If you’ve tried to quit multiple times, each subsequent withdrawal can become more severe. This means that an unsuccessful tapering attempt isn’t just a failed attempt; it can actually be harder to try again in the future. The kindling effect is an important reason to approach quitting and seek professional guidance seriously. The goal is to reduce the number of drinks you have daily slowly.
An Alcohol Taper Schedule and Guidance on Weaning Off Alcohol
- If you notice severe hallucinations, extreme brain fog, the world slows down around you; you feel drunk when you’re not, you may have warning signs of delirium tremens (DTs).
- This will ensure that you are not quitting cold turkey which could result in severe and debilitating withdrawal symptoms or even death.
- Based on your medical history, your doctor can advise you about the safety of the taper.
This does not, by any means, mean that you have a 1% chance of a seizure if you taper with alcohol according to the schedule above. The actual percentage could be significantly higher for tapering with alcohol. I couldn’t locate a study on people who tapered at home with alcohol, because it’s kind of hard to assess the topic, and no rehabs are detoxing people with alcohol.
Sit With Your Feelings and Be Mindful About Replacement Addictions
The timeline for alcohol withdrawal will be different for each individual. However, here is a sample timeline of what the average person can expect. By building a strong support system, you can surround yourself with individuals who believe in your journey and provide the encouragement you need to stay on track.
What Is Alcohol Tapering?
- For this reason, experts advise that alcohol cessation be monitored safely with steady effort between oneself and a physician.
- Consider having an open conversation with your family about your decision to taper off alcohol and how they can support you.
- This might mean skipping social events where alcohol is present or finding new ways to cope with stress without turning to alcohol.
- Suddenly stopping alcohol consumption can cause withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens.
This can taper you off alcohol while still helping you keep up with your normal drinking routine, making the process easier. Get professional treatment and long-term support to prevent relapse. Set up therapy, counseling and support groups, a plan for sober living, and follow-up medical evaluations. Weaning off alcohol involves gradually decreasing the amount of alcohol you drink. This can be done by reducing the number of drinks, increasing time between drinks drug addiction or choosing a weaker drink with a lower alcohol content. Alcohol tapers are strategies to stop drinking by slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person consumes.
If you plan on tapering on your own, it’s vital to recognize the risks. Symptoms that start out mild can quickly escalate into serious withdrawal effects like agitation or hallucinations, making it harder to seek help. Because of this, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare professional to determine whether tapering at home or under medical observation is the better choice. A substitution taper involves swapping your usual how to taper off alcohol alcohol intake with a different substance. Often, this might be a medically prescribed drug designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Alternatively, it can be as simple as switching from liquor to a less potent drink, such as beer.
- You will probably notice them if you’ve been drinking for extended periods of time.
- Orlando Recovery Center says that when you taper your alcohol intake over time, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms7.
- Learn the truth about its effects, risks, side effects, and how to safely manage pain with this commonly prescribed NSAID.
- Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through!
Consult with a healthcare provider for a personalized plan that may include exercise as part of your recovery. When talking about tapering or gradually reducing alcohol use, it is important to have awareness of possible withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawing from alcohol happens when we reduce or stop alcohol use that has been occurring often for a long period of time. The best and safest first step is to consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment plan for you.
