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. Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse. For people with moderate to severe alcohol addiction, utilizing an alcohol detox center is always the safest option. Alcohol detox centers have professionals trained to recognize and treat complications caused by alcohol withdrawal.

Strategies For Weaning Off Alcohol

Tapering off alcohol can be a reasonable strategy for anyone who desires to stop drinking. A taper might be helpful for those who find they cannot stop drinking without experiencing negative symptoms. As a rule of thumb, HAMS (a harm reduction support organization) suggests reducing your consumption by two standard drinks per day until you reach zero.

Alcohol and Rage: What You Need to Know

Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink. Consuming a lighter alcoholic drink like beer also makes it easier for someone to stay hydrated throughout the taper. This is why it’s always best to find some form of long-term support in sobriety. Support groups, from Alcoholics Anonymous to SMART Recovery, are one free way to find a community of people on the same journey.

Intoxicating beverages have been around since the Neolithic period (about 10,000 BC) which is a lot longer than modern medications. Throughout history alcohol has been used for a number of different issues, including tapering off to overcome alcohol use. Alcohol proof is the amount of alcohol found in distilled spirits or liquor. The higher the proof, the more alcohol the liquor contains.

• If you have tried to quit in the past, but the side effects of withdrawal caused you to drink again just to find relief, tapering off alcohol may be more effective.
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range in severity depending on how extensive the misuse behavior was.
• The goal of tapering down is to make a gradual change while causing less stress on your body, both physically and emotionally.
• Direct tapering is not recommended for liquor drinkers as it is challenging to measure amounts and can result in binge drinking.
• It is all part of the process, and no one’s process is the same.

Alcohol Tapering Strategies

These are general guidelines, and different people will experience different alcohol withdrawal timelines depending on their drinking habits. It is highly recommended to speak with a doctor, therapist, or some form of medical professional before beginning. Sadly, the threat of severe withdrawal symptoms prevents millions of people from stopping their alcohol abuse. Individuals experience alcohol withdrawal when they stop giving their bodies alcohol. Depending on the severity of alcohol dependence, symptoms may range from mild to moderate or severe.

Can Tapering Down Alcohol Use Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

During this time you’ll likely experience the worst portion of withdrawal symptoms. You then get a couple days where the drop is not as much to stabilize. Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time.

• I’ve heard of some people doing 10% a week and having success that way.
• This can sometimes cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and these symptoms can make it hard to stick with your recovery plan.
• Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection.
• “The role of GABAA receptors in mediating the effects of alcohol in the central nervous system.” Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, July 28, 2003.
• This process can help your body break its dependency on alcohol with minimal side effects.

Alcohol also changes your brain chemistry, which can result in higher levels of anxiety and depression for the first several months. It is very important that you estimate your BASELINE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION in terms of standard drinks in order for you to be able to set up a taper schedule. Just for reference a 12 ounce regular strength (5%) beer is one standard drink.

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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. Tapering is the process of gradually decreasing your consumption of a substance over time to lessen the withdrawal symptoms if you’re physically dependent. This is the sober house same thing they’ll do if you go to a detox facility or hospital, except they’ll use medications instead of alcohol for the taper. It requires a lot of willpower and you will be uncomfortable, but it can be done.

The success of these strategies will depend on how https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ much you drink and what you drink. If you have a severe level of addiction or dependency, you may need a detox program. Talk to a medical professional to find the best detox option for you. 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. But drinking less is always a good choice for your body and health.