How to Wean Yourself Off Alcohol Safely: Tips and Strategies

You may not need to completely reinvent your life to quit drinking, but making a few changes in your surroundings to help avoid alcohol triggers can make a big difference. People who want to reduce their alcohol consumption often do not realize how much of their social and daily routines alcohol has become. Tapering alcohol may be uncomfortable, and there may be subconscious triggers that stimulate the desire to drink alcohol.

Strategies for Safe Tapering

It’s important to seek urgent medical care if you experience any of these symptoms. If you’re used to drinking less than 20 beers per day, HAMS recommends reducing your alcohol consumption by two beers per day until you achieve sobriety. For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off https://ecosoberhouse.com/ may be a good option.

Done With Alcohol? Here’s How To Stop Drinking

Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results. Thus, a user will likely seek out alcohol again to rid themselves of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Anyone wanting to stop using alcohol may benefit from tapering if they first consult with their doctor to ensure they are tapering safely. Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or Oxford House the resources needed to get a professional detox.

• Individuals with undiagnosed alcohol use disorder may struggle more when trying to cut back and may be better suited to medical detox rather than tapering.
• Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that leads to an increase in brain neurotransmitters that slow down your brain’s functions, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
• With these tips and strategies, you can wean yourself off alcohol safely and successfully.
• Identify specific situations, emotions, environments, and people that motivate your drinking.

Symptoms of tapering off alcohol

Here are some tips and strategies for how to taper off alcohol safely. Therapy can help you understand why you drink and learn new habits so you can live a healthy lifestyle that doesn’t rely on alcohol as a crutch. It can also help you gain a new perspective as you consider how your life will change without alcohol.

Create a Plan

However, medically supervised detox and professional rehab are more likely to help you maintain long-term sobriety. Slowly tapering your alcohol use can help you manage mild withdrawal symptoms and decrease the risk of AUD. However, you may experience withdrawal symptoms or relapse if you’re not tapering correctly and safely. People who try tapering off alcohol won’t have the guided support of medical professionals that they would at inpatient treatment.

Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Programs

You can also learn about the options for in-patient recovery in this article. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range in severity depending on how extensive the misuse behavior was. The alcohol withdrawal symptom delirium tremens (DT) is estimated to kill up to 5% of those attempting to quit suddenly after chronic usage. This is a staggering number considering that many other drugs do not even have the possibility of lethal withdrawals.

• Abrupt cessation, especially for regular drinkers, might lead to severe withdrawal symptoms that could be harmful.
• The consequences of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be serious and lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be fatal in severe cases.
• That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier.

Setting SMART Goals

• If you’re not sure if cold turkey or tapering is right for you, you can join the Monument Community to hear from others who have confronted similar questions.
• Tapering off alcohol gives the body time to adapt to the lack of alcohol.
• They can help you decide if it’s the safest way to start your recovery, and they can help you make a taper plan.
• It is important to remember that seeking professional help is crucial for individuals with severe alcohol dependence.

Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe. Learn which signs to look out for, and how to care for your well-being. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. If you struggle to stop drinking, avoid places and situations that tempt you to drink alcohol. You may even ask your friends and family not to drink while around you. You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.

It’s crucial to note that the use of medications for alcohol withdrawal should be closely monitored by healthcare professionals to ensure safety and effectiveness. These medications should be prescribed based on an individual’s specific needs and medical history. Medications can be used to assist individuals in reducing or stopping alcohol consumption and managing withdrawal symptoms. These medications are often combined with psychosocial support for more effective treatment.

More serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms may require medical attention. If you have a friend or family member who knows that you’re trying to taper off alcohol, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s physically dangerous, and it may also cause emotional instability. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back. The amount of how to wean off alcohol alcohol it takes to cause withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. For this reason, you should always talk to your doctor before attempting to quit drinking.