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How To Cut Back On Drinking Alcohol: Therapists Share Tips

Weaning off alcohol can not only dramatically improve the quality of your life, but it can also actually save it. If you are looking to reduce your alcohol consumption safely, contact Legacy Healing. Alcoholism, more correctly known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), impacts more than 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12.

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Prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption can impact your brain, causing changes to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Heavy drinking can lead to a reduction in sober house the sensitivity of your brain to the amount of GABA produced. If you abruptly stop consuming alcohol, your brain may not have enough sensitivity to GABA, which can result in hyper-excitability and withdrawal symptoms.

How to Wean Yourself Off Alcohol Safely: Tips and Strategies

Attempting to stop drinking “cold turkey” is not only dangerous, but could also cause serious implications or be fatal. Keep the big picture in mind through a goal such as reducing your drinking overall in a week, month, or year,” Dr Lee said. Many people employ medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use to help curb the euphoric effects of alcohol. As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper.

how to ween yourself off alcohol

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

An alcohol taper is a way to wean yourself off alcohol and avoid withdrawal symptoms. Although all forms of alcohol cessation should be done with medical guidance, tapering your alcohol intake may allow you to self-wean from drinking at home. However, it still poses some serious risks, especially for individuals with long-term and/or severe alcohol problems. It is of the utmost importance that anyone considering tapering off alcohol first consult with a medical professional to determine their treatment needs.

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  • Still, it has a decreased level of success when compared to the alternative and requires discipline that can be difficult for those with an addiction.
  • Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder.
  • The gradual reduction method can be difficult, as you must strictly control how much you drink daily.
  • If you need to taper in the first place, you have already proven that you can’t drink like a normal person.
  • Rather than quitting cold turkey, which could lead to severe (maybe even fatal) withdrawal symptoms, tapering is a slower reduction of alcohol over time.
  • Identify specific situations, emotions, environments, and people that motivate your drinking.

This can help alleviate or even prevent some of the common withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and headaches. Minimizing these symptoms not only makes the process more manageable but also reduces the risk of complications that may arise from severe withdrawal. Tapering off alcohol is a critical step for individuals dealing with alcohol dependence. This process involves gradually reducing alcohol intake over time, which can be a safer and more effective method than abruptly quitting. If you suddenly quit drinking, your body can struggle to catch up.

This is particularly true when the symptoms are severe and potentially life-threatening. Explore how to wean yourself off alcohol safely, from tapering plans to handling severe symptoms. Once your taper is complete, discard or immediately give away any remaining alcohol in your house and try to avoid high-risk environments such as bars, liquor stores, casinos, etc.

When it comes to alcohol consumption, it’s important to be aware of low-risk drinking guidelines to promote responsible and safe habits. Over time, this can help you slow down and make more intentional choices about how much you’re drinking. You can read all about mindful drinking in this article by a licensed therapist at Monument. Establishing new habits and routines, and dealing with the underlying causes of your drinking habits, are essential to lasting recovery.

Soothing the Storm: Coping Tips for Alcohol Withdrawal

Establishing alcohol-free days is an effective method for moderating drinking habits. By designating specific days of the week as alcohol-free, individuals can assess their reliance on alcohol and encourage healthier routines. This strategy allows people to reflect on their cravings and recognize patterns that may lead to excessive consumption. For those looking to reduce or quit alcohol, establishing new habits and routines is crucial. Drinking affects both physical and mental health, and giving it up can offer numerous benefits.

Quitting Drinking: How to Taper Off Alcohol

how to ween yourself off alcohol

Tapering is the process of gradually weaning off alcohol rather than quitting cold turkey. By implementing these support strategies and incorporating healthy habits while avoiding triggers, individuals can increase their chances of safely weaning off alcohol. It’s important to remember that each person’s journey is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Finding the right combination of strategies and support that aligns with your individual needs is key to a successful alcohol reduction plan. Recognizing and avoiding triggers that may lead https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ to heavy drinking is crucial for successful alcohol withdrawal.