It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals. The best way to taper off alcohol is to find healthcare professionals who can assess one’s current intake. This will be the basis of the protocol to taper off the substance to increase the chances of success.
- As a Certified Professional Recovery Coach, I often speak with people who want to wean off alcohol.
- Orlando Recovery Center says that when you taper your alcohol intake over time, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms7.
- Discover 10 ideas to help you give up alcohol and empower change for a healthier, happier life.
- Weaning off alcohol is a hard process, but it is something that you should be immensely proud of.
- It is of the utmost importance that anyone considering tapering off alcohol first consult with a medical professional to determine their treatment needs.
What is alcohol withdrawal?
One of the keys to a successful taper is taking gradual steps that tapering down alcohol will cause as few side effects as possible. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Generally, light to moderate drinkers should plan to taper for a week or more.
Preparing To Wean Off Alcohol
Most people with mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal don’t need treatment in a hospital. But severe or complicated alcohol withdrawal can result in lengthy hospital stays and even time in the intensive care unit (ICU). Further, the severity of withdrawal symptoms can cause a person to resort back to drinking alcohol to relieve any symptoms.
Strategies to Combat Teen Drug and Alcohol Use
Primary care physicians should offer to initiate long-term treatment for alcohol use disorder, including pharmacotherapy, in addition to withdrawal management. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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- This can be a real obstacle when you’re ready to get help to quit drinking (or cut back).
- Understanding the severity of alcohol withdrawal underscores the importance of seeking professional help and support when trying to wean off alcohol.
- Read on to learn how to wean off alcohol, whether alcohol withdrawal can kill you, and other common questions about quitting drinking.
- Explore the economic effects of alcohol and drugs, revealing the societal costs and workplace impacts of addiction.
- It’s difficult to predict who will and who won’t experience alcohol withdrawal — and how severe it will be.
- By looking at your medical history and alcohol intake, your doctor can determine whether you need to taper in a medical detox facility or can safely detox at home.
In contrast, in-patient care can be more beneficial and less expensive in the long-term. At a rehab clinic, an alcohol withdrawal taper can be provided to slowly get you back to normal life. This form of tapering would likely involve medications to eliminate withdrawal symptoms.
Strategies for Tapering Off Alcohol
Weaning off alcohol involves gradually decreasing the amount of alcohol you drink. This can be done by reducing the number of drinks, increasing time between drinks or choosing a weaker drink with a lower alcohol content. Reducing the amount of the chosen substance consumed daily is known as a direct taper, but it may not be effective for everyone. It is only advisable to direct taper if the preferred drink is beer with a low alcohol percentage. However, it should not cause someone to become stuck on a step, which would defeat the purpose of a taper.
- For this reason, experts advise that alcohol cessation be monitored safely with steady effort between oneself and a physician.
- It can help you reach goals and can minimize some of the unpleasant and severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
- You can strengthen your emotional and communication techniques to help you work through any tough situations that may arise in the future.
- John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.
- When you drink heavily over a long period, your brain and body adapt to expect this.
- Those with severe AWS experience severe anxiety and moderate to severe tremor, but they do not have confusion, hallucinations, or seizures.
- Below I share some key information so you can determine if weaning off alcohol is right for you.