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Along with increased direct risks to one’s health, tapering also results in a much higher relapse rate. Here we will examine the unique risks and methods that people have used to taper off alcohol. If you’re having trouble quitting alcohol, many resources are available to help. You can talk to your doctor about medications that may help ease the process.

Alexandra oversees all operations with The Freedom Center to ensure clients are given the best chance at success. She works with The Freedom Center team to develop and implement policies, procedures and oversees Intakes and Transportation.

More Tips from Ethos Recovery

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range in severity depending on how extensive the misuse behavior was. The alcohol withdrawal symptom delirium tremens is estimated to kill up to 5% of those attempting to quit suddenly after chronic usage.

• Maintain a healthy diet with lots of B vitamins (especially thiamine/B1), as alcohol makes it hard for the body to absorb vitamins.
• When an individual has developed a substance use disorder or dependence on alcohol, stopping its use outright can seem virtually impossible.
• As a Certified Professional Recovery Coach, I often speak with people who want to wean off alcohol.
• It is important not to rush the process of detox, as this is a period of recovery for your body and brain after a long period of alcohol dependence.
• Due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms like seizures, many people benefit from a stable environment provided by medical detox centers.

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. Anyone wanting to stop using alcohol may benefit from tapering if they first consult with their doctor to ensure they are tapering safely. 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.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use. Overall, do whatever you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible. If you’re sweating, place a cold towel on your forehead or on the back of your neck. Prepare a playlist of your favorite songs or movies to pass the time.

It all begins by reducing the number of drinks in a sitting, a day, a week or whichever time frame works best. Tapering off alcohol is often a one-drink-at-a-time progression.

Articles Related to Alcoholism

It can take different people varying amounts of time to taper off alcohol. How long it takes depends on factors like how much you typically drink. A person who drinks more alcohol will probably have a longer taper than a person who drinks less alcohol. Always remember that if the taper is not working for you or if you are having major withdrawal that it is how to taper off alcohol safest to check into a medical detox because alcohol withdrawal can kill you. Even mild or moderate withdrawal can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure or bad hearts. Because withdrawal raises blood pressure there can be a danger of heart attack or stroke.The longer and harder a person has drunk alcohol–the more severe the withdrawal will be.

The amount of time it takes to taper off of alcohol can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may be able to taper quickly and quit alcohol completely, while others may take a longer time. But making the difficult decision to cut back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper. A medical professional can help you determine if a fast or https://ecosoberhouse.com/ slow taper, or quitting altogether, is appropriate based on a thorough medical assessment and evaluation of your withdrawal risk. If you suddenly quit drinking, your body can struggle to catch up. Because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, quitting drinking can cause your body to have too much of an excitatory substance called glutamate as it tries to rebalance.