How to Taper off Alcohol Safely and Effectively

weaning off alcohol

Some commonly used medications for alcohol withdrawal management include benzodiazepines, which help to alleviate anxiety and prevent seizures. However, it is important to consult with a weaning off alcohol healthcare provider before starting any medication-based treatment. Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety.

weaning off alcohol

Understanding How Addiction Affects the Workplace

Tapering can be an excellent way to prevent harmful withdrawal effects after ceasing alcohol intake. If you have a severe level of addiction or dependency, you may need a detox program. Talk to a medical professional to find the best detox option for you. You can taper off alcohol if you worry that you are developing alcohol addiction.

Myths About Drug Detox

weaning off alcohol

But since alcohol addiction can also be dangerous, you may need to get through withdrawal to achieve sobriety and better health. Learn more here about tapering off alcohol and how to wean off it safely. This is the most commonly accepted method of stopping alcohol by the medical community. However, there are risks to this method, and someone stopping alcohol should receive medical monitoring and care if they are likely to experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold turkey allows the shortest detox period and a rapid transition into the next recovery stages.

Consider Medically Assisted Detox

  • Whether it’s to relax, connect with others, have a good time, or cope with difficult feelings, alcohol fills a role.
  • That’s why it’s important to remember that relapse is not failure.
  • Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
  • 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.

Below I share some key information so you can determine if weaning off alcohol is right for you. Quitting cold turkey is likely to cause more intense withdrawal symptoms than if you https://ecosoberhouse.com/ taper off alcohol slowly. However, the self-control it takes to taper can be challenging for someone with an AUD. For that reason, it’s best to speak to a doctor or clinician when you’ve decided to stop drinking before you quit cold turkey.

weaning off alcohol

Inpatient treatment may be an expensive option in terms of time and money. Unlike inpatient treatment, tapering allows people to maintain their lifestyles while improving their drinking habits. If you’re struggling to wean off alcohol, it might be best to seek addiction treatment. Various treatment programs are available to help you recover from addiction.

  • Tapering will normally create less severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms but will spread them out over a prolonged period.
  • Once your taper is complete, discard or immediately give away any remaining alcohol in your house and try to avoid high-risk environments such as bars, liquor stores, casinos, etc.
  • However, some sample tapering schedules suggest reducing alcohol intake by two drinks each day until reaching zero drinks for individuals who drink fewer than 20 standard drinks a day.
  • These medications should be prescribed based on an individual’s specific needs and medical history.
  • If you drink frequently, you can become physically dependent on alcohol, meaning your brain needs alcohol to function normally.

weaning off alcohol

For some, the process might take a few days, while others may need several weeks to safely taper off alcohol. It’s important not to rush the process and to adjust your plan based on how your body responds. A healthcare provider can give you a better idea of the timeline for your specific situation. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, quitting drinking is important for your health. But quitting on your own can pose risks to your health and is unlikely to be successful.

Pros and Cons of Tapering Off Alcohol Intake

  • As a general rule, if you’ve been drinking an average of 10 drinks or more a day every day for more than a couple of weeks, you will need to taper.
  • While this process isn’t enjoyable, there are so many benefits in the new sober life that you’re creating for yourself.
  • With our team and your desire to heal, we can improve your quality of life and functional abilities, so you can get back to living your best life.
  • If you like to have a beer while watching a football game, maybe try having some NA options chilled in the fridge or to move on to after you’ve had a couple of alcoholic ones.
  • They shouldn’t hold you down and there’s no real need to worry about choking on your tongue.

While tapering off alcohol can be an effective strategy, it’s crucial to seek the guidance of healthcare professionals and personalize the approach to suit individual needs. This way, the process of breaking free from alcohol dependency becomes safer and more achievable. To avoid severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you should slowly reduce drug addiction alcohol consumption. Cautious tapering may take longer than medically supervised detox, but it will help you avoid major health problems. Medications can play a vital role in managing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and reducing the risk of seizures. The use of medications should always be done under the guidance and supervision of healthcare professionals.

weaning off alcohol

Achieve Sobriety with Medication-Assisted Treatment

It is a crucial step in breaking the chains of alcohol dependency and moving towards a healthier future. Also, your insurance should cover addiction treatment services, so look for therapists and/or rehabs in your network to help reduce the costs. Once you know it is medically safe to stop drinking, you should loop in a therapist or addiction specialist. They will be able to help you uncover the underlying causes of your drinking issues and properly diagnose any co-occurring mental health conditions that you may be suffering from.