This is a highly personal decision, which can be made through self-reflection, and with the support of a medical professional and your peers. If it’s safe for you to quit cold turkey, you may find that cutting alcohol out entirely from the start helps you clearly uphold your boundaries. Or, you may find that quitting all alcohol and ambien what happens when you mix them at once is too drastic and decide to start by practicing harm reduction. The key point to remember is that’s never safe to self-detox from alcohol at home. People with the highest risk of complications from alcohol withdrawal are those who drink heavily in excess and those who have attempted to self-detox in the past.
- “Cold turkey” refers to quitting alcohol, or any addictive substance, abruptly.
- Laying it all out in black and white can take time and some serious self-examination.
- Read on to learn how to wean off alcohol, whether alcohol withdrawal can kill you, and other common questions about quitting drinking.
- Finally, online communities are springing up that make it possible to socialize with others who are quitting, exchange support, and even build a new community.
But, as many in recovery will tell you, it is only the first chapter in a long process. Keep drinking at this reduced level for four days, then try to cut down by another 10%. Without changing your drinking habits, try keeping a drinking diary for one week. Each of these challenges requires a unique approach and often the support of professionals, loved ones and support groups.
Challenges of Tapering Off Alcohol
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. Finally, having the support of family and friends can make a big difference. Even if you don’t want to quit through an existing program, you should still tell others what you’re doing. If other people can check in on you, or if you have an ally to talk to, you’ll be in a much safer situation.
Can You Stop Drinking Alcohol Cold Turkey?
Weaning off alcohol is a hard process, but it is something that you should be immensely proud of. That’s why it’s important to remember that relapse is not failure. It will take time and effort to grow these newfound friendships—but it will be worth it. A therapist can help you understand your alcohols effects on the brain triggers and develop healthy coping skills for dealing with them. Soon, they will become second nature and your triggers will not have as much of an effect on you. But, perhaps most importantly, understand that setbacks happen and that progress takes time or may look different than imagined.
Prepare for potential alcohol detox
That said, tapering off alcohol doesn’t completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal is dangerous and it’s important to be careful throughout the process. If you’ve decided to quit drinking, and tapering seems like the right approach, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to wean off alcohol—including useful strategies, how to create a tapering schedule, and how to stay safe throughout the process. Many individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction are also battling other medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, or personality disorders.
Social Support and Treatment Programs
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. Medically assisted detoxification (detox) is an inpatient program that keeps you stabilized during alcohol withdrawals. Staffed by medical professionals, these programs offer 24-hour monitoring so you always have support if any complications arise. Ideally, your support network will include mental health, medical, and addiction treatment professionals, as well as friends and family.