If you are tapering off of alcohol, the time it takes depends entirely on how long the taper is and how well you adhere to it. One of the reasons that medical professionals tend to avoid tapers is that they can be difficult to follow and may be more likely to be unsuccessful than faster options. You may decide to seek medical treatment for your withdrawal symptoms or make the choice to enter a professional detox or rehab center. Even if you don’t succeed the first time, there are still plenty of treatment options you can turn to. With these things in mind, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of tapering your alcohol use to make a fully informed decision. If your health, wellness, and even life may be at risk, quitting alcohol should only be attempted with the help of a medical professional.
Strategies For Tapering Off Alcohol
This how to taper off beer is because drinking heavily over a long period can cause your body to become physically dependent on alcohol. With physical dependence, your body becomes used to the presence of alcohol in your system and begins to adapt accordingly. Individuals who’ve consumed higher amounts of alcohol over time can develop life-threatening complications when trying to quit. These complications can develop within a few hours or days and appear in the form of seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and hallucinations, sometimes even leading to death. Cutting down your alcohol intake may not be as easy as it sounds.
Medical Detox for Tapering off Alcohol
However, some groups have stepped in to try to bridge this gap and have published sample tapering schedules to help those trying to stop drinking. If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. There are multiple health benefits you can experience when you start drinking less alcohol. The exact benefits will depend on how much alcohol you were drinking and on factors such as your genetics, overall health, and how your body responds. But drinking less is always a good choice for your body and health.
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- Hydration is also important, so drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine is advised.
- By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.
- You don’t have to let the fear of alcohol withdrawal stop you from cutting back or quitting.
- Gradually reducing your alcohol consumption, a process known as tapering, can help prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Over the long term, many health benefits occur throughout your body.
- They can monitor your intake and adjust it accordingly to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
If you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time and think you might experience withdrawal symptoms, it’s best to talk with a medical professional before you begin a taper. They can help you decide if tapering is the safest option for you. Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be overcome with rest and at-home remedies, and it is possible for some people to taper off alcohol without supervision. However, individuals who suffer from alcohol addiction require professional rehab. The purpose of tapering off alcohol is to avoid major withdrawal symptoms so you can achieve sobriety safely. The time it takes to taper will depend on how long you’ve been drinking, how much you’ve been drinking and a variety of personal factors.
- Understanding and preparing for these difficulties can greatly enhance the chances of successful recovery.
- Quitting drinking can feel very isolating, making it even more difficult to do alone at home without medical support.
Tapering off alcohol involves gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink. Besides its positive health benefits, it can help you quit drinking after weeks or months. Although you can use methods to taper off alcohol at home, the best way to taper is to talk to a doctor. They can monitor your intake and adjust it accordingly to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about tapering off alcohol.
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- Cutting back or completely stopping alcohol consumption is challenging, even if you are not at the point of addiction.
- By talking with your doctor or an addiction treatment specialist, together you can determine a safe tapering schedule that suits your needs.
- Although, you’ll need support if you want to successfully and safely taper at home.
Tips for quitting alcohol
- Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse.
- Detoxing at home usually takes longer because you should be cautious to avoid serious complications.
- You may face social pressure, ingrained habits, and emotional reliance on alcohol.
- But that advice changes if you’re living with alcohol use disorder.
- You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.
Serious symptoms caused by delirium tremens include hallucination and seizure. Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being. The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey.
Although the symptoms can vary for each person based on personal factors, many people share common experiences during this process. Your insurance plan may cover some or all of the cost of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. Our online health insurance verification system will estimate your in-network and out-of-network deductibles, coinsurance percentages and out-of-pocket maximums. Within 5 minutes, you’ll receive an email with these details – free of charge.