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This is because when you drink heavily for months or years, your body can start to depend on alcohol to function normally. When you are physically dependent on a substance like alcohol, your body adapts accordingly. Depending on how much alcohol you drink to start with, the amount of time an alcohol weaning schedule takes may vary. For example, those who drink more heavily may need more time to taper than those who drink less alcohol.
In medical detox, you receive around-the-clock care from doctors and nurses to help prevent and treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and their complications. This can set you up for a safe and effective detox and put you in a good position to continue your recovery in rehab. Whether you’re a daily imbiber, heavy drinker, or frequent binge drinker, you’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit. Unfortunately, there’s little to no evidence that tapering off reduces the effects of alcohol withdrawal, some of which can be severe or even life-threatening. Quitting with proper medical supervision may be more important than whether you stop gradually or all at once. If you’re struggling with severe alcohol addiction, a medical detox program is your likely best option for tapering off alcohol safely.
While this is a valiant effort and it can work for some people, an abrupt cessation of alcohol can be dangerous for those who have a long history of alcohol abuse and addiction. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. The effects of alcohol can vary depending on weight, gender, age and other factors. Top 5 Tips to Consider When Choosing a Sober House for Living Each person’s alcohol metabolism is different, and even though a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .085 is considered legal intoxication, a BAC lower than .08 may adversely affect some people. Based on your medical history, your doctor can advise you about the safety of the taper. Our Recovery Advocates are ready to answer your questions about addiction treatment and help you start your recovery.
Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field. She graduated from The University of Maryland with a master’s degree in social work. As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder. Drug and alcohol addiction is a serious health condition that can destroy lives. The good news is that recovery from addiction is possible for those who seek help. Each method has pros and cons, but regardless of which one you choose, you must have the knowledge and resources to make a quit attempt successful.
Likewise if your average consumption is 6 standard drinks per day you can set a taper schedule of 4, 2, 0. 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.
For those who are determined to stop drinking, it may be tempting to go “cold turkey”. However, quitting alcohol cold turkey isn’t recommended for moderate https://www.healthworkscollective.com/how-choose-sober-house-tips-to-focus-on/ drinkers and heavy drinkers. You will be at serious risk of withdrawal symptoms, which can even prove deadly for some who suffer from alcohol addiction.
An effective tapering schedule may include cutting out one drink at a time at regular intervals. Once you have completely tapered off alcohol, you will have to decide if you want to follow a path of total abstinence or moderate alcohol use. If you choose moderate alcohol use, the best way to avoid alcohol withdrawal is to refrain from alcohol use two days in a row.
Heavy drinkers who suddenly decrease or stop drinking altogether may experience withdrawal symptoms. They are potentially dangerous and should be treated as a serious warning sign that you are drinking too much.