Educate your loved ones on dangerous symptoms, too, so they can look out for you and get you medical attention if you need it. An evidence-based rehab offering holistic and experiential therapies, tailoring treatment to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ each client on a comfortable campus near Austin. Your body has become used to, and dependent on, certain levels of alcohol. Alcohol depresses your nervous system2, so your body creates more receptors for neurotransmitters, or messengers, to stimulate the nervous system.

For Immediate Treatment Help Call 800-526-5053

People who try tapering off alcohol won’t have the guided support of medical professionals that they would at inpatient treatment. This can make it more challenging to stick to a long-term plan. In contrast, in-patient care can be more beneficial and less expensive in the long-term. Educate yourself on potential withdrawal symptoms and have a support system in place. Evaluate the pros and cons of tapering and consider quitting with medical help instead of trying to do it yourself.

• When you quit drinking cold turkey, your body suffers from a cascade of changes caused by the sudden shift.
• When an individual has developed a substance use disorder or dependence on alcohol, stopping its use outright can seem virtually impossible.
• Knowing how to safely taper off alcohol can make all the difference in how successful you are in quitting drinking.
• Studies show that those who receive some type of formal treatment after detox are more likely to maintain sobriety8.
• Through our programs, weekly house gatherings, employment support, money management, family outreach, and a solid foundation based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Working with a physician on the Monument platform can help determine what timeline will work for you based on your past drinking habits and risk of withdrawal.

Practice Mindful Drinking

I’m specifically talking about things like weed, cigarettes, and vaping. If you’re making mixed drinks, only use half a shot instead of a full shot, and turn it into two drinks (still count both as one combined). It’s okay to have a little drink, set it down, leave it for fifteen what is Oxford House minutes, and come back to it later. Just don’t convince yourself that you can be a normal drinker after stressfully forcing yourself to do this a few times. If you notice yourself going through severe withdrawal in the beginning, slow down.

Cons of Alcohol Tapering

Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or the resources needed to get a professional detox. People who have successfully tapered from alcohol before may be especially likely to benefit from this strategy. The amount of alcohol it takes to cause withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. For this reason, how to taper off alcohol you should always talk to your doctor before attempting to quit drinking. Ria Health offers access to many of these tools, including prescription medications, recovery coaching, and online support groups—all through a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app.

Patience, support, and professional assistance are the cornerstones of a successful alcohol tapering strategy. It is essential to have a comprehensive plan that includes strategies for coping with cravings and emotional distress. Engaging in therapy, support groups, and other recovery resources can provide the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of alcohol tapering successfully. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness. We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful.

• Alcohol also changes your brain chemistry, which can result in higher levels of anxiety and depression for the first several months.
• People who have successfully tapered from alcohol before may be especially likely to benefit from this strategy.
• They might not mean you need to call 911, but you may need to slow your taper if they’re bothering you too much.
• Most of these symptoms occur after approximately half a day without drinking alcohol.
• Together, these factors can make people’s addictions more emotionally and physically debilitating.

Member Support

The goal of tapering down is to make a gradual change while causing less stress on your body, both physically and emotionally. Withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and depend on many factors, such as drinking history, metabolism, age, medical condition, what other substances or medication you take, and more. Because everyone’s body reacts differently, there’s not a lot of research that proves tapering can decrease the effects of alcohol withdrawal. You don’t have to let the fear of alcohol withdrawal stop you from cutting back or quitting. Those who find that they cannot taper off the number of drinks for any significant length of time have likely developed alcohol use disorder, a condition commonly known as alcoholism.

• A sample taper schedule involves calculating the number of drinks consumed per day.
• Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems.
• Although all forms of alcohol cessation should be done with medical guidance, tapering your alcohol intake may allow you to self-wean from drinking at home.
• If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, quitting drinking is important for your health.

Stopping alcohol use is the first step of the recovery journey, but staying sober for longer and longer periods is the goal. Getting professional treatment and long-term support are two of the most valuable strategies for avoiding relapse. Cutting down your alcohol intake may not be as easy as it sounds. People who want to reduce their alcohol consumption often do not realize how much of their social and daily routines alcohol has become. Tapering alcohol may be uncomfortable, and there may be subconscious triggers that stimulate the desire to drink alcohol.