How to Taper off Alcohol Safely and Effectively

Whatever your reason to quit drinking, know that you’re doing yourself a favor. Alcohol impacts our sleep, relationships, weight, risk for serious chronic conditions and more. However, it should not cause someone to become stuck on a step, which would defeat the purpose of a taper. A person is free to increase the taper speed (e.g., lower by three drinks instead of two) as they see fit. The second situation involves counting the daily drinks and switching them to a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer.

FAQ: Weaning Off Alcohol

If you go through alcohol withdrawal multiple times, a kindling effect can occur. With kindling, the brain becomes increasingly sensitized to stopping alcohol. In turn, you can suffer from increasingly severe withdrawal symptoms every time you try to stop drinking.

Scan the QR code to get started!

You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance. She believes that engaging people and sharing stories with them allows us to spread knowledge, and to help others in the path to recovery. She holds an MA in Communication Studies from New Mexico State University. Recover from addiction at home with medication, community, and support—from the nonjudmental experts who really care.

How To Make an Alcohol Tapering Schedule

People who experience severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs may require hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) treatment during alcohol. Alcohol detox medications can make the process safer and more comfortable. They can also ensure your alcohol detox is successful by making it nigh impossible to relapse if symptoms get difficult. Additionally, the post-detox treatment resources available at a professional treatment center can ease the transition to sober living and give you the tools you need to stay sober long-term.

• The amount of alcohol it takes to cause withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person.
• A therapist will work with you to create a personalized plan for cutting back and provide ongoing guidance and accountability.
• 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.
• If your health, wellness, and even life may be at risk, quitting alcohol should only be attempted with the help of a medical professional.

Identify specific situations, emotions, environments, and people that motivate your drinking. Examples of triggers could include stress, social gatherings with alcohol, certain friends, and bars. There is also the matter of the specific type of alcohol can you taper off alcohol in question.

If you taper off alcohol slowly or with medical supervision, the brain has time to adapt without causing severe side effects. If you drink heavily on a regular basis, it can be dangerous to stop alcohol cold turkey. For this reason, you should not suddenly quit drinking without talking to your doctor. The consequences of quitting alcohol cold turkey can be serious and lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be fatal in severe cases.

Tapering Off Alcohol

• Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be unpredictable and may escalate quickly, having an on-site medical team that can quickly intervene is the safest way to quit heavy drinking.
• Remember, the goal of this plan is to provide a structured approach that can be adjusted based on individual needs.
• In many cases, medical professionals will be able to provide you with advice as to which treatment options will work best for you and may be able to refer you to a treatment program if needed.

If you experience dangerous signs such as high blood pressure, racing heart, or arrhythmias, slow your taper and seek assistance. The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Always consult a medical professional before starting any tapering schedule.

• Orlando Recovery Center says that when you taper your alcohol intake over time, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms7.
• Deciding to reduce or eliminate your alcohol consumption is a big step and will open up a whole new world of improved health and well-being.
• Tapering off alcohol gives the body time to adapt to the lack of alcohol.
• Individuals should be prepared to be uncomfortable during this period and have medical help available if needed.

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. This may work for many people, but in practice each individual will respond best to a different pace, and each doctor will have their own recommendations. The risk of tapering too slowly is that you won’t stick with it, while the risk of tapering too fast is severe withdrawal.