How To Cut Back On Drinking Alcohol: Therapists Share Tips

Understanding the impact of alcohol and implementing appropriate interventions is crucial in promoting public health and well-being. Excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, increasing the body’s likelihood of developing an infection. Diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis are more frequent in individuals https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ who chronically drink. Overall, abstinence can have a positive outcome for your body and brain – whether it’s a brief break from alcohol or (ideally) something longer.

Discover proven ways to beat boredom in addiction recovery through hobbies, community, and new skills. Unravel the mystery of depression without triggers, its causes, and management options. Additionally, individuals experienced a 10-15% increase in overall well-being and a 20% increase in concentration levels. Improved mental clarity, energy sober house levels, and sleep quality were also noted. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or other drugs, call us now to speak with a Recovery Advocate. To successfully taper your alcohol use, finding what works best for you is important.

How To Make an Alcohol Tapering Schedule

Examples of triggers could include stress, social gatherings with alcohol, certain friends, and bars. You might be surprised to find that you don’t need alcohol to enjoy certain events and previously would drink out of habit. “Replacing time or events spent drinking with other enjoyable activities is helpful.

The Benefits of Giving Up Alcohol

The development of alcohol withdrawal is primarily caused by the interruption of constant alcohol exposure to the central nervous system (CNS). Chronic alcohol exposure leads to adaptations in the CNS, such as desensitization of GABA receptors and an increase in glutamate receptors. This imbalance favors excitatory neurotransmission, resulting in hyperexcitability in the CNS during withdrawal. By setting SMART goals, individuals can track their progress, stay motivated, and celebrate milestones along the way. It is important to start with realistic goals that are attainable, and to adjust the goals as needed to ensure continued progress. Alcohol consumption has significant consequences globally, necessitating action to address its harmful effects.

Working with a medical professional to taper your alcohol consumption can help the likelihood and severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Instead of quitting alcohol cold turkey, you can steadily reduce your consumption so that your body has time to gradually readjust to absence of alcohol. It’s important to note that stopping drinking can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It’s vital to speak with a medical professional before you begin weaning off alcohol to ensure you have a plan to do so safely. Implementing a gradual reduction approach, setting SMART goals, and utilizing resources and support are key strategies for safely reducing alcohol consumption.

Addiction Treatment

Some people are facing problems with their health or personal lives which require them to quit immediately. However, for many people with alcohol use disorder, tapering off alcohol is a far better experience than quitting abruptly. Gradually reducing alcohol intake can lead to various physical health benefits.

At Legacy, we’re dedicated to fully healing your mind, body, and spirit from the ravages of alcoholism. We utilize a three-pronged, holistic approach that combines the right psychotropic medications, cutting-edge clinical therapy, and an environment of supportive peers. Give yourself personal rewards such as taking yourself to a special, non-alcoholic meal, buying yourself a meaningful item, hosting a sober celebration, or planning a day out. Make sure to share your successes with your loved ones and especially your sober support network. You should include strategies to both reduce drinking and prevent relapse.

Discover the signs of alcoholism you can’t avoid and learn how addiction impacts health and relationships. Explore top Kansas drug rehab centers, their services, and how to find the right support for recovery. Discover how the decriminalization of drugs decreases addiction rates and fosters healthier communities. Quitting alcohol also extends benefits to one’s social and mental well-being. Participants reported improved relationships and a greater sense of accomplishment after participating in alcohol-free challenges. The sense of achievement from successfully abstaining from alcohol can boost self-esteem and confidence.

• Ultimately, you need to decide to get sober for yourself, but if getting sober for someone else or something else motivates you in the beginning, it’s still a step in the right direction.
• Generally, alcohol-free days are better towards the end of a gradual reduction, not towards the beginning.
• It is therefore extremely important that you talk to your doctor before you start the process of weaning off alcohol.
• Maybe you just need to set more realistic goals for yourself and slow your taper.

Creating a structured plan including more resources and increased self-care builds a strong foundation for recovery. Taking days off within the week is a common strategy to encourage drinking less overall. “Many people still want to enjoy socializing but are mindful of wanting to average one to two drinks per day. They often try to not drink at all during the week, and allow for moderate drinking Friday through Sunday,” Dr Lee said.

Cons of Tapering off Alcohol

It can be easy to underestimate how much you drink, and being as accurate as possible is important. “The role of GABAA receptors in mediating the effects of alcohol in the central nervous system.” Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, July 28, 2003. Our online health insurance verification system will estimate your in-network and out-of-network deductibles, coinsurance percentages and out-of-pocket maximums. Within 5 minutes, you’ll receive an email with these details – free of charge. Your body has become used to, and dependent on, certain levels of alcohol.

Whether that’s watching TV, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, going for a walk, or taking a bath. Force your self to do normal activities, but nothing too strenuous or physical beyond what you might normally do. You may be biologically predisposed to abusing it, and if you’re physically addicted, your brain isn’t working right. I once went from averaging 25 a day to 10 the first day and five the second day.

How Decriminalization of Drugs Positively Decreases Addiction Rates

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Long-term alcohol use can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and physical dependence. If your body becomes physically dependent on alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking.

For those who drink more than 20 drinks a day, the tapering schedule becomes more complex and may require a different approach. While tapering off alcohol can be an effective strategy for some individuals, it should be noted that what works for one person may not be safe for everyone. Cutting back your drinking each day can help your body and mind adjust to a new normal. But the idea of alcohol tapering, the gradual reduction of alcohol, might seem counterintuitive. After all, you’re trying to stop or lessen drinking, not continue.