How to Taper Off Alcohol: A Safe, Step-by-Step Guide
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- Withdrawal usually begins 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and peaks within 72 hours.
- If certain friends or places encourage drinking, consider limiting contact with them temporarily until you feel more in control.
What is a safe alcohol taper schedule?
Rather than beginning your sober life drained and dazed from a week of feeling ill, you can already be getting on your feet. It’s a good idea to talk with a medical professional before you begin a taper. They can help you decide if it’s the safest way to start your recovery, and they can help you make a taper plan. It is important to note that prescription medication should not be used for a substitution taper unless it has been prescribed as part of a medical detox program. For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off may be a good option. However, quitting cold turkey or tapering is not advisable for people with an AUD.
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Consistency is crucial; small, steady reductions are safer and more manageable than larger, sporadic cuts. Using beer to drug addiction taper off liquor can be part of a treatment plan for heavy drinkers, as its lower alcohol content helps reduce alcohol intake gradually. Healthcare professionals may recommend switching to beer to lower daily alcohol units, cutting 1–2 drinks every few days.
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People who have alcohol use disorder that goes undiagnosed may have an especially difficult time cutting back on their alcohol consumption. If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals. Tapering off alcohol means gradually reducing your alcohol intake over time instead of quitting abruptly. It’s important because sudden cessation can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, or delirium tremens (DTs), especially for heavy or long-term drinkers. Tracking your alcohol consumption daily is a cornerstone of safely tapering off alcohol at home.
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- Over time, this can help you slow down and make more intentional choices about how much you’re drinking.
- The purpose of alcohol tapering is typically to avoid some of the more dangerous symptoms of detox.
- Plan your days to avoid triggers, such as social situations involving alcohol, and have non-alcoholic beverages readily available.
Alcohol depresses your nervous system2, so your body creates more receptors for neurotransmitters, or messengers, to stimulate the nervous system. In Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she was part of a psycho-social research lab. She is the Content Manager and Editor at Recovery.com, creating informational video resources on behavioral health. Recovery.com uses a standard procedure to make sure treatment provider profiles on our site are current and complete.