How To Taper Off Alcohol Risks of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey

If you have an alcohol dependency, then you’ve likely been using alcohol for some time. Long-term alcohol abuse is commonly caused by an underlying condition or physical pain in which alcohol was used to self-medicate those issues. Often, people are tempted to turn back to alcohol to ease the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. The severity and duration of these symptoms can vary depending on the individual’s alcohol consumption patterns, genetics, overall health, and other factors. It’s important to note that some individuals may not experience any withdrawal symptoms, while others may experience symptoms at lower blood alcohol concentrations than usual 6.

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In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. At the end of the day, one of the most important tools you have at your disposal is self-compassion. Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and how to wean off alcohol having a drink, remember that no one’s perfect. What matters most is your ability to maintain an open, curious outlook as you learn what does and doesn’t work for you. What’s most important is looking at your drinking habits and finding a way to cut back that works for you.

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When you taper your alcohol, you slowly reduce your alcohol intake over time. By gradually drinking less instead of stopping cold turkey, your body has a chance to adapt to smaller and less frequent drinks. Once you have a clear understanding of your current alcohol consumption, you can start setting achievable goals for reduction.

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If your body becomes physically dependent on alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Studies have shown that 13–71% of people undergoing alcohol detox develop withdrawal symptoms. Factors such as pattern of alcohol use, other medical conditions, genetics and how your body responds to alcohol can play a role in withdrawal symptoms. The amount of time it takes to taper off of alcohol can vary greatly from person to person.

To give you a rough idea, often the recommended schedule may be to decrease total alcohol consumption by 10-20% every 1-3 days. So if you’re usually drinking a 12-pack of beer per night, your provider might suggest that you step that down by one beer per night, every day or every other day. Your body, your risk factors, your drinking history, your medical history—all of these are considerations. So you will want to work with your medical provider to establish a tapering schedule that fits your specific needs. Slowly tapering your alcohol consumption can give your brain and body a chance to gradually adjust to lower alcohol levels. This means that some withdrawal symptoms, like anxiety, irritability, and mood swings, may be less severe.

Becoming more aware of your alcohol triggers and reasons for drinking can help you plan ways to help manage the urge to drink. Maybe you don’t think you depend on alcohol exactly, but you still wonder whether you might be drinking too much. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. 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.

• Moderate to heavy drinkers can also benefit from medical supervision in the acute withdrawal stage.
• Getting curious about a life without alcohol is already an incredible step, and a healthier lifestyle is within reach.
• Quitting cold turkey involves suddenly stopping all alcohol use, while tapering involves slowly decreasing the amount of alcohol a person drinks daily.
• Alcohol proof is the amount of alcohol found in distilled spirits or liquor.
• The intensity of the withdrawal symptoms depends on the severity of the alcoholism.

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Alcohol at Home?

Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or the resources needed to get a professional detox. People who have successfully tapered from alcohol before may be especially likely to benefit from this strategy. Deciding to taper off alcohol is a slower process that requires planning, but it can decrease both the chase of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms and relapse. Expect to feel some discomfort, including anxiety, sweating or irritability.

• Over time, this can help you slow down and make more intentional choices about how much you’re drinking.
• As mentioned above, many people will still experience some level of withdrawal, just to a lesser degree.
• Detox doesn’t treat addiction, which is a disease characterized by compulsive behaviors, such as chronic alcohol use.
• This involves keeping track of your alcohol intake and noting any withdrawal symptoms that may occur.

Tapering off Alcohol vs. Going Cold Turkey

Metaphorically speaking, do you like to dip your toe in first, or cannonball right in? 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.

Detoxing at home usually takes longer because you should be cautious to avoid serious complications. The alcohol content in specific beer, wine and liquor products differs. You can use the guidelines to get an idea of how many standard drinks you’re used to.

For individuals with a history of heavy alcohol use or those experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, medical supervision is essential to ensure safety and provide necessary support. Healthcare professionals can assess the individual’s condition, provide guidance on the weaning-off process, and monitor for any complications that may arise. You may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking alcohol. This can happen whether you’re quitting alcohol cold turkey or tapering. Tapering your alcohol consumption can also help you schedule your entry into a recovery program. This can be a real obstacle when you’re ready to get help to quit drinking (or cut back).