72 hours but can persist for weeks 1.

Here to Help You Safely Stop Drinking

Quitting binge drinking may require different strategies than either tapering or cold turkey. Alcohol withdrawal is potentially fatal, especially for people with sober house an alcohol addiction. Sometimes, they may experience seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). If you’re struggling to wean off alcohol, it might be best to seek addiction treatment.

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With kindling, the brain becomes increasingly sensitized to stopping alcohol. In turn, you can suffer from increasingly severe withdrawal symptoms every time you try to stop drinking. Weaning off alcohol in a safe way can help reduce the severity of some withdrawal symptoms.

Or are you just a social drinker and need it to unwind after a long day? You can ask yourself these questions and assess your urge to drink. It will help you understand the severity of your drinking habits and to take the right action.