Upscale mental health and addiction program, committed to individual recovery journeys that’s focused on whole-person wellness through 24/7 care, diverse therapies, and community support. Substituting a prescription drug for alcohol should only happen with the help of a medical professional. No one should ever attempt a substitution taper with prescription medication unless their doctor specifically prescribed it for that purpose in a medical detox program. If the drink of choice is liquor, it is difficult to measure amounts and easy to binge drink. If it is a mixed drink, it can contain sugar or other additives that should not be included in the taper and may worsen the effects of withdrawal symptoms.
- It’s always best to speak with a healthcare provider when changing your relationship with alcohol.
- Set up therapy, counseling and support groups, a plan for sober living, and follow-up medical evaluations.
- Embarking on the path to addiction recovery requires determination and a wealth of knowledge and guidance.
- It’s important to seek urgent medical care if you experience any of these symptoms.
FAQ: Weaning Off Alcohol
- They can take you to the hospital or help you get medical support.
- Slowly, to reduce the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms, you will come off the medication with the goal being complete abstinence from alcohol.
- Key steps to alcohol addiction recovery are acknowledging the problem, seeking professional guidance, and building a supportive network.
- This can help your body adjust, and it can be easier to manage than quitting cold turkey.
At a rehab clinic, an alcohol withdrawal taper can be provided to slowly get you back to normal life. This form of tapering would likely involve medications to eliminate withdrawal symptoms. Slowly, to reduce the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms, you will come off the medication with the goal being complete abstinence from alcohol.
Celebrate Milestones on the Path to Sobriety
This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms, as there is not an abrupt or dramatic change. 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. Anyone wanting to stop using alcohol may benefit from tapering if they first consult with their doctor to ensure they are tapering safely. Tapering is a more cost-effective method of stopping alcohol use, especially for those who do not have healthcare insurance or the resources needed to get a professional detox. People who have successfully tapered from alcohol before may be especially likely to benefit from this strategy.
Reasons You Should Go To Rehab
- In fact, 30 million people have alcohol use disorder1 in the United States alone.
- Tapering down also increases the likelihood that the individual will achieve sobriety.
- Getting professional treatment for alcohol addiction can give you the tools to create, and maintain, a healthy and happy lifestyle.
- For this reason, you should not suddenly quit drinking without talking to your doctor.
- Tapering alcohol is beneficial because you can avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. This can sometimes cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and these symptoms can make it hard to stick with your recovery plan. Moreover, substituting one https://ecosoberhouse.com/ kind of beverage for another does not help you taper off alcohol if you consume the same number of standard drinks as you usually have. For example, one 12-ounce can of beer contains roughly the same amount of alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a mixed drink containing 1.5 ounces of alcohol.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
If you’ve decided to quit drinking, and tapering seems like the right approach, we’ve got you covered. Substance abuse Here’s how to wean off alcohol—including useful strategies, how to create a tapering schedule, and how to stay safe throughout the process. You may decide to seek medical treatment for your withdrawal symptoms or make the choice to enter a professional detox or rehab center.
Quitting cold turkey means suddenly stopping all alcohol consumption. This method can lead to withdrawal symptoms, especially if you’ve how to taper off alcohol been a heavy drinker. Making a clean break, however, provides a sense of finality and commitment. This condition most often occurs when someone who has long-term alcohol dependence stops drinking cold turkey.