It is all part of the process, and no one’s process is the same. Delamere describes the different stages that you go through while detoxing from alcohol6. Alcohol withdrawal can cause many symptoms, some of which can be fatal. Do anything and everything you can to distract yourself from drinking. Whether that’s Living in a Sober House: Fundamental Rules watching TV, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, going for a walk, or taking a bath.
Attempting to stop drinking “cold turkey” is not only dangerous, but could also cause serious implications or be fatal. You can also take break days, where you drink the same amount as the previous day to sort of level yourself off. For example, if you notice your tremors are getting pretty bad three days in, drink the same amount you drank on the third day for the following day. Try not to do this for too many days, though, or you may get stuck at that point. I once went from averaging 25 a day to 10 the first day and five the second day. The first night I barely slept because of auditory hallucinations and the second night I had tunnel vision and felt like a stroke victim.
Mental Health
This is especially true of heavy drinkers who are surrounded by the triggers that encourage drinking and lack the support needed to encourage change. If you or someone you know is quitting alcohol and experiences seizures, DTs, hallucinations, or other major effects, seek immediate medical attention or call 911 for help. For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off may be a good option. However, quitting cold turkey or tapering is not advisable for people with an AUD.
Drink Over A Handle A Day?
Everyone is different, so it’s ultimately up to you to decide if you want to taper or not. The rest of this guide addresses pre-planning, withdrawal symptoms, planning, creating a taper schedule, and the next steps after a taper. I’d encourage you to read them all, but at the very least, please read the sections on withdrawal symptoms and the schedule itself. I even had someone tell me personally that my concern over withdrawals was just a way to rationalize my drinking.
It’s important to seek urgent medical care if you experience any of these symptoms. Most people experience the most severe symptoms from about 36–72 hours after stopping drinking. Yes, many individuals successfully quit alcohol altogether after tapering off. However, it’s important to develop a support system and consider ongoing therapy or participation in support groups to maintain sobriety. Yes, you can still socialize while tapering off alcohol. You don’t have to mention anything about your drinking if you don’t want to, but make sure you’re in good shape.
Even if you don’t succeed the first time, there are still plenty of treatment options you can turn to. Typically, quitting cold turkey from a 12-beer-a-day habit is going to be more stressful than tapering off slowly. In addition, home detox may not be effective, appropriate, or safe. 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.
Should i taper off alcohol reddit?
- They can monitor your intake and adjust it accordingly to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
- However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them.
- It is highly recommended to speak with a doctor, therapist, or some form of medical professional before beginning.
- Tapering can help minimize these symptoms, but you might still experience some of them while your body adjusts to the lack of alcohol.
- I started looking in to detox, but my insurance is terrible, and im broke right now.
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.
Identify a Support Network
The exact benefits will depend on how much alcohol you were drinking and on factors such as your genetics, overall health, https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ and how your body responds. But drinking less is always a good choice for your body and health. These can indicate a life threatening condition called delirium tremens.
BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Alcohol proof is the amount of alcohol found in distilled spirits or liquor. The proof is the percent of alcohol multiplied by two.
Self-Care Alternative – Medically Monitored Detox
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. 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.
Seek Advice Before Making a Decision About Alcohol Reduction Strategies
SO I started tapering with my 3 bottles of 100ML jack. I got a measuring glass and have been reducing .5 ounces per night. But im reaching the point where im starting to get concerned that the lower I go the more dangerous it could get… An alcohol taper can be effective in beginning recovery and help set a realistic goal for those not ready to quit alcohol completely, but they’re not for everyone.
A printable worksheet with tapering information and a blank schedule you can work out. Remember to stay hydrated and drink lots of water or juice. If you decide to taper with benzos, don’t mix them with alcohol. Mixing alcohol with benzos is very dangerous and will land you in the hospital really fast. Suffering from minor withdraw for while, then things got really bad and I had to go to detox.
As your body detoxifies and heals, you may experience increased energy levels and overall well-being. Contact emergency health services if you or someone you know experiences more than one symptom of severe alcohol withdrawal. Some find tapering is not a suitable option to stop drinking due to various factors such as social responsibilities or peer pressure. For many people, tapering alone is insufficient to help heal their addiction. In this case, it’s better to seek addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment may be an expensive option in terms of time and money.
