When you quit drinking, you should also seek medical advice about any alcohol withdrawal symptoms you experience. This includes early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as mild tremors and anxiety. The reason for this is that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can quickly snowball and worsen. Mild anxiety, for example, can turn into overwhelming agitation or even hallucinations. Seeking help as early as possible during the withdrawal process is the best way to stay safe as you cleanse your body of alcohol. People who have alcohol use disorder that goes undiagnosed may have an especially difficult time cutting back on their alcohol consumption.

How to Wean Off Alcohol & Safely Taper Drinking

However, it is important to be aware of the risks of attempting a taper on your own. Sometimes, people think that they don’t need medical help if their symptoms are mild. Unfortunately, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can worsen quickly, and they can include agitation and hallucinations that make it more difficult to seek help.

Is Weaning Off Alcohol Right For Me?

That said, tapering off alcohol doesn’t completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal is dangerous and it’s important to be careful throughout the process. Getting curious about a life without alcohol is already an incredible step, and a healthier lifestyle is within reach. The goal of tapering down is to make a gradual change while causing less stress on your body, both physically and emotionally. Withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and depend on many factors, such as drinking history, metabolism, age, medical condition, what other substances or medication you take, and more.

tapering down alcohol

Tapering Off vs. Cold Turkey

Alcohol proof is the amount of alcohol found in distilled spirits or liquor. Smaller drinks with a higher percentage of alcohol are stronger than the same size drink containing a lower-proof liquor. Find an accountability partner or someone you can call to keep you on track when you want to drink.

Deciding to quit drinking and following through isn’t just about willpower. Many other factors go into play with these difficult and trying scenarios. Tolerance, dependence, social habits, setting, the biology of the individual and more must all be considered. If you have a severe level of addiction or dependency, you https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ may need a detox program. Talk to a medical professional to find the best detox option for you. You can taper off alcohol if you worry that you are developing alcohol addiction.

  • This 20-minute break allows the alcohol to hit your bloodstream and reduces the cravings for another drink, preventing you from overdoing it.
  • It’s always best to speak with a healthcare provider when changing your relationship with alcohol.
  • Medical detox is often the safest and most effective way to manage alcohol withdrawal for those with severe alcohol dependence.
  • Guidance for tapering off alcohol can vary, and there’s limited specific advice available.
  • If you or a loved one is suffering from an alcohol use disorder, it can feel like being trapped in a tunnel with no way out.

Ways To Cut Back on Drinking Alcohol Without Quitting

tapering down alcohol

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. A healthcare professional can provide invaluable guidance on the best ways to safely taper off alcohol.

Holistic Therapy

The typical warning signs that someone is going to experience Delirium tremens include tremors, an extremely elevated heart rate, and a drastic increase in body temperature. This is because sober house Delirium tremens is caused by hyperactivity in the nervous system, which is now without the depressant effects of alcohol and is instead going into overdrive. You can also get help by reaching out to a professional rehab facility directly, like The Recovery Village. We can leverage our resources and team to help you reduce and eventually end your alcohol use. A doctor can supervise your tapering progress, helping you manage your cravings and prevent relapse.

tapering down alcohol

If you’ve decided to quit drinking, and tapering seems like the right approach, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to wean off alcohol—including useful strategies, how to create a tapering schedule, and how to stay safe throughout the process. A popular way to taper off alcohol is to gradually reduce the number of drinks you consume over a period of time. For example, if you normally drink 6 glasses of wine each night, you can try reducing that to 5 glasses of wine a night.

Effects of Tapering Off Alcohol

If the choices you make when you’ve been drinking make you cringe when you are sober, alcohol use is impacting your life negatively. A detox programme can be arranged through one of our alcohol rehab clinics, along with additional treatment to target the psychological symptoms of addiction. Addiction treatment will be essential either way, in order to remain sober. Weaning off alcohol should be done with a well-structured plan, which includes assessing current alcohol consumption, setting achievable goals, and establishing milestones to track progress. Keeping a journal or using a tracking app can help in recording alcohol consumption accurately.

Additionally, the post-detox treatment resources available at a professional treatment center can ease the transition to sober living and give you the tools you need to stay sober long-term. Tapering off alcohol can be a reasonable strategy for anyone who desires to stop drinking. A taper might be helpful for those who find they cannot stop drinking without experiencing negative symptoms.