Note that Disulfiram it is not a cure to alcoholism, and a full therapy must be used. If you’d like to reduce your drinking, but aren’t aiming for total abstinence, there are a number https://thecoloradodigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ of strategies that can help. Overall, recovering from alcoholism is about giving yourself time, caring for yourself, finding a healthy support system, and remaining persistent.

• You will have an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory chemicals in your nervous system.
• For some drinkers, cutting down on the amount of alcohol they drink simply does not work.
• This prescription drug causes you to feel ill when you drink any amount of alcohol, and is now considered a fairly harsh way of quitting.
• Some, on the other end of the spectrum, involve medically supervised withdrawal, or residential rehabilitation programs (rehab).
• The goal of tapering down is to make a gradual change while causing less stress on your body, both physically and emotionally.

How To Stop Drinking Alcohol

Metaphorically speaking, do you like to dip your toe in first, or cannonball right in? As long as safety precautions are taken, there’s no wrong way to begin a sobriety or moderation journey. This journey is often non-linear, and your goals can change over time. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer Sober House and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.

– Rekindle an old hobby or start a new one.

But quitting on your own can pose risks to your health and is unlikely to be successful. Rehabilitation facilities can help you on your path to sobriety by addressing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and becoming involved in sober living support groups, like AA. To avoid severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you should slowly reduce alcohol consumption. Cautious tapering may take longer than medically supervised detox, but it will help you avoid major health problems.

How To Taper off Alcohol Safely and Effectively

Tapering off alcohol at home versus under medical supervision can also lengthen the process, for the sake of safety. Unlike a home environment, medical detox services have the professional support and resources necessary to treat severe withdrawal symptoms. This medical supervision allows for some patients to quit drinking cold-turkey without compromising safety.

How to Handle Cravings

Tapering vs Cold Turkey