View Poll Results: Did you stop drinking all at once, or did you "fade out" over time?
I quit from progressive drinking in short time (e.g. detox & Therapy, cold turkey)
61
80.26%
I first substantially leveled down my drinking down over time (e.g. months) before I quit?
15
19.74%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll
Dis you quit "all at once" or did you reduce your drinking over time before quitting
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 116
Dis you quit "all at once" or did you reduce your drinking over time before quitting
Hello everybody,
when browsing this forum I read most of the members (attempting to) quitting their drinking from a progressive drinking behavior within short time to "0", which is usually cold turkey or detox (and therapy). My story is quite different, I reduced my drinking over 18 month before quitting altogether. By reducing I am talking about going from one bottle of liquor to 1 beer a day.
How did you do, even when attempting to quit?
when browsing this forum I read most of the members (attempting to) quitting their drinking from a progressive drinking behavior within short time to "0", which is usually cold turkey or detox (and therapy). My story is quite different, I reduced my drinking over 18 month before quitting altogether. By reducing I am talking about going from one bottle of liquor to 1 beer a day.
How did you do, even when attempting to quit?
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 675
I moved to a new location and had every intention of "moderating". And I did, sort of. Cut my drinking in half probably (in frequency, not necessarily amount each time- I was a binge drinker). However at that point blackouts were imminent and even one blackout was enough to wreak serious havoc. I tried to go cold turkey twice and made it to a month each time, which I saw as proof that "I could handle it", so back to it I went. After my last 30 day stint is when things got out of control again in short order. Except worse than before my first attempt.
So honestly I see that the "process" of quitting began a good 9 months for me before it really stuck. Which is why I don't like to just brush people off while they're still playing the start/stop game because at least the seed has been planted.
So honestly I see that the "process" of quitting began a good 9 months for me before it really stuck. Which is why I don't like to just brush people off while they're still playing the start/stop game because at least the seed has been planted.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 171
I had been an every day drinker for years. Not even one day off in well over a decade. The decade before that was filled with excess too, but could have had days off here or there.
Same as FBL above, I didn't drink to have a couple. In the end I was just drinking to maintain. Pint of vodka each morning as soon as I woke, then continue through the day. No way I could have cut down, or tapered. One day 7 months ago I quit cold turkey. I had never attempted to before, not once. I knew I should but I didn't want to. I was telling myself I was still 'functional' which was a lie. I ran a business, sure, but the rest was a mess. I ended up here at SR on day three, after googling my withdrawal symptoms. Best thing that ever happened. I have no doubt I'd be drinking again if not for this place.
I am in awe of this: "By reducing I am talking about going from one bottle of liquor to 1 beer a day. " From what I have read in these forums, not many manage that.
Same as FBL above, I didn't drink to have a couple. In the end I was just drinking to maintain. Pint of vodka each morning as soon as I woke, then continue through the day. No way I could have cut down, or tapered. One day 7 months ago I quit cold turkey. I had never attempted to before, not once. I knew I should but I didn't want to. I was telling myself I was still 'functional' which was a lie. I ran a business, sure, but the rest was a mess. I ended up here at SR on day three, after googling my withdrawal symptoms. Best thing that ever happened. I have no doubt I'd be drinking again if not for this place.
I am in awe of this: "By reducing I am talking about going from one bottle of liquor to 1 beer a day. " From what I have read in these forums, not many manage that.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: North of the UK (one of the cold bits)
Posts: 672
Snap Kachal - pint of vodka on waking and another couple of litres through the day for good measure. Then a bottle of wine or 3 at night.
If the cutting down route worked for you TP then good on you and I'm genuinely chuffed that it worked out positively, but I think that most of us had to set the amount to zero from the offing.
If the cutting down route worked for you TP then good on you and I'm genuinely chuffed that it worked out positively, but I think that most of us had to set the amount to zero from the offing.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 116
I was mentally too weak to quit from the beginning, because alcohol was my way of emotional coping with everything at that time. To do so , I did need frequency but not so much quantity. I was an everyday drinker. For others it seems more easy to quit by a clear cut. I tried to reduce it day by day, two steps ahead, one back and then repeat. Even this took a lot of planning and reflecting,it was not a structured process, only in retrospect it appeared that way.
It was in no way a controlled moderation but a stumbling towards sobriety. I engaged some techniques taken from other areas that really helped me in awareness, and steering myself.
It was in no way a controlled moderation but a stumbling towards sobriety. I engaged some techniques taken from other areas that really helped me in awareness, and steering myself.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Pacific Coast
Posts: 785
The problem I see with the poll as phrased is that it implies that any reduction of drinking before quitting must be planned and deliberate.
I was drinking less often and less in quantity by the time I quit for good, but it certainly wasn't the result of any kind of controlled or disciplined taper.
I was drinking less often and less in quantity by the time I quit for good, but it certainly wasn't the result of any kind of controlled or disciplined taper.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,027
I was able to only drink several days a week instead of daily, but I couldn't cut down per session. I couldn't just have a few.
I tried to do tapers several times to avoid withdrawal but I couldnt.
On 9/24 I think I finished off half a handle of whiskey and two bottles of red. 9/25 I drank nothing. I've had nothing since.
'twas rough!!! If I could have done it a gentler way I would have.
I tried to do tapers several times to avoid withdrawal but I couldnt.
On 9/24 I think I finished off half a handle of whiskey and two bottles of red. 9/25 I drank nothing. I've had nothing since.
'twas rough!!! If I could have done it a gentler way I would have.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 116
Originally Posted by Andante 
The problem I see with the poll as phrased is that it implies that any reduction of drinking before quitting must be planned and deliberate.
I was drinking less often and less in quantity by the time I quit for good, but it certainly wasn't the result of any kind of controlled or disciplined taper.
I was drinking less often and less in quantity by the time I quit for good, but it certainly wasn't the result of any kind of controlled or disciplined taper.
But one thing is for sure: it is not about controlled drinking or continued moderate drinking, it's all abou sobriety. This distinction is so important, since it points your head in a clear direction instead an excuse to drink.
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