Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be unpredictable and may escalate quickly, having an on-site medical team that can quickly intervene is the safest way to quit heavy drinking. Some people can just quit drinking alcohol cold turkey without having significant withdrawal symptoms. Other people, however, may suffer significant withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop drinking. It is incredibly important to talk to your healthcare provider about alcohol addiction treatment options. Going through a trusted treatment program for alcohol or substance abuse can help you navigate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal over a slow, steady, and safe period. An alcohol taper is the process of slowly reducing your alcohol intake. When you gradually drink less instead of quit cold turkey, you give your body a chance to get used to smaller amounts of alcohol.

Consulting with a medical professional is highly recommended. Consider sharing https://ecosoberhouse.com/ your process with a friend or family member so they can offer helpful support.

The Pros and Cons of Tapering Off Alcohol

The alcohol withdrawal process can be dangerous and even life-threatening, so you should consult a healthcare professional or addiction treatment specialist before trying to wean yourself off alcohol. People who try tapering off alcohol won’t have the guided support of medical professionals that they would at inpatient treatment. This can make it more challenging to stick to a long-term plan. By receiving professional help, you can tailor the decrease how to taper off alcohol in alcohol consumption to a method that will be safe for you and your circumstances. This will be a better way to tackle an addiction to alcohol, and can reduce the likelihood of suffering from symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Instead, those who suffer from alcohol use disorders should seek professional treatment to help address both addiction as well as underlying mental health issues. Tailored programs can help individuals achieve long-term sobriety.

This can be a very dangerous thing to do if not done by following medical advice. For heavy drinkers, they will need to follow a specific medical detox which is also monitored to ensure this is done safely. For most people, the safest way to quit is to taper off alcohol gradually. Tapering off gives your body time to adjust to living without the effects of alcohol by slowly reducing your intake over a period of days or weeks.

Avoiding the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol abstinence can feel impossible early in the recovery process, and you should not expect yourself to face it alone. The Recovery Village Palm Beach Florida at Baptist Health can help you get started on your recovery with alcohol addiction treatment — safely, comfortably and with your future in mind. Reach out to one of our supportive professionals and begin the healing process. The process of reducing alcohol consumption should begin with your baseline of use, since your taper schedule depends on how much you drink before you start decreasing your intake. To calculate your baseline, you need to know how many standard drinks you drink in a day. Tapering off alcohol is relatively common among people with physical alcohol dependence. In this case, the body slowly adjusts to life without the substance.

• If you have been drinking heavily, reducing your alcohol consumption gradually can help you avoid severe withdrawal symptoms that can result in major health concerns and, in severe cases, death.
• For example, someone who has been drinking three beers a day will generally have an easier and shorter overall time tapering off of alcohol than someone who has been drinking double that amount per day.
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from slight to severe.
• A medical professional must supervise anyone who experiences DTs when lowering alcohol intake.
• When you’re dehydrated, you can experience irritability, fatigue and confusion.