You might select a light beer instead of a harder liquor, like whiskey. To curb habitual drinking, alternating between alcohol and water is useful. “Any relative reduction in daily alcohol intake is healthy and headed in the right direction,” explains Lee.
Memorial Day Is a High Risk for Underage Drinking and Drug Abuse
Working with a medical professional to taper your alcohol consumption can help the likelihood and severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Instead of quitting alcohol cold turkey, you can steadily reduce your https://thecinnamonhollow.com/a-guide-to-sober-house-rules-what-you-need-to-know/ consumption so that your body has time to gradually readjust to absence of alcohol. It’s important to note that stopping drinking can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It’s vital to speak with a medical professional before you begin weaning off alcohol to ensure you have a plan to do so safely. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Strategize for Your Goals
Whether you feel like you drink too much alcohol, or you have an alcohol abuse issue, quitting drinking cold turkey can be dangerous. Knowing how to safely taper off alcohol can make all the difference in how successful you are in quitting drinking. For those who’ve consumed alcohol regularly, a gradual reduction might be safer and more manageable than abrupt cessation. Stretch this timeframe out as needed; the only goal is to ease your usage down gradually. Weaning off alcohol in a safe way can help reduce the severity of some withdrawal symptoms. Orlando Recovery Center says that when you taper your alcohol intake over time, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms7.
The Impact of Addiction on Career and Financial Stability
Part of an alcohol tapering plan should include ways you’ll tend to yourself during times when you have a craving or a bad day. Planning for social situations where you know there will be alcohol can help you navigate how to respond. While it is possible for some to wean off alcohol at home, it is highly inadvisable to do so without first consulting with medical and addiction treatment professionals.
Developing a Tapering Plan
Always consult a medical professional before starting any tapering schedule. Alcohol detox medications can make the process safer and more comfortable. They can also ensure your alcohol detox is successful by making it nigh impossible to relapse if symptoms get difficult. In addition, social pressures can make it hard to quit drinking, especially if your friends or family also drink heavily. Quitting drinking can feel very isolating, making it even more difficult to do alone at home without medical support. Quitting alcohol can be extremely hard, especially without medical support.
The Importance of Community in Sustaining Sobriety
It is therefore extremely important that you talk to your doctor before you start the process of weaning off alcohol. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can be dangerous and should only be done under medical supervision. Suddenly stopping alcohol consumption can cause withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens.
- This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous.
- 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.
- This method can lessen withdrawal symptoms, allowing your body to adjust to decreased alcohol levels slowly.
- Consider attending a support group together or seeking the guidance of a therapist or counselor.
- The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- “Replacing time or events spent drinking with other enjoyable activities is helpful.
It can be easy to underestimate how much you drink, and being as accurate as possible is important. Start by estimating how much you drink on a daily basis—and be honest with yourself. It can help to make use of standard drink measurements, as mentioned above. Then come up with a reduction rate you think will be safe, and that you can stick to. Generally, light to moderate drinkers should plan to taper for a week or more.
To successfully taper your alcohol use, finding what works best for you is important. Alcohol proof is the amount of alcohol found in distilled spirits or liquor. Smaller drinks with a higher percentage of alcohol are stronger than the same size A Guide To Sober House Rules: What You Need To Know drink containing a lower-proof liquor. Find an accountability partner or someone you can call to keep you on track when you want to drink. Build a network of people you can go to when you need help, join a support group or see a therapist. To create an effective taper, you must know how much you drink daily on average.
Developing a tapering plan is the first step towards breaking free from alcohol dependency. Remember, it’s not about achieving immediate perfection but about making steady progress towards your goal of sobriety. When attempting to understand how to wean yourself off alcohol safely, it’s essential to first comprehend the concept of alcohol withdrawal. Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider. Your insurance plan may cover some or all of the cost of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.
- That’s why we have a comprehensive set of treatment providers and don’t charge for inclusion.
- We’ve gathered some tips and tricks on the best ways to cut down on drinking alcohol that can help you practice mindful drinking.
- The effects of alcohol can vary depending on weight, gender, age and other factors.
- A healthcare professional can provide invaluable guidance on the best ways to safely taper off alcohol.
- It can also be a good idea for people who don’t want to, or can’t, attend any type of full detoxification program.
Unfortunately, your brain may be sensitized to withdrawal due to kindling, which can set you up for unexpectedly severe withdrawal symptoms. This means that there is little data about the best way to taper your drinking. However, some groups have published tapering examples to assist those trying to quit drinking. This method is safer than abruptly stopping alcohol consumption, especially when switching from hard liquor to beer. Drinking beer can also help maintain hydration throughout the taper.