Tapering does NOT work
Tapering does NOT work
If you have read my previous post (I was advised by my Doctor that A. 'I was NOT an alcoholic. and B. To reduce my alcohol consumption. (I actually told the Doctor I was drinking more than I was - In the hope I could get some 'help') The problem is, he said 'You don't look like an alcoholic! (I am a model - who has somehow managed to retain her looks despite this god awful disease) . I have been to AA and if nothing else realised that the word 'alcoholic' can apply to anyone... I met Judges, Doctors, Lawyers, High Profile Business Men, Housewives, Philosophers... Non of these people were your 'down and out, on the street with a bottle of vodka drunks' but again I went back to my Doctor, and got told the same thing.
I 'tried to 'taper' and was doing well. And then the weekend happened - I drank more than I've ever drunk (It's almost like before you go on a diet and have 'one last binge')
Found myself not being able to keep anything down, and then believe it or not(!) did the same thing the next day! Despite throwing up that morning - I must be crazy
I've only had enough to maintain today (half a bottle of wine) in the evening.
But there is no doubt in my mind that this could continue for the rest of my life.
I've tried AA but suffer from claustrophobia so have to run out of the room.
I don't really know why I have posted to be honest, but I know this is a great support network.
I 'tried to 'taper' and was doing well. And then the weekend happened - I drank more than I've ever drunk (It's almost like before you go on a diet and have 'one last binge')
Found myself not being able to keep anything down, and then believe it or not(!) did the same thing the next day! Despite throwing up that morning - I must be crazy
I've only had enough to maintain today (half a bottle of wine) in the evening.
But there is no doubt in my mind that this could continue for the rest of my life.
I've tried AA but suffer from claustrophobia so have to run out of the room.
I don't really know why I have posted to be honest, but I know this is a great support network.
No you are not crazy. We all understand what that feels like to throw up at night only to drink again the next day.
You can do this, you can stop drinking. I agree with Carl, get a name of a doctor who listens from someone at AA . Do you have a phone number to call?
You can do this, you can stop drinking. I agree with Carl, get a name of a doctor who listens from someone at AA . Do you have a phone number to call?
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: England
Posts: 169
Hey, switch your GP. Mine "family" doctor was not very supportive at all and told me to taper which didn't work at all. He said that I was young guy (30 young?!) and will easily be able to do it.
I found a private Doctor and paid £900 for a home detox...I failed after a month of not drinking and didn't fancy spending that amount again so...
I switched to a different local NHS surgery (I'm lucky as I live in a very rural area so is easy to do) and the other GP was great and helped out loads. He gave me a Valium taper over 5 days which made my anxiety almost non existent after stopping.
PM if you need any more advice as I battled with my old GP for a long time over this.
I found a private Doctor and paid £900 for a home detox...I failed after a month of not drinking and didn't fancy spending that amount again so...
I switched to a different local NHS surgery (I'm lucky as I live in a very rural area so is easy to do) and the other GP was great and helped out loads. He gave me a Valium taper over 5 days which made my anxiety almost non existent after stopping.
PM if you need any more advice as I battled with my old GP for a long time over this.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,981
It seems strange I notice that everyone from the UK that spoke to their docs just told them to taper, which rarely can be done. I would perhaps look for another doc, or ask them for some withdrawal meds to properly detox.
Cassie,
Imo....The taper thing gets us to a point where we can quit and not go into seizure etc. It gets us physically able to survive w out booze.
Then we have to stop drinking and deal w the mental damage. Periodic drinking...binging...fries the brain and reeks havoc on the body.
The mental aspect of staying clean wears us down. It is all about dopamine. That is why we crave. The booze alters our natural ability to feel awesome.
It takes a long time time for the internal awesome production to return after we quit drinking. That is why folks need rx drugs and/or relapse.
Stay clean long enough and you will get moments of natural euphoria again. It is amazing. I get them now through out the day. I feel happy for no reason. It lasts for a long time as well. It kind of snowballs as well. Nothing bothers me during those times. Sort of a Zen thing.
That is all. Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Imo....The taper thing gets us to a point where we can quit and not go into seizure etc. It gets us physically able to survive w out booze.
Then we have to stop drinking and deal w the mental damage. Periodic drinking...binging...fries the brain and reeks havoc on the body.
The mental aspect of staying clean wears us down. It is all about dopamine. That is why we crave. The booze alters our natural ability to feel awesome.
It takes a long time time for the internal awesome production to return after we quit drinking. That is why folks need rx drugs and/or relapse.
Stay clean long enough and you will get moments of natural euphoria again. It is amazing. I get them now through out the day. I feel happy for no reason. It lasts for a long time as well. It kind of snowballs as well. Nothing bothers me during those times. Sort of a Zen thing.
That is all. Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: MN
Posts: 93
I have tried for years and years to just not "drink so much". It has not worked. I still go back to binge drinking and as I get older, I get sicker from the alcohol.
I will have to say though that each time I have tried to quit it has gotten longer and longer in between times when I take up the drink again.
I will have to say though that each time I have tried to quit it has gotten longer and longer in between times when I take up the drink again.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,654
Yes, tapering worked for me. I intended to taper down from a fifth of vodka/750ml bottle equivalent, sometimes more, a day - to tiny amounts over the last few days, so that I wouldn't suffer any withdrawals whatsoever. Thankfully, after tapering down massively for a period, I was a little stuck and coundnt manage to reduce to almost nothing for the last few days and a member of SR suggested that I just stop at that point. It was safe, I'd tapered successfully (as recommended by a doctor in the UK) and to be honest, I was never going to have just one or two drinks for a few days at the end of the taper.
Since stopping drinking, I've engaged in some pretty scary and awesome adventures, purely to boost the dopamine and endorphins system, that was wrecked by daily drinking. I look forward to the natural highs, just for being, that D122y speaks of, once my bio-chemistry/hormones etc., recover!
Since stopping drinking, I've engaged in some pretty scary and awesome adventures, purely to boost the dopamine and endorphins system, that was wrecked by daily drinking. I look forward to the natural highs, just for being, that D122y speaks of, once my bio-chemistry/hormones etc., recover!
Tapering makes me think I can control my drinking. "Oh, I was able to have only 2 yesterday, so it's probably no big deal to have 3 today", which then turns to more on a Friday, or otherwise.
The weird thing is, I'm currently maintaining an 'accidental taper' at the moment. Drinking less and being a daily drinker, am taking days off with the intention of quitting, but it's becoming a routine, and am realizing that this pattern can perpetuate the trap.
The weird thing is, I'm currently maintaining an 'accidental taper' at the moment. Drinking less and being a daily drinker, am taking days off with the intention of quitting, but it's becoming a routine, and am realizing that this pattern can perpetuate the trap.
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
I also find it strange that folks are suggesting to go to AA in order to get a new dr referral. This is not something I've heard of in the scenario of "Hi, I just met you and since you're new, I'll tell you all about my situation and here's a great pysch/GP and..." That sort of stuff isn't the focus of AA and not something that would be the topic of a meeting, or IME readily available "advice." Much more likely to happen once you get to know people in a group and/or have a sponsor....
Putting aside the fact that I strongly suggest AA- there are physically different types of meeting, so surely one with a "more spacious" format and good exit points (I still use this sometimes- I sit at the back of the largest room in a big clubhouse, by the door, so I can leave any time)- do you have others in your life to talk to about the specific dr issue? Any kind of referral program within the medical system that you can call? Here we sometimes have EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs), for example, through work, or service numbers with our insurance.
I quit cold turkey from a very significant vodka habit. A lot of people don't recommend this- and I would hope that there is medical support (drugs, a few days in a hospital, whatever) that you can take to just stop.
Good luck.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)