If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. We are dedicated to supporting you through every step of your journey. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve a healthier, alcohol-free life. However, help and support aren’t just something for when you finish detoxing; it is also important while initially stopping alcohol. The Recovery Village at Baptist Health can help you start your recovery with alcohol addiction treatment — safely, comfortably and with your future in mind.

Sit With Your Feelings and Be Mindful About Replacement Addictions

You may find success decreasing your number of drinks by a set amount each day. You could do one a day if you’re very weary of withdrawal symptoms, but you might drag it out unnecessarily. Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

best way to taper off alcohol

Who Can Benefit From Tapering Their Alcohol Intake

The support of family, friends and others in recovery is crucial during this adjustment period. Alcohol tapering is a way to quit drinking while reducing your risk of withdrawal and complications. Making a plan for tapering alcohol is a crucial part of the process to ensure a healthy outcome. Weaning off alcohol in a safe way can help reduce the severity of some withdrawal symptoms. Orlando Recovery Center says that when you taper your alcohol intake over time, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms7.

  • Choosing a drink with less alcohol content can help people taper.
  • They can help you stop drinking in a more regulated way without triggering serious withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating, shaking, etc.
  • When talking about tapering or gradually reducing alcohol use, it is important to have awareness of possible withdrawal symptoms.
  • Tapering will normally create less severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms but will spread them out over a prolonged period.
  • With that being said, tapering is a lot safer than going cold turkey.

You Experience Withdrawals When You Stop Drinking

If you have an alcohol dependency, then you’ve likely been using alcohol for some time. Long-term alcohol abuse is commonly caused by an underlying condition or physical pain in which alcohol was used to self-medicate those issues. Often, people are tempted to turn back to alcohol to ease the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Typically, quitting cold turkey from a 12-beer-a-day habit is going to be more stressful than tapering off slowly. In addition, home detox may not be effective, appropriate, or safe. Direct tapering is not recommended for liquor drinkers as it is challenging to measure amounts and can result in binge drinking.

Ready to make a change?

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 https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ and long-term support are two of the most valuable strategies for avoiding relapse. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them. Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it. When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated.

Alcohol proof is the amount of alcohol found in distilled spirits or liquor. Smaller drinks with a higher percentage of alcohol are stronger than the same size drink containing a lower-proof liquor. Find an accountability partner or someone you can call to keep you on track when you want to drink. Build a network of people you can go to when you need help, join a support group or see a therapist. One factor to remember is that the discomfort of withdrawal is only temporary. This thought process can be a useful mental tool when the physical pain of withdrawal is most severe.

best way to taper off alcohol

Your Weaning Off Plan

Usually, alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur within 12–24 hours after stopping alcohol and can last 2–10 days. One important thing to do when addressing alcohol withdrawal is to distance yourself from enablers and any drinking advocates that are in your life. They often will minimize your addiction by telling you it’s not that big of a deal. It’s best to avoid these people during and Sober House Rules: A Comprehensive Overview following withdrawal. Many people with addictions convince themselves that they are alone and are the only ones going through their experiences. It can be very comforting to know that many people have gone through withdrawal before.

You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.

best way to taper off alcohol

You can prepare in advance for such situations and opt for non-alcoholic drinks to feel included without indulging. As you have a hard time fighting your cravings and working on ways to stop drinking, you may lose motivation now and then. The key is to stay focused on the benefits and reflect on the positive changes, improved physical health, better relationships, and mental clarity. Cravings are inevitable, and they’ll hit you during stressful moments. You can try indulging in a therapeutic activity, connecting with a supportive person, or trying something healthier.

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. As the name suggests, this method involves gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink over time, so you consume less and less alcohol each day or week. The gradual reduction method can be difficult, as you must strictly control how much you drink daily. Your doctor can determine if tapering alcohol is safe for your unique situation and help you create a plan to quit drinking alcohol. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, can support the body’s recovery. Hydration is also important, so drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine is advised.

Surrounding yourself with those going through the same process you are, and learning the same life lessons you are, can make a big difference in your healing journey. You’ll talk about different topics regarding addiction and recovery and bond over shared feelings and experiences. Tapering off alcohol is a step in the right direction, but there’s more to the story. It’s vital in this process to have professional help, so you can stay safe and as comfortable as possible. There’s also more to learn after ridding yourself of alcohol.