How To Taper Off Alcohol: Key Strategies and Tips

In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field.

Rather than beginning your sober life drained and dazed from a week of feeling ill, you can already be getting on your feet. There is also the matter of the specific type of alcohol in question. Alcohol works by increasing the potency of a neutral chemical in the brain called GABA, or gamma-Aminobutyric acid.

Day Two

Excessive how to taper off alcohol can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection. Mark joined the medical team at The Freedom Center in September 2018 as the Medical Director. He received his medical degree in Mexico with further certification from Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey. He then attended New York Medical College for his residency training. Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors.

Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be unpredictable and may escalate quickly, having an on-site medical team that can quickly intervene is the safest way to quit heavy drinking. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Analcohol addictionis dangerous, and the best way to reduce the risks of drinking is to stop using alcohol. Tapering your alcohol intake, or slowly reducing it over time, can help you avoid severealcohol withdrawal symptoms.

How to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms

A taper may not be right for you if you find yourself frequently drinking more than you intended, trying to cut back and not being able to, or you feel that your alcohol use is affecting your life. People with AUD may be unable to quit drinking alcohol on their own or have attempted to quit before and relapsed. Long-term alcohol use can lead to developing an alcohol use disorder and physical dependence. If your body becomes physically dependent9on alcohol, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal when you stop drinking. Studies have shown that between 13 and 71%9of people going throughalcohol detoxdevelop withdrawal symptoms. Factors such as pattern of alcohol use, other medical conditions, genetics, and how your body responds to alcohol can all play a role in withdrawal symptoms. However, when you quit drinking abruptly, your body’s chemical balance will be thrown off suddenly, leading to uncomfortable side effects.

• Rather than quitting drinking abruptly (or “cold turkey”), many professionals recommend gradually reducing your drinking over time.
• Learn more about alcohol withdrawal here and, once again, speak to a doctor first.
• Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey.
• The safest way to prevent and cope with withdrawal symptoms is by working with a medical professional who can monitor you.
• Tapering off alcohol was long ago considered the primary approach for alcoholism treatment.
• For most people, the safest way to quit is to taper off alcohol gradually.

In most cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak after 24–72 hours but may continue for weeks. Withdrawal symptoms may begin within a few hours after the last drink and may last up to 48 to 72 hours. Psychological alcohol withdrawal may continue long after the physical symptoms subside. In fact, many in recovery report having psychological cravings years after they stopped drinking. Another more serious condition that develops during alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens or the DTs. The DTs usually emerge within two to five days after you stop drinking and are periods of confusion, disorientation, and hallucinations.