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 they 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.

Those who find that they cannot taper off the number of drinks for any significant length of time probably have developed a severe alcohol use disorder or have become what is commonly known as an alcoholic. For others, simply cutting back the number of drinks can bring on alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Moreover, substituting one kind of beverage for another does not help you taper off alcohol if you consume the same number of standard drinks as you usually have. For example, one 12-ounce can of beer contains the same amount of alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a mixed drink containing 1.5 ounces of alcohol.

Try these tips for tapering off -

➡️Gradually reduce the number of drinks you usually drink.

For example, if you typically drink five glasses of wine every day, try cutting back four glasses for several days. Then, try to reduce it to three.

➡️Space out your drinks.

Limit yourself to one drink per hour, for example, or substitute a glass of water, juice, or Gatorade between each alcoholic drink.

➡️Dilute your drinks.

Mix progressively weaker drinks with less alcohol.

➡️Change to an alcoholic beverage you don't like.

For example, switch from wine (which you like) to beer (which you don't). The rationale is simply that you're less likely to drink much of a beverage you don't like.

For example, switch from wine (which you like) to beer (which you don't). The rationale is simply that you're less likely to drink much of a beverage you don't like.

Sources - https://www.verywellmind.com/can-tapering-off-reduce-alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-80195

Photo Credits -

https://www.verywellmind.com/can-tapering-off-reduce-alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-80195