Tapering Off Alcohol How To Wean Off Safely

Depending on a variety of factors, it could be dangerous for you to reduce or stop drinking without medical support. The best and safest first step is to consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment plan for you. A medical professional will evaluate your medical history and current symptoms or problems to determine the best treatment plan to meet your unique needs. In 2019 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationreported that 14.5 millions of americans suffered from Alcohol Use Disorder. Treatment is the best way to ensure long-term abstinence from alcohol. This is especially true if you are suffering from an alcohol use disorder.

• This can cause seizures and delirium tremens, a severe form of withdrawal marked by tremors and hallucinations.
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Tapering is the act of gradually reducing alcohol use until completely abstinent. By creating a schedule to monitor your alcohol use you can see just how much of the substance you are drinking. When you quit drinking, you should also seek medical advice about any alcohol withdrawal symptoms you experience. This includes early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as mild tremors and anxiety.

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However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. Hard liquors, for example, contain higher alcohol-by-volume measures https://ecosoberhouse.com/ than other beverages. When attempting to taper off alcohol, it is recommended that an individual should substitute these stronger options for wine or beer — or at least hard liquor with a smaller proof.

Smaller drinks with a higher percentage of alcohol are stronger than the same size drink containing a lower proof liquor. Maintain a healthy diet with lots of B vitamins (especially thiamine/B1), as alcohol makes it hard for the body to absorb vitamins. Use a journal or drink-tracking app to record how many you’ve had, and decide on a minimum interval between drinks.

What Are The Dangers Of Stopping All At Once?

When you stop drinking, your brain will stop getting the inhibitory effects of alcohol and become overstimulated. Alcohol withdrawal often involves restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia, among other symptoms. One of the best ways to stop drinking and get on the road to recovery is to taper off your alcohol consumption.

If you attempt to taper off using wine or hard liquor you might just wind up getting drunk again because these have higher alcohol content than beer. Try to limit yourself to drinking no more alcohol than necessary when you start tapering. Gradually reduce the consumption of beer as you continue to taper. If the how to taper off alcohol withdrawal is not too extreme you should be tapered off in a day or so. Some people may, however take longer–three days or even a week. If you start to feel withdrawal that is a sign that your taper is not done yet.It is also very important when tapering off to fight dehydration and to replenish lost vitamins.

Can Tapering Your Alcohol Intake Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

Someone will slowly diminish the amount they drink with the intention of avoiding the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal completely and will hopefully be able to avoid a relapse as well. The goal of tapering down is to make a gradual change while causing less stress on your body, both physically and emotionally. Withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and depend on many factors, such as drinking history, metabolism, age, medical condition, what other substances or medication you take, and more. Because everyone’s body reacts differently, there’s not a lot of research that proves tapering can decrease the effects of alcohol withdrawal. Ria Health offers access to many of these tools, including prescription medications, recovery coaching, and online support groups—all through a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app.