The phrase cold turkey refers to abruptly stopping drug or alcohol use. Typically, when a person thinks about the word tapering they think of tapering off medications like opioids. With that being said, tapering is a lot safer than going cold turkey.

• People with AUD may be unable to quit drinking alcohol on their own or have attempted to quit before and relapsed.
• If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals.
• In particular, it alters the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid .
• Tapering can help a person avoid uncomfortable and sometimes deadly symptoms of withdrawal.
• This leads to raised blood pressure, raised pulse rate, rapid breathing, fever, hallucinations, seizures and D.T.s.

If you start to feel withdrawal that is a sign that your taper is not done yet.It is also very important when tapering off to fight dehydration and to replenish lost vitamins. If you go through a medical detox the people they may rehydrate you with an IV and may also give you vitamin shots.

Don’t Keep Alcohol in Your Home

You may cut back on drinking slowly over time, but if you have an alcohol use disorder, it can be very challenging to resist drinking too much for an effective taper. Instead, you may be treated with benzodiazepines, a class of medications that are chemically similar to alcohol. It’s important to work with a professional during the tapering because it can be a delicate process.

You may receive medication to ease withdrawal symptoms—such as anti-diarrheal medicines or over-the-counter pain relievers. A doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine as part of the tapering process. Yes, your tolerance to alcohol can diminish fairly quickly after you stop drinking. Relapse after a period of sobriety can be dangerous because your tolerance has gone down.

Common Symptoms of Sudden Alcohol Withdrawal

If you or someone around you has made how to taper off alcohol the main focus, a conversation about how to stop drinking may be necessary. The question that arises is, is tapering off alcohol a better option than quitting drinking cold turkey? Continue reading to find out more about how to taper off alcohol and quitting drinking cold turkey vs quitting slowly. The guidelines for tapering from alcohol are generalized; you may need to modify the tapering schedule if you have difficulties with the original plan.

The main downside of cold turkey is how unpleasant and risky it can be. If you drink heavily, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be harsh, dangerous, and even fatal. For this reason, it’s generally best to avoid quitting abruptly, or at bare minimum speak with a doctor first and have someone looking out for you. Along with withdrawal symptoms, it may be even more difficult to cut back or taper your alcohol use if you suffer from an alcohol use disorder .

How much alcohol should I drink when tapering off?

Chronic and excessive alcohol use disrupts the brain’s neurotransmitters. Alcohol will increase the effect of gamma amino butyric acid – the neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that creates feelings of peace and relaxation. However, chronic alcohol use will suppress GABA activity in such as way that progressively increased amounts of alcohol are needed to produce the desired effects – which is known as tolerance. Chronic alcohol use also suppresses glutamate activity, the neurotransmitter that produces feelings of excitement. In excessive alcohol users, the glutamate system has to function at a higher level to maintain equilibrium.

• Depending on how much you drink, tapering off alcohol can take one to several weeks.
• Again, a medical professional can help you determine what’s the right fit for you based on your history and symptoms or problems.
• The goal of tapering is to make the withdrawal process safer and more bearable.
• An alcohol use disorder can also have an impact on your social, psychological, and financial health.
• You can receive 24/7 text support right away and at your convenience.

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery. Benzodiazepines are the most common medications physicians use to taper alcohol and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Before a doctor begins a tapering plan with medications, they will assess the medical stability, including vital sign stability, and pattern of withdrawal symptoms in the patient. The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is known as delirium tremens, which develops in about 3 to 5% of people with severe alcohol addiction.