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Tapering Off Alcohol vs Quitting Cold Turkey

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. As you navigate this question, it can be helpful to think about how you typically prefer to approach change. Metaphorically speaking, do you like to dip your toe in first, or cannonball right in? As long as safety precautions are taken, there’s no wrong way to begin a sobriety or moderation journey. This journey is often non-linear, and your goals can change over time.

how to taper off alcohol to avoid withdrawal

But if you still have control over your drinking and want to drink less, you may be able to self-taper. If you try tapering off alcohol and find that you are struggling with withdrawal and relapse, it is a good idea to seek the assistance of a professional medical alcohol detox facility.

Why You May Need to Taper Your Alcohol Use

It’s important to work with a professional during the tapering because it can be a delicate process. Too high of a dose can prolong your withdrawal period or be ineffective. If you’ve become dependent on alcohol, you may encounter alcohol withdrawal when you cut back or stop drinking. Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and even life-threatening, particularly when you quit cold turkey after a long period of alcohol abuse. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, speak to a doctor about tapering safely.

how to taper off alcohol to avoid withdrawal

In the same year, 28.3 million people had an alcohol use disorder . There’s no set time frame for tapering off alcohol that works for everyone.

Tapering off Alcohol Safely

A standard bottle of wine at 12% alcohol contains 5 standard drinks. In particular, it alters the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid . When you drink a lot over a long period, your brainreducesthe amount of GABA it makes. This means that if you quit drinking cold turkey, your brain will not have enough GABA. This can cause your brain to become hyper-excitable and leads to withdrawal symptoms. It all begins by reducing the number of drinks in a sitting, a day, a week or whichever time frame works best.

Is it possible to cut back on drinking?

Most people successfully quit or cut back their alcohol consumption on their own. People who drink more frequently are much more likely to have symptoms of dependence and might find it more difficult. You might be dependent if: you can't easily go a day without drinking alcohol, or find it hard to cut back.

Long-term alcohol use can lead to developing an alcohol use disorder and physical dependence. If your body becomes physically dependent9on alcohol, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal when you stop drinking. Studies have shown that between how to taper off alcohol 13 and 71%9of people going throughalcohol detoxdevelop withdrawal symptoms. Factors such as pattern of alcohol use, other medical conditions, genetics, and how your body responds to alcohol can all play a role in withdrawal symptoms.

How To Taper Off Alcohol: Key Strategies and Tips

Tapering refers to gradually reducing the consumption of a substance to diminish the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Ideally, the alcohol limit you set will fall below the recommended guidelines. The recommended guidelines are no more than one standard drink per day for women and for men ages 65 and older, and no more than two standard drinks per day for men under 65. As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client. What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential.

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