For example, if you typically drink five beers a night, you might cut down to four, then three, and so on. When you drink heavily and frequently, your brain compensates for the suppressive effects of alcohol by becoming more hyperactive. This balances out the effects of alcohol and makes your brain function more as it should while you have alcohol in your bloodstream. Alcohol also inhibits the glutamate receptor–which is the cause of staggering, slurring, and general interference with muscular coordination. Glutamate receptor rebound also appears to contribute to the withdrawal symptoms described above. The longer and Living in a Sober House: Fundamental Rules harder a person has drunk alcohol–the more severe the withdrawal will be.

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• But deciding to cut back on drinking is much more important than the length of your alcohol taper.
• Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that they can lead to death.
• Through these programs, our caring and dedicated staff can help you on your road to recovery.
• Alcohol tapering is a way to quit drinking while reducing your risk of withdrawal and complications.
• I’ve heard of some people doing 10% a week and having success that way.

A medical detox reduces the potential dangers of alcohol withdrawal by ensuring medical monitoring and assistance are present. It also increases the chances of success by completing the detox quickly instead of dragging it out for weeks like a taper can. If you drink frequently, you can become physically dependent on alcohol, meaning your brain needs alcohol to function normally. If you stop drinking, your body must rapidly adjust to the absence of alcohol, leading to withdrawal symptoms. If you find it difficult to cut down on your number of drinks per day, try making your drinks weaker by using less alcohol per drink.

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Tapering is also a strategy used by people with a substance or alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, improper tapering could lead to relapse, overdose, and severe health consequences. This method is safer than abruptly stopping alcohol consumption, especially when switching from hard liquor to beer. Drinking beer can also help maintain hydration throughout the taper.

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This does not, by any means, mean that you have a 1% chance of a seizure if you taper with alcohol according to the schedule above. The actual percentage could be significantly higher for tapering with alcohol. I couldn’t locate a study on people who tapered at home with alcohol, because it’s kind of hard to assess the topic, and no rehabs are detoxing people with alcohol. You need to make your own schedule and determine what’s best for you.

Tapering Off Alcohol Safely: How to Manage Withdrawal

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. Remember that you are not drinking for pleasure–you are drinking medicine–so only drink what is needed. If your BASELINE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION is less than 20 drinks per day then we recommend reducing consumption by two standard drinks per day.

• Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety.
• Generally, alcohol withdrawal starts within eight hours of the last drink but can occur anytime within the first several days after you stop drinking.
• For those at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms, medically-supervised detox is often the safest choice for beginning their sobriety or moderation journey.
• Still, this approach involves removing drinks on a regular, scheduled basis.
• Some withdrawal is normal, and some symptoms can be potentially life-threatening.
• Alcohol addiction can be difficult and sometimes dangerous to handle on your own.

Alcohol tapering is a medically guided strategy for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, involving the gradual reduction of alcohol intake to minimize physical shock to the body. This approach https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ is crucial, especially for individuals with alcohol dependence, as it aims to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures and delirium tremens. Tapering off alcohol is the gentlest approach to discontinuation.

Seeking Professional Guidance

Many insurance companies will help pay for some or all of your treatment costs. There is no widely accepted schedule, and you can develop one that meets your needs. The key is to adhere to the plan you have developed consistently. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate. Alcohol withdrawal can cause many symptoms, some of which can be fatal. But, perhaps most importantly, understand that setbacks happen and that progress takes time or may look different than imagined.

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. Ria Health offers access to many of these tools, including prescription medications, recovery coaching, and online support groups—all through a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app. We support both moderation and abstinence as goals and, although we cannot provide medical detox remotely, we can help you design an effective tapering schedule to reduce your drinking.

Always have one of your drinks late at night before you go to bed, to prevent this from happening while you’re sleeping. These schedules are largely based on my experience of self tapering, what I’ve read on r/dryalcoholics and HAMS Harm Reduction Guide to Tapering. The idea is to religiously take this like medicine for the next week or two. “Management of moderate and severe alcohol withdrawal syndromes.” September 15, 2023. It is very important that you estimate your BASELINE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION in terms of standard drinks in order for you to be able to set up a taper schedule.