I drink each day

[misscus]

Hello, I drink 5 to 7 drinks each day. I want to quit but am afraid to try for fear of withdrawals. I have tapered down to usually 5 from 9 drinks, shots of rum, each day. It is hard to stay at 5 a day but I am managing and some days I only have 4 shots. What I am curious about is if I continue to taper down slowly will I still go through major withdrawals? Should I see a doctor?

[Punkinhead75]

Attagirl!!!!  Glad to hear you made it through the day.  Don't worry about the anxiety.  That is pretty common when we stop drinking and should go away soon enough.  It's great that you told and friend.  So often we hide what we are doing for fear of what others will think.  When we finally do share what's going on we get lots of support.  I don't know how spiritual or religious you are, I just want to share that when I go to bed at night I like to say thank You for keeping me sober today.  It kind of blocks out all the other stuff that might be whirling around in my head and gets me back to what is important.  For me that is sobriety, gratitude and the fact that each day sober is a blessing.  Have a great day!!!!

[misscus]

Today was not terrible, I am doing okay, I am a little shaky and feel slightly anxious and I had a hard time filling the time today. Fortunately dinner is soon and shortly after at about 8pm it is time for bed. I pretty much go to bed with the chickens.  I might get in bed at 7 tonight.  I did tell my friend near where I live what I was doing. She was happy.and supportive of my decision.
You are right, being home everyday and not working and pretty much retired I have too much time on my hands. It was very easy to "enjoy" a few drinks each day.
I quit smoking about 5 months ago and went through wd but I wanted to quit so bad, just the same way I feel about quitting alcohol. I figure I have most of my life's memories on not drinking so that is something to lean on. I guess I am trying to find strength whereever I can. I do appreciate your feedback as it seems to help me stay on track and feel more confident.
Thank you.

[Punkinhead75]

When I was out of work my drinking got heavier too.  It is an easy path to fall onto.  Anyway I hope you are doing ok.  It is good to hear from you.  Don't pick up and things will get better.  Learning to live without it can be difficult at first but it does get easier.  You have made a great decision and I wish you the very best!! God Bless!!!

[misscus]

I am ffollowing your advice about vitamins, fruit drinks, etc. You gave good advice. I must admit I am apprehensive about what is to come. I am committed to quit though, as I know life is better without the alcohol. I only drank for past 2.5 years and I am fifty nine now, so Iknow what life is like without the alcohol. And believe me it is better without it.
I don't want to ramble on,
So thank you for your advice and sharing yur experiences . I appreciate any help I receive on this board.

[misscus]

Today is my alcohol quit day. I am feeling a bit nervous and maybe even a little anxious about quitting but still really wanting to quit. I have found some things to do to help distract myself this afternoon when I usually have my drinks. So hopefully that will help. I drank daily for the past 2.5 years while depressed about being on disability. I was bored out of my mind. I am still on disability but am functional now compared to before. So I am not bored like I was. One of the things I did while drinking was stay at home every day. I rarely drove anywhere because of the alcohol and fear of a dui. I miss the coming and going like I used to do.
Thank you all for your support and kind words. I appreciate the help.

[ibizan]

i do not miss blackouts and hangovers......oh how that was my  alcoholic prayer 27 years ago as i hugged the toilet or my head was staring at me from across my bedroom....God please take this hangover away and i'll never drink again!!!yeah right!!!there were so many agains b4 i made the committment to end the insanity!one hour at a time.....one day at a time!!!!

[misscus]

Yes I have considered going to aa meeting. I did look up to see where they were local to me. I have transportation issues right now so going is not going to happen quite yet. In the future after issues are worked out I may go once a week or twice. Just for the support i can get/give. I really really want to quit and nearly have my husband wanting to quit as he is realizing how it is affecting me and him and also the money spent. I am also tired of having hangovers after only a few drinks. In the afternoon I have my drinks then the entire evening I have a mini hangover where I feel like crud. There is more to life than that. I am sure of it.

[Punkinhead75]

Have you considered going to an AA mtg?  There are plenty of folks in there that may be willing to help or at least give you some good advice.  I think you will be okay.  Good luck and God Bless!!!!!

[misscus]

Tomorrow I am going to stop the alcohol. I already had some today so I will just wait til tomorrow. I am going to come here and post my daily progress and how I am doing. There is really no one to tell that I am quitting except my husband and he is gone all day long at work. I am an RN and have seen my patients with DTs in ICU and that is why I am so scared of them.

[Jacker]

Punkinhead has good advice.  There is a point where you have to pull the plug on drinking completely, in order to let your body begin the process of recovery.  Small amounts of alcohol simply wet the appetite for more, and can make you more agitated or on-edge (at least that was true for me).  

Seeing a doctor is always a good idea (as stated above), but if you choose to do it alone then alert a friend.  Also, here are a few tips:

*Drink lots of water, gatorade and fruit juice
*Take a natural sugar to make-up for the sugar that alcohol used to provide to your system (fruit, honey in herbal tea, etc)
*Stay away from caffeine or limit it.  It can make you more agitated  
*A good vitamin supplement can also help.

As a general rule, the worst is over within 3-5 days and you really begin feeling human in 7-10, but it will vary by individual.  Just beware of symptoms for Delirium Tremors.  I never got them, but some people do and they are dangerous.  That's why it's important to have someone watching you.

Keep posting - there's lots of good help here.  

[Punkinhead75]

Hi misscus,  When it comes to withdrawals everybody is different.  From what you are saying I don't think they will be too bad.  I do suggest that you let someone know what you are doing just in case something happens.  Seeing a dr. is a good idea.  Sometimes we have underlying health issues that may get complicated during withdrawals.  For what its worth, in the last month of my drinking I would anywhere from a half gallon to a gallon of whiskey.  I was one of those round the clock drinkers.  I weaned down for about a week only having three drinks in a rocks glass per day and then I stopped.  I had very few WD symptoms and got through it pretty easily.  I understand the fear of WD's but please understand that once you put down the drink and follow some suggestions life gets better.  Don't let the fear you have today keep you from having a terrific life.  God Bless!!!