How To Taper Off Alcohol Risks of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey

The types of how to taper off alcohol administered will depend on each individual and what they are going through. Once the withdrawal process has been completed, the individual can begin therapy and education to help move towards recovery. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the addiction, and seeking help is never a bad idea.

For example, those who drink more heavily may need more time to taper than those who drink less alcohol. Further, if you start to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the taper, your doctor may instruct you to pause or slow the taper as a result. These factors can make one person’s taper last longer than another person’s taper. You don’t have to let the fear of alcohol withdrawal stop you from cutting back or quitting. You may decide to seek medical treatment for your withdrawal symptoms or decide to enter a professional detox or rehab center. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms while tapering off alcohol, adjust your plan.

Setting Up A Taper Schedule

Tracking detailed information in your https://ecosoberhouse.com/ diary may help you to identify patterns and triggering events that lead to drinking. The limits of the recommended guidelines may be too high for people who have certain medical conditions or for some older adults. Stay hydrated with sports drinks like Gatorade to replenish your electrolytes. As you navigate this question, it can be helpful to think about how you typically prefer to approach change. Metaphorically speaking, do you like to dip your toe in first, or cannonball right in?

quitting drinking

One must always remember the importance of his or her environment. Users should avoid places where recreational or binge drinking is likely to occur, such as clubs, sporting events, parties and more. This comes down to personal discretion — nobody knows the people and places that create potentially negative consequences like the individual in question. This, of course, is easier said than done if drinking has become the crux of one’s social or romantic relationships.

Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms and Timeline

So, if you normally have 6 beers a day, you could be done tapering within one week. It’s always best to consult a physician on the best strategy, especially if you drink heavily. Some people are facing problems with their health or personal lives which require them to quit immediately.