Alcohol Tapering Avoiding the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

by Kurt Johnson

Research has shown that professional help improves your ability to overcome an addiction to alcohol or cut back if you have found it difficult. The most common research technique among those surveyed is an internet search (61%), followed by asking a doctor or medical professional (55%). If you’re relying on internet searches to find potential treatment centers, make sure to ask these ten questions to find a licensed facility that can meet your needs.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

beer taper

Some individuals experience a neurological condition known as the “kindling effect” as a result of repeated alcohol withdrawal. Individuals who have experienced the kindling effect may have more severe symptoms, including seizures, even when they use small amounts of alcohol. A substitution taper can involve substituting a prescription drug for alcohol. It can also involve substituting the drink of choice with another drink; for example, a person may taper off hard alcohol with beer. A substitution taper refers to switching strong liquor for an alternative that contains less alcohol, like beer. Once you’ve changed to a less alcoholic option, you can gradually reduce your drink amount.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be both physical and psychological and often include:

Slowly tapering your alcohol use can help Sober House Rules: A Comprehensive Overview you manage mild withdrawal symptoms and decrease the risk of AUD. However, you may experience withdrawal symptoms or relapse if you’re not tapering correctly and safely. The time it takes to taper off alcohol varies based on how much a person drinks. 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. If you are tapering from smaller quantities and feel no withdrawal symptoms until afternoon or evening then you can wait until then to consume your taper beers.

beer taper

Tapering or Weaning Off Alcohol

People attempting to quit may turn to drinking again to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Some find tapering is not a suitable option to stop drinking due to various factors such as social responsibilities or peer pressure. For many people, tapering alone is insufficient to help heal their addiction. For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off may be a good option.

  • These strategies work in different ways to help you quit drinking, and one may be more appropriate for you based on your needs.
  • Alcohol withdrawal can cause something called kindling to occur in your brain.
  • If you go through a medical detox the people they may rehydrate you with an IV and may also give you vitamin shots.
  • If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, contact us to learn more and get started with alcohol addiction treatment.
  • A substitution taper refers to switching strong liquor for an alternative that contains less alcohol, like beer.

Unlike inpatient treatment, tapering allows people to maintain their lifestyles while improving their drinking habits. Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of mortality in the United States, with approximately 95,000 people dying from alcohol-related causes each year. By gradually tapering off alcohol, you can lower your risk for alcohol-related accidents or death. Some people may also find it easier to just taper off their alcohol use rather than jumping immediately into an abstinence day even if they do not have significant withdrawal symptoms.

In turn, you can suffer from increasingly severe withdrawal symptoms every time you try to stop drinking. 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. But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done. Anyone wanting to stop using alcohol may benefit from tapering if they first consult with their doctor to ensure they are tapering safely.

Follow a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, and take a multi-vitamin. However, when you quit drinking abruptly, your body’s chemical balance will be thrown off suddenly, leading to uncomfortable side effects. You will have an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory chemicals in your nervous system.

Follow a Tapering Schedule

People who try tapering off alcohol won’t have the guided support of medical professionals that they would at inpatient treatment. In contrast, in-patient care can be more beneficial and less expensive in the long-term. The kindling effect is an aspect of alcohol withdrawal that makes repeated attempts at withdrawal less safe. If you go through alcohol withdrawal multiple times, a kindling effect can occur. With kindling, the brain becomes increasingly sensitized to stopping alcohol.

  • Getting professional help can mitigate harmful withdrawal symptoms and ensure success.
  • Likewise if your average consumption is 6 standard drinks per day you can set a taper schedule of 4, 2, 0.
  • Gradually decreasing alcohol intake through supervised tapering can make quitting safer and ease withdrawal severity.
  • Instantly check if your insurance covers treatment at The Recovery Village.
  • This leads to raised blood pressure, raised pulse rate, rapid breathing, fever, hallucinations, seizures and D.T.s.

When an individual has developed a substance use disorder or dependence on alcohol, stopping its use outright can seem virtually impossible. On top of this, quitting immediately — or “cold turkey” as many users and professionals call it — can be dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms are generally uncomfortable to deal with, but they can be fatal.

When you quit drinking or wean off alcohol, your body will adjust to the lack of alcohol in your body. Alcohol withdrawal is potentially fatal, especially for people with an alcohol addiction. It’s always best to speak with a healthcare provider when changing your relationship with alcohol. Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking. Tapering is also a strategy used by people with a substance or alcohol use disorder (AUD).

People who have alcohol use disorder that goes undiagnosed may have an especially difficult time cutting back on their alcohol consumption. In many cases, people with a moderate to severe alcohol use disorder may be advised to undergo medical detox, where they slowly rid the body of alcohol under medical supervision rather than a taper. If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals. 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.

If you choose to drink water make sure that you get enough salt for electrolyte balance so that you avoid water intoxication. Reducing the amount of the chosen substance consumed daily is known as a direct taper, but it may not be effective for everyone. It is only advisable to direct taper if the preferred drink is beer with a low alcohol percentage. Tapering off alcohol is a method of reducing your alcohol intake gradually. This process can help your body break its dependency on alcohol with minimal side effects.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline

  • If you are doing a self detox be sure to drink lots and lots of fluids and to take vitamin pills.
  • It is also very important when tapering off to fight dehydration and to replenish lost vitamins.
  • Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking.
  • When you are physically dependent on a substance like alcohol, your body adapts accordingly.
  • We personalize every aspect of your detox and offer counseling, treatment plans, nutrition services and options for continuing rehab treatment at The Recovery Village Ridgefield Drug and Alcohol Rehab.

There are two ways to taper off alcohol⁠—a direct or substitution taper. The success of these strategies will depend on how much you drink and what you drink. If you have a severe level of addiction or dependency, you may need a detox program. You can taper off alcohol if you worry that you are developing alcohol addiction.

If you or someone you know needs help detoxing from alcohol, The Recovery Village Ridgefield Drug and Alcohol Rehab is here for you. Contact us today to speak with a representative and begin on the road to lasting addiction recovery. Each of these challenges requires a unique approach and often the support of professionals, loved ones and support groups. Understanding and preparing for these difficulties can greatly enhance the chances of successful recovery. While the safest way to taper is with professional help in a detox facility, this may not be an option for everyone. A person may need to detox at home for many reasons, including cost or time.

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