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Alcohol Use Disorder, or AUD, is when someone has started to drink lots of alcohol. They will often have become heavy drinkers, and feel dependent on the drug to get through the day. This can affect every aspect of their lives, from losing their job to affecting their personal relationships.
- People who are severely dependent or addicted to alcohol should seek medical support for alcohol detox.
- If you have trouble controlling how much you drink or experience significant alcohol cravings, you may need professional help instead of trying to taper your alcohol use at home.
- If you find it is difficult to prevent yourself from drinking too much and getting drunk, locking your alcohol up in a cabinet and giving your friend or family member the key can help.
- Day six of no alcohol consumption usually brings some relief for the most severe withdrawal symptoms, but some nagging symptoms can persist.
Don’t quit other lighter substances while you’re detoxing from alcohol. I’m specifically talking about things like weed, cigarettes, and vaping. If you’re making mixed drinks, only use half a shot instead of a full shot, and turn it into two drinks (still count both as one combined).
Alcohol Recovery On Your Own Vs Professional Help
By Buddy T
Buddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or his real name on this website. With these things in mind, you need to weigh the pros and cons of tapering your alcohol use—ideally with someone you trust—to make a fully informed decision. Overall, do whatever you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible.
For this reason, you should not abruptly stop alcohol use after a long period of heavy use without medical supervision. Instead, slowly cutting back on your drinking, or using an alcohol tapering schedule, is a safer method to become sober. Consultation with a medical professional or recovery coach is strongly recommended. An alcohol taper1 can be an effective strategy to begin recovery and help set a realistic goal for people who are not ready to quit alcohol completely, but they’re not for everyone. Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period of time may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse.
Is it Better to Taper Off Alcohol or Quit “Cold Turkey?”
For those at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms, medically-supervised detox is often the safest choice for beginning their sobriety or moderation journey. Others may discover after consulting with a doctor that it’s safe for them to quit alcohol cold turkey if they choose to. However, they may still decide that tapering down feels most achievable for them.
Lastly, engaging in alcohol therapy can also make a major difference in your healing journey. A therapist will work with you to create a personalized plan for cutting back and provide ongoing guidance and accountability. However, for some, the physical symptoms will continue even after seven days. If you’re still experiencing physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms after a week, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Physical Symptoms
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 how to taper off alcohol avoid drinking again, or even help with your tapering process. Finally, finding a therapist or a recovery coach can help you develop new coping mechanisms and move forward in your life.
Whether you feel like you drink too much alcohol, or you have an alcohol abuse issue, quitting drinking cold turkey can be dangerous. Knowing how to safely taper off alcohol can make all the difference in how successful you are in quitting drinking. You may be able to detox at home and still attend outpatient therapy or support group meetings.
Smaller drinks with a higher percentage of alcohol are stronger than the same size drink containing a lower proof liquor. Antidepressant medications are not meant to be used for treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder unless there is evidence of a co-occurring disorder for which an antidepressant is an indicated treatment. You can receive 24/7 text support right away and at your convenience.
“Went from shaky to wanting to scream all day. I almost talked myself into ‘just one more’ several times, but somehow made it through.” “Thankfully, I’m able to sleep, and the shakes come and go, but the anxiety and the dark places are tough.” “I am forgetful, have a hard time concentrating, and sometimes find it hard to formulate meaningful sentences.” Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring Dirty Heads vocalist Jared Watson, shares the strategies that helped him overcome addiction.
Healthy Skin, Feeling Better
The alcohol content in specific beer, wine and liquor products differs. You can use the guidelines to get an idea of how many standard drinks you’re used to. Experts at The HAMS Harm Reduction Network, which comprises doctors, social workers, therapists and other experts, recommend using beer to taper because it’s easier to get drunk from liquor or wine. Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can start as soon as six hours after the last drink of alcohol.