Tapering for heavy drinker
 

Hey everyone, I'm not exactly new to sobriety but I guess The last 5 month binge has hurt me so bad physically that I'm very ready to give complete abstinence another try. Firstly though I have to get that first full day. I've chosen tapering over treatment for many reasons-not the least of which is money--but also because I really want to do it. I'm an around-the-clock drinker and recently as last week was killing a fifth along with up to four hurricane 2x4's a day starting at 6am. So last week I noticed that to drink made me very ill and yesterday It took 16 hours to do 5 beers-Each one with alot of nausea and not much improvement in the head change area. So my body is totally rejecting it. So I went 12 hours w/out and decided I will only have one when I get the shakes and sweats (8:30 this morning). So far, so good. Had some chest ache today but that has been going on for awhile. Am planning to have one more at 5 pm. Yes I'm irritable but am actually feeling much better than I thought I would. So it seems 4 units every 8 hrs. is working for me. In 2 days I'm going down to 3 (a 5.9%er) and then 2. I have been taking b12, b1, folic acid, potassium, C and zinc for the last month. I expect insomnia but have had it for 2 months with alcohol. My goal is 10 days max. Anyone out there had success with this or similar reduction methods? Feel free to let me know what you think. I'm gonna keep posting here.

uh. Chest pain, alcohol rejection?

I would get to a doctor. Your recent level of intake makes it really dangerous to try to taper on your own.

I tried tapering a hundred times or more. It worked for a bit and then I was back where I started, or worse. Tapering is really hard for alcoholics and quitting for good is actually easier. Have you talked to your dr?

If you are an alcoholic, moderation and
tapering attempts are only teasing that
grizzly bear. He is huge and he is
ferocious.

Get to a doctor my friend. Heart failure in alcoholic withdrawal is a very real risk.
Medical detox would be much safer.

Also, I would give AA a ring and ask for help, especially as you are feeling so unwell. We often help folks like yourself get through those first days.

If this is your plan then i support you.
I know sometimes it's not always possible to see a dr. and cold turkey is hard on the body.
I sincerely hope this is just a taper though.
Best of luck.

Some places in the world do recommend tapering, but even then only under a doctor's supervision or at least an initial visit to a doctor. The main problem is that even if you do successfully taper, you still have to quit at some point. And your body isn't going to like that one bit. The possible issues range anywhere from just being uncomfortable to death - literally by seizure, heart failure, stroke, etc.

Another vote for seeing the Dr.

Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, sometimes even fatal.

By your post it really sounds like you could benefit from some medical supervision.

D

Deaths from unsupervised withdrawal are
not a myth, they are a fact.

You are to be applauded for your effort
to quit. Please do it under medical
supervision at a detox center.

Taper and moderate is not something I can do. You might want to rethink your position on seeing a doctor. People die detoxing alone. I hope what you are doing works for you. I was vomiting quite a bit from drinking in the end days, I just brushed my teeth, and drank some more (now that is so stupid). How in the world did you go to work?? Good luck.

:welcome


I hope you can see a doctor for a safe way to detox from alcohol. Be safe. :)

agree with all, please see a dr, chest pains are not to be taken lightly.

Best of luck

Thanks to all for the thought-felt posts. I've done my homework on this and feel the standard benzo 3 day detox (all I can really afford as my 70/30 insurance is bad indeed) is just that. They might check bp and offer some IV b1 but other than that, only the minimum. If there are residual health problems following more than a week or two of good nutrition and supplements then yes I will have to go. I don't feel superhuman but..capable. I might fail but have failed before following medical detox, 14 yrs. in AA etc. but I thought drinking would be fun again--it was for awhile but very painful now. I did good today and stuck to my plan--just finished nursing a 4 unit beer for 2 hrs. Ate more today than the 3 days prior, took all my vitamins. My goal is total abstinence and I believe it's do-able. will be back tomorrow-thanks to all.

Mornin folks! Sleep last night was sweaty and intermittent at best. Actually got up at 5:30 (my normal time and much better than 2am), made everyone breakfast (including me) drank some coffee (without vodka) and have yet to touch the one beer I have allocated for myself today. Was informed that I can't talk about HAMS so I won't--I'll just stick to my personal experience. Feeling good-need a shower..Peace

Lack of sleep catching up with me. Am going to cut my evening beer to 3 units as the one I had 2 hrs. ago made me a little buzzed and I'm not with that anymore--just trying to reduce slowly to avoid that major jolt. Last time I did this was in 2010--a 4 day taper of high-grav beers--4-3-2-1 and then none ( I didn't even know it was called tapering back then I just did it). Stayed sober till nov 2013. Was also sober 8 yrs. from 89 to 97. Vicious cycle I know but much more typical than 25 to 40 yr. coinholders. Just my story. I'm also kinda manic when I'm sober but I channel it into doing things so I am productive. Looking forward to that again.

hope you're hanging in ok!!

Stay safe - I can't make any recommendations about your tapering, but I would hope/add that you should definitely let someone close to you know what's going on in case you need assistance. Each subsequent withdrawal can get progressively worse, so your last detox in 2010 may not be an exact indicator of what to expect.

I agree--'tis why I'm going a bit slower this time. I have a wife and 3 kids who are all in my corner on this btw. Appreciate your advice tho...thanks!

TY just fed my 3 1/2 yr. old and getting ready to do some things around the house. Ate more today so that's a plus.

I tried tapering too my friend, just for me it doesn't work as I'm far too greedy with drink and cutting back is too hard for my self control. I simply had to quit, for me it's all or nothing.