Tapering Off Alcohol How To Wean Off Safely

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, heavy drinking is defined as four to five drinks per day or binge drinking more than five days per month. However, many people go above and beyond this because they have a heavy pour that isn’t measured by medical standards. The important thing about direct tapering is that you actually measure your alcohol use. You will need to know how many drinks you have daily, down to the measure. This is the only way you can scale back if you know your starting point. In addition, social pressures can make it hard to quit drinking, especially if your friends or family also drink heavily.

To learn about how our substance abuse treatment programs address alcohol dependence and withdrawal management, please contact us today. There’s no set time frame for tapering off alcohol that works for everyone. Even if your situation seems like someone else’s, your body may respond differently to the tapering process. You may receive medication to ease withdrawal symptoms—such as anti-diarrheal medicines or over-the-counter pain relievers.

In order to fully recover, you can start your healing process by safely ridding yourself of alcohol. Getting professional treatment for alcohol addiction can give you the tools to create, and maintain, a healthy and happy lifestyle. 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. Going “cold turkey” means abruptly stopping drinking entirely, leading to uncomfortable withdrawal effects.

Evidence Based

Quitting cold turkey involves suddenly stopping all alcohol use, while tapering involves slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person drinks daily. Weaning off alcohol reduces the chance of experiencing withdrawal or the severity of withdrawal symptoms. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms while tapering off alcohol, adjust your plan. The goal of tapering is to make the withdrawal process safer and more bearable. It’s physically dangerous, and it may also cause emotional instability. If you’re struggling with severe alcohol addiction, a medical detox program is your likely best option for tapering off alcohol safely.

Physical Health Benefits

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that one in four adults who have a mental illness will also struggle with substance abuse. Chances are that if you’re thinking about quitting substance use, it’s because you have spent a long time dedicated to your addiction. Long-term use of any substance often produces some side effects, including physical dependence on the drug of choice. 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. Before you begin an alcohol taper, a little preparation can go a long way, especially when it involves handling your triggers and tracking how much you drink.

• A healthcare professional can help develop a personalized plan for weaning off alcohol safely.
• Remember, the goal of this plan is to provide a structured approach that can be adjusted based on individual needs.
• Remember that setbacks may occur, and seeking help is a sign of strength.

Individual therapy sessions provide a safe space to explore personal challenges, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and work towards personal growth. Group therapy offers a supportive community where individuals can share experiences, gain insights from others, and build a network of peers who understand their struggles. In this help guide, we’ll walk you through why alcohol withdrawal happens and how these symptoms unfold over time.

Once you have a clear understanding of your current alcohol consumption, you can start setting achievable goals for reduction. Outpatient treatment can be an option for individuals with mild-to-moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Tapering involves gradually and progressively reducing your alcohol consumption over time. This method can lessen withdrawal symptoms, allowing your body to adjust to decreased alcohol levels slowly. It does, however, result in any withdrawal symptoms that do occur being prolonged over the entire period how to wean someone off alcohol of the taper.

• If you start noticing these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately.
• Anxiety, depression, and mood swings can all arise as your body adjusts to lower alcohol levels.
• It’s common for the first symptoms to appear within a few hours after your last drink.
• If you’re going with a substitution taper, you may substitute one drink each day for another each day.
• Several FDA-approved medications reduce cravings or make drinking less rewarding.

Seeking Professional Help

You won’t have the opportunity to turn to alcohol while in our facility, and we can alleviate some of your more severe withdrawal symptoms. That means that when you go to quit, you’ll face some serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Quitting alcohol can be extremely hard, especially without medical support. Further, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression are extremely common in those who struggle with drinking, and these disorders can make it even harder to stay sober. It is important to note that prescription medication should not be used for a substitution taper unless it has been prescribed as part of a medical detox program.

Learn which signs to look out for, and how to care for your well-being. One of the keys to a successful taper is taking gradual steps that will cause as few side effects as possible. It’s common for the first symptoms to appear within a few hours after your last drink. Withdrawal usually begins 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and peaks within 72 hours. Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection.

Long-Term Alcohol Use and Weaning

In most cases, the longer you take to wean off the effects of alcohol, the less severe your withdrawal symptoms should be. However, it can be challenging to stick with a long-term tapering schedule, so you have to find the right balance for you. Medically assisted detoxification (detox) is an inpatient program that keeps you stabilized during alcohol withdrawals.

Talk to a medical professional to find the best detox option for you. You can taper off alcohol if you worry that you are developing alcohol addiction. If you’re thinking about quitting alcohol, Catalina Behavioral Health has a program made for you.

As your body gets used to alcohol, you will need more and more of it over time, which is called tolerance. If you continue to drink, your body will come to rely on alcohol to maintain its chemical balance. As your body adapts to alcohol, it will change its natural chemical balance to include alcohol. Quitting will cause your body’s chemical balance to be thrown off suddenly, leading to withdrawal symptoms. The most secure way to taper is often under the guidance of a medical detox program, but not everyone has access to or can afford such care. Some individuals opt to taper at home due to time constraints or financial considerations.

Alcohol Tapering Timeline

Tapering off alcohol is a gradual process that requires time and patience. Remember that setbacks may occur, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Understanding the severity of your dependence is crucial for developing an effective tapering plan.

Creating a Supportive Environment

Also be aware of old habits surfacing, including visiting friends who also deal with substance abuse issues, or unexplained deviations from responsible behavior. When you start to see signs, open communication can help your partner seek the help that they need. “Signs of relapse include secrecy, mood change, withdrawal from friends, failure to attend recovery meetings, and resumption of old behavior. Encourage your partner to seek help and modify their recovery plan,” Burse notes. You agree to be there during the recovery process, but lying to and stealing from you may be deal breakers. Another boundary may be giving yourself time and space to not be in a caregiver position.