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. Whatever your reason to quit drinking, know that you’re doing yourself a favor. Alcohol impacts our sleep, relationships, weight, risk for serious chronic conditions and more. If you’re struggling to wean off alcohol, it might be best to seek addiction treatment. Various treatment programs are available to help you recover from addiction.

Minimized Risk of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Keep it interesting and varied with sparkling water, virgin cocktails (also known as mocktails), fruit juices, low-fat milk, or kombucha. Remove all alcohol from your home or ask a friend or family member to do it for you. This includes beer, wine, and liquor, as well as products that contain alcohol such as rubbing alcohol and vanilla extract. You may also consider joining an online support group to help you feel less alone.

Self-Detox vs. Medical Detox

When your body is withdrawing from alcohol, food will probably be the last thing on your mind. Eating is an important part of your recovery because alcohol affects how your body metabolizes and utilizes nutrients. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers on hand that includes contact info for your doctor, the police, a nearby hospital, and someone you trust. And consider joining a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous. 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?

How to Safely Taper Off Alcohol

But if you experience these symptoms for more than about five days after stopping or find them particularly troublesome, your GP will be able to offer some advice. If you are tapering off of alcohol, the time it takes depends entirely on how long the taper is and how well you adhere to it. One of the reasons that medical professionals tend to avoid tapers is that they can be difficult to follow and may be more likely to be unsuccessful than faster options. These include direct tapers, where you regularly decrease the amount of alcohol you consume, and substitution tapers, where you replace alcohol with another substance.

• It may also help with hot flashes that can occur during alcohol withdrawal.
• You’ll need to stick with gradual reduction every day and not revert to previous levels of consumption, otherwise it won’t work.
• Also, don’t get caught off guard thinking that since one craving has stopped, another one won’t come quickly.

There are multiple health benefits you can experience when you start drinking less alcohol. The exact benefits will depend on how much alcohol you were drinking and on factors such as your genetics, overall health, and how to taper off alcohol at home how your body responds. But drinking less is always a good choice for your body and health. This can sometimes cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and these symptoms can make it hard to stick with your recovery plan.

These strategies work in different ways to help you quit drinking, and one may be more appropriate for you based on your needs. Slowly decreasing the amount you drink over https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-cope-with-loneliness-during-addiction-recovery/ time can spare your body from withdrawal symptoms. This is because drinking heavily over a long period can cause your body to become physically dependent on alcohol.

Ask For Support From a Loved One

Early symptoms include headache, sweating, tremors, vomiting and difficulty concentrating. The amount of time it takes to detox from alcohol depends on several factors, including whether you’re detoxing at home or with medical supervision. Detoxing at home usually takes longer because you should be cautious to avoid serious complications.

Often, people are tempted to turn back to alcohol to ease the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. People looking to quit drinking may consider either tapering or going cold turkey, meaning they abruptly stop all alcohol consumption without weaning. Fortunately, deaths resulting from alcohol withdrawal are a rare occurrence. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be more than enough to drive people back to drinking to find relief. Lastly, it is essential to have a comprehensive plan that includes strategies for coping with cravings and emotional distress. Engaging in therapy, support groups, and other recovery resources can provide the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of alcohol tapering successfully.

It is important to measure your alcohol use in standard drinks while tapering to allow for an accurate comparison of how much you use from day to day. The timeline for alcohol withdrawal will be different for each individual. However, here is a sample timeline of what the average person can expect. It is important to only attempt a taper while under a doctor’s care.