Also, don’t get caught off guard thinking that since one craving has stopped, another one won’t come quickly. Often, cravings can come quickly and in succession of each other. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate.
You Have a High Risk of Addiction or Complications From Drinking
Alcohol addiction poses significant risks, and the optimal approach to mitigate these dangers involves abstaining from alcohol altogether. Gradually reducing your alcohol consumption, a process known as tapering, can help prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. Tapering off alcohol at home versus under medical supervision can also lengthen the process, for the sake of safety. Unlike a home environment, medical detox services have the professional support and resources necessary to treat severe withdrawal symptoms. This medical supervision allows for some patients to quit drinking cold-turkey without compromising safety.
Begin your journey to recovery.
- A doctor can supervise your tapering progress, helping you manage your cravings and prevent relapse.
- If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals.
- Emotionally, you may feel some anxiety or sadness about ending a chapter of your life and nervousness about the future.
- Learn which signs to look out for, and how to care for your well-being.
For this reason, experts advise that alcohol cessation be monitored safely with steady effort between oneself and a physician. 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. This is why it’s always best to find some form of long-term support in sobriety. Support groups, from Alcoholics Anonymous how to taper off beer to SMART Recovery, are one free way to find a community of people on the same journey. There are also a number of anti-craving medications to help you avoid drinking again, or even help with your tapering process.
Can You Taper Off Alcohol Safely At Home?
Behind this moment is a series of conscious decisions and a commitment to understanding and mitigating the effects of alcohol on the brain and body. Let’s dive into the why and the how of reducing or quitting alcohol and the science behind it. Seizures can also occur within the first 24 to 48 hours, although these are less likely to occur in people with less severe alcohol dependency. Withdrawal seizures can be a sign of delirium tremens, which can occur as soon as 48 hours after a person’s last drink. Tapering off alcohol is not the most beneficial option for everyone.
Find an accountability partner or someone you can call to keep you on track when you want to drink. Build a network of people you can go to when you need help, join a support group or see a therapist. To create an effective taper, you must know how much you drink daily on average. It can be easy to underestimate how much you drink, and being as accurate as possible is important. “The role of GABAA receptors in mediating the effects of alcohol in the central nervous system.” Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, July 28, 2003. When you consider how to go about giving up alcohol, account for factors like how much you drink and your reasons for drinking.
If you’ve decided to quit drinking, and tapering seems like the right approach, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to wean off alcohol—including useful strategies, how to create a tapering schedule, and how to stay safe throughout the process. Weaning off alcohol can benefit people who drink moderately or have support systems. If you have a severe alcohol addiction, it might be best to seek professional addiction treatment. Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body.