Being aware of your consumption is an essential part of how to taper off alcohol successfully. Tapering off alcohol is generally safer and more effective than quitting cold turkey. The withdrawal symptoms are less severe and dangerous, and the individual is more likely to achieve a lasting sobriety. Because symptoms such as seizures and delirium tremens can be fatal, reducing alcohol consumption can be dangerous for some.

• Knowing how to taper off alcohol is key to preventing dangerous withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, tremors, and extreme anxiety.
• Common signs include anxiety, irritability, sweating, and trouble sleeping.
• If you want to change your relationship with alcohol, it’s important to have an honest conversation with a doctor about your drinking habits before you start tapering off.
• If you forgot to take a dose or refill your prescription and a day or two has gone by, the zaps should stop when you restart your dose.
• There are many resources available to help, including peer support groups, counseling, therapy, and inpatient rehabilitation.

How Do You Safely Taper Off Alcohol?

When you drink heavily over a long period, your brain and body adapt to expect this. The alcohol content in specific beer, wine and liquor products differs. You can use the guidelines to get an idea of how many standard drinks you’re used to. Experts at The HAMS Harm Reduction Network, which comprises doctors, social workers, therapists and other experts, recommend using beer to taper because it’s easier to get drunk from liquor or wine. People who want to reduce their alcohol consumption often do not realize how much of their social and daily routines alcohol has become. Tapering alcohol may be uncomfortable, and there may be subconscious triggers that stimulate the desire to drink alcohol.

Track Your Alcohol Intake

Or maybe you’re just looking to improve your health, wake up hangover-free and give your liver (and your heart and brain) a break. 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. This can equate to as much as a full bottle of beer or less can you taper off alcohol than two tablespoons of whisky.

You should get medical guidance before tapering your drinking if you may have withdrawal

Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once. Tapering or weaning means ramping down your alcohol use until you get to zero—or to a more moderate level of drinking that you prefer. That said, tapering off alcohol doesn’t completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal is dangerous and it’s important to be careful throughout the process. The kindling effect refers to the increasing severity of withdrawal symptoms each time you go through alcohol detox. If you’ve tried to quit multiple times, each subsequent withdrawal can become more severe.

• That’s why we have a comprehensive set of treatment providers and don’t charge for inclusion.
• In the same way that everyone person is unique and their experience with addiction is going to be unique, the most effective method of recovery is also going to vary from person to person.
• Alcohol withdrawal can cause many symptoms, some of which can be fatal.
• A person is free to increase the taper speed (e.g., lower by three drinks instead of two) as they see fit.
• We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology.
• This can sometimes cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and these symptoms can make it hard to stick with your recovery plan.
• If it’s too hard to control how much you drink each day, weaning might not be the right strategy.

This article discusses alcohol withdrawal, its symptoms, and potential complications. It also provides an overview of the alcohol withdrawal timeline process and when to discuss your drinking with your healthcare provider. When you’re reducing alcohol consumption, it’s important to focus on your physical health. Drinking plenty of water and eating balanced, nutritious meals can help your body recover from the effects of alcohol dependency. Proper hydration and nutrition also make it easier to manage withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue.