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. Quitting cold turkey is the preferred method of withdrawal, but only if done under medical supervision, where symptoms can be treated as they occur. Cutting back your drinking each day can help your body and mind adjust to a new normal. But the idea of alcohol tapering, the gradual reduction of alcohol, might seem counterintuitive.
Delay your drinking by 30 minutes.
A taper may not be right for you if you frequently drink more than you intended, try to cut back but cannot or feel that your alcohol use is affecting your life. People with AUD may be unable to quit drinking alcohol on their own or have attempted to quit before and relapsed. The amount of time it takes to taper off of alcohol can vary greatly from person to person. Some sober house people can taper quickly and quit alcohol completely, while others may take longer.
Monitor Your Mental Health
- Finally, finding a therapist or a recovery coach can help you develop new coping mechanisms and move forward in your life.
- Often, people with alcohol use disorder find that other people in their lives spot their addiction long before they do.
- They’ll be able to help you create a tapering schedule that won’t only raise your chance of success but also avoid severe symptoms.
- However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them.
If you notice intense physical reactions, such as hallucinations, seizures, or delirium tremens (DTs), seek immediate medical attention. This is a critical aspect of understanding how to wean off alcohol safely. Severe withdrawal can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization or medical detox.
It can be a particularly helpful way to help you get a clearer understanding of your drinking habits and your relationship with alcohol. It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol. Whether you’re sober curious, know for sure https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ you’re ready to quit, or fall somewhere in between, Dr. Streem shares advice for how to stop drinking. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder (also known as alcoholism), you’ll likely benefit from additional medical interventions. Typically, quitting cold turkey from a 12-beer-a-day habit is going to be more stressful than tapering off slowly. In addition, home detox may not be effective, appropriate, or safe.
Begin your journey to recovery.
An alcohol use disorder can also have an impact on your social, psychological, and financial health. Quitting cold turkey is likely to cause more intense withdrawal symptoms than if you taper off alcohol slowly. However, the self-control it takes to taper can be challenging for someone with an AUD. For that reason, it’s best to speak to a doctor or clinician when you’ve decided to stop drinking before you quit cold turkey.
Creating an Alcohol Weaning Schedule
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. Research has shown that professional help improves your ability to overcome an addiction to alcohol or cut back if you have found it difficult. The most common research technique among those surveyed is an internet search (61%), followed by asking a doctor or medical professional (55%).
From month-long sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives. An evidence-based rehab offering holistic and experiential therapies, tailoring treatment to each client on a comfortable campus near Austin. Eating well and ensuring you are staying hydrated can stop dehydration and some of the nutrient deficiencies that come from prolonged alcohol use and withdrawal. 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 drink containing a lower-proof liquor.
Discussing these issues with a loved one can help you avoid relapse. If your body is used to a certain amount of alcohol, you may feel certain effects when you stop. How you feel when you stop drinking is largely based on how often and how heavily you drink. People who only drink occasionally probably won’t notice any physical or psychological symptoms. People who have a severe reaction to quitting alcohol should seek emergency treatment.
How to Know When It’s Time to Cut Back
Consult with a healthcare provider for a personalized plan that may include exercise as part of your recovery. Tapering helps people stop using alcohol and other substances in small and manageable steps. This can help your body adjust, and it can be easier to manage than quitting cold turkey. Slowly reduce the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption according to your established goals. Instead of abruptly stopping, gradually reduce the number of drinks per session or increase the time between drinking occasions. Monitor your progress regularly, adjusting your plan as necessary to ensure it is realistic and achievable for you.
- “Try doing a ‘dry’ month like Dry January, Go Dry for July or Sober October,” says Moore.
- Having a strong support system is invaluable when weaning off alcohol.
- It also lets you start working new habits and routines into your day to replace drinking, starting the transition.
- When you quit alcohol cold turkey, you quit drinking completely and suddenly.
- In lieu of an alcoholic beverage before sleep, try other alternatives like decaffeinated warm tea or warm milk.
You can use the guidelines to get an idea of how many standard drinks you’re used to. If your BASELINE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION is less than 20 drinks per day then we recommend reducing consumption by two standard drinks per day. Likewise if your average consumption is 6 standard drinks per day you can set a taper schedule of 4, 2, 0. On the second day drink one beer every hour and a half for a total of ten beers.
This can happen whether you’re quitting alcohol cold turkey or tapering. Alcohol addiction poses significant risks, and the optimal approach to mitigate these dangers involves abstaining from alcohol altogether. Gradually reducing your alcohol consumption, a process known as tapering, can help prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. For those struggling with alcohol dependency, quitting cold turkey can be dangerous and lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. It can be tempting to just “rip off the Band-Aid” when getting sober, but tapering off alcohol is often much safer—and much less stressful.
Alcohol withdrawal in long-term drinkers can be serious, as it can result in seizures and delirious tendencies. If you are not comfortable or able to quit alone, then seek the assistance of a physician or quit in a controlled setting, such as a treatment facility. Alcohol is known to exacerbate or contribute to depression, anxiety and more. Research shows that anxiety can increase post-drinking, with many people experiencing mood effects following the comedown from alcohol. There are also mental and neurological changes that can occur as a result of short-term abstinence. Sunnyside uses a psychology-based approach to help you drink more mindfully, no matter what your goal is.
