Figuring out where to start your alcohol taper schedule can be challenging. Counting each drink you consume may seem simple, but all drinks are not created equal. The alcohol content itself is important, and it depends on the percentage of alcohol, the proof of the alcohol and the actual amount of alcohol in the drink. If you have a severe level of addiction or dependency, you may need a detox program. Talk to a medical professional to find the best detox option for you. You can taper off alcohol if you worry that you are developing alcohol addiction.

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Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually start about six hours after the last drink. Early symptoms include headache, sweating, tremors, vomiting and difficulty concentrating. Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range in severity depending on how extensive the misuse behavior was.

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Tapering off alcohol is the act of slowly reducing alcohol intake until a person becomes completely abstinent. Tapering off alcohol to reduces potential withdrawal symptoms and decreases the likelihood of a potentially fatal withdrawal from alcohol in individuals who consume alcohol on a regular basis. For many other drugs, tapering is how to taper off alcohol actually a standard treatment during medical detox. For people who depend on opioids, benzodiazepines, or antidepressants, it is typical to slowly reduce someone’s dosage as opposed to immediately cutting them off completely. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be more than enough to drive people back to drinking to find relief.

Alcohol Tapering Schedule

Seizures are another complication of abruptly quitting alcohol that may occur within the first 12 to 48 hours of stopping. To avoid severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you should slowly reduce alcohol consumption. Cautious tapering may take longer than medically supervised detox, but it will help you avoid major health problems. When coming off drugs or alcohol tapering is the best way to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.

Simply responding to every difficult situation with alcohol will leave you with the same drinking patterns. If your symptoms worsen at any point, it is always safer to maintain a steady level of drinking and seek medical help than to push on with further reductions. And it’s always OK to pause your planned reductions while you regain a feeling of stability. Predicable drinking makes it easier to notice if alcohol withdrawal symptoms are emerging.

Tapering Off vs. Cold Turkey

• People with moderate to severe alcohol addiction may find an alcohol taper difficult to accomplish.
• “The role of GABAA receptors in mediating the effects of alcohol in the central nervous system.” Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, July 28, 2003.
• Fatalities caused by alcohol withdrawal are rare, but only because people receive medical support.
• They may cut back for a short period of time, but soon find themselves back to drinking at their usual level.

• There is also the matter of the specific type of alcohol in question.
• Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site.
• Discussing these issues with a loved one can help you avoid relapse.
• An alcohol taper can be effective in beginning recovery and help set a realistic goal for those not ready to quit alcohol completely, but they’re not for everyone.

• Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of mortality in the United States, with approximately 95,000 people dying from alcohol-related causes each year.
• AUD makes it difficult to control alcohol use — it may seem like the alcohol is controlling you.
• You’ll likely face the urge to drink more than you’ve planned each day, but there are some good tricks to help you delay that next serving and keep yourself honest.
• Although it is possible to taper your alcohol use alone, professionals highly advise that you seek medical attention.