However, here is a sample timeline of what the average person can expect. Tapering is the practice of slowly reducing the regular consumption of a substance like alcohol. Tapering can sometimes help a person avoid uncomfortable and sometimes deadly symptoms of withdrawal. However, understanding how an alcohol taper works and what the process is like can help you prepare yourself and find the support you need. Replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcohol drinks is a great method of helping during a taper.
Pros of Tapering Down Alcohol Intake
By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. If you’re a treatment provider and have a question, please reach out and someone from our Customer Success team will be in touch with you shortly.
How To Taper Off Alcohol: Key Strategies and Tips
By substituting alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic drinks, you can still engage in most of your habit without getting the alcohol that makes it addictive. This can taper you off alcohol while still helping you keep up with your normal drinking routine, making the process easier. 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. This method is safer than abruptly stopping alcohol consumption, especially when switching from hard liquor to beer. Reducing the amount of the chosen substance consumed daily is known as a direct taper, but it may not be effective for everyone.
What Is Outpatient Rehab Like
Instead, tapering off alcohol allows you to detox from drinking slowly. Many people try this method at home before they seek help from a medical professional. However, help and support aren’t just something for when you finish how to wean off of alcohol detoxing; it is also important while initially stopping alcohol. The Recovery Village at Baptist Health can help you start your recovery with alcohol addiction treatment — safely, comfortably and with your future in mind. Reach out to one of our Recovery Advocates and begin the healing process.
Recognize early signs of alcohol dependency, from physical symptoms to behavioral changes, and seek professional help to regain control and improve relationships. Inpatient alcohol rehab costs range from $6,000 to $20,000/month, covering services like therapy, detox, and meals. To find affordable care, explore insurance options, government programs, and financial assistance. Detoxing from benzodiazepines varies from weeks to months based on medication type, dosage, duration of use, and individual health, requiring gradual, supervised tapering.
- People with alcohol use disorder can’t stop drinking even when it causes problems, like emotional distress or physical harm to themselves or others.
- The effects of alcohol can vary depending on weight, gender, age and other factors.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, heavy drinking is defined as four to five drinks per day or Twelve-step program binge drinking more than five days per month. However, many people go above and beyond this because they have a heavy pour that isn’t measured by medical standards. By this time, you may be committed to the idea of tapering because of the potential side effects if you suddenly quit drinking.
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. A direct taper means drinking the regular substance of choice but lowering the amount consumed daily.
Samba Recovery never miss an opportunity
Developing a tapering plan is the first step towards breaking free from alcohol dependency. Remember, it’s not about achieving immediate perfection but about making steady progress towards your goal of sobriety. If you experience a relapse, it’s important not to give up on your goals. Consider talking with a therapist or counselor to help identify triggers and develop strategies for https://ttech.com.ua/2024/09/30/what-is-wet-brain-about-wernicke-korsakoff/ avoiding future relapses. For individuals looking to make a positive change in their relationship with alcohol, the first step is acknowledging the need for change. Recognizing that alcohol may be causing negative effects in one’s life is an important realization that can drive the motivation to take action.