How to Wean Off Alcohol & Safely Taper Drinking

Depending on how much you drink, tapering off alcohol can take one to several weeks. It’s best to reduce your drinking by a small amount each day to avoid the shock to your system. So, if you normally have 6 beers a day, you could be done tapering within one week. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ It’s always best to consult a physician on the best strategy, especially if you drink heavily. The main difference between tapering and cold turkey is how fast you quit. Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once.

should you taper off alcohol

The process of reducing alcohol consumption should begin with your baseline of use, since your taper schedule depends on how much you drink before you start decreasing your intake. To calculate your baseline, you need to know how many standard drinks you drink in a day. Generally, alcohol withdrawal starts within eight hours of the last drink, but can occur anytime within the first several days after you stop drinking. In most cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak after 24–72 hours but may continue for weeks. For those who try to follow their own alcohol tapering schedule at home, they are more likely to increase the level of their drinking to their original levels. This can become dangerous, as your tolerance to alcohol will reduce over time as you taper off the alcoholic beverages.

Saved Costs and Time

For example, if you start to suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms despite an attempt to taper, your symptoms may worsen before you have the chance to seek medical attention. For this reason, even at-home tapers should be done under a doctor’s care. Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety.

Mutual support groups like AA can provide a strong support network for those in addiction treatment for alcohol misuse. People with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms may benefit from outpatient rehabilitation and safe tapering. Unlike inpatient treatment, tapering allows people to maintain their lifestyles while improving their drinking habits. While quitting suddenly (cold turkey) is self-explanatory, tapering may raise some questions. Going cold turkey can lead to acute alcohol withdrawal for those who have a history of long-term and/or heavy alcohol use. However, achieving sobriety is a process that can take quite some time.

Consider Medically Assisted Detox

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should you taper off alcohol

The most recommended form of alcohol to use in tapering is beer due to its lower alcohol content. Consumption should be minimal; just enough to prevent withdrawal symptoms and gradually reducing the taper off alcohol amount until you are no longer using alcohol. You should be able to taper off alcohol with a few days, 3 to 5 at the most. While you are tapering off alcohol, it is important that you stay hydrated.