Should I Quit Alcohol Cold Turkey or Gradually Reduce My Drinking?

These dangerous symptoms require a medical detox to reduce the effects of alcohol withdrawal. Once you seek medical attention or medical assistance, you will likely receive prescription medication for your alcohol addiction. Quitting abruptly can be dangerous without medical supervision due to potential withdrawal symptoms. Gradually decreasing alcohol intake through supervised tapering can make quitting safer and ease withdrawal severity. Stopping alcohol can seem like a daunting task, https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview but there are many benefits to this decision. Understanding how to taper off alcohol safely is crucial for those exploring how to reduce their alcohol intake.

Alcohol and Cialis: Risks, Side Effects & Treatment

Stress is a common trigger that makes it hard to modify your alcohol intake. Finding a different, more healthy way to unload stress may go a long way in helping someone succeed in cutting back on their alcohol use. For example, healthcare providers usually don’t take patients off antidepressants suddenly; rather, they gradually lower the dosages to help reduce antidepressant discontinuation symptoms. If you’ve been drinking for a long time, tapering off can cause withdrawal symptoms. Getting professional help can mitigate harmful withdrawal symptoms and ensure success. It is sometimes possible to taper your alcohol use at home if your AUD isn’t severe.

Although, you’ll need support if you want to successfully and safely taper at home. This is dangerous because if you have unsuccessfully tried to stop drinking in the past with only mild withdrawal symptoms, you may assume you can handle another attempt on your own without help. Unfortunately, your brain may be sensitized to withdrawal due to kindling, which can set you up for unexpectedly severe withdrawal symptoms. It is important to note that prescription medication should not be used for a substitution taper unless it has been prescribed as part of a medical detox program. In the case of switching to a different beverage, it is recommended to count the number of drinks consumed daily and gradually replace them with a beverage that contains less alcohol, such as beer.

• The individual may also start to fill their memory with false events to fill the gaps.
• She excels at problem-solving and takes pride in delivering tailored solutions.
• Medications may be prescribed to ease withdrawal symptoms, making the process more comfortable and safe.
• Michael’s goal is to connect current client and alumni with resources to strengthen their life in recovery.
• The key is to find a method that aligns with your goals and ensures safety during the transition.

Withdrawals: Symptoms and Timeline

Quitting alcohol cold turkey means stopping all alcohol consumption abruptly. While it might seem like a quick solution, this method can be risky without medical support. Tapering off alcohol involves gradually reducing your alcohol consumption over time. This method can help minimize withdrawal symptoms, making the process more manageable. Tapering allows the body to adjust slowly to lower levels of alcohol.

That is why healthcare professionals discourage people from attempting tapers. Instead, doctors and nurses encourage them to quit cold turkey with their help. Medical professionals recommend quitting cold turkey and using medications to treat symptoms.

• You might feel temporary relief from giving in, but alcohol reduces your inhibitions and self-control.
• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that the number of American adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is about 28.9 million.
• They can provide medications and additional support to make quitting alcohol safer, and more comfortable.
• Since our attachment influences how we relate to people and how we develop coping…
• If you’ve been drinking for a long time, tapering off can cause withdrawal symptoms.

The benefit is that it can make it easier to stop drinking alcohol. This is because you may continue your regular routine while reducing your alcohol use. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can lead to intense cravings and debilitating withdrawal symptoms.

It can lower the severity of symptoms, and it can make you more likely to meet your goals. These can indicate a life threatening condition called delirium tremens. It’s important to seek urgent medical care if you experience any of these symptoms.

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These urges and compulsive behaviors can control your life, but you can take back control. Relay’s addiction recovery program provides a comprehensive, outpatient approach to behavioral change – at home, at your own pace. Try the Relay program for free here; if you need help as you get set up, contact us now at If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol dependence, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Professional detoxification programs can provide the necessary support and guidance for a safe and effective recovery. Take the first step towards a healthier and alcohol-free life today.

Cons of Tapering off Alcohol

Alcohol withdrawal is potentially fatal, especially for people with an alcohol addiction. Sometimes, they may experience seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). Once you know it is medically safe to stop drinking, you should loop in a therapist or addiction specialist. They will be able to help you uncover the underlying causes of your drinking issues and properly diagnose any co-occurring mental health conditions that you may be suffering from.

Addiction Resources

However, before attempting any of these methods, meeting with your doctor and discussing if a taper is best for you, given your specific situation, is important. Your doctor can help you make a plan to stop using alcohol and support you as you stop. Another successful treatment is the support of other individuals with AUD through 12-step groups. These mutually supportive gatherings provide peer feedback and help navigate life without alcohol.

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In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each approach and how to taper off alcohol so that you can decide which one is right for your situation. Jeff’s work has been used in rehabs across the country as tools to help patients achieve sobriety. It is important that your recovery plan has a list of people who can support you as you wean off alcohol.

Some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, especially Delirium Tremens (DT) and seizures can be fatal, and hundreds of Americans die every year as a result. This method can help individuals gradually lower their alcohol intake, minimizing the risk of withdrawal symptoms while promoting long-term recovery. The main difference between tapering and quitting alcohol cold turkey is how fast you quit. Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once.

The kindling effect refers to the increasing severity of withdrawal symptoms each time you go through alcohol detox. If you’ve tried to quit multiple times, each subsequent withdrawal can become more severe. This means that an unsuccessful tapering attempt isn’t just a failed attempt; it can actually be harder to try again in the future. The kindling effect is an important reason to approach quitting and seek professional guidance seriously. The kindling effect is an aspect of alcohol withdrawal that makes repeated attempts at withdrawal less safe. If you go through alcohol withdrawal multiple times, a kindling effect can occur.

• The success of these strategies will depend on how much you drink and what you drink.
• While these symptoms are not life-threatening per se, they can be pretty uncomfortable.
• Helping individuals with free, unbiased advice to find treatment for all types of addiction and related mental health issues.
• Tapering off alcohol is a method of reducing your alcohol intake gradually.
• Medical professionals recommend quitting cold turkey and using medications to treat symptoms.

I watch clients walk through the door, broken, and still remember when it was I who felt hopeless. After learning the necessary coping skills and engaging in a 12-step fellowship, my life began to change, and only for the better. I now enjoy working with others and helping them get through the hard times of early recovery. I still engage in a daily program of recovery myself and also enjoy fitness and health, nature, sports, horror movies, video games, cooking and spending time with family and friends.