The exact benefits will depend on how much alcohol you were drinking and on factors such as your genetics, overall health, and how your body responds. But drinking less is always a good choice for your body and health. Most people experience the most severe symptoms from about 36–72 hours after stopping drinking. Tapering off alcohol helps some people start their recovery journeys. It can also be a good idea for people who don’t want to, or can’t, attend any type of full detoxification program.
This can help your body adjust, and it can be easier to manage than quitting cold turkey. 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. Most people recover from alcohol withdrawal within a week, but people with severe dependency may experience withdrawal for multiple weeks.
Drink a cup of soothing tea or a tall glass of water before you imbibe—once your thirst is quenched, you may not feel the need for as much—or any—alcohol. If you identify with any of the scenarios above, try the expert tips below for reducing your alcohol consumption (or even eliminating it altogether). To determine whether—and where—you fall in the alcohol use disorder (AUD) spectrum, https://sober-house.org/ answer the following questions. Letting others know about your choice to stop drinking may help motivate you to stick with your decision. From month-long sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives. We all become conditioned to have certain responses to triggers throughout our lives.
- Cravings for alcohol can be intense, particularly in the first six months after you quit drinking.
- The federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends not drinking at all, but suggests that if you do, keep it under two drinks a day for men and one for women.
- The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
Eating nutritious food, exercising, and getting enough sleep can help reduce some withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings. If don’t have much of an appetite, you may want to take a multivitamin or drink a beverage high in electrolytes, such as a sports drink. If you take prescription medication, continue to take it as directed. Dietary guidelines recommend that if you drink, men limit daily drinking to two drinks or less per day and women limit their drinking to one drink or less per day. Consuming more than that can lead to liver damage and heart disease, and increase your risk for some cancers.
Alcohol withdrawal can cause many symptoms, some of which can be fatal. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.
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Quitting early not only improves your chances of success—it can also reduce the need for higher levels of care. Creating a plan is an essential part of knowing how to quit drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests that having a plan can help solidify your goals and give you a roadmap for how to achieve them.
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Having a plan to quit and exploring resources that can help you give up alcohol successfully can improve your chances for success. There are times when cutting back on your drinking can be helpful, but there are times when quitting alcohol altogether is the best solution. If you want to stop drinking for good, don’t let past relapses discourage you from trying to quit.
Consider professional support
However, the best strategies are those that people respond to the best. After the last drink, a person may experience mild or more severe symptoms. Keeping a drinking diary can help make people aware of how much they consume and how it makes them feel. With a better awareness of their consumption and the effects alcohol may have, a person may be more willing to quit. Researchers also suggest that mindfulness-based activities may help people abstain from drinking alcohol, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and meditation.
If you taper off alcohol slowly or with medical supervision, the brain has time to adapt without causing severe side effects. You may be able to detox at home and still attend outpatient therapy or support group meetings. The brain compensates for the depressive effects of alcohol by increasing its activity. When ecstasy withdrawal symptoms people who are dependent on alcohol drink, they feel normal. If you’ve become dependent on alcohol, cutting it out of your life may produce withdrawal symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, sweating and shaking. Psychological symptoms can include irritability, anxiety and restlessness.