Tapering off alcohol
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 34
Worked for me
Originally Posted by Jttx81 
Hey y'all. I'm a long time alcoholic and know it's now time to stop. I'm 38 and usual poison of choice is chardonnay. Boxed wine.
I work nights and usually drink from around 7am until 1 or 2pm when I go to sleep. I go through 5 liters in two days.
I've recently, in the past month or so, started getting scary withdrawal symptoms at work. I'll start twitching or my head will jerk and spasm. I'll get hot flashes and my hands will shake.
So last week I hit a new low. As a safety precaution I'll bring some mini bottles with me to work and if I feel like the withdrawals are getting too bad I'll go to my car on break and take a few drinks.
I'm not proud of this. I'm afraid this is going to end in me getting fired, a DWI, or death.
​​​​​​
So I'm attempting to taper off. If any of you have successfully tapered off, I'd love to hear your tips and tricks. Right now I'm trying to drink a little less than the previous day and go to sleep earlier.
I've successfully quit 3 times before. One time was due to being prescribed benzos, which I'd REALLY like to avoid.
Are there natural supplements or teas or something that ease the withdrawal symptoms?
I am a smoker but I've recently stopped drinking coffee, other than one cup on my days off.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I know this is a grey area and I'm not expecting professional medical advice on this forum. Just looking to pick the brains of any of you who successfully tapered off.
​​​​​​​Thanks in advance.
I work nights and usually drink from around 7am until 1 or 2pm when I go to sleep. I go through 5 liters in two days.
I've recently, in the past month or so, started getting scary withdrawal symptoms at work. I'll start twitching or my head will jerk and spasm. I'll get hot flashes and my hands will shake.
So last week I hit a new low. As a safety precaution I'll bring some mini bottles with me to work and if I feel like the withdrawals are getting too bad I'll go to my car on break and take a few drinks.
I'm not proud of this. I'm afraid this is going to end in me getting fired, a DWI, or death.
​​​​​​
So I'm attempting to taper off. If any of you have successfully tapered off, I'd love to hear your tips and tricks. Right now I'm trying to drink a little less than the previous day and go to sleep earlier.
I've successfully quit 3 times before. One time was due to being prescribed benzos, which I'd REALLY like to avoid.
Are there natural supplements or teas or something that ease the withdrawal symptoms?
I am a smoker but I've recently stopped drinking coffee, other than one cup on my days off.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I know this is a grey area and I'm not expecting professional medical advice on this forum. Just looking to pick the brains of any of you who successfully tapered off.
​​​​​​​Thanks in advance.
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,916
To safely taper off, it's best to get medical help.ÂÂ
That doesn't mean that you must get admitted to the hospital. What I did (more than once unfortunately) was go to a Prompt Care (or whatever it's called in your community) medical facility. I told the Dr. that I was trying to safely taper off alcohol. After they took my vital signs I left with a prescription for 10 - 15 valium which helped immensely. In fact, after a couple of days I felt great and didn't even finish the prescription.
Unfortunately, being an alcoholic I needed to do this more than once before I achieved long term sobriety.ÂÂÂÂ
That doesn't mean that you must get admitted to the hospital. What I did (more than once unfortunately) was go to a Prompt Care (or whatever it's called in your community) medical facility. I told the Dr. that I was trying to safely taper off alcohol. After they took my vital signs I left with a prescription for 10 - 15 valium which helped immensely. In fact, after a couple of days I felt great and didn't even finish the prescription.
Unfortunately, being an alcoholic I needed to do this more than once before I achieved long term sobriety.ÂÂÂÂ
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 122
I detoxed in a treatment facility and would recommend it. They gave me librium for a few days so all I really did was sleep at the beginning. I recommend at least a 30 day inpatient to focus all the energy you have on sobriety. No phone, no responsibilities other than getting sober and staying sober.
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