Content
One must always remember the importance of his or her environment. Users should avoid places where recreational or binge drinking is likely to occur, such as clubs, sporting events, parties and more. This comes down to personal discretion — nobody knows the people and places that create potentially negative consequences like the individual in question. This, of course, is easier said than done if drinking has become the crux of one’s social or romantic relationships. Experts advise surrounding oneself with positive influences whenever possible. However, some groups have stepped in to try to bridge this gap and have published sample tapering schedules to help those trying to stop drinking.
Even if you think either option sounds like something that could work for your situation, we still recommend talking to a doctor before proceeding. Weaning off alcohol gives your body chemistry a chance to adjust, reducing the shock to your system. how to taper off alcohol It also lets you start working new habits and routines into your day to replace drinking, starting the transition. Rather than beginning your sober life drained and dazed from a week of feeling ill, you can already be getting on your feet.
How Long Does It Take to Taper off Alcohol?
In this case, having a strong support system, attending AA meetings, and talking with an addiction counselor is key to a successful detox process. Depending on how https://ecosoberhouse.com/ much you drink, tapering off alcohol can take one to several weeks. It’s best to reduce your drinking by a small amount each day to avoid the shock to your system.
- We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers.
- According to MedLinePlus, delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal.
- As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder.
- Prefer Topiramate or Gabapentin if patients are intolerant to or have not responded to Naltrexone and Acamprosate.
- Remember that you are not drinking for pleasure–you are drinking medicine–so only drink what is needed.
The main downside of tapering off is that it requires discipline. You’ll need to stick with gradual reduction every day and not revert to previous levels of consumption, otherwise it won’t work. If it’s too hard to control how much you drink each day, weaning might not be the right strategy. That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. Little data is available about the safety and effectiveness of alcohol tapers. In contrast,robust evidencesupports quitting alcohol while under medical supervision.
The Benefit of Medical Detox for Tapering off Alcohol
By setting a social limit for yourself, you are creating a safe zone. This is where you can still have a drink, but not to the point of compromising your sobriety. These goals can be only drinking socially, limiting yourself to so many cocktails a week, etc.
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. Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that they can lead to death.