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How to Wean Off Alcohol & Safely Taper Drinking

August 23, 2019 Sober living

However, if you attempt to taper on your own without a doctor’s knowledge, tapering can sometimes be unsafe. 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. When you quit drinking cold turkey, your body suffers from a cascade of changes caused by the sudden shift. Since alcohol depresses central nervous system activity, quitting drinking can cause an imbalance of an excitatory neurotransmitter calledglutamate. This excess glutamate triggers alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases. The best way to safely quit drinking is by following the advice of a doctor or treatment center.

Someone who has gone through alcohol withdrawal several times is more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms than someone going through it for the first time. If that is, in fact, the case, and they are going to experience the symptoms of withdrawal anyway, then it might be more helpful for them to undergo a more streamlined and straightforward detox process.

Tapering Off Alcohol vs. Quitting Cold Turkey

Specifically, excessive drinking can cause an imbalance in the important brain neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid . Because of alcohol, your brain adjusts the amount of GABA it makes. If you suddenly stop drinking, your brain will not have enough GABA and can become hyper-excitable, leading to uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms like increased heart rate and seizure.

If you try tapering off alcohol and find that you are struggling with withdrawal and relapse, it is a good idea to seek the assistance of a professional medical alcohol detox facility. The most recommended form of alcohol to use in tapering is beer due to its lower alcohol content. Consumption how to taper off alcohol should be minimal; just enough to prevent withdrawal symptoms and gradually reducing the 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.

Does an instance of alcohol withdrawal mean that I can never safely drink again?

Set goals4for how many days to drink and how many drinks to have on those days. For example, you could decrease by one drink each day or make the same number of drinks weaker by using half as much alcohol. If you or someone you know needs help detoxing from alcohol, The Recovery Village Ridgefield is here for you. Contact us today to speak with a representative and begin on the road to lasting addiction recovery.

best way to taper off alcohol

Through these programs, our caring and dedicated staff can help you on your road to recovery. Licensed medical professionals and highly qualified addiction specialists at The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper can help guide you toward a life without alcohol. When you quit drinking, you should also seek medical advice about any alcohol withdrawal symptoms you experience. This includes early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as mild tremors and anxiety. The reason for this is that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can quickly snowball and worsen. Mild anxiety, for example, can turn into overwhelming agitation or even hallucinations. When symptoms become that serious, it can be difficult to seek help.

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