An evidence-based rehab offering holistic and experiential therapies, tailoring treatment to each client on a comfortable campus near Austin. Weaning off of alcohol can look different for everyone. To successfully taper your alcohol use, finding what works best for you is important.
What is Tapering?
It is important to note that alcohol tapers are generally not recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. Most healthcare professionals recommend a medically-assisted detox as the best way to get off alcohol. On the second day drink one beer every hour and a half for a total of ten beers. Then continue to taper down by reducing the amounts by two beers per day until you are down to zero. Gradually reducing alcohol intake can lead to various physical health benefits.
Can You Taper Off Alcohol Safely At Home?
If you do it too fast, you increase your chance of severe withdrawal. You may need to do a slower taper than someone else who was drinking the same amount as you. Remember, you can always slow your taper, drink more alcohol, or seek medical help if needed. Make sure they’re aware of the severe withdrawal symptoms that can occur and tell them what to do if you experience them (get a drink and possibly call 911). If you have a seizure, the best thing they can do is stay with you, move any hazardous objects out of the way, prevent you from falling on anything hard, and call 911.
How do I know if I should taper off alcohol?
As you prepare to wean off alcohol, consider taking the following steps ahead of time to have a clear path to success. Did you know most insurance companies will cover the cost of drug and alcohol detox? I’m not in the range where I’m going to have seizures yet, I’ve only been drinking very heavily for a week or so. The problem at this stage with me is that I am an alcoholic, have been through the DTs before, and my rebound anxiety is fucking horrifying.
How to Gradually Stop Drinking
The amount of time it takes to taper off of alcohol can vary greatly from person to person. Some people can taper quickly and quit alcohol completely, while others may take longer. But deciding to cut https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper. You should always seek medical advice before attempting any kind of alcohol withdrawal. People with moderate to severe alcohol addiction may find an alcohol taper difficult to accomplish. If you have trouble controlling how much you drink or experience significant alcohol cravings, you may need professional help instead of trying to taper your alcohol use at home.
This phenomenon is often described as “alcohol dependence.” The most common more mild withdrawal symptoms include headaches, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. You don’t have to mention anything about your drinking if you don’t want to, but make sure you’re in good shape. Remember, doctors are (usually) intelligent people who spent over a decade studying medicine to help people. Everything you say is confidential and you’re paying them to HELP you. They won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to. If you don’t really like hard seltzer, like me, drink hard seltzer.
Don’t Quit Weed or Cigs (yet)
While this process isn’t enjoyable, there are so many benefits in the new sober life that you’re creating for yourself. You’ll look and feel healthier, have more energy, and save money. Alcohol withdrawal usually lasts for a few days, but some effects may linger for months.
Getting Ready
If you properly taper your alcohol use, you’re less likely to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink can help give your body the time it needs to adjust to the lack of alcohol. Remember, every journey toward sobriety is unique, so it’s essential to find the approach that works best for you. Choosing to taper off alcohol is an admirable decision and a step in the right direction. As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder.
A standard drink is a term used because different alcoholic beverages have different concentrations of alcohol, giving you varying amounts of alcohol depending on the fluid you drink. A standard drink is the equivalent of 0.6 oz of pure alcohol. This can equate to as much as a full bottle of beer or less than two tablespoons of whisky. It is important to measure your alcohol use in standard drinks while tapering to allow for an accurate comparison of how much you use from day to day. The second situation involves counting the daily drinks and switching them to a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer. Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink.
- Build a network of people you can go to when you need help, join a support group or see a therapist.
- Only people who are tapering down from very large quantities of alcohol such as a liter of vodka per day will need to start drinking in the morning in order to taper.
- Attempting to stop drinking “cold turkey” is not only dangerous, but could also cause serious implications or be fatal.
- Have started working out again which makes me feel good.
- The proof is the percent of alcohol multiplied by two.
Once your taper is complete, discard or immediately give away any remaining alcohol in your house and try to avoid high-risk environments such as bars, liquor stores, casinos, etc. The hardest thing will probably be to stop yourself from starting again. I’ll be honest, your chances of staying sober on your own are slim to none.
Tapering is the practice of reducing the consumption of alcohol over a period of time until the amount of alcohol in the system has dropped to zero. The goal of an alcohol taper is to minimize the withdrawal symptoms while still undergoing detox. In essence, tapering is a detoxification process sober house that is not being administered or observed by a doctor or medical staff.