Is Tapering off Alcohol an Effective Solution to Alcoholism?

Learn more here about tapering off alcohol and how to wean off it safely. When you quit drinking cold turkey, your body suffers from a cascade of changes caused by the sudden shift. Since alcohol depresses central nervous system activity, quitting drinking can cause an imbalance of an excitatory neurotransmitter calledglutamate. This excess glutamate triggers alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous in some cases. When coming off drugs or alcohol tapering is the best way to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. Tapering is the act of gradually reducing alcohol use until completely abstinent. By creating a schedule to monitor your alcohol use you can see just how much of the substance you are drinking.

• With a plan, you will likely be better able to monitor and manage your drinking habits.
• Only people who are tapering down from very large quantities of alcohol such as a liter of vodka per day will need to start drinking in the morning in order to taper.
• That expense comes out to $2.08 per drink consumed by Oregonians.
• Chronic alcohol use also suppresses glutamate activity, the neurotransmitter that produces feelings of excitement.

Finding a different, more how to taper off alcoholy way to unload stress may go a long way in helping someone succeed in cutting back on their alcohol use. Even mild or moderate withdrawal can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure or bad hearts. Because withdrawal raises blood pressure there can be a danger of heart attack or stroke.The longer and harder a person has drunk alcohol–the more severe the withdrawal will be.

Outpatient Treatment and Tapering

Professional treatment programs are designed to provide the… As a rule of thumb, HAMS suggests reducing your consumption by two standard drinks per day until you reach zero.

The main neurotransmitter system involved in alcohol withdrawal is the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) system. Simply put, GABA receptors cause a person to feel calm, relaxed or sleepy.

Ways to Taper Off Alcohol

However, learning more about how an alcohol taper works can help you prepare to quit. If it isn’t working for you, it’s possible that it’s time to think about your triggers, support networks, and everything else that can affect your relationship with alcohol. For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the Addiction Group helpline is a private and convenient solution. Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) for your visit will be answered by American Addiction Centers . Besides potential withdrawal symptoms, you may also face social pressure. Because a lot of social events involve alcohol, it can be challenging to stay away from it. Alcohol misuse and alcoholism are largely linked to depression.

As your body adapts to alcohol, it will change its natural chemical balance to include alcohol. Quitting will cause your body’s chemical balance to be thrown off suddenly, leading to withdrawal symptoms. People with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms may benefit from outpatient rehabilitation and safe tapering.

Ethos Recovery

Consider talking to a counselor to help navigate the emotional impact of tapering your alcohol use. Your body needs time to adjust to the changes it will experience. Respect your body’s need to heal and avoid any extreme activity levels beyond what you would normally do. When you stop drinking, fat will stop building up in your liver, and damage will heal.