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However, it should not cause someone to become stuck on a step, which would defeat the purpose of a taper. how to taper off alcohol A person is free to increase the taper speed (e.g., lower by three drinks instead of two) as they see fit.
A final strategy to assist with an alcohol taper is to get a good network of peer support. The best way to taper off alcohol is to find healthcare professionals who can assess one’s current intake. This will be the basis of the protocol to taper off the substance to increase the chances of success. The final step of tapering off alcohol is to define your alcohol-free days. By setting a specific day or time for a ‘beer-free’ day, you create a reminder of your commitment to sobriety. Tapering off alcohol is one of the safest ways to overcome alcoholism.
Withdrawal and Safety When Tapering Off Alcohol
If you only drink two to three drinks per week, you can easily quit cold turkey without experiencing major withdrawal symptoms. However, tapering off may be the way to go if you drink heavily or have more than six drinks per week. This is why it’s always best to find some form of long-term support in sobriety. Support groups, from Alcoholics Anonymous to SMART Recovery, are one free way to find a community of people on the same journey. There are also a number of anti-craving medications to help you avoid drinking again, or even help with your tapering process. Finally, finding a therapist or a recovery coach can help you develop new coping mechanisms and move forward in your life.
- Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey.
- Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection.
- A 750 ml bottle of 80 proof booze contains 17 standard drinks.
- We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
- They also depend on other factors like your weight, age, and gender.
Instead of complete cessation of alcohol, you begin to slowly taper down on your consumption over a period of time. Alexandra oversees all operations with The Freedom Center to ensure clients are given the best chance at success. She works with The Freedom Center team to develop and implement policies, procedures and oversees Intakes and Transportation. Alexandra works with Admissions and Clinical Departments for scheduling client admissions, transfers, discharges and outside appointments while maintaining positive relationships with all clients. Her primary focus is to provide all clients with a safe, structured environment while coordinating their care. Alexandra understands addiction from both familial and personal standpoints, as she is active in her own recovery. Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to.
Substitution Taper
Feelings of loneliness and isolation can make it difficult to overcome addiction. Inpatient treatment may be an expensive option in terms of time and money. Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of mortality in the United States, with approximately 95,000 people dying from alcohol-related causes each year. Diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis are more frequent in individuals who chronically drink. Some symptoms/complications may go unrecognized/untreated without medical observation.
