If you struggle to stop drinking, avoid places and situations that tempt you to drink alcohol. You may even ask your friends and family not to drink while around you. If you need help figuring out how to taper off alcohol, or want to find alcohol detox services near you, our treatment specialists at Vertava Health can help. Exploring, in writing, what you find difficult and when you most want to drink can help you notice patterns that offer more insight into your alcohol use. Family and friends can provide encouragement and support when you stop drinking.
Importance of Safe Weaning
- Another clue that can be an indication of an unhealthy relationship with alcohol is if you make “rules” around drinking.
- While you might not notice it, your hormones are starting to improve as well, with libido and sexual function revving back up.
- If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, quitting drinking is important for your health.
- Counting each drink you consume may seem simple, but all drinks are not created equal.
Avoid people who may encourage you to drink alcohol or may not support your decision to stop. It may be easier on your rehabilitation to skip visits with “drinking buddies” or avoid gatherings with a focus on drinking. Eating nutritious food, exercising, and getting enough sleep can help reduce some withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings. If don’t have much of an appetite, you may want to take a multivitamin or drink a beverage high in electrolytes, such as a sports drink. If you take prescription medication, continue to take it as directed.
What is alcohol withdrawal?
- We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
- In the United States, most people will drink alcohol at least once.
- Many involve a combination of group psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications.
- But, perhaps most importantly, understand that setbacks happen and that progress takes time or may look different than imagined.
- Keep in mind the reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol.
- Most people recover from alcohol withdrawal within a week, but people with severe dependency may experience withdrawal for multiple weeks.
Keep in mind the reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper.
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By focusing on aspects like exercise, nutrition, and stress management, individuals can enhance their overall well-being and increase the likelihood of successfully reducing alcohol intake. Developing a personalized weaning plan tailored to individual needs and circumstances is key to a successful alcohol reduction journey. This plan should include strategies for gradually decreasing alcohol intake, coping mechanisms for cravings, and alternative activities to replace drinking. how to taper off alcohol It’s essential to consider factors such as triggers, stressors, and social influences when creating a personalized approach. By gradually reducing alcohol intake, individuals can give their bodies time to adjust to lower levels of alcohol, minimizing the physical and psychological impact of withdrawal. This approach is often recommended for individuals who have been consuming alcohol regularly and are at risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they were to stop abruptly.
We offer comprehensive, evidence-based treatment to support individuals in achieving and maintaining long-term sobriety. A substitution taper refers to switching strong liquor for an alternative that contains less alcohol, like beer. Once you’ve changed to a less alcoholic option, you can gradually reduce your drink amount.
Tapering off alcohol may complicate other medical conditions or co-occurring mental health disorders. If you’re addicted to alcohol, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover without some form of addiction treatment. You may be able to detox at home and recover from alcoholism with the help of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. However, medically supervised detox and professional rehab are more likely to help you maintain long-term sobriety.
Quitting drinking, “cold turkey,” means you suddenly stop consuming alcohol. Tapering off (or tapering down) alcohol means you gradually reduce the amount of alcohol that you consume over time. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, treatment at a medical rehabilitation facility is your best option. Through therapy, support groups and medication, you’ll be supported on your path to recovery.
What happens to your body when you stop drinking?
- Contact a medical professional immediately if you notice any withdrawal symptoms.
- Soon, they will become second nature and your triggers will not have as much of an effect on you.
- This plan should include strategies for gradually decreasing alcohol intake, coping mechanisms for cravings, and alternative activities to replace drinking.
When you stop consuming alcohol after prolonged, heavy use, your CNS can’t respond or regulate itself fast enough. It becomes overexcited because there’s no more alcohol to slow it down. Some people experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, like insomnia and mood changes, that can last for weeks or months. Substitution involves replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic ones. This can help address the habitual aspect of drinking, like having a beverage in hand at social events without the alcohol content. Over time, you can decrease the alcoholic drinks while increasing the non-alcoholic ones while still following the same behaviors you were used to.
Maintain a healthy diet
Tapering can help you overcome alcohol dependence, which is a side effect of chronic alcohol use that causes cravings and withdrawal. Detox doesn’t treat addiction, which is a disease characterized by compulsive behaviors, such as https://ecosoberhouse.com/ chronic alcohol use. 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.
How is alcohol withdrawal diagnosed?
Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support. You might run into obstacles along the way that tempt you to drink.