There is no shame in this — a chemical dependency on alcohol can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, and seeking medical attention is important to ensure recovery. Creating a tapering schedule you can stick with is a crucial part of weaning yourself off alcohol. The best schedule varies based on how much you drink each day and your overall health. As mentioned above, we strongly recommend speaking with a doctor to ensure your plan is a safe one, and won’t cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse.
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Keep the big picture in mind through a goal such as reducing your drinking overall in a week, month, or year,” Dr Lee said. Many people employ medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use to help curb the euphoric effects of alcohol. The 20-minute rule is a great tool for cutting down on alcohol use. After you finish an alcoholic beverage, wait 20 minutes before consuming another. This 20-minute break allows the alcohol to hit your bloodstream and reduces the cravings for another drink, preventing you from overdoing it.
Set Realistic Drinking Goals
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that leads to an increase in brain neurotransmitters that slow down your brain’s functions, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). When you drink heavily over a long period, your brain and body adapt to expect this. If you repeatedly cannot cut back on your drinking or otherwise cannot get lower than a certain point in the taper, this might not be the right method for you.
Challenges of Cutting Down Your Alcohol Intake
Stopping alcohol use is the first step of the recovery journey, but staying sober for longer Living in a Sober House: Fundamental Rules and longer periods is the goal. Getting professional treatment and long-term support are two of the most valuable strategies for avoiding relapse. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them. Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it. When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated.
Caffeine and Nicotine are Drugs, Why Are They Excused in Recovery?
You may need to do a slower taper than someone else who was drinking the same amount as you. Remember, you can always slow your taper, drink more alcohol, or seek medical help if needed. The idea is to religiously take this like medicine for the next week or two. 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.
How can River Rocks Recovery support my alcohol tapering process?
There are a variety of resources to explore, including 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery, Lee explained. Below are some ideas to help people reduce their drinking by alcohol tapering. Tapering off alcohol can be challenging, and withdrawal symptoms are common. However, various strategies can help you cope with these symptoms and make the journey toward sobriety more manageable. A strong community can go a long way to helping cut down on alcohol use. If you are serious about mindful drinking, ask your friends, family, or other trusted member of your community to help you cut back.
- Remember that you are not drinking for pleasure–you are drinking medicine–so only drink what is needed.
- If you find yourself struggling with these issues, reaching out to resources like SAMHSA’s National Helpline can provide guidance and support.
- Here’s a specific plan to guide you through the initial stages of your journey, helping you take control of your relationship with alcohol.
- In fact, some withdrawal side effects can be fatal without the right treatment.
- But, it might also come with seemingly some discomfort or disappointment from friends.
Withdrawal and Safety When Tapering Off Alcohol
Explore if Medicaid covers drug and alcohol rehab, eligibility criteria, and alternative financing options. Learn how to set boundaries with a spouse battling alcoholism for healthier relationships and peace of mind. Discover practical steps on how to deal with an alcoholic, from setting boundaries to seeking help.
- Explore the causes and effects of teen drug abuse, and learn how to support youth facing addiction.
- Alcohol dependence and addiction are serious medical conditions.
- Some people find that they do not want to return to alcohol use, while others try to find a happy medium for moderate consumption.
- Tapering is the process of gradually decreasing your consumption of a substance over time to lessen the withdrawal symptoms if you’re physically dependent.
- Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about tapering off alcohol.
Some individuals experience a neurological condition known as the “kindling effect” as a result of repeated alcohol withdrawal. Individuals who have experienced the kindling effect may have more severe symptoms, including seizures, even when they use small amounts of alcohol. Tapering off alcohol is a step in the right direction, but there’s more to the story. It’s vital in this process to have professional help, so you can stay safe and as comfortable as possible.
Tapering down also increases the likelihood that the individual will achieve sobriety. Because quitting cold turkey produces such intense withdrawal symptoms, people are more likely to consume alcohol to stop them. Your doctor can determine if tapering alcohol is safe for your unique situation and help you create a plan to quit drinking alcohol. If you’ve been drinking for a long time, tapering off can cause withdrawal symptoms. Getting professional help can mitigate harmful withdrawal symptoms and ensure success. Gradually tapering your alcohol use can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce alcohol cravings.
For those looking to reduce or quit https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ alcohol, establishing new habits and routines is crucial. Drinking affects both physical and mental health, and giving it up can offer numerous benefits. This guide outlines practical tips and strategies to help you embark on the journey to sobriety, ensuring you make informed decisions about your health and lifestyle. Only people who are tapering down from very large quantities of alcohol such as a liter of vodka per day will need to start drinking in the morning in order to taper.
Signs an Addict is About to Relapse
A therapist can help you understand your triggers and develop healthy coping skills for dealing with them. Soon, they will become second nature and your triggers will not have as much of an effect on you. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate. Sitting and talking with others who share your struggle can help you feel supported.
Steps to Safely Taper Off Alcohol
It can help you reach goals and can minimize some of the unpleasant and severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Deciding to taper off alcohol is a slower process that requires planning, but it can decrease both the chase of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms and relapse. You should plan to taper for between three and seven days depending on how much you’re used to drinking.
