As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder. These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper. Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time. Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results.
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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. Studies have shown that 13–71% of people undergoing alcohol detox develop withdrawal symptoms. As many as 71% of people who go through alcohol detox experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. This can taper you off alcohol while still helping you keep up with your normal drinking routine, making the process easier. Replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcohol drinks is a great method of helping during a taper.
If you are concerned about the amount of alcohol you drink daily and its effect on your life, you may benefit from tapering alcohol use. When someone stops drinking, they must decide whether to quit “cold turkey” or taper their alcohol use. A doctor can provide advice on how to wean off alcohol safely, monitor your progress, and suggest medications or therapies to manage withdrawal symptoms. For those struggling with alcohol dependency, quitting cold turkey can be dangerous and lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. 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. Tapering will normally create less severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms but will spread them out over a prolonged period.
You Have a High Risk of Addiction or Complications From Drinking
But deciding to cut back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper. Some people can taper quickly and quit alcohol completely, while others may take longer. Most healthcare professionals recommend a medically-assisted detox as the best way to get off alcohol. 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. Alcohol tapers are strategies to stop drinking by slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person consumes.
Who Can Benefit From Tapering Their Alcohol Intake
When an individual has developed a substance use disorder or dependence on alcohol, stopping its use outright can seem virtually impossible. Often, these factors are a way of subconsciously coping and require help and support to address. Start by determining your current intake and establish a gradual reduction plan. You must be mindful of the substitutes chosen to ensure they are healthy and non-addictive. This method can help in managing cravings and reducing overall alcohol intake.
Tapering off Alcohol: Is It Safe?
Depending on how much alcohol you drink to start with, the amount of time an alcohol weaning schedule takes may vary. This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them. Heavy drinkers more than doubled their risk for hallucinations during alcohol detox. For this reason, experts advise that alcohol cessation be monitored safely with steady effort between oneself and a physician. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range in severity depending on how extensive the misuse behavior was.
Finding a different, more healthy way to unload stress may go a long way in helping someone succeed in cutting back on their alcohol use. Tapering alcohol may be uncomfortable, and there may be subconscious triggers that stimulate the desire to drink alcohol. Choosing to taper off alcohol is an admirable decision and a step in the right direction.
- Support from loved ones is invaluable when learning how to wean off alcohol safely.
- Relapse is, unfortunately, an important consideration when cutting back on your alcohol use.
- Replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic alternatives can be helpful during the weaning process.
This is a staggering number considering that many other drugs do not even have the possibility of lethal withdrawals. As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper. Because it can be hazardous, it is always best to seek out professional care to craft a strategy customized to individual needs. Verify your insurance today – treatment could be more affordable than you think. This is the best time of year to begin treatment.
Challenges of Cutting Down Your Alcohol Intake
- Counting each drink you consume may seem simple, but all drinks are not created equal.
- People who have alcohol use disorder that goes undiagnosed may have an especially difficult time cutting back on their alcohol consumption.
- As the name suggests, this method involves gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink over time, so you consume less and less alcohol each day or week.
- The alcohol content itself is important, and it depends on the percentage of alcohol, the proof of the alcohol and the actual amount of alcohol in the drink.
- It is also vital to overcome and address the factors in your life that made you turn to alcohol in the first place.
While there may be some perceived benefits to tapering off alcohol, it has drawbacks. If you have been a heavy drinker, stopping cold turkey can result in dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can be fatal. When you choose the taper method, you gradually reduce your alcohol intake over time, drinking a bit less each day. The other is quitting cold turkey, suddenly stopping, never to resume drinking again.
The gradual reduction method can be difficult, as you must strictly control how much you drink daily. Weaning off of alcohol can look different for everyone. The higher the proof, the more alcohol the liquor contains. This means that 100-proof liquor contains 50% alcohol.
Alcohol Taper vs. Quitting Cold Turkey
There are two potential methods people try when stopping alcohol. According to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, drinking in moderation is recommended for adults of legal drinking age who consume alcohol. By substituting alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic drinks, you can still engage in most of your habit without getting the alcohol that makes it addictive. Before you begin an alcohol taper, a little preparation can go a long way, especially when it involves handling your triggers and tracking how much you drink. Smaller drinks with a higher percentage of alcohol are stronger than the same size drink containing a lower-proof liquor.
There are multiple ways to taper off alcohol. Additionally, this method might prolong alcohol exposure, which can be detrimental to your health in the long run. However, once withdrawal is over, you will feel better, sleep more soundly and have overall better health.
The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Licensed medical professionals and highly qualified addiction specialists at The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper can help guide you toward a life without alcohol. People with AUD may be unable to quit drinking alcohol on their own or have attempted to quit before and relapsed. 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. Along with withdrawal symptoms, it may be even a little alcohol can harm your health, research shows the new york times even more difficult to cut back or taper your alcohol use if you struggle with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Weaning off alcohol involves gradually decreasing the amount of alcohol you drink. To create an effective taper, you must know how much you drink daily on average. It is important to note that alcohol tapers are generally not recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. Surrounded by calm, supported by caring professionals, and inspired by the beauty around you, this is where renewal truly begins. With quiet corners to reflect and open areas to reconnect, every space supports your journey to recovery. Seltzers, sparkling water, or mocktails can provide the sensation of having a drink in your hand without the alcohol.
Getting professional treatment and long-term support are two of the most valuable strategies for avoiding relapse. For example, those who drink more heavily may need more time to taper than those who drink less alcohol. Thus, a user will likely seek out alcohol again to rid themselves of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
A slow, controlled reduction allows your body to adjust to lower alcohol levels without triggering severe reactions. Tapering refers to gradually reducing alcohol intake rather than stopping abruptly. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
Set Clear Goals and Create a Plan
Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse. Quitting cold turkey involves suddenly stopping all alcohol use, while tapering involves slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person drinks daily. Even with careful tapering, some people may still experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Once you’ve decided to use tapering off alcohol as a harm-reducing approach toward recovery, the first step is to make a plan. Further, if you start to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the taper, your doctor may instruct you to pause or slow the taper as a result.
