Tapering Off Alcohol vs Quitting Cold Turkey

As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder. But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done. Depending on how much alcohol you drink to start with, the amount of time an alcohol weaning schedule takes may vary. 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.

If your BASELINE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION is less than 20 drinks per day then we recommend reducing consumption by two standard drinks per day. Likewise if your average consumption is 6 standard drinks per day you can set a taper schedule of 4, 2, 0. Quitting alcohol can be extremely hard, especially without medical support. Further, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression are extremely common in those who struggle with drinking, and these disorders can make it even harder to stay sober.

What Does it Mean to Taper Off Alcohol?

Specifically, excessive drinking can cause an imbalance in the important brain neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Using alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress or negative emotions and experiencing difficulty stopping after a few drinks also signals an issue. By talking with your doctor or an addiction treatment specialist, together you can determine a safe tapering schedule that suits your needs.

People who are severely dependent or addicted to alcohol should seek medical support for alcohol detox. Tapering off alcohol, rather than stopping all at once, is the most effective way to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms and other problems such as dehydration. An effective tapering schedule may include cutting out one drink at a time at Top 5 Tips to Consider When Choosing a Sober House for Living regular intervals. Aside from unavoidable triggers, tapering off alcohol can also have side effects which can be difficult to manage at home. A final strategy to assist with an alcohol taper is to get a good network of peer support. This only escalates the alterations in the brain’s pathways that are then wired to need the substance.

Is Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey Dangerous?

The best way to safely quit drinking is by following the advice of a doctor or treatment center. Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety. Working with a physician on the Monument platform can help determine what timeline will work for you based on your past drinking habits and risk of withdrawal. Whatever schedule is chosen, it’s important to commit so you can build upon your progress and avoid withdrawal symptoms as much as possible. When you quit drinking cold turkey, your body suffers from a cascade of changes caused by the sudden shift. Since alcohol depresses central nervous system activity, quitting drinking can cause an imbalance of an excitatory neurotransmitter called glutamate.

Max began his career in the addiction field working as a group facilitator and teacher, developing and delivering a successful faith-based curriculum in a long-term residential treatment setting. In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field.

Pros and Cons of Tapering Off Alcohol Intake

Our team of professionals will closely monitor your health during the detoxification process, managing withdrawal symptoms with medication when necessary. People tapering off alcohol may begin experiencing early withdrawal symptoms within 6 to 12 hours after their last drink. Medically assisted detoxification (detox) is an inpatient program that keeps you stabilized during alcohol withdrawals.

Indeed, weaning off alcohol is a challenging journey, but it’s also a journey of self-discovery and growth. Along the way, we learn about our resilience, our ability to adapt, and the power of community. And when we finally reach that point where a glass of wine is no longer a need but a choice, the taste of victory is far sweeter than any drink could ever be. Moreover, setting realistic and measurable goals can be a powerful motivator.

The Role of Professional Help in Weaning Off Alcohol

If the drink of choice is liquor, it is difficult to measure amounts and easy to binge drink. If the drink 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 that’s consumed every day. Someone should only direct taper if their drink of choice is beer with a low alcohol percentage. Moreover, substituting one kind of beverage for another does not help you taper off alcohol if you consume the same number of standard drinks as you usually have. For example, one 12-ounce can of beer contains the same amount of alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a mixed drink containing 1.5 ounces of alcohol.

By removing all alcohol from your home, you are significantly reducing the temptation to drink in excess. This allows your body to break its dependency without causing alcohol withdrawal. This process can last several days, weeks, or months depending on your tolerance level, history of use, and other factors. Tapering off alcohol is one of the safest ways to overcome alcoholism. Instead of complete cessation of alcohol, you begin to slowly taper down on your consumption over a period of time. It is very important that you estimate your BASELINE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION in terms of standard drinks in order for you to be able to set up a taper schedule.

Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and support you need to become a thriving recovering alcoholic. The effects of alcohol can vary depending on weight, gender, age and other factors. Each person’s alcohol metabolism is different, and even though a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .085 is considered legal intoxication, a BAC lower than .08 may adversely affect some people. Alcohol also inhibits the glutamate receptor–which is the cause of staggering, slurring, and general interference with muscular coordination. Glutamate receptor rebound also appears to contribute to the withdrawal symptoms described above.

By looking at your medical history and alcohol intake, your doctor can determine whether you need to taper in a medical detox facility or can safely detox at home. An alcohol taper is a way to wean yourself off alcohol and avoid withdrawal symptoms. Although all forms of alcohol cessation should be done with medical guidance, tapering your alcohol intake may give you the ability to self-wean from drinking at home. The Recovery Village https://goodmenproject.com/everyday-life-2/top-5-tips-to-consider-when-choosing-a-sober-house-for-living/ Ridgefield medical detox center in Vancouver, WA, is a fully staffed rehab facility designed to help you wean off alcohol in comfort. We offer 16 detox beds and around-the-clock medical care provided by a multidisciplinary team of addiction experts. We personalize every aspect of your detox and offer counseling, treatment plans, nutrition services and options for continuing rehab treatment at The Recovery Village Ridgefield.

It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery. At a rehab clinic, an alcohol withdrawal taper can be provided to slowly get you back to normal life. This form of tapering would likely involve medications to eliminate withdrawal symptoms.

• Erin decided to switch careers and went back to school to obtain her Addiction Counseling certification.
• The amount of alcohol it takes to cause withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person.
• But it is a journey worth it for the hundreds of thousands of people who are alive today because of it.
• Weaning off alcohol gives your body chemistry a chance to adjust, reducing the shock to your system.

Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results. Thus, a user will likely seek out alcohol again to rid themselves of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range in severity depending on how extensive the misuse behavior was. The alcohol withdrawal symptom delirium tremens (DT) is estimated to kill up to 5% of those attempting to quit suddenly after chronic usage. This is a staggering number considering that many other drugs do not even have the possibility of lethal withdrawals.