This is why it’s always best to find some form of long-term support in sobriety. Support groups, from Alcoholics Anonymous to SMART Recovery, are one free way to find a community of people on the same journey. There are also a number of anti-craving medications to help you avoid drinking again, or even help with your tapering process.
- Because tapering is not the recommended way to stop using alcohol, there is no recommended tapering schedule.
- You can master the necessary life skills to maintain your sober lifestyle through treatment.
- Tapering can result in fewer or less intense withdrawal symptoms.
- By gradually drinking less instead of stopping cold turkey, your body has a chance to adapt to smaller and less frequent drinks.
- If you are serious about mindful drinking, ask your friends, family, or other trusted member of your community to help you cut back.
- Quitting drinking can feel very isolating, making it even more difficult to do alone at home without medical support.
Alcoholic Life Expectancy: Using Calculators and Examining Overall Impact of Alcohol Abuse
You must continue abstaining from alcohol and monitor cravings or urges to drink. Don’t try to go through recovery alone — reach out for help and support. The support of family, friends and others in recovery is crucial during this adjustment period. If you’ve been drinking for a long time, tapering off can cause withdrawal symptoms.
- AUD makes it difficult to control alcohol use — it may seem like the alcohol is controlling you.
- Make sure your support network knows about your goals and is committed to helping you achieve them.
- Overall, getting professional help can improve your chances for long-term sobriety.
- It’s vital to do this under the supervision of a medical professional to ensure the process is safe and smooth.
- Gradually reducing alcohol intake can lead to various physical health benefits.
For less serious side effects, don’t stop your medication without talking to your provider. Medications that control blood pressure or prevent blood clots are important for heart health and stroke prevention. Stopping these medications can cause serious issues, like a sudden increase in blood pressure which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Bedside Stories highlights captivating personal stories that take place behind the scenes in health care. Depending on the organ and whether or not there has been relapse(s), recovery is possible.
Build a Sober Community of Support
You’ll need to stick with gradual reduction every day and not revert to previous levels of consumption, otherwise it won’t work. If it’s too hard to control how much you drink each day, weaning might not be the right strategy. That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. Tapering helps people stop using alcohol and other substances in small and manageable steps. This can help your body adjust, and it can be easier to manage than quitting cold turkey.
Adjusting the Tapering Schedule
When it comes to stopping medication, the safest option is always to avoid quitting cold turkey. Whether you’re on medication for mental health, chronic conditions or other health issues, abruptly stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms and serious health risks. When you taper your alcohol, you slowly reduce your alcohol intake over time.
If you properly taper your alcohol use, you’re less likely to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink can help give your body the time it needs to adjust to the lack of alcohol. The best and safest first step is to consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment plan for you.
Tapering involves gradually and progressively reducing your alcohol consumption over time. This method can lessen withdrawal symptoms, allowing your body to adjust to decreased alcohol levels slowly. It does, however, Sober House Rules: A Comprehensive Overview result in any withdrawal symptoms that do occur being prolonged over the entire period of the taper. Still, it has a decreased level of success when compared to the alternative and requires discipline that can be difficult for those with an addiction. The kindling effect is an aspect of alcohol withdrawal that makes repeated attempts at withdrawal less safe.
What To Do After You Finish Tapering Off
Remember, it’s not just about drinking less; it’s also about taking care of your overall health. But if you do plan on using this method, it is wise to establish a specific, measurable tapering schedule with a doctor and stick to it. The main difference between tapering and quitting alcohol cold turkey is how fast you quit. Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once. Tapering or weaning means ramping down your alcohol use until you get to zero—or to a more moderate level of drinking that you prefer.
Tapering is also a strategy used by people with a substance or alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, improper tapering could lead to relapse, overdose, and severe health consequences. Always talk to your health care provider before making any changes to your medication.
When you drink heavily over a long period, your brain and body adapt to expect this. At Legacy, we’re dedicated to fully healing your mind, body, and spirit from the ravages of alcoholism. We utilize a three-pronged, holistic approach that combines the right psychotropic medications, cutting-edge clinical therapy, and an environment of supportive peers.
Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection. Diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis are more frequent in individuals who chronically drink. Generally, light to moderate drinkers should plan to taper for a week or more. The problem is that even though you may feel fine, your blood sugar could rise to dangerous levels without the medication.
How to Taper Off Alcohol in a Safe, Effective Way
AUD makes it difficult to control alcohol use — it may seem like the alcohol is controlling you. A taper may not be right for you if you frequently drink more than you intended, try to cut back but cannot or feel that your alcohol use is affecting your life. People with AUD may be unable to quit drinking alcohol on their own or have attempted to quit before and relapsed. The main downside of cold turkey is how unpleasant and risky it can be. If you drink heavily, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be harsh, dangerous, and even fatal. For this reason, it’s generally best to avoid quitting abruptly, or at bare minimum speak with a doctor first and have someone looking out for you.
#2: Create a Plan
Alcohol dependence can lead to fatal outcomes, with rising death rates linked to excessive alcohol use, as reported by Psychology Today. This condition not only affects individuals but also has profound social and economic impacts on families and society at large. Stopping alcohol can be rewarding, but it’s not without challenges.