The main difference between tapering and quitting alcohol cold turkey is how fast you quit. Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once. Tapering or weaning means ramping down your alcohol use until you get to zero—or to a more moderate level of drinking that you prefer. The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Usually, alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur within 12–24 hours after stopping alcohol and can last 2–10 days. The amount of time it takes to taper off of alcohol can vary greatly from person to person.
Taking It Slow: Importance of Gradual Quitting
Take the first step towards a happier, healthier life at The Haven Detox-New England. Our team of medical professionals offers a professional alcohol abuse treatment program. Are you looking to cut back on excessive drinking and take control of your health?
- A sample taper schedule involves calculating the number of drinks consumed per day.
- Some detox programs also offer therapy to prepare you for addiction treatment.
- Asking for help is an important step in overcoming alcohol addiction.
- Seizures are another complication of abruptly quitting alcohol that may occur within the first 12 to 48 hours of stopping.
Tapering with Support: Key Tools for Alcohol Recovery
- Overall, getting professional help can improve your chances for long-term sobriety.
- By identifying personal challenges, such as stress, trauma, or relationship difficulties, you gain insight into the root causes of your addiction.
- Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink.
- Stress is a common trigger that makes it hard to modify your alcohol intake.
However, it may be suitable for someone with a how to taper off alcohol lower risk of experiencing alcohol withdrawal, or a person who has access to medical professionals at home. Nearly half of individuals with AUD who abruptly stop or reduce alcohol intake experience signs of alcohol withdrawal (1). Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be physical, psychological, or both.
How to Gradually Stop Drinking
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, contact us to learn more and get started with alcohol addiction treatment. With these things in mind, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of tapering your alcohol use to make a fully informed decision. If your health, wellness, and even life may be at risk, quitting alcohol should only be attempted with the help of a medical professional. This is why it is important to stop regular, heavy drinking only under the supervision of medical staff. They can provide medications and additional support to make quitting alcohol safer, and more comfortable. This is a highly personal decision, which can be made through self-reflection, and with the support of a medical professional and your peers.
Evaluate Your Drinking Habits
Over the long term, many Sober living house health benefits occur throughout your body. Your risk of certain diseases decreases, you will begin sleeping better, and your overall health can significantly benefit. More serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms may require medical attention.
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Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that affects your brain. When you quit drinking or wean off alcohol, your body will adjust to the lack of alcohol in your body. Alcohol withdrawal is potentially fatal, especially for people with an alcohol addiction. Sometimes, they may experience seizures and delirium tremens (DTs).
Challenges of Cutting Down on Alcohol Intake
After a person has acclimated to this new change, they can lower the number yet again. The goal may be a long way off, but eventually they can get it down to 0 drinks. When people drink alcohol, the body actually goes into overdrive to fight off the effects. When people drink alcohol regularly, their bodies actually get very good at counteracting the effects of alcohol. Habitual drinkers may have neurotransmitters that are so used to combatting the effects of alcohol that they continue to do so even when a person no longer has alcohol in their system. Research has shown that professional help improves your ability to overcome an addiction to alcohol or cut back if you have found it difficult.
Why Does Alcohol Withdrawal Occur?
Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous form of substance withdrawal, creating unpleasant symptoms that can be potentially deadly for those with more severe symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal will last about a week to a week and a half for most people, with symptoms peaking two to three days into withdrawal. CBT focuses on discovering and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to alcohol use.
Moderate Withdrawal Symptoms
Some people can taper quickly and quit alcohol completely, while others may take longer. But deciding to cut back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper. A medical professional can help you determine if a fast or slow taper, or quitting altogether, is appropriate based on a thorough medical assessment and evaluation of your withdrawal risk. If you’ve tried to reduce or stop drinking in the past and have experienced withdrawal symptoms, there are ways to safely detox from AUD. A specialist can help you decide the best course of action to ensure your safety.
Medications Used When Tapering Off Alcohol
As long as safety precautions are taken, there’s no wrong way to begin a sobriety or moderation journey. This journey is often non-linear, and your goals can change over time. I spoke to scientists about their research into replicating the buzz from https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol, hoping to discover exactly why I enjoyed drinking in the first place. While I didn’t cut out alcohol to lose weight, it certainly helped.
