There is also the matter of the specific type of alcohol in question. The second situation involves counting the daily drinks and switching them to a beverage with lower alcohol content, such as beer. Switching to beer from hard liquor is safer because it is easier to control the amount of beer that is consumed and is harder to binge drink. Consuming a lighter alcoholic drink like beer also makes it easier for someone to stay hydrated throughout the taper.
Tapering Off Alcohol vs. Going Cold Turkey
An easy way to keep track of how you’re doing and keep your motivation up is to give yourself short-term goals. Perhaps you could aim firstly for an alcohol-free week, then an alcohol-free month, for example. Similarly, try to identify the times when you would usually drink and fill the gap with something else. Frequently reminding yourself and the people close to you why you want to stop drinking can help keep you on track, and may even encourage someone else to give up or cut down with you.
- Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.
- If you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time and think you might experience withdrawal symptoms, it’s best to talk with a medical professional before you begin a taper.
- Therapy can help you understand why you drink and learn new habits so you can live a healthy lifestyle that doesn’t rely on alcohol as a crutch.
- For example, if you typically drink five beers a night, you might cut down to four, then three, and so on.
- Psychological symptoms can include irritability, anxiety and restlessness.
- Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site.
- However, some groups have published tapering examples to assist those trying to quit drinking.
Find New Hobbies or Activities to Avoid Triggers
Stopping alcohol can be rewarding, but it’s not without challenges. You may face social pressure, ingrained habits, and emotional reliance how to taper off alcohol on alcohol. Moreover, physical withdrawal can be challenging, and there’s also a phenomenon called the kindling effect to consider.
How To Wean Yourself off Alcohol Safely
At the end of the day, one of the most important tools you have at your disposal is self-compassion. Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and having a drink, remember that no one’s perfect. What matters most is your ability to maintain an open, curious outlook as you learn what does and doesn’t work for you.
This can give your body the chance to adjust, helping you avoid the worst of withdrawal symptoms. Making a schedule to slowly reduce your alcohol intake is a safe way to taper off the substance. This will ensure that you are not quitting cold turkey which could result in severe and debilitating withdrawal symptoms or even death. Depending on how much alcohol you’ve been consuming, it can take days or over a week to gradually reduce your dose safely and get off alcohol. When done under medical supervision, tapering off alcohol has few downsides.
Challenges of Cutting Down on Alcohol Intake
What To Do After You Finish Tapering Off
