Family involvement is crucial in providing ongoing support and understanding throughout the journey. Vitamin C deficiency is particularly common in individuals with alcohol use disorder. This deficiency can result in various issues, including problems with wound healing, swollen and bleeding gums, tooth loss, and jaundice 1. Avoid taking prescription drugs that your doctor hasn’t prescribed to you. If withdrawal is so uncomfortable that you’re turning to drugs for comfort, you should contact your doctor or a rehab center to discuss medically supervised withdrawal.
If you are struggling to stop or cut down through alcohol tapering, this may be a sign to seek more help, Lee said. There are a variety of resources to explore, including 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery, Lee explained. Depending on how much you drink and for how long, one rule of thumb is to avoid cutting more than 25% of your drinking intake at a single time to avoid withdrawal symptoms. By seeking support and professional guidance, you are taking proactive steps towards a brighter future free from the grip of alcohol. Remember, you don’t have to face this journey alone, and there are resources available to support you every step of the way. Gradual reduction can help minimize withdrawal symptoms https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ and make the process more manageable.
Hydrocodone Addiction Is on the Rise
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. This is a highly personal decision, which can be made through self-reflection, and with the support of a medical professional and your peers. If it’s safe for you to quit cold turkey, you may find that cutting alcohol out entirely from the start helps you clearly uphold your boundaries. Or, you may find that quitting all at once is too drastic and decide to start by practicing harm reduction.
- But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done.
- Quitting binge drinking may require different strategies than either tapering or cold turkey.
- The main difference between tapering and quitting alcohol cold turkey is how fast you quit.
- Unless a person has a serious health condition or has experienced severe withdrawals before, they may not need more than a supportive environment to help them through alcohol withdrawal.
- A popular way to taper off alcohol is to gradually reduce the number of drinks you consume over a period of time.
- Overall, do whatever you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible.
How to Wean Off Alcohol: Tapering Safely and on Schedule
Since alcohol depresses central nervous system activity, quitting drinking can cause an imbalance of an excitatory neurotransmitter called glutamate. This excess glutamate triggers alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be dangerous. By adopting a gradual reduction approach, individuals can minimize the risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms and increase their chances of sustaining long-term change. It is important to note that for individuals with severe alcohol dependence, medical supervision or supervised detoxification may be necessary to ensure safety during the weaning process. When it comes to safely weaning off alcohol, several strategies and considerations can help individuals navigate this process.
What are the risks of quitting alcohol cold turkey?
Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking. Remember, professional guidance is crucial to ensure your safety and well-being during the tapering process. They can help you create an individualized tapering plan, monitor your progress, and make adjustments as needed. By gradually extending the time between drinks, you can train yourself to have longer periods of sobriety throughout the day. This approach helps to break the habit of constant alcohol consumption and promotes a healthier relationship with alcohol.
Consult a Healthcare Professional First
Reducing alcohol intake can have significant positive effects on mental health. As you reduce your alcohol consumption, you may notice improvements in mood, anxiety, and overall mental well-being. However, the initial stages of tapering can also bring emotional challenges, as your body and mind adjust to lower levels of alcohol.
- If you’re used to drinking less than 20 beers per day, HAMS recommends reducing your alcohol consumption by two beers per day until you achieve sobriety.
- Luckily, these expert tips for people looking to drink less make it a lot simpler.
- Learn more about alcohol withdrawal here and, once again, speak to a doctor first.
- This is why it’s always best to find some form of long-term support in sobriety.
- Severe withdrawal can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization or medical detox.
- A person may need to detox at home for many reasons, including cost or time.
If you know you’re heading to an event where you’ll be offered alcohol, prepare what you’re going to say before you get there, says Young. “It’s hard to go anywhere without someone offering you a drink,” says Leah Young, LCPC, Clinical Manager at Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center. Even if you’re not someone who struggles with alcohol addiction, it can be hard to decrease your alcohol intake. “Any relative reduction in daily alcohol intake is healthy and headed in the right direction,” explains Lee. If you start to experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
- Metaphorically speaking, do you like to dip your toe in first, or cannonball right in?
- Tapering off alcohol is a step in the right direction, but there’s more to the story.
- For this reason, you should never start an alcohol taper before clearing with your doctor.
- You should develop this plan while you are in treatment, so you can use it to protect and maintain your sobriety once your stint in treatment ends.
- If you drink alcohol and are thinking about quitting, it is important to make sure you do so safely.
However, medical treatment is necessary to treat major symptoms sober house of withdrawal. If you suddenly quit drinking, your brain can start to make more of an excitatory substance called glutamate. This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous.
“Many people still want to enjoy socializing but are mindful of wanting to average one to two drinks per day. They often try to not drink at all during the week, and allow for moderate drinking Friday through Sunday,” Dr Lee said. Below are some ideas to help people reduce their drinking by alcohol tapering. For individuals looking to make a positive change in their relationship with alcohol, the first step is acknowledging the need for change. Recognizing that alcohol may be causing negative effects in one’s life is an important realization that can drive the motivation to take action.
