How Does Tapering Off Alcohol Work?

A final strategy to assist with an alcohol taper is to get a good network of peer support. But Dr. Streem knows that it can be hard to recognize signs of alcohol abuse in ourselves. Often, people with alcohol use disorder find that other people in their lives spot their addiction long before they do.

• For people with moderate to severe alcohol addiction, utilizing an alcohol detox center is always the safest option.
• This excessive glutamate level can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous.
• This is especially true of heavy drinkers who are surrounded by the triggers that encourage drinking and lack the support needed to encourage change.
• Overall, getting professional help can improve your chances for long-term sobriety.
• Once you’ve changed to a less alcoholic option, you can gradually reduce your drink amount.

Symptoms timeline

Our knowledgeable and compassionate team is available 24/7 to help get you or someone you care about into treatment and answer any questions or concerns you might have. For many other drugs, tapering is actually a standard treatment during medical detox. For people who depend on opioids, benzodiazepines, or antidepressants, it is typical to slowly reduce someone’s how to taper off alcohol dosage as opposed to immediately cutting them off completely. Research has shown that professional help improves your ability to overcome an addiction to alcohol or cut back if you have found it difficult. The most common research technique among those surveyed is an internet search (61%), followed by asking a doctor or medical professional (55%).

Is it Better to Taper Off Alcohol or Quit “Cold Turkey?”

When they suddenly quit drinking, the brain continues its hyperactivity, but alcohol no longer suppresses the effects. This can cause seizures and delirium tremens, a severe form of withdrawal marked by tremors and hallucinations. If you taper off alcohol slowly or with medical supervision, the brain has time to adapt without causing severe side effects. 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 called glutamate.

Start Your Journey To a Sober Tomorrow

Diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis are more frequent in individuals who chronically drink.

• Alcohol tapering is definitely possible, but the question of whether or not it works is not quite as straightforward.
• It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol.
• The process of tapering yourself off alcohol begins with planning.
• This is because when you drink heavily for months or years, your body can start to depend on alcohol to function normally.

Gradual Reduction Method