BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/here-is-how-alcohol-affects-your-skin/ of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. If you have depression and take alprazolam, tell your doctor right away about worsening depression or thoughts of suicide.
Consider professional support
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. An alcohol taper is a way to wean yourself off alcohol and avoid withdrawal symptoms. Although all forms of alcohol cessation should be done with medical guidance, tapering your alcohol intake may allow you to self-wean from drinking at home. However, it still poses some serious risks, especially for individuals with long-term and/or severe alcohol problems.
Strategize for Your Goals
For people who experience mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms, there are safe ways to detox at home. People who experience tremors, shakes or confusion when they quit drinking should consider medically supervised detox. You should talk to a doctor about the safest way to detox if you experience any withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. People who have alcohol use disorder that goes undiagnosed may have an especially difficult time cutting back on their alcohol consumption. If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict how to taper off alcohol supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals.
Insurance May Cover The Cost of Alcohol Rehab
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. If you’ve decided to quit drinking, and tapering seems like the right approach, we’ve got you covered.
- It can be easy to underestimate how much you drink, and being as accurate as possible is important.
- If you struggle to stop drinking, avoid places and situations that tempt you to drink alcohol.
- It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol.
- You’ll talk about different topics regarding addiction and recovery and bond over shared feelings and experiences.
- Studies show support groups play an instrumental role in helping people develop healthy social networks that result in continued sobriety.
Prepare a playlist of your favorite songs or movies to pass the time. But, perhaps most importantly, understand that setbacks happen and that progress takes time or may look different than imagined. At Ria, we offer weekly meetings with certified counselors to help members stay on track and build skills for long-term change. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate. Many insurance companies will help pay for some or all of your treatment costs.
- To successfully taper your alcohol use, finding what works best for you is important.
- Weaning off alcohol is considerably safer and more effective than going cold turkey.
- Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually start about six hours after the last drink.
- When you quit drinking or wean off alcohol, your body will adjust to the lack of alcohol in your body.
- While tapering off alcohol can be done independently, it’s highly recommended to seek professional guidance throughout the process.