Over an extended period of excessive alcohol consumption, the brain reduces its production of GABA since it’s used to alcohol doing most of the work. Consequently, quitting alcohol suddenly deprives the brain of sufficient GABA levels, leading to a state of hyper-excitability and the emergence of withdrawal symptoms. While tapering off alcohol is not as effective or monitored as medically-assisted detox, it’s a better solution than quitting cold turkey, which can induce serious withdrawal symptoms. If you do not qualify for tapering off alcohol this way, a medical detox program puts you in safe hands. You can be assured that every stage of the detox and withdrawal process will be closely monitored. With the support and medical interventions the detox team provides, you will be guided safely into recovery.

If you want to cut back your alcohol consumption or stop drinking alcohol altogether, tapering may help. Tapering is the process of gradually weaning off alcohol rather than quitting cold turkey. If you try tapering off alcohol and find that you are struggling with withdrawal and relapse, it is a good idea to seek the assistance of a professional medical alcohol detox facility. The process of reducing alcohol consumption should begin with your baseline of use, since your taper schedule depends on how much you drink before you start decreasing your intake.

The Pros and Cons of Tapering Off Alcohol

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. Delirium tremens is also more common in people of older age, those with a history of seizures, and people with co-occurring illnesses or disorders. Symptoms of delirium tremens can develop within 48 hours and, in some cases, have fatal consequences without proper treatment. The support of an alcohol detox program may help you wean off alcohol more quickly and with fewer unpleasant side effects. Some detox programs also offer therapy to prepare you for addiction treatment. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms while sober house, adjust your plan.

With physical dependence, your body becomes used to the presence of alcohol in your system and begins to adapt accordingly. Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session. Alcohol withdrawal occurs when neurotransmitters that combat the effects of alcohol on the nervous system suddenly have nothing to counteract them. Essentially, when an individual drinks, the brain amplifies certain activities to counterbalance the depressive effect alcohol has on it. When that numbing sensation disappears entirely, the brain is left dangerously overstimulated. Insomnia, anxiety and paranoia — the opposite effects of alcohol — are the expected results.

Weaning (or Tapering) Off Alcohol: What it Means

Weaning off alcohol gives your body chemistry a chance to adjust, reducing the shock to your system. It also lets you start working new habits and routines into your day to replace drinking, starting the transition. Rather than beginning your sober life drained and dazed from a week of feeling ill, you can already be getting on your feet. If the drink of choice is liquor, it is difficult to measure amounts and easy to binge drink. If the drink is a mixed drink, it can contain sugar or other additives that should not be included in the taper and may worsen the effects of withdrawal symptoms. Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can start as soon as six hours after the last drink of alcohol.

• Educate your loved ones on dangerous symptoms, too, so they can look out for you and get you medical attention if you need it.
• If you are doing a self detox be sure to drink lots and lots of fluids and to take vitamin pills.
• For this reason, you should always talk to your doctor before attempting to quit drinking.

On the second day drink one beer every hour and a half for a total of ten beers. Then continue to taper down by reducing the amounts by two beers per day until you are down to zero. As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client. What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field. She graduated from The University of Maryland with a master’s degree in social work.

What To Do After You Finish Tapering Off

Give your loved ones as much information as you can about your self-tapering strategy. Let them know your plan, your progress, and how withdrawals are going for you. Alcohol metabolizes more quickly in individuals with a high tolerance to alcohol. On the other hand, it will take longer to metabolize in someone with a lower tolerance. When you frequently drink large amounts of alcohol, your brain responds to the excess GABA by producing less GABA. Similarly, it responds to the decreased glutamate by producing more glutamate.