Renarde

Even if some doctors that prescribe tapering, the key is that it is "a viable option" under their supervision and discretion.

It may include prescriptions and other monintoring and preventative care that prevents harm and injury to the patient.

I think there's also the issue that the OP wants to quit alcohol to abuse other drugs. That complicates things.

Disclaimer - I am in the medical profession.

SoberMarathon

This post hit me hard, Dee. I always self-detoxed after a binge and the process got worse and worse during the final 3-4 years, eventually bringing me to where I am now, having chosen to be sober and give up booze entirely. The detoxing initially involved insomnia, and then subsequently insomnia + shakes, and then insomnia + shakes + appetite loss + confusion + anxiety + extreme blood pressure and worse. I can never go through that again or else I'm sure it will kill me...enough said and thank you for reminding me of how terrible detoxing is!

underoath

I pursued it for a month. I talked with different counselors/advisers on the matter and they told me there would be no difference in just withdrawing before the deadline than taking a medical withdrawal, as far as $ and my academic standing goes. However, if I took a medical withdrawal I would have had to go to rehab in order to come back to school. I told them I would think about it and finally decided I wanted the medical withdrawal, but I tried for a week to get in touch with the lady I had talked to previously about it and I never could, so I dropped out at the last minute, with no negative repercussions, just a loss of money. The medical withdrawal would have been the same, except I would have had to have my family spend more $ on treatment. I know what the right thing to do is, I know what the wrong things to do are. Sometimes I enjoy doing the wrong things. I understand the risks involved but hell sober people die every day. I haven't had a drink since 5 am and I feel fine, just a little foggy mentally. I never would have thought that alcohol would help me think more clearly. I feel like if I was severely dependent I would be experiencing harsher symptoms, and much sooner than the 12 hr mark. If I feel like my life is in jeopardy I will seek medical attention, I understand this site is all about harm reduction and the mantra of "see a doctor" but humanity has been using alcohol for thousands of years, do you think people had the luxury of detox facilities back then? I've heard stories of old time AA'ers administering whiskey to newcomers to prevent w/ds or to alleviate w/d symptoms.... You know what my doctor would do if I saw him? He'd probably tell me to slow it down and he'd send me home with a script of xanax

underoath

Either way at the end of the semester I'm going to have to face the music. That's when the fun is over. I just don't see any need in stopping now, I just want to cut back, I know that sounds like a pipe dream and thousands have said it before but I'm comfortable. I just have no desire to get clean. Sometimes I feel like I should do the right thing you know, but it's a fleeting thought. This whole go to college and get a degree and settle down work a full time job 9-5, is a harsh reality but it's depressing. But then I look at all the alcoholic addicts in my family and I think to myself "what parasites!" But I'm no better than they are

There's a very very small part of me that says I need to cut this **** out, come clean with my family and grow the **** up... but it's not enough, because a second later I scoff at the idea

Dee74

After looking at this thread, the Mods and Administrators have decided to close this thread under rule 2

The consensus was we feel that a do it yourself tapering journal may encourage others to engage in dangerous practices.

Dee
Moderator
SR