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. Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, is a mental health issue. You’ve been conditioning your brain to work on alcohol, and over time, its structure has physically changed[2]. Overcoming this with sheer willpower is going to be difficult, but it can be done.
How to Wean Yourself Off Alcohol Safely: Tips and Strategies
It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol. Before beginning a tapering schedule, speak with your doctor about the risks of detoxing at https://thepaloaltodigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ home. Tapering off alcohol may complicate other medical conditions or co-occurring mental health disorders. Going through the process of quitting alcohol can be challenging, especially when faced with withdrawal symptoms.
How to Wean Off Alcohol Safely
Recognizing that alcohol may be causing negative effects in one’s life is an important realization that can drive the motivation to take action. Alcohol dependence can be fatal, with rising death rates attributed to alcohol consumption. A Psychology Today article reports a 29% jump in deaths related to excessive alcohol use in a recent four-year span. This condition affects individuals and profoundly impacts their families and society, with social and economic costs. Late symptoms begin between two and four days after the last drink, and they usually include changes in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Serious symptoms caused by delirium tremens include hallucination and seizure.
Trying Non-Alcoholic Drinks
- How to cope with cannabis (weed) withdrawal symptoms, including sleep problems, strange dreams, anxiety, anger, sweats and changes in your appetite.
- Anyone wanting to stop using alcohol may benefit from tapering if they first consult with their doctor to ensure they are tapering safely.
- By tapering off, individuals can gradually break the cycle of alcohol dependence and reduce the chances of experiencing intense cravings or relapses.
- Reach out for support from friends, family, or a support group.
Moreover, substituting one kind of beverage for another does not help you taper off alcohol if you consume the same number of standard drinks as you usually have. For example, one 12-ounce can Sober House of beer contains the same amount of alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a mixed drink containing 1.5 ounces of alcohol. Having a plan can help you stay on track and it can keep you safe.
- For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, is a mental health issue.
- To avoid severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you should slowly reduce alcohol consumption.
- To implement this method, it is important to set a specific timeline and reduce alcohol consumption gradually.
Eventually, after a period of time, you will have tapered down to zero drinks. If you’re interested in medication-assisted treatment, medication to curb cravings can be a helpful tool for reducing your consumption. As a Certified Professional Recovery Coach, I often speak with people who want to wean off alcohol. The thought of abstaining from alcohol completely can feel daunting, and in some cases, it can even be dangerous without medical supervision. Below I share some key information so you can determine if weaning off alcohol is right for you.
- Professional guidance is often necessary to navigate the complexities of alcohol tapering.
- It may also result in legal issues, financial difficulties, and a decline in overall well-being.
- People with alcohol use disorder can’t stop drinking even when it causes problems, like emotional distress or physical harm to themselves or others.
You don’t have to let the fear of alcohol withdrawal stop you from cutting back or quitting. You may decide to seek medical treatment for your withdrawal symptoms or decide to enter a professional detox or rehab center. If you are a frequent drinker determined to reduce or stop your alcohol intake, the safest way to do this at home is through a gradual tapering process. Attempting to quit all at once can lead to severe symptoms that can be difficult to manage safely outside of a detox setting.
Optimizing the Alcohol Taper Schedule for Safe Withdrawal
