Hello, New Here

[briseus]

Hi there, :new:

My name is Briseus and I am 25 going onto 26 and have been drinking for the past 3-4 years...I have been drinking heavily the past year or so...sometimes even in the mornings.
I have tried quitting in the past and had no issues with DTs or any of the sort...even 24 hours of sobriety I am fine. I don't shake or vomit, I just have some anxiety...
I have been reading a lot about people's withdrawals and I think I am thinking WAY too much about it and that is why I am afraid to quit cold turkey again.
Anyways, I did drink about 1.5 to 2 litres a night (sometimes even 2 litres in a day into the night, although not often) of white wine at 12.5%.
I did go and see my Doc yesterday to ask him how I can quit...he did suggest I taper off...first start off minimizing it by a litre each day...
I really don't want to prolong the drinking much longer but I am going to do what is suggested...and in a way, I don't mind, even though I do want to quit (A LOT) because it keeps the anxiety at bay.
I would like to know what you guys thought about tapering and if anyone has succeeded by doing so?
I have been on other forums where it is frowned upon and really, instead of support people tell me that it isn't going to work and that I should just quit cold turkey (even though my doc and addictions counsellor told me to just cut down if I can).

I was just looking for some success stories, wanted to say hi and give you my story.
I really am done with drinking...I am losing self-respect...I gained 50lbs...it is putting a strain on my relationship with my boyfriend and I have disappointed my family.

But yea, thanks for listening. :thanks:

[briseus]

Hello, New Here

Thanks so much Doo-Doo...
Disappointment...definitely...don't have to hit rock bottom or lose everything before quitting drinking. I still have everything...I have a roof over my head, supportive boyfriend, generous and loving family, my own apartment, clothes, books, everything...so why would I throw that all away?
I was only going to have 2 drinks...but I think I will start off with 3/4 of a bottle...I drank a bottle and a half yesterday...so maybe just 1 today or less...
Tapering will be difficult, I know. But I have to do this. I have to prove to everyone I can.
Thanks again.

[FlyAway]

Hello, New Here

Hi Briseus, welcome to MWO. The beauty of this website is that you do what works for you. You can certainly try tapering down first, although it doesn't seem like you're getting physical withdrawals. I didn't either.

I'd suggest reading the https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...box-27556.html to get ideas about what worked for other people. Some people use supplements, some use prescription drugs, some use neither. I personally found that L-Glutamine supplements helped me a lot with cravings. I took about 4000mg total in divided doses throughout the day. So about 1000mg every 4 hours or so. I also found the book Kick the Drink Easily by Jason Vale to be a huge help. There are hypnosis CDs you can get and a MWO book on the website as well. Look around, read a lot, ask lots of questions, and then make a plan. By that I mean what techniques (such as those I just mentioned) are you going to use?

[briseus]

Hello, New Here

@FlyAway - that is what I really like about this site! That everyone supports you and wishes you the best on this site. No matter which way you try to quit drinking.
Thank you! I actually JUST came back from picking up 2 bottles of L-Glutamine and Milk Thistle too. I also have a book on Rational Recovery that I plan on reading and will definitely look into Jack Vale's book as well.
I will definitely check out the Tool box section as well. I am quite the reader.
And no, I don't have the shakes or anything within the first 24 hours...never had in the past either.

@Doo-Doo - housing and material items? I was just saying that I am grateful for what I do have...the resources I have to quit drinking and such.
I am definitely reaching for help. I am done with this drinking thing.
What kind of supplements would you recommend? FlyAway said Glutamine and I got that...Milk Thistle..B1 vitamins (that is thiamine, correct? It is hard to find thiamine where I'm at)...
The problem is definitely addressed...won't let it get worse, that is for sure!

Thank you!

[briseus]

Hello, New Here

Why can't you completely stop doo-doo?
I know I have much to look forward to. I wish I never got into drinking in the first place. Hate it. :/

[briseus]

Hello, New Here

Does anyone else have any advice??

[FlyAway]

Hello, New Here

I think you should post in the "Just Starting Out" section. You'll get more advice from people there.

[briseus]

Hello, New Here

Oh, okay, Thanks very much FlyAway - I will just copy and fast. Thank you.

[LillyE]

Hello, New Here

Briseus,

I'm no medical expert but just from all the reading I've done and what you've said about how much you're drinking I'd worry that you could harm yourself quitting cold turkey without medical supervision. Is rehab an option for you? Honestly, at the level you're drinking I truly think that would be your best bet. And if you've got a supportive partner and family perhaps they could help you financially and with time off work and all that?

You said you saw a Doc, that's great, and he's probably saying taper off for those reasons. Even though you don't think you're getting withdrawal you still could harm yourself. Or not. Some people drink even more than that and quit cold turkey fine but it's risky. I think you ideally need medical supervision and ideally that would mean rehab. Please just consider it. You are young and you are right that you will lose everything if you keep going the way you are. But it's FANTASTIC that you want to address it NOW - not 10 or 20 years from now when you HAVE lost everything. Give it all you've got.

The toolbox is a great place to start. If you are a reader here's a few books that have helped me and others...

Beat the Booze
Under the Influence
Drinking - a love story - Caroline Knapp
Kick the Drink - Jason Vale (I haven't read this one but people seem to love it)

Another site I've found helpful and might help you see the value of making huge shifts in your life if you really want to get sober is spiritualriver.com - loads of great articles there. My problem wasn't quite as severe as yours - though still bad - at your age, 10 years ago, but god do I wish I'd had the sense to quit then. I could have saved myself a lot of wasted years, angst and trouble.

Keep posting.

Lilly

[LillyE]

Hello, New Here

Also, if you haven't seen this already...

The 4 stages of alcoholism
Alcoholism is a progressive degenerative disease that includes the following four symptoms: craving, physical dependence, tolerance, and the loss of control.

Alcoholism is a complex topic that can be better understood when it is studied and assessed via the four alcoholism stages. And keep in mind that when the term "alcoholism" is used, this also means "alcohol addiction," "alcohol dependency," or "alcohol dependence."

Alcoholism: The First Stage

In the first stage of alcoholism, drinking is no longer social but becomes a means of emotional escape from inhibitions, problems, inhibitions. Stated differently, during the first stage of alcoholism, drinking is, in many instances, a psychological attempt to escape from reality. For instance, early in the disease an individual starts to depend on the mood-altering effects of alcohol.

Another observable characteristic of the first stage of alcoholism is that a slow and gradual increase in tolerance develops, meaning that more and more amounts of alcohol are needed for the individual to "get high" or to "feel the buzz." For example, it is common for problem drinkers in the first stage of alcoholism to start gulping one or two drinks before attending a social function and then to increase social drinking to 3 to 5 drinks per day.

Alcoholism: The Second Stage

In the second stage of alcoholism, the need to drink becomes more powerful. For example, it is common during this stage for the problem drinker to start to drink earlier in the day.

As tolerance increases, furthermore, the individual with the drinking problem drinks not because of psychological tension or stress relief, but because of his or her dependence on alcohol. During this stage of the disease, even though the "loss of control" does not occur on a regular basis, it is, nevertheless, starting to become more noticeable by others such as relatives, family members, neighbors, friends, and co-workers.

Also during this stage of the disease, the problem drinker may begin to feel more concerned and embarrassed about his or her drinking. Often during this stage, problem drinkers are unsuccessful in their attempts to stop drinking.

In this stage, physical symptoms such as hangovers, blackouts, hand tremors, and stomach problems increase. Interestingly, instead of seeing their drinking as the root of the many problems and issues they experience, however, drinkers with a drinking problem in this stage frequently start to blame others and things external to themselves for their difficulties.

Alcoholism: The Third Stage

In the third stage of alcoholism, the loss of control becomes more severe and more observable. This means that problem drinkers are unable to drink in accordance with their intentions. For example, once the individual takes the first drink, he or she commonly can no longer control further drinking behavior, in spite of the fact that the intent might have been to have just "one or two drinks." It should be stressed that an important aspect of this stage of the illness is the following: the drinker often starts to experience more serious drinking problems as well as alcohol-related employment, relationship, financial, and legal problems.

In the third stage of alcoholism, it is common for the problem drinker to start avoiding friends and family and to show a lack of interest in activities and events that once were fun or important. Also typical during this stage are "eye-openers," that is, drinks that are taken whenever the problem drinker awakens. Eye-openers are taken mainly to "calm the nerves," lessen a hangover, or to quiet the feelings of remorse the individual occasionally experiences after a period of time without consuming a drink.

As the drinking increases the individual with the drinking problem starts to neglect most things of importance, even necessities such as food, water, personal hygiene, shelter, and personal interaction. And finally, during this stage, the drinker often makes half-hearted attempts at getting professional medical assistance.

Alcoholism: The Fourth Stage

The fourth and last stage of alcoholism is characterized by a chronic loss of control. In the earlier stages of the illness, the problem drinker may have been successful in maintaining a job. Due to the fact that drinking during this stage frequently starts earlier in the day and commonly continues throughout the day, however, few, if any, full-time jobs can be maintained under these conditions.

In the earlier stages of the illness, the problem drinker had a choice whether he or she would take the first drink. After taking the first drink, the drinker typically lost all control and would then continue drinking. In the last stage of alcoholism, however, alcoholics no longer have a choice: they need to drink in order to function on a daily basis.

During the fourth stage of alcoholism, benders are typical. More to the point, in the fourth stage of alcoholism the alcoholic frequently gets helplessly drunk and may remain in this predicament for a number of days or weeks. The unattainable goal for the drinker while engaging in his or her bender is to experience the "high" they he or she once experienced.

In the second or third stages of alcoholism the drinker's hands may have trembled slightly on mornings after getting drunk the previous night. In the fourth and last stage of alcoholism, conversely, alcoholics get "the shakes" whenever they attempt or are forced to refrain from drinking.

These tremors are an indication of a serious nervous disorder that now affects the drinker's entire body. When "the shakes" are combined with hallucinations, furthermore, the result is known as "the DTs" or delirium tremens. The DTs are a potentially deadly kind of alcoholism withdrawal that almost always takes place unless the alcoholic receives immediate alcoholism treatment. It may come as no surprise that after an attack of the DTs, more than a few alcoholics promise to never drink again. Sadly, most of them do not and cannot fulfill their promise. Consequently, they more often than not return to drinking and the alcoholic drinking patterns and drinking problem start all over again.


From the information discussed above, it can be concluded that the four stages of alcoholism paint a bleak picture for individuals who are alcohol addicted. Perhaps learning about the destructive and damaging outcomes and the unhealthy nature of alcoholism may not make a much of an impact on most individuals who are already chronically alcohol dependent.

It is hoped, however, that by exposing the facts about alcohol dependency and about the stages of alcoholism to our youth BEFORE they start consuming alcohol in an abuse and irresponsible manner will prevent many of our teenagers from experiencing the drinking problems and the unhealthy and devastating realities suffered by most alcoholics

Finding a quality treatment program can be a difficult process. That's why it is important to log on & post here daily and of course other forums or organisations like this,
copied from web.

[Miklo]

Hello, New Here

I am not a medical expert, do not take my word for fact, it is only an opinion. You said that you could go 24 hours with no withdrawl, that is normal even for an alcoholic. When I quit, I drank quite a bit more, my withdrawl was probally the worst on day 3. I did have the shakes and nausa and all that. I think you would probally be ok going cold turkey. A doctor is not going to tell you that because of liability. It is possible to die from alcohol withdrawl. Alcohol is the worst drug to detox from, it symptoms can be worse than cocain and other hard drugs. I would let your close frieds and partner know what you are doing, and have atleast one of them stay with you for a couple days while you go through this. It will be a rough first week!