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Xenia Ellenbogen (she/they) is a journalist specializing in health, mental health, and wellness. Her writing has appeared in publications such as Everyday Health, Well+Good, Rewire News Group, Prism, and more. Many people employ medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use to help curb the euphoric effects of alcohol. If you are struggling with alcohol use, Dove Recovery can help.

How do I ignore alcohol cravings?

This is why it’s always best to find some form of long-term support in sobriety. Support groups, from Alcoholics Anonymous to SMART Recovery, are one free way to find a community of people on the same journey. There are also a number of anti-craving medications to help you avoid drinking again, or even help with your tapering process. Finally, finding a therapist or a recovery coach can help you develop new coping mechanisms and move forward in your life. This may work for many people, but in practice each individual will respond best to a different pace, and each doctor will have their own recommendations.

#4: Identify Your Triggers

The typical warning signs that someone is going to experience Delirium tremens include tremors, an extremely elevated heart rate, and a drastic increase in body temperature. This is because Delirium tremens is caused by hyperactivity in the nervous system, which is now without the depressant effects of alcohol and is instead going into overdrive. Keep the big picture in mind through a goal such as reducing your drinking overall in a week, month, or year,” Dr Lee said. Alcohol Tapering requires some planning to create a schedule. You’ll also want to monitor any symptoms that arise each day. Severe withdrawal symptoms, called delirium tremens (DT) can be fatal.

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It’s always wise to check with your doctor — she should be able to help you decide whether it is best for you to cut back or to abstain. People who are dependent on alcohol, or have other medical or mental health problems, should stop drinking completely. For some drinkers, cutting down on the amount of alcohol they drink simply does not work. They may cut back for a short period of time, but soon find themselves back to drinking at their usual level. This is especially true of heavy drinkers who are surrounded by the triggers that encourage drinking and lack the support needed to encourage change. It can help you reach goals and can minimize some of the unpleasant and severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

• Beautiful colors, cooler temperatures and the anticipation of the upcoming festive holidays make fall a season favorite for many.
• This can be a key to breaking the hold that your triggers to drink have on you.
• For example, if you drink six beers a day, you will start to tamper off by consuming only five beers a day.
• If you’re throwing a sober party of your own, have fun with flavor profiles, fresh ingredients, and food pairings on your mocktails menu.
• If you’re not sure where to start with goal-setting, this is an easy way to get a baseline, too.
• It is all part of the process, and no one’s process is the same.

Below are some ideas to help people reduce their drinking by alcohol tapering. “Anyone who uses alcohol frequently and in heavy amounts should consider cutting down to moderate drinking or stopping altogether,” explains Joshua D. Lee, MD, MSc, Chief Clinical Advisor at Oar Health. Alcohol Tapering can help people start their recovery journey, including those with goals of stopping completely or curbing drinking. Tapering can also be effective for people who are unable to attend an in-person program or detox to help them stop drinking. The 20-minute rule is a great tool for cutting down on alcohol use. After you finish an alcoholic beverage, wait 20 minutes before consuming another.

• So, if you normally have 6 beers a day, you could be done tapering within one week.
• Cravings are rooted in both psychological and physical factors.
• Rather than quitting drinking abruptly (or “cold turkey”), many professionals recommend gradually reducing your drinking (or tapering) over time.
• The heavier drinkers may need to spend weeks or months tapering off to avoid severe withdrawals.

You’ll sleep better, feel better, and probably even look better. You’ll reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, lower your blood pressure, and potentially improve your mental health. It can be hard to find (or even know) the balance of how much alcohol your body is able to handle. If you’re not sure if your drinking crosses a certain line or not, try measuring your alcohol intake. Deciding to quit drinking and following through isn’t just about willpower. Many other factors go into play with these difficult and trying scenarios.

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Comparing the emotions that come up when you have a drink with the feelings you experience when abstaining also helps you recognize when drinking doesn’t fix the problems you’re trying to manage. By avoiding alcohol, you’re taking a big step toward improving physical health. As you begin to notice those health benefits, you’ll likely feel more energized and inspired to keep up your progress.

Your tapering off plan should also be supervised by medical professionals. Even when using this method to quit drinking, withdrawal symptoms may appear. With everything going on over the past couple of years, many people have changed their drinking habits. We’ve seen an increased demand for support, suggesting more people are trying to cut back or quit. There are so many options for cutting back or quitting alcohol it’s hard to know what will be most effective. If you drink heavily on a regular basis, it can be dangerous to stop alcohol cold turkey.

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A 2021 review of research notes that several studies determined that two to four weeks of abstinence from alcohol by heavy-alcohol users helped reduce inflammation and bring down elevated serum levels in the liver. “Nutrition optimization is actually the most evidence-based and most important intervention aside from stopping drinking,” points out Dr. Lindenmeyer. This is because, https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ for a lot of people who experience some kind of liver dysfunction, it makes them at risk of not getting enough proteins, calories or vitamins. Mendelson emphasizes that moderation often doesn’t work by itself. In some cases, he says, “You really need to add to that with medication and counseling support.” If you have trouble cutting back on your drinking, speak to a health care professional. Enlisting a spouse or friend to cut back with you, or just to offer encouragement, can help.

Bills come every month, kids’ activities are year-round and work never seems to slow down. A little bit of stress is inevitable, but oftentimes that’s a good sober house thing. In recent months, international conflicts, COVID, and violence have impacted our lives. These disturbing events can have profound effects not only on the families and communities where they occur but also on parents and children many miles from the scene.

• But, with a little prior knowledge on how to taper off alcohol, adequate planning and professional consultation from a healthcare provider, it can certainly be done.
• You don’t have to let the fear of alcohol withdrawal stop you from cutting back or quitting.
• These are called “triggers” and they subconsciously encourage you to drink alcohol.
• You can also learn about the options for in-patient recovery in this article.
• Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area.

It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Actionable goals can help you by giving you exact data on your drinking habits.

To avoid withdrawal like this, many are choosing to taper off alcohol versus quitting cold turkey. For dependent drinkers, withdrawal from alcohol can be dangerous. If you are having trouble putting down the bottle, then here’s how to taper off alcohol to avoid those withdrawal symptoms. In the United States, three drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the general treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), including cravings (2).

These are called “triggers” and they subconsciously encourage you to drink alcohol. Set a goal for how many drinks you want to have a week and stick to it. By making a boundary for yourself and sticking to it you will gain confidence and discipline, and that is a big step toward managing drinking.

Add a glass of water in between each drink and all of a sudden you’re super hydrated and using an easy strategy to cut back on drinking. Drinking on an empty stomach can raise your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) faster and leave you with tummy pains. Go for protein and fiber before drinking to give your body something good to digest as you indulge.

Alcohol also changes your brain chemistry, which can result in higher levels of anxiety and depression for the first several months. Finally, just because you’ve gotten past the withdrawal phase doesn’t mean you won’t continue to face psychological aspects of addiction—including alcohol cravings and drinking triggers. 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.