As a general rule, if you’ve been drinking an average of 10 drinks or more a day every day for more than a couple of weeks, you will need to taper. If you’ve been binge how to taper off alcohol drinking 15-20+ drinks a day for 2-3 days, you will need to taper. The numbers may be less for women, individuals with smaller bodies, and people who are underweight.
If you’re self-tapering, I assume you don’t want to go to rehab. You can try out any of the things in my guide on Alternatives To Inpatient Drug Rehab. This might be a pretty safe way to taper, as long as you’re not decreasing by over 20-30% per step. I’ve heard of some people doing 10% a week and having success that way. If you have a history of seizures, or have had seizures while detoxing in the past, do not, under any circumstances, attempt a self taper.
Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment
The success of these strategies will depend on how much you drink and what you drink. But Dr. Streem knows that it can be hard to recognize signs of alcohol abuse in ourselves. Often, people with alcohol use disorder find that other people in their lives spot their addiction long before they do. Or maybe it’s a pregnancy that made you realize it’s time to stop drinking. Or maybe you’re just looking to improve your health, wake up hangover-free and give your liver (and your heart) a break. Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term.
- Whatever method you use to taper down, your plan should also be approved and monitored by a healthcare profession to ensure your safety.
- This is why many people dependent on alcohol will choose to taper down their usage rather than stop drinking altogether.
- However, when you quit drinking abruptly, your body’s chemical balance will be thrown off suddenly, leading to uncomfortable side effects.
- However, it’s important to note that people with moderate to severe alcohol addictions may struggle with sticking to a taper schedule and relapse to heavier alcohol use.
- Inside your brain, nicotine triggers the release of chemicals that make you feel good.
Having said that, gaining an awareness of the principles of an alcohol taper can help you when determining how to detox from alcohol by tapering off. As the name suggests, this method involves gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you drink over time, so you consume less and less alcohol each day or week. The gradual reduction method can be difficult, as you must strictly control how much you drink daily. It is important to note that alcohol tapers are generally not recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. Most healthcare professionals recommend a medically-assisted detox as the best way to get off alcohol. If you repeatedly cannot cut back on your drinking or otherwise cannot get lower than a certain point in the taper, this might not be the right method for you.
How to safely detox from alcohol at home
A sober life doesn’t have to mean more time at home as you try to block out triggers. It can mean more time for your other interests, and even new interests. More time to meet new people, catch up with old friends and try new things. As such, there is only limited guidance available about the best ways to taper. Having a plan can help you stay on track and it can keep you safe.