How to Wean Off Alcohol & Safely Taper Drinking
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Choose drinks with a consistent ABV to make it easier, and either measure your drinks out or drink prepackaged servings . Use distractions, have a trusted friend to talk to and keep a reminder of your reasons to quit in a place that’s easy to reach, such as a wallet or phone. Read all about mindful drinking in this article by a licensed therapist at Monument. But, perhaps most importantly, understand that setbacks happen and that progress takes time or may look different than imagined.
If you suddenly quit drinking, your body can struggle to catch up. Because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, quitting drinking can cause your body to have too much of an excitatory substance called glutamate as it tries to rebalance. This can trigger alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases. Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time. This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change.
Tips for Tapering Off Alcohol
Others may discover after consulting with a doctor that it’s safe for them to quit alcohol cold turkey if they choose to. However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them. If you’re not sure if cold turkey or tapering is right for you, you can join the Monument Community to hear from others who have confronted similar questions.
- In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of care.
- The Recovery Village Palm Beach Florida at Baptist Health can help you get started on your recovery with alcohol addiction treatment — safely, comfortably and with your future in mind.
- Evan is a deep believer in fact-based, empathic communication—within business, arts, academia, or any space where words drive action or change lives.
- This includes early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as mild tremors and anxiety.
- If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals.
When people who are dependent on alcohol drink, they feel normal. 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 alcohol can be done safely, and it may be important for someone with a substance use problem.
Does Tapering off Alcohol Work?
Alcohol dependence causes your body to adapt to the presence of alcohol in your body. But alcohol causes some of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms you can experience, and how to taper off alcohol it can be fatal in some circumstances. But since alcohol addiction can also be dangerous, you may need to get through withdrawal to achieve sobriety and better health.
Bunmi is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Human Services. Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery. Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey. Having faced addiction in his own life, and having worked through recovery, James truly understands what it takes to get sober and stay sober. James now has the opportunity to do what he loves and help others achieve long-term recovery.