If you’re worried about your drinking habits, and they might be affecting your health or destroying relationships with loved ones, consider seeking an alcohol treatment program. Nonetheless, quitting cold turkey might be the only way for people who don’t have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). In this case, having a strong support system, attending AA meetings, and talking with an addiction counselor are key to a successful detox 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.

To aid in this process, a person should seek professional guidance and treatment from a reputable alcohol rehab. Addiction specialists can help people in recovery understand their best options for getting sober safely. This is especially important when dealing with alcohol withdrawal, which can lead to fatal consequences if individuals try to go cold turkey on their own.

Tapering will normally create less severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms but will spread them out over a prolonged period. Essentially, tapering provides less intense withdrawal symptoms but over a longer amount of time. Tapering involves gradually and progressively reducing your alcohol consumption over time.

I have been on both sides of the fence, active addiction and recovery, and continue to choose recovery every day. Cutting down slowly comes with a lot of risk that you will keep drinking large amounts once you start. To avoid this, a plan for how many units you want to cut every day can be helpful. You can test how little alcohol you can drink before you start getting withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that leads to an increase in brain neurotransmitters that slow down your brain’s functions, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). When you drink heavily over a long period, your brain and body adapt to expect this. It’s a good idea to talk with a medical professional before you begin a taper. They can help you decide if it’s the safest way to start your recovery, and they can help you make a taper plan. When you quit through tapering, you drink a little less each day until you’re able to have no alcohol at all.

What to Know About Tapering Off Alcohol

Shannon has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in Political Science. Prior to entering the substance abuse and mental health field, Shannon was a Corporate Executive for 18 years. Although weaning yourself off alcohol is not the ideal way to stop drinking, sometimes there is no other option. If you cannot get a medical detox or attend a rehab centre and your GP won’t offer a prescription, you may need to wean yourself slowly to avoid symptoms. There are some ways you can improve your chances of weaning yourself off alcohol.

• Although it is possible to taper your alcohol use alone, professionals highly advise that you seek medical attention.
• Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking.
• Jeff’s work has been used in rehabs across the country as tools to help patients achieve sobriety.
• John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.
• The best schedule varies based on how much you drink each day and your overall health.

Take Days Off Drinking

This is where something reminds you of why you drank so much and causes you to relapse. You could try managing your symptoms at home if you normally drink and stay out late at night with a group. This depends on the cause of the craving, but in general, the answer is no. You might feel temporary relief from giving in, but alcohol reduces your inhibitions and self-control. Cold turkey works if you have no other option, such as serious and immediate health or personal issues.

Unsupervised Medical Care

As an integral part of The Freedom Center, Melissa’s multifaceted experience shines through her past work in various capacities. Her presence on this team highlights her dedication to crisis intervention and her ability to provide critical support during vulnerable times. Prior to her role in crisis intervention, Melissa worked extensively in the substance abuse and dual diagnoses treatment field. Above all, Melissa’s authenticity shines through her self-disclosure as someone in long-term recovery herself. This profound personal connection fuels her passion for working in the field and enables her to bring a unique blend of empathy and expertise to her role.

As a result, quitting alcohol might become more dangerous than necessary. The kindling effect happens when someone goes through alcohol withdrawal several times. This is important to understand when you’re trying to quit drinking. If you try to stop and don’t succeed, it might be even harder the next time you try. Keep in mind that there is no medically recommended tapering schedule. But if you do plan on tapering, it is wise to discuss your tapering schedule with a doctor before attempting it.

“Replacing time or events spent drinking with other enjoyable activities is helpful. Exercise, family time, or cooking may provide distraction and promote your wellness,” Dr Lee said. Many people employ medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use to help curb the euphoric effects of alcohol. Implementing coping strategies to handle triggers and stressors is vital for maintaining sobriety. Quitting alcohol is just the first step on the journey to long-term recovery.

Causes and Risk Factors for Alcoholism

These two forms of dependence often coexist, making quitting alcohol a complex process. While just stopping once and never having a problem again sounds appealing, this is rarely a reality for those who quit drinking cold turkey. Quitting alcohol is a worthy goal, but it’s important to be educated about the challenges you may face while navigating your recovery from an alcohol habit, or even addiction.

• Diluting alcohol with other beverages is another option people may use.
• The amount of alcohol it takes to cause withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person.
• If you are wondering about the important difference between tapering and cold turkey, it is that cold turkey risks dangerous withdrawal symptoms and relapsing to drinking again.
• His career began working in the accounting industry as a financial auditor.
• Quitting alcohol «cold turkey» refers to abruptly stopping alcohol consumption without gradually reducing the amount or seeking professional help.

Her primary focus is to provide all clients with a safe, structured environment while coordinating their care. Alexandra understands addiction from both familial and personal standpoints, as she is active in her own recovery. Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. Her innovative approach as Director of Operations gives her clients a safe and compassionate place at The Freedom Center to begin their recovery journey.

Still, this approach involves removing drinks on a regular, scheduled basis. This method requires discipline and monitoring, as misjudging the amount consumed is easy. On the other hand, quitting cold turkey involves stopping alcohol all at once. The individual must push through the resulting withdrawal symptoms.

Why Alcohol Withdrawal Occurs

Substitution involves replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic ones. This can help address the habitual aspect of drinking, like having a beverage in hand at social events without the alcohol content. Over time, you can decrease the alcoholic drinks while increasing the non-alcoholic ones while still following the same behaviors you were used to. Quitting alcohol can be extremely hard, especially without medical support. Further, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression are extremely common in those who struggle with drinking, and these disorders can make it even harder to stay sober. There are multiple health benefits you can experience when you start drinking less alcohol.

For people who drink heavily and frequently, it’s wise to consult with a medical professional before tapering. “Some will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop abruptly, Sober House Rules: A Comprehensive Overview which is an indicator for medically managed alcohol withdrawal treatments from a health professional. The medical supervision and support provided during detoxification can help ensure a safer and more comfortable transition to sobriety.