It’s always best to speak with a healthcare provider when changing your relationship with alcohol. Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking. Although you can use methods to taper off alcohol at home, the best way to taper is to talk to a doctor. They can monitor your intake and adjust it accordingly to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. Talk to a medical professional if you have any concerns about tapering off alcohol.

Sleeping too much can become an unhealthy coping mechanism, but during your detox, it’s okay to sleep as much as possible. This might be a pretty safe way to taper, as long as you’re not decreasing by over 20-30% per step. I’ve heard of some people doing 10% a week and having success that way.

• Was hearing voices, losing my sanity, emotions all over the place, impossible to do simple task.
• However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them.
• Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety.
• If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate.
• Below I share some key information so you can determine if weaning off alcohol is right for you.
• Getting professional treatment and long-term support are two of the most valuable strategies for avoiding relapse.

You Show Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

The gradual reduction method can be difficult, as you must strictly control how much you drink daily. If you find it difficult to cut down on your number of drinks per day, try making your drinks weaker by using less alcohol per drink. You may also find it easier to stick to your taper schedule if you avoid certain places and situations. Always remember that if the taper is not working for you or if you are having major withdrawal that it is safest to check into a medical detox because alcohol withdrawal can kill you.

What Are the Benefits of 30 Days Without Alcohol?

When the Living in a Sober House: Fundamental Rules alcohol is completely taken away then this adrenaline and its cousins are left to run rampant in the brain. This leads to raised blood pressure, raised pulse rate, rapid breathing, fever, hallucinations, seizures and D.T.s. The longer and harder a person has drunk alcohol–the more severe the withdrawal will be.

How to Wean Off Alcohol Safely

Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them. Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it. When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated.

Selecting a Tapering Schedule

Substituting a prescription drug for alcohol should only happen with the help of a medical professional. No one should ever attempt a substitution taper with prescription medication unless their doctor specifically prescribed it for that purpose in a medical detox program. If the drink of choice is liquor, it is difficult to measure amounts and easy to binge drink. If it is a mixed drink, it can contain sugar or other additives that should not be included in the taper and may worsen the effects of withdrawal symptoms. Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can start as soon https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ as six hours after the last drink of alcohol.

Ive read about people who drink more, but Ive also read about people who drink much less and have withdrawals. SO I started tapering with my 3 bottles of 100ML jack. I got a measuring glass and have been reducing .5 ounces per night.

Can Tapering Down Alcohol Use Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

• Those who find that they cannot taper off the number of drinks for any significant length of time have likely developed alcohol use disorder, a condition commonly known as alcoholism.
• In this schedule, the biggest drop occurs during the first couple days.
• Some withdrawal is normal, and some symptoms can be potentially life-threatening.
• We recommend Gatorade because it has balanced electrolytes.
• I decided to workout, drink a gallon of water and eat healthy.
• This can equate to as much as a full bottle of beer or less than two tablespoons of whisky.

Alcohol depresses your nervous system2, so your body creates more receptors for neurotransmitters, or messengers, to stimulate the nervous system. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate. As you navigate this question, it can be helpful to think about how you typically prefer to approach change.

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Below I share some key information so you can determine if weaning off alcohol is right for you. People who try tapering off alcohol won’t have the guided support of medical professionals that they would at inpatient treatment. This can make it more challenging to stick to a long-term plan. In contrast, in-patient care can be more beneficial and less expensive in the long-term.