However, it can be challenging to stick with a long-term tapering schedule, so you have to find the right balance for you. Alcohol abuse affects how you feel and how you make decisions. It’s especially influential if you have an alcohol use disorder. Don’t try to reduce your alcohol intake based on what feels right. The Recovery Village Indianapolis offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. The kindling effect happens when someone goes through alcohol withdrawal several times.
Ways To Cut Back on Drinking Alcohol Without Quitting
- However, various strategies can help you cope with these symptoms and make the journey toward sobriety more manageable.
- Alcohol also changes your brain chemistry, which can result in higher levels of anxiety and depression for the first several months.
- Evaluate the pros and cons of tapering and consider quitting with medical help instead of trying to do it yourself.
- Consistently using alcohol for a long time causes your brain to adjust to its suppressing effect.
- People can partake in some natural remedies and activities to keep their minds occupied and help pass the time as withdrawal symptoms fade.
Refrain from viewing it as a failure and giving up on the process. When everyone around you is drinking, it can pose a challenge to stay strong. Especially social events that come with expectations, where declining a drink may not be easy.
Alcohol Rehab
This lower success rate can actually worsen the kindling effect. As a result, quitting alcohol might become more dangerous than necessary. This method can help individuals gradually lower their alcohol intake, minimizing the risk of withdrawal symptoms while promoting long-term recovery. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when alcohol use is suddenly stopped, removing its suppressing effect. Your brain will still be hyperactive and take about a week to 10 days to readjust.
However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them. If you’re not sure if cold turkey or tapering is right for you, you can join the Monument Community to hear from others who have confronted similar questions. The tapering down process can take place for the first several weeks or even months of the alcohol recovery timeline. There are many factors that can affect how long weaning off alcohol will take.
- Tapering alcohol is beneficial because you can avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- However, it may be suitable for someone with a lower risk of experiencing alcohol withdrawal, or a person who has access to medical professionals at home.
- Doing a dry challenge with a friend gives you a built-in support to vent to and cheer you on.
- Some withdrawal is normal, and some symptoms can be potentially life-threatening.
- It’s vital to speak with a medical professional before you begin weaning off alcohol to ensure you have a plan to do so safely.
- According to an abnormal psychology textbook, alcohol affects many parts of your body.
Can You Stop Drinking Alcohol Cold Turkey?
Switching up your behavior might make people question their own and result in them projecting onto you. Approach that with kindness and compassion—but don’t take it personally, she says. Educate your loved ones on dangerous symptoms, too, so they can look out for you and get you medical sober house attention if you need it. Give your loved ones as much information as you can about your self-tapering strategy. Let them know your plan, your progress, and how withdrawals are going for you.
Alcohol Tapering Guide
- Every now and then, it’s fine to have some sugar, especially in its natural form, such as by adding a teaspoon of honey to hot tea or oatmeal.
- Once you’ve cut back on your drinking (so you’re at or below the recommended guidelines), examine your drinking habits regularly to see if you’re maintaining this level of drinking.
- Eventually, after a period of time, you will have tapered down to zero drinks.
- At a rehab clinic, an alcohol withdrawal taper can be provided to slowly get you back to normal life.
- Whatever schedule is chosen, it’s important to commit so you can build upon your progress and avoid withdrawal symptoms as much as possible.
For example, those who drink more heavily may need more time to taper than those who drink less alcohol. Further, if you start to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the taper, your doctor may instruct you to pause or slow the taper as a result. These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper. Tapering gradually lowers the amount of alcohol that you use over time.
You can master the necessary life skills to maintain your sober lifestyle through treatment. If you find it difficult to cut down on your number of drinks per day, try making your drinks weaker by using less alcohol per drink. You may also find it easier to stick to your taper schedule if you avoid certain places and situations. It is important to note that alcohol tapers are generally not recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. Most healthcare professionals recommend a medically-assisted detox as the best way to get off alcohol.
Quitting alcohol cold turkey means stopping all alcohol consumption abruptly. While it might seem like a quick solution, this method can be risky without medical support. Abruptly stopping alcohol can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. When done under medical supervision, tapering off alcohol has few downsides. However, tapering can sometimes be unsafe if you attempt to do so on your own without a doctor’s knowledge.
They can help you decide if tapering is the safest option for you. Creating a tapering schedule you can stick with is a crucial part of weaning https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview yourself off alcohol. The best schedule varies based on how much you drink each day and your overall health. As mentioned above, we strongly recommend speaking with a doctor to ensure your plan is a safe one, and won’t cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Reducing alcohol intake can have significant positive effects on mental health. As you reduce your alcohol consumption, you may notice improvements in mood, anxiety, and overall mental well-being.
How To Wean Off Alcohol Safely and Effectively
Medical detox involves stopping alcohol all at once and managing withdrawal symptoms through medications and other treatments instead of reducing them with a taper. Track your progress, note how you feel, and adjust if necessary. Always consult a medical professional before starting any tapering schedule. Quitting cold turkey means suddenly stopping all alcohol consumption. This method can lead to withdrawal symptoms, especially if you’ve been a heavy drinker. Making a clean break, however, provides a sense of finality and commitment.