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Some people may be at greater risk of developing an alcohol use disorder, which is why some can drink in moderation, while others struggle with drinking. Before you begin an alcohol taper, a little preparation can go a long way, especially when it involves handling your triggers and tracking how much you drink. Remember your motivation for cutting back and set realistic goals. Establishing new habits and routines, and dealing with the underlying causes of your drinking habits, are essential to lasting recovery.
- Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually start about six hours after the last drink.
- Medical detox can help minimize the unpleasant and dangerous side effects of alcohol withdrawal.
- 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.
- Support groups, from Alcoholics Anonymous to SMART Recovery, are one free way to find a community of people on the same journey.
While this is a valiant effort and it can work for some people, an abrupt cessation of alcohol can be dangerous for those who have a long history of alcohol abuse and addiction. However, achieving sobriety is a process that can take quite some time. To speed up the processes, many choose to try going “cold turkey,” aka, stop drinking and never pick up a glass again. For instance, many people binge drink on the weekend without drinking during the week.
Avoid Places or Situations that Involve Alcohol
Ideally, the alcohol limit you set will fall below the recommended guidelines. The recommended guidelines are no more than one standard drink per day for women and for men ages 65 and older, and no more than two standard drinks per day for men under 65. Part of the process of learning how to taper off alcohol how to taper off alcohol at home properly is knowing your limits. While you may crave a few drinks here and there, it’s important to remember that you are working towards complete sobriety. While tapering off alcohol means you can still drink to some extent, it’s still important that you eliminate as much temptation as you can.
- One is not nearly so relaxed by alcohol the third day into a bender as one was on the first day.
- Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink.
- Further, if you start to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the taper, your doctor may instruct you to pause or slow the taper as a result.
- In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of care.
- Since alcohol depresses central nervous system activity, quitting drinking can cause an imbalance of an excitatory neurotransmitter calledglutamate.
The best recommendation when struggling with alcohol misuse is to seek medical and mental health professional consultation as soon as possible. The professionals can determine the best treatment plan for you and your unique set of needs. As previously stated, some people can become frustrated with how long an alcohol tapering schedule can take and will try to place unreasonable limits on their consumption, setting themselves up to fail. For example, someone who has been drinking three beers a day will generally have an easier and shorter overall time tapering off of alcohol than someone who has been drinking double that amount per day.
Benefits of Detoxing from Alcohol at a Detox Facility
When you slowly taper your alcohol intake over time instead of quitting cold turkey, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms. By weaning yourself from drinking, you give your brain the chance to adjust the amount of GABA it produces. Some people avoid medically supervised rehab because they prefer natural remedies for alcohol withdrawal. Slowly tapering off alcohol is the safest way to naturally overcome alcohol withdrawal, and many at-home remedies can help you cope with mild withdrawal symptoms. However, medical treatment is necessary to treat major symptoms of withdrawal.
Photo by Sven van Bellen on PexelsSet up a tapering schedule in advance . Decide how much you’ll reduce your drinking each day, and have a specific finish date. If you’ve decided to taper off alcohol, you’ll need to be prepared with some strategies to make the process easier. You’ll likely face the urge to drink more than you’ve planned each day, but there are some good tricks to help you delay that next serving and keep yourself honest.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
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. If you drink alcohol and are thinking about quitting, it is important to make sure you do so safely.
In particular, it alters the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid . When you drink a lot over a long period, your brainreducesthe amount of GABA it makes. This means that if you quit drinking cold turkey, your brain will not have enough GABA. This can cause your brain to become hyper-excitable and leads to withdrawal symptoms. We can keep you safe and comfortable throughout the detox process and provide you with the foundations you need to stay sober. When you attend a detox facility, you can rest assured that you will be safe throughout the entire process.
