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People struggling with alcohol may choose to progressively taper off alcohol rather than quit abruptly. For example, if you typically drink five glasses of wine every day, try cutting back to four glasses for several days. As well as the NHS, there are charities and private drug and alcohol treatment organisations that can help you.
Alcohol withdrawal is dangerous and it’s important to be careful throughout the process. This is why many people dependent on alcohol will choose to taper down their usage rather than stop drinking altogether. Someone will slowly diminish the amount they drink with the intention of avoiding the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal completely and will hopefully be able to avoid a relapse as well. Particularly severe alcohol withdrawal experience, the more effective option may be to try tapering off alcohol safely instead of attempting to abruptly quit all at once. The goal of tapering down is to make a gradual change while causing less stress on your body, both physically and emotionally.
Avoid Peer Pressure
Then continue to taper down by reducing the amounts by two beers per day until you are down to zero. Inmedical detox, doctors and nurses provide around-the-clock care while helping you wean off alcohol. Medical detox is then followed by inpatient and outpatient rehab to help you maintain your sobriety over the long term, andmedication-assisted treatmentmay be prescribed as medically appropriate. Addiction experts have not conducted many studies on alcohol tapering. As a result, little information is available regarding the best way to taper. That said, some independent groups have stepped in, publishing sample tapering schedules to guide people who are trying to cut back on drinking. Another big factor in how long a taper lasts is alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- This will ensure that you are not quitting cold turkey which could result in severe and debilitating withdrawal symptoms or even death.
- To learn about how our substance abuse treatment programs address alcohol dependence and withdrawal management, please contact us today.
- Other people, however, may suffer significant withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop drinking.
- When you quit drinking cold turkey, your body suffers from a cascade of changes caused by the sudden shift.
As long as safety precautions are taken, there’s no wrong way to begin a sobriety or moderation journey. This journey is often non-linear, and your goals can change over time. Read all about mindful drinking in this article by a licensed therapist at Monument. But, perhaps most importantly, understand that setbacks happen and that progress takes time or may look different than imagined. It is all part of the process, and no one’s process is the same. Keep your refrigerator stocked with nutritious foods and drinks. Find support by asking your friends, family or self-help groups to assist you in staying sober.
Ways to Taper Off Alcohol
However, understanding how an alcohol taper works and what the process is like can help you prepare yourself and find the support you need. Although it may seem like the best way to stop alcohol use is to stop drinking right away, this is not the case. Quitting cold turkey can shock your system since it has become used to functioning with alcohol. Consult with a doctor to ensure that tapering off of alcohol is safe for your specific situation and that your plan for tapering is safe. Tapering from alcohol incorrectly can be fatal in some severe situations. Deciding to quit drinking and following through isn’t just about willpower. Many other factors go into play with these difficult and trying scenarios.
What can you take naturally to stop drinking?
Ashwagandha is an herbal supplement used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine. It has long been used to prevent alcohol cravings, improve immune function, and reduce stress. Similar to ashwagandha, holy basil may help alleviate anxiety from alcohol withdrawal.
Ask for support from your loved ones.Let friends, family, and trusted community members know that you need support to reduce or stop drinking. If, upon reflection, you are continuing to have difficulty meeting your drinking goal, consult with your doctor or other health professional. James Scribner holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. His career began working in the accounting industry as a financial auditor. In that role, James audited a national trade association with over 1,300 member companies that sell health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans. He also conducted official financial examinations of various non-profit organizations and for-profit corporations. This experience allowed him to learn the inner workings of almost any aspect of a company.
Challenges of Cutting Down on Alcohol Intake
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, WebMD Connect to Care Advisors are standing by to help. The older a person is, the longer alcohol stays in their liver meaning unprocessed alcohol remains in the bloodstream longer. Depending on the organ and whether or not there has been relapse, recovery is possible. There is hope that even after years of heavy alcohol use, the liver has the ability to regenerate or regrow. During recovery, the liver may return to its original mass and function. Take a break from drinking and choose alcohol-free days.Decide not to drink for at least a day or two every week. Again, a medical professional can help you determine what’s the right fit for you based on your history and symptoms or problems.
- For instance, many people binge drink on the weekend without drinking during the week.
- Kindling refers to lasting physical changes in the brain that cause each subsequent withdrawal period to be worse.
- This will be a better way to tackle an addiction to alcohol, and can reduce the likelihood of suffering from symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
- Depending on how much alcohol you’ve been consuming, it can take days or over a week to gradually reduce your dose safely and get off alcohol.
- Through these programs, our caring and dedicated staff can help you on your road to recovery.
- Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery.
The length of https://www.thenoor.tv/about-us/ for alcohol tapering depends entirely on your baseline of use. Ask loved ones to look out for signs of alcohol relapse to help you stay on track with your recovery process. For people who experience mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms, there are safe ways to detox at home.
Pros and Cons of Tapering Off Alcohol Intake
Ria http://www.ekranka.ru/?id=a165 offers access to many of these tools, including prescription medications, recovery coaching, and online support groups—all through a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app. We support both moderation and abstinence as goals and, although we cannot provide medical detox remotely, we can help you design an effective tapering schedule to reduce your drinking.
