When to taper
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 17
When to taper
Hello. I am really wanting/needing to stop drinking. On average, I drink about 6 beers a day. Well, a night, from about 4:00 to 7:00.
Then, on weekends, I drink about 5 in the morning, then nap with the kids, and 5 or so at night. This past week, more, since it was my wife's birthday. But otherwise, that's about the average. A lot less than I drank in college, or when I was single, but still EVERY day.
And even though I wake up every morning wanting to quit, I don't. By that afternoon, I am buying drinks. I have a high tolerance, and rarely get drunk, and am a good husband and father, but nowhere near as good as I would be if I didn't have to time booze naps, etc., and was more thoughtful towards them rather than always thinking of myself and my need to quit or desire to drink, etc. It's exhausting.
So, can I quit cold turkey? Or do I need to taper off? As it happens, I take/am prescribed a mild dose of benzodiazepenes twice a day to overcome general anxiety. I would rather just stop drinking flat-out, because, as we all know, it is hard, of not impossible, to drink and limit ourselves at the same time. I think I can handle the anxiety part, but I don't want it to be dangerous, and I am not comfortable going to a doctor, for insurance reasons.
Thanks.
Then, on weekends, I drink about 5 in the morning, then nap with the kids, and 5 or so at night. This past week, more, since it was my wife's birthday. But otherwise, that's about the average. A lot less than I drank in college, or when I was single, but still EVERY day.
And even though I wake up every morning wanting to quit, I don't. By that afternoon, I am buying drinks. I have a high tolerance, and rarely get drunk, and am a good husband and father, but nowhere near as good as I would be if I didn't have to time booze naps, etc., and was more thoughtful towards them rather than always thinking of myself and my need to quit or desire to drink, etc. It's exhausting.
So, can I quit cold turkey? Or do I need to taper off? As it happens, I take/am prescribed a mild dose of benzodiazepenes twice a day to overcome general anxiety. I would rather just stop drinking flat-out, because, as we all know, it is hard, of not impossible, to drink and limit ourselves at the same time. I think I can handle the anxiety part, but I don't want it to be dangerous, and I am not comfortable going to a doctor, for insurance reasons.
Thanks.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: LA, California
Posts: 372
If you are drinking every day (regardless of the amount) it is dangerous to quit cold turkey. If you are unwilling to see a doctor, then I'm sure there are detox facilities in your area that can get you past those first few days of sobriety to make sure you aren't in medical danger.
Choosing Life
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,435
"Tapering" rarely works. Once the "drinking switch" is flipped, your body will just want more. You're better off just stopping and being done with it.
It's dangerous anyway to combine benzos with alcohol; you probably already know that. The GOOD thing about your taking the benzos is that they can help you get off the alcohol with a minimum of withdrawal. I do wish you'd see a doctor though, and let him/her know what you're doing with quitting alcohol. That's always a good idea because detoxing can be a dangerous proposition. If you start feeling funky during detox, please call a doctor or go to the ER. Better safe than sorry.
Good luck to you.
It's dangerous anyway to combine benzos with alcohol; you probably already know that. The GOOD thing about your taking the benzos is that they can help you get off the alcohol with a minimum of withdrawal. I do wish you'd see a doctor though, and let him/her know what you're doing with quitting alcohol. That's always a good idea because detoxing can be a dangerous proposition. If you start feeling funky during detox, please call a doctor or go to the ER. Better safe than sorry.
Good luck to you.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 471
I think it's hard to know without going to a doctor because everybody is different and every time is different. Some people who drink more than that and quit cold turkey have no issues but others who drink less and quit do have problems. Tapering is a difficult thing to do...I have had absolutely no luck with that. I always ended up returning to my normal drinking.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Welcome to SR. A sober father is the best thing you can give your kids.
Could you clarify this, please? Why don't you want to go to a doctor?
Originally Posted by ForMyKids 
I am not comfortable going to a doctor, for insurance reasons.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 17
If you go to a doctor for alcohol withdrawal you *may* have a diagnosis of alcoholism on your medical records for the rest of your life. This can sometimes make it difficult to get medical insurance and even employment. (A first hand account of this has made me wary.)
While I am sure it is avoidable, and I know the risk is slight, I simply cannot risk my employment and insurance.
Of course, if I cannot taper off or quit successfully, I will completely reevaluate. I understand my health and family are the most important. I just want to try something risk-free (the risk being defined re: insurance, etc.) first.
While I am sure it is avoidable, and I know the risk is slight, I simply cannot risk my employment and insurance.
Of course, if I cannot taper off or quit successfully, I will completely reevaluate. I understand my health and family are the most important. I just want to try something risk-free (the risk being defined re: insurance, etc.) first.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,460
We are not able to answer medical questions here, and as others have said detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous, so you really should talk to your dr. We are here to offer support for you.
Tapering is pretty much impossible for alcoholics.
Tapering is pretty much impossible for alcoholics.
Sober...Finally.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Galveston TX
Posts: 574
I never had luck tapering off. I would just get pissed and want more because I couldn't limit myself.
I would definitely look into the Doctor or going to check out some weekend detox facilities.
Congrats on wanting to get sober. Best wishes.
I would definitely look into the Doctor or going to check out some weekend detox facilities.
Congrats on wanting to get sober. Best wishes.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
Try your tapering experiment and if it doesn't work, just call AA.
It works, it's cheap and it's anonymous ... sounds like a win/win/win doesn't it...
All the best.
Bob R
It works, it's cheap and it's anonymous ... sounds like a win/win/win doesn't it...
All the best.
Bob R
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,410
Taping down is not a easy thing to do. I have done that before but I would need to be in a good state of mind. Widthdrawals can be dangerous but most people don't die from it. Seeing a doctor for detox is really helpful. The hardest part of alcohol is staying sober which most people have that trouble aka me too. Good luck with your recovery.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,355
Welcome ForMyKids
I understand many member have insurance issues, but speaking as someone who had a bad home detox and suffered a series of mini strokes, I think there are more important things to consider.
Not everyone has the experience I did of course, and I'm not suggesting that, but I definitely think it's best to be safe, especially with a family involved.
D
I understand many member have insurance issues, but speaking as someone who had a bad home detox and suffered a series of mini strokes, I think there are more important things to consider.
Not everyone has the experience I did of course, and I'm not suggesting that, but I definitely think it's best to be safe, especially with a family involved.
D
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 135
I drink alot more beer than you do. Been doing it for around 30 years. Occasionally I quit for 3-7 days, but unfortunately no longer. I never really have any physical issues during the quitting time, just the psychological part of wanting to drink. You have a family so you have a great incentive to stop. You can do it!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 17
Originally Posted by ABIDEBYLAW
I drink alot more beer than you do. Been doing it for around 30 years. Occasionally I quit for 3-7 days, but unfortunately no longer. I never really have any physical issues during the quitting time, just the psychological part of wanting to drink. You have a family so you have a great incentive to stop. You can do it!
Long road, but I am getting physically ready to stop (the easier part [Day 1 was a success, and there are only 3 days in the plan]). It's the psychological road that's gonna be the real toughie.
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,960
Why not go to a doctor and discuss proper detox? If you are like me, I was never truly ready! Just go and then stay stopped. Sounds more like a mental "get ready" than physical, which just puts off the inevitable....worse consequences!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Between Meetings
Posts: 8,997
Originally Posted by ForMyKids
Long road, but I am getting physically ready to stop (the easier part [Day 1 was a success, and there are only 3 days in the plan]).
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