Alcohol Tapering How to Taper Off Alcohol Safely
However, tapering can sometimes be unsafe if you attempt to do so on your own without a doctor’s knowledge. For example, if you start to suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms despite an attempt to taper, your symptoms may worsen before you have the chance to seek medical attention. For this reason, even at-home tapers should be done under a doctor’s care. Quitting abruptly can be dangerous without medical supervision due to potential withdrawal symptoms. Gradually decreasing alcohol intake through supervised tapering can make quitting safer and ease withdrawal severity. When you slowly taper your alcohol intake over time instead of quitting cold turkey, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms.
They can monitor your intake and adjust it accordingly to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. The time it takes to taper off alcohol varies based on how much a person drinks. Regardless, The initial detoxification process may take several days. Getting curious about a life without alcohol is already an incredible step, and a healthier lifestyle is within reach. Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that they can lead to death. Contact a medical professional immediately if you notice any withdrawal symptoms.
The Benefit of Medical Detox for Tapering off Alcohol
If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms while tapering off alcohol, adjust your plan. The goal of tapering is to make the withdrawal process safer and more bearable. More serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms may require medical attention. If you have a friend or family member who knows that you’re trying to taper off alcohol, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol, it’s important to have an honest conversation with a doctor about your drinking habits before you start tapering off. They’ll be able to help you create a tapering schedule that won’t only raise your chance of success but also avoid severe symptoms.
- A substitution taper refers to switching strong liquor for an alternative that contains less alcohol, like beer.
- Each person’s alcohol metabolism is different, and even though a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .085 is considered legal intoxication, a BAC lower than .08 may adversely affect some people.
- Because of this, it’s important to plan around the alcohol detoxification process carefully.
- A direct taper means you continue to drink your regular drinks but slowly decrease the amount over time.
- Weaning off alcohol, on the other hand, is a safer and more effective way to cut down on alcohol consumption.
- It can also help you gain a new perspective as you consider how your life will change without alcohol.
How long it takes depends on factors like how much you typically drink. A person who drinks more alcohol will probably have a longer taper than a person who drinks How Long Does COVID-19 Brain Fog Last? less alcohol. The second situation involves counting the drinks you consume daily and switching them for a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer.
Elvis Presley & The Cost of Addiction
This involves determining how much alcohol you want to consume per day or per week and sticking to the plan. It is important to be realistic when creating your plan, as setting unrealistic goals may lead to failure and frustration. Replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcohol drinks is a great method of helping during a taper. By substituting alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic drinks, you can still engage in most of your habit without getting the alcohol that makes it addictive. This can taper you off alcohol while still helping you keep up with your normal drinking routine, making the process easier. Alcohol tapers are strategies to stop drinking by slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person consumes.
Accountability and encouragement can go a long way in keeping you motivated and on track. Keep drinking at this reduced level for four days, then try to cut down by another 10%. When you’ve stabilised your drinking level for one week, you can start slowly cutting down the amount you drink.
Find Professional Treatment
If your body becomes physically dependent on alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Studies have shown that 13–71% of people undergoing alcohol detox develop withdrawal symptoms. Factors such as pattern of alcohol use, other medical conditions, genetics and how your body responds to alcohol can play a role in withdrawal symptoms. https://en.forexpamm.info/effect-of-alcohol-on-tremors-national-institute-of/ Because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, quitting drinking can cause your body to have too much of an excitatory substance called glutamate as it tries to rebalance. This can trigger alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases. When coming off drugs or alcohol tapering is the best way to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.
In fact, quitting caffeine cold turkey can actually further your reliance on it. The white bitter substance, which is found naturally in more than 60 plants, passes into your bloodstream from your stomach and small intestine. Once in your bloodstream, caffeine stimulates your central nervous system — your nerves, brain and spinal cord — to make you feel more awake and alert.
Is Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey Dangerous?
Here are some tips and strategies for how to taper off alcohol safely. Tapering off alcohol can lead you to feel emotionally and physically healthier. With professional help, you can increase your chances of tapering successfully. A substitution taper refers to switching strong liquor for an alternative that contains less alcohol, like beer. Once you’ve changed to a less alcoholic option, you can gradually reduce your drink amount.
