You will have a much easier time if you go to a doctor. I absolutely dreaded inpatient detox for the same reasons you do - I didn't want people to know, I didn't want to lose my job, etc. I tried to taper, and had a seizure on my second day. I was home alone, and no one helped me. I'm lucky I didn't die. Going to detox was EASY once I committed. And you know what? Nobody questioned me about it. I simply said I was away for a few days, with no additional explanation.