However, learning more about how an alcohol taper works can help you prepare to quit. When alcohol is suddenly taken away from an addict, seizures and delirium tremens (DTs) can occur. Moreover, therapy can assist individuals in creating a plan to prevent relapse and avoid a return to alcohol use in the future. Therapy also provides a supportive and safe environment where individuals can tell their experiences and receive guidance from a trained professional, thus maintaining motivation and accountability. Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs. Delirium tremens (DTs) can begin 48 hours after your last drink and last up to five days.

Tapering alcohol is beneficial because you can avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This is because when you drink heavily for months or years, your body can start to depend on alcohol to function normally. When you are physically dependent on a substance like alcohol, your body adapts accordingly. You should also consider https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-taper-off-alcohol/ an alcohol withdrawal taper if you’ve ever gone through withdrawal from alcohol, or any other depressant, in the past. Alcohol withdrawal can cause something called kindling to occur in your brain. Kindling refers to lasting physical changes in the brain that cause each subsequent withdrawal period to be worse.

Alcohol Recovery On Your Own Vs Professional Help

When talking about tapering or gradually reducing alcohol use, it is important to have awareness of possible withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawing from alcohol happens when we reduce or stop alcohol use that has been occurring often for a long period of time. If you can taper off alcohol slowly, you are likely to have mild withdrawal symptoms if any. Someone with AUD who cannot taper off alcohol will need to enroll in a detox program to complete withdrawal safely. Even when alcohol manages to gain a grip over every single part of your life, it can still be hard to embrace the idea of going sober.

• We offer a full continuum of care and are an in-network provider for a range of insurance companies, including Aetna, Cigna and America’s Choice.
• However, learning more about how an alcohol taper works can help you prepare to quit.
• Quitting alcohol cold turkey is not recommended and can be dangerous.
• If you go through a medical detox the people they may rehydrate you with an IV and may also give you vitamin shots.
• He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government.

During alcohol detox, doctors closely monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs. They may also prescribe medications, such as benzodiazepines, to help manage your symptoms. There is also an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that includes group therapy, individual counseling, and education about the disease of addiction. This only escalates the alterations in the brain’s pathways that are then wired to need the substance. The result is physical dependence and/or psychological addiction to alcohol. Ongoing heavy drinking basically trains the brain, through its reward system, to want and need alcohol.

Strategies For Weaning Off Alcohol

Quitting alcohol can be done safely, and it may be important for someone with a substance use problem. Chronic alcohol abuse can cause serious health problems, including heart and liver disease. An alcohol use disorder can also have an impact on your social, psychological, and financial health.

This method is safer and less stressful for your body than quitting abruptly, which can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. If you’re struggling with severe alcohol addiction, a medical detox program is your likely best option for tapering off alcohol safely. But if you still have control over your drinking and want to drink less, you may be able to self-taper. For those who are determined to stop drinking, it may be tempting to go “cold turkey”. However, quitting alcohol cold turkey isn’t recommended for moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers. You will be at serious risk of withdrawal symptoms, which can even prove deadly for some who suffer from alcohol addiction.

Why Does Alcohol Withdrawal Happen?

The amount of time it takes to taper off of alcohol can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may be able to taper quickly and quit alcohol completely, while others may take a longer time. But making the difficult decision to cut back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper. A medical professional can help you determine if a fast or slow taper, or quitting altogether, is appropriate based on a thorough medical assessment and evaluation of your withdrawal risk. Creating a tapering schedule you can stick with is a crucial part of weaning yourself off alcohol.