But if you still have control over your drinking and want to drink less, you may be able to self-taper. Instead of drinking pure alcohol, drinking mixed drinks can help one slow down over the course of a night. By gradually reducing the proportion of mixers to alcohol, the tapering process can be greatly aided. Switching from shots to wine or from wine to beer is sometimes a useful strategy. These drinks, which have lower alcohol content and take longer to drink, are by definition more difficult to abuse.
Has Your Child Abused Amphetamine Drugs to Boost Their Grades?
Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. Generally, light to moderate drinkers should plan to taper for a week or more. As the year drew to a close, many people asked me whether I would drink again. What I was learning was how to manage difficult situations and emotions without resorting to alcohol. In fact, I had begun to consider it to be the least interesting thing about how to taper off alcohol me.
Finding An Alcohol Rehab
By formalizing your thoughts, you solidify your commitment to change. This can also make it easier to reflect on your progress and celebrate small victories as you navigate your journey. Remember, knowing your “why” can help you stay focused during difficult moments. There is no widely accepted schedule, and you can https://ecosoberhouse.com/ develop one that meets your needs.
Taper Off Alcohol Safely: A Step-by-Step Guide
Lastly, understanding personal triggers and planning how to avoid them can significantly enhance the chances of maintaining sobriety. The long and the short of it is–tapering off alcohol with medical support can help you quit drinking. But could weaning yourself off alcohol help you stay sober for good? In fact, 30 million people have alcohol use disorder1 in the United States alone.
Before you begin an alcohol taper, a little preparation can go a long way, especially when it involves handling your triggers and tracking how much you drink. Remember your motivation for cutting back and set realistic goals. Individuals who’ve consumed higher amounts of alcohol over time can develop life-threatening complications when trying to quit.
Is Addiction Genetic?
Alcohol use disorder is a legitimate and very serious medical condition, and few people what is alcoholism are able to stop drinking entirely on their own. While these actions may not seem like huge changes, they are actually huge steps in the right direction for problem drinkers. Even if the tapering process is not ultimately successful, even a short period of time of reduced alcohol consumption can lessen the likelihood of severe harms.
- Reducing alcohol consumption should begin with determining your baseline of use since your taper schedule depends on how much you drink before you start decreasing your intake.
- These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper.
- Give yourself personal rewards such as taking yourself to a special, non-alcoholic meal, buying yourself a meaningful item, hosting a sober celebration, or planning a day out.
How to Help an Alcoholic
- The main downside of cold turkey is how unpleasant and risky it can be.
- Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems.
- Even if you don’t succeed the first time, there are still plenty of treatment options you can turn to.
- Unfortunately, alcohol tapering has not been extensively studied.
If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Many insurance companies will help pay for some or all of your treatment costs.
Alcohol Tapering Methods
This reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms and chances of fatal complications. Tapering off alcohol can be challenging, and withdrawal symptoms are common. However, various strategies can help you cope with these symptoms and make the journey toward sobriety more manageable. Deciding to quit drinking and following through isn’t just about willpower.