Can Tapering Off Alcohol Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

Individuals who’ve consumed higher amounts of alcohol over time can develop life-threatening complications when trying to quit. These complications can develop within a few hours or days and appear in the form of seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and hallucinations, sometimes even leading to death. Your insurance plan may cover some or all of the cost of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. Our online health insurance verification system will estimate your in-network and out-of-network deductibles, coinsurance percentages and out-of-pocket maximums. Within 5 minutes, you’ll receive an email with these details – free of charge. This can sometimes cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and these symptoms can make it hard to stick with your recovery plan.

• This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous.
• It is, however, typically unsuccessful because it prolongs the entire process of stopping alcohol and requires strict discipline not to give in to the temptation of overusing alcohol.
• If you are concerned about alcohol’s effect on your life or a loved one’s life, please feel welcome.
• Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor.
• Physical cravings caused by low levels of GABA and other neurotransmitters may be temporarily eased by drinking.

Pros of Quitting Cold Turkey:

• For this reason, you should always talk to your doctor before attempting to quit drinking.
• You should not begin a tapering plan before talking to your doctor.
• The risk of tapering too slowly is that you won’t stick with it, while the risk of tapering too fast is severe withdrawal.
• Mary goes above and beyond to exceed expectations and is dedicated to outstanding service.
• “Using a medication such as naltrexone increases the overall chances that people can cut down or quit,” Lee said.

It’s best to reduce your drinking by a small amount each day to avoid the shock to your system. So, if you normally have 6 beers a day, you could be done tapering within one week. It’s always best to consult a physician on the best strategy, especially if you drink heavily. Having a strong support system is critical when quitting any addiction. Whether you choose cold turkey or tapering, access to supportive friends, family, or a healthcare team can make a significant difference in your ability to stay committed. For those opting for tapering, having someone to help monitor and hold you accountable can prevent setbacks or overuse.

There are several ways to taper your alcohol consumption without therapy. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. These symptoms can indicate a serious and potentially deadly condition called delirium tremens is developing.

Strategies for Tapering Off Alcohol

Tapering can also be effective for people who are unable to attend an in-person program or detox to help them stop drinking. This may be an inpatient treatment facility or an outpatient treatment programme. For severe addiction, patients are asked to check into an inpatient facility to be monitored under close supervision by medical professionals. It is important to note that prescription medication should not be used for a substitution taper unless it has been prescribed as part of a medical detox program.

Regardless, The initial detoxification process may take several days. Tapering is also a strategy used by people with a substance or alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, improper tapering could lead to relapse, overdose, and severe health consequences. Many medical professionals even believe they outweigh the potential benefits. Creating a structured plan https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ including more resources and increased self-care builds a strong foundation for recovery.

Stopping all at once can make withdrawal symptoms more severe, but it also shortens the duration of withdrawal symptoms and gives you less time to change your mind and go back to using alcohol. Quitting cold turkey under medical supervision provides the best of both worlds, allowing increased control and comfort of withdrawal symptoms while also getting you through withdrawal quickly. Tapering helps people stop using alcohol and other substances in small and manageable steps.

Additionally, mixed drinks may contain sugar or other additives that could exacerbate withdrawal symptoms and should be avoided during the taper. If you’ve been drinking for a long time, tapering off can cause withdrawal symptoms. Getting professional help can mitigate harmful withdrawal symptoms and ensure success. If you or someone you know is quitting alcohol and experiences seizures, DTs, hallucinations, or other major effects, seek immediate medical attention or call 911 for help. For example, healthcare providers usually don’t take patients off antidepressants suddenly; rather, they gradually lower the dosages to help reduce antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.

However, once withdrawal is over, you will feel better, sleep more soundly and have overall better health. A substitution taper refers to switching strong liquor for an alternative that contains less alcohol, like beer. Once you’ve changed to a less alcoholic option, you can gradually reduce your drink amount. For some drinkers, cutting down on the amount of alcohol they drink simply does not work. They may cut back for a short period of time, but soon find themselves back to drinking at their usual level. This is especially true of heavy drinkers who are surrounded by the triggers that encourage drinking and lack the support needed to encourage change.

Quitting ‘Cold Turkey’ vs Medical Tapering

This can set you up for a safe and effective detox and put you in a good position to continue your recovery in rehab. It can be tempting to just “rip off the Band-Aid” when getting sober, but tapering off alcohol is often much safer—and much less stressful. Rather than quitting drinking abruptly (or “cold turkey”), many professionals recommend gradually reducing your drinking (or tapering) over time. This can give your body the chance to adjust, helping you avoid the worst of withdrawal symptoms. It is important to note that those who have gone through alcohol withdrawal once are more likely to experience it again if they quit drinking in the future. Heavy drinkers are at risk of fatal withdrawal symptoms if they quit cold turkey.

Tapering Off Alcohol

Tapering alcohol is beneficial because you can avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This is because when you drink heavily for months or years, your body can start to depend on alcohol to function normally. When you are physically dependent on a substance like alcohol, your body adapts accordingly.

I worked in construction prior to this field and needed a complete change in career as I was too suffering from substance addiction. I watch clients walk through the door, broken, and still remember when it was I who felt hopeless. After learning the necessary coping skills and engaging in a 12-step fellowship, my life began to change, and only for the better. I now enjoy working with others and helping them get through the hard times of early recovery. I still engage in a daily program of recovery myself and also enjoy fitness and health, nature, sports, horror movies, video games, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

• Inpatient treatment may be an expensive option in terms of time and money.
• The success of these strategies will depend on how much you drink and what you drink.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
• We can leverage our resources and team to help you reduce and eventually end your alcohol use.
• While this method can be uncomfortable due to withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, shaking, headaches, and insomnia, these symptoms are typically not life-threatening.

This method can help in managing cravings and reducing overall alcohol intake. You must be mindful of the substitutes chosen to ensure they are healthy and non-addictive. Substituting can help you maintain the ritualistic aspects of drinking alcohol while reducing your alcohol intake to zero. A direct taper involves gradually reducing your alcohol intake over a set period. This strategy requires careful planning and monitoring to decrease consumption consistently. It’s crucial for you to stay committed to the schedule to avoid setbacks.

Currently pursuing her advanced degree in psychology, Samantha’s personal journey of overcoming addiction fuels her passion for supporting others on their path to wellness. Samantha’s own journey of recovery serves as a powerful foundation for her therapeutic services. She approaches her work with empathy, understanding, and non-judgment, recognizing that everyone’s path to healing is unique. Shannon is a certified A.D.T. who has worked in different capacities at several rehabilitation centers in the state of Maryland. Shannon has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in Political Science. Prior to entering the substance abuse and mental health field, Shannon was a Corporate Executive for 18 years.

If you plan to taper your drinking in order to stop, make sure you limit your intake consistently, avoid fluctuations, and adhere to a weekly reduction schedule with a set date to stop. Substitution involves replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic ones. This can help address the habitual aspect of drinking, like having a beverage in hand at social events without the alcohol content. Over time, you can decrease the alcoholic drinks while increasing the non-alcoholic ones while still following the same behaviors you were used sober house to.

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I’m not sure if I should taper off and just have one drink for emergency withdrawal when needed and then one beer a day etc. or is cold turkey safe? I don’t have heavy shakes but I definitely feel awful when I stop for a day. If you are struggling to stop or cut down through alcohol tapering, this may be a sign to seek more help, Lee said. There are a variety of resources to explore, including 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery, Lee explained. Below are some ideas to help people reduce their drinking by alcohol tapering. “Any relative reduction in daily alcohol intake is healthy and headed in the right direction,” explains Lee.