16 Ways To Stop Drinking Alcohol
Keep in mind the reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol. 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. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do.
Delirium Tremens
There are two types of triggers that can set off a person’s urge to drink. External triggers are people, places, things, or times that offer opportunities to drink and remind a person of alcohol. Internal triggers are thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations that cause a person to drink. Being exposed to either form of a trigger can result in unwanted relapse. A final strategy to assist with an alcohol taper is to get a good network of peer support. A standard drink is a term used because different alcoholic beverages have different concentrations of alcohol, giving you varying amounts of alcohol depending on the fluid you drink.
Strategies For Tapering Off Alcohol
- For example, depression could cause suicidal thoughts, and eating poorly can weaken your immune system.
- But Dr. Streem knows that it can be hard to recognize signs of alcohol abuse in ourselves.
- They can help you decide if it’s the safest way to start your recovery, and they can help you make a taper plan.
Before you attempt to quit alcohol, it is critically important that you first consult with a medical professional. Tapering can be a long process that takes weeks or even months to finish. Although it is possible to taper at home, having medical supervision and assistance can ensure a successful taper. If you struggle to stop drinking, avoid places and situations that tempt you to drink alcohol. You may even ask your friends and family not to drink while around you.
- 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.
- Knowing how to safely taper off alcohol can make all the difference in how successful you are in quitting drinking.
- Cutting back or completely stopping alcohol consumption is challenging, even if you are not at the point of addiction.
- The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice.
How To Taper off Alcohol Safely and Effectively
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.
Examine alcohol health effects
- They may cut back for a short period of time, but soon find themselves back to drinking at their usual level.
- If you answer “yes” to six or more questions, your symptoms align with severe AUD.
- Only a licensed medical professional can accurately assess your current condition and whether it’s safe for you to taper down.
- At Legacy, we’re dedicated to fully healing your mind, body, and spirit from the ravages of alcoholism.
- Every person has unique needs, and tapering off may not be an adequate solution to reduce or stop drinking.
Choosing to taper off alcohol is an admirable decision and a step in the right direction. As with many self-detox methods, the risks and rewards go hand in hand when attempting to overcome an alcohol substance use disorder. But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done. Anyone wanting to stop using alcohol may benefit from tapering if they first consult with their doctor to ensure they are tapering safely.
When to Seek Help
Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it. When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated. Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results. Thus, a user will likely seek out alcohol again to rid themselves of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
How to Know When It’s Time to Cut Back
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. Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, leading to relapse. The phrase cold turkey refers to abruptly stopping drug or alcohol use.
Measure your drinks.
- It can also involve substituting the drink of choice with another drink; for example, a person may taper off hard alcohol with beer.
- But alcohol causes some of the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms you can experience, and it can be fatal in some circumstances.
- Alcoholics Anonymous cautions its members not to get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired—all of which can make you more vulnerable to the urge to drink.
- These strategies work in different ways to help you quit drinking, and one may be more appropriate for you based on your needs.
- Expect to feel some discomfort, including anxiety, sweating or irritability.