Yeah, I did a taper.
August, while I agree with your points, you did cold-turkey with medical help, right? You didn't just quit without medication after a handle of vodka every two days, did you?
I was drinking a fifth every 2/3 days. I went to two drinks on my first taper day. Second taper day I went to one drink. Third day, about a half shot of rum. Then I poured the rest down the drain and suffered the rest of the withdrawals without medication. I was just dumb and didn't know it could have been dangerous.
I decided I was ready to stop and then treated symptoms for those three days (extreme heart racing and anxiety.) I figured if I was gonna be done, best make it quick. I guess it could have gone badly for me. I'm just glad to never have to do it again.