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Tapering/withdrawals

Posted , 9 users are following.

pixie77747
pixie77747

Any advice would be helpful.

I've been drinking daily for years, no idea how many. Realised a while ago I was scared to stop in fear of withdrawals. Minimum 2 ciders a night totalling 6 units up to 4 ciders, strong ones like k cider 14.4 units. Most recent consumption 9-12 units daily. Freaked out when I compared this to gov guidelines. 70 odd units a week. Anyway....over the last 7 days I've tapered down to one can as follows by units.

9.4, 6.4, 5.9, 4.6, 4.1, 3.6 and today 2.3...which I've not drunk yet.

No major withdrawalsearch but felt a bit crazy but I also have also cold. Bit edgy today. Am I safe to stop now? Am I out of the woods or could stop me nasty withdrawals suddenly kick in? Scared stiff and not also stopomeoul knows also put it. Boyfriend is also outward it drink far too much but I don't want him to know how bad.

Thanks in advance.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • alex01280
    alex01280 pixie77747

    Posted

    I'd say you should be fine to stop. 

    Or you could carrying on tapering for a couple of more days if it makes you feel less anxious.

  • ADEfree
    ADEfree pixie77747

    Posted

    Best luck on your taper, Pixie. I would say that if you were going to have a problem with withdrawals, it likely would have showed up by now. Tuck this in your back pocket, it may help down the road a bit if you decide to start drinking again:

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/useful-resources-487627

    Scroll down on that page and look for The Sinclair Method. Apart from that, best wishes for your sobriety!

     

  • Nat666
    Nat666 pixie77747

    Posted

    You have done really well Pixie to taper back as you have.Take ADEs advice though and make more of the link he sent you .It's a very useful piece of information if you feel you are coming unstuck again . Best of luck !

  • pixie77747
    pixie77747

    Posted

    Thank you for your replies. I have tried to reply individually but an error message appears. I will definitely read the attached docs. Feeling very lucky to feel so well. Slept like a log last night and considering I have also halved my anti depressants from 15mg to 7m5 (mirtazapine/rameron). I can't believe I've allowed fear of withdrawals to prevent me from stopping! So, so lucky.

  • pixie77747
    pixie77747

    Posted

    I think I will have a 1.8 can today and 1 can every other day for the next week. Then maybe every other day so that I can adapt emotionally/mentally to not being drunk off my face every night. Perhaps it's better to just stop after today? I just don't know.

    • harriet67221
      harriet67221 pixie77747

      Posted

      I would ring 111 if in the UK and get to speak to an Out of Hours dr about this if you are so concerned. The dr knows your medical history and blood results.You sound determined to stop self harming with alcohol that is brilliant. Good luck and you take care.

      Remember you can live your life WITHOUT the dreaded poison aka alcohol.

       

  • pixie77747
    pixie77747

    Posted

    Interesting read ADE, I have heard of naltrexone before but used for opiate problems. I'm not keen on getting the doctor involved and I'm not a fan of N/a or A/a as I don't believe I am powerless over my addictions. I've gotten through far worse. I can do this, will bear this option in mind.

  • RHGB
    RHGB pixie77747

    Posted

    Hi, I am responding to your request in another thread asking me to reply here.

    There are three stages related to alcohol addiction

    Physical, neurological and psychological.

    The physical stage, affects people in different ways and not everyone suffers it. From your tapering down schedule you have listed, you are unlikely to suffer any major physical withdrawal symptoms.

    What you will be suffering from now is the neurological side effects. This can be a number of things, but the most common are, insomnia (your brain will not shut dowm when your head hits the pillow) and anxiety, where you will find yourself worrying about things that previously did not bother you.

    This neurological effects happen, because your brain has been changed over the years, due to daily alcohol consumption. It is what drives most people back to drinking, because they can't shut off. It can be dealt with, but most doctors and the alochol and drug charities don't understand it and therefore don't offer much help.

    If you are still following the thread, please reply and I will explain further.

    • pixie77747
      pixie77747 RHGB

      Posted

      Thank you for the reply and yes please furnish me with any information that may help. I do believe the neurological aspect maybe the thing I am going to struggle with.
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