That's how I stopped; carefully monitored my use by keeping a log and
gradually cut back the volumes and length of time between use. My doc said
it is tough for most to cut back, but safe. He refused to give me any meds
and said he would check me into a detox if I wanted to go that route. I went
from 20-25 oz of vodka per day down to 8-10 oz per day, then was able to go
cold turkey with no problems.

The advice you get from most is to check into detox, then stay in meetings;
you'll never hear anything that supports drinking in any form unfortunately.
Cutting back works... that's exactly what they do to you in detox with
benzodiazepam drugs. Like Stuart said, don't let Big Cheif's bully ya...
they are not doctors. At least you're sober... congrads!


"Devon" <spam@4dv.net> wrote in message
news:OpmdnS9Id8aSJeXZnZ2dnUVZ_tednZ2d@4dv.net...
> A couple of months ago I went to a doctor to get a prescription for
sleeping
> meds so I could stop using alcohol for sleep. The doctor asked me how
much
> alcohol I was drinking and how often and with that, told me NOT to go cold
> turkey. She told me that immediate withdrawal could cause serious
problems
> such as seizure, stroke and at worst death. She also said that if I had
any
> trouble with withdrawal complications, I should get to the hospital
> immediately. I followed these recommendations and managed to reduce
> drinking until the doctor said it was time to stop.
>
> I did it from my doctor's plan.
>
> Now at AA today, there was a person who didn't know about the possible
> problems of going cold-turkey. It was his first day. I'm sorry, but I
> couldn't keep the possibility of complications from him. I opened my
mouth
> and stuck both feet in. I told him about the possible problems of
immediate
> withdrawal. I then said what my doctor had me do--no one believed me.
How
> would a doctor ever tell an alcoholic to cut-back slowly? It goes against
> everything these people believe. I was basically lying. Right? Nope.
> After years of abuse, I wanted to get off and that's what my doctor told
me
> to do.
>
> It sucks. I thought I was doing the right thing by telling this person
that
> there could be complications. I didn't expect hostility. I didn't lie.
>
> Sorry, just wanted to vent.
>
> --Devon
>
>