Cutting down your alcohol intake may not be as easy as it sounds. People who want to reduce their alcohol consumption often do not realize how much of their social and daily routines alcohol has become. Tapering alcohol may be uncomfortable, and there may be subconscious triggers that stimulate the desire to drink alcohol.
Why Do You Experience Withdrawal Symptoms?
An alcohol taper should only be undertaken under the supervision of a medical professional. Having said that, gaining an awareness of the principles of an alcohol taper can help you when determining how to detox from alcohol by tapering off. Laying it all out in black and white can take time and some serious self-examination. Understanding your habits and your motivations to quit drinking can help you understand the change you’re making in your life and reinforce why it’s important.
Can Tapering Off Alcohol Work?
If you’re addicted to alcohol, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover without some form of addiction treatment. You may be able to detox at home and recover from alcoholism with the help of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. However, medically supervised detox and professional rehab are more likely to help you maintain long-term sobriety. Anyone wanting to stop using alcohol may benefit from tapering if they first consult with their doctor to ensure they are tapering safely. Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or the resources needed to get a professional detox.
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An alcohol taper can be effective in beginning recovery and help set a realistic goal for those not ready to quit alcohol completely, but they’re not for everyone. Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse. You should always seek medical advice before attempting any kind of alcohol withdrawal. People with moderate to severe alcohol addiction may find an alcohol taper difficult to accomplish. If you have trouble controlling how much you drink or experience significant alcohol cravings, you may need professional help instead of trying to taper your alcohol use at home.
- Tapering alcohol may be uncomfortable, and there may be subconscious triggers that stimulate the desire to drink alcohol.
- 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.
- For some drinkers, cutting down on the amount of alcohol they drink simply does not work.
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 how to taper off alcohol under a doctor’s care. People who have alcohol use disorder that goes undiagnosed may have an especially difficult time cutting back on their alcohol consumption. If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals.
Symptoms Of Alcohol Withdrawal
Unlike a home environment, medical detox services have the professional support and resources necessary to treat severe withdrawal symptoms. This medical supervision allows for some patients to quit drinking cold-turkey without compromising safety. Tapering off alcohol is the gentlest approach to discontinuation. Alcohol addiction poses significant risks, and the optimal approach to mitigate these dangers involves abstaining from alcohol altogether. Gradually reducing your alcohol consumption, a process known as tapering, can help prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, quitting drinking is important for your health.
- Tapering is the practice of slowly reducing the regular consumption of a substance like alcohol.
- One advantage of in-patient detox is that you will be away from your usual drinking triggers and therefore be less likely to pick up a drink to stop symptoms when they begin.
- No one should ever attempt a substitution taper with prescription medication unless their doctor specifically prescribed it for that purpose in a medical detox program.
- In the United States, most people will drink alcohol at least once.
- One potential way to quit drinking is through tapering, which involves slowly reducing your alcohol intake over time.
Challenges of Tapering Off Alcohol
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms consistent with DTs, call 911. DTs can be fatal, and a person going through them should have medical support in a hospital or rehab facility. Get creative, and with the help of your therapist, friends, and family, develop harm reduction strategies that work for you and your lifestyle. Each time you reduce something, like drinking, remember to replace that action with something positive.
- Alcohol rehab helps you taper off alcohol, and it treats other side effects and causes of alcoholism.
- Delirium tremens (DTs) can begin 48 hours after your last drink and last up to five days.
- Sitting and talking with others who share your struggle can help you feel supported.
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- The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Gradually reducing your alcohol consumption, a process known as tapering, can help prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.
- However, some groups have published tapering examples to assist those trying to quit drinking.
- In turn, you can suffer from increasingly severe withdrawal symptoms every time you try to stop drinking.
- The use of Ativan for alcohol withdrawal is considered an off-label use.