I drink 3 litres of cider a day (4.5 litres on the odd occasion ) , it’s only 5% alcohol. I sometimes miss a day, but not often two days in a row. Mostly it’s a daily routine 3 litres per day. I have been drinking this amount most days for six years. The longest I’ve gone without a drink is one week, in six years (that was a long time ago). Last week I went for two days without drinking, on day two I had a big headache so bad I couldn’t get my daily things done. Its been 24 hours right now since I had a drink, and I have a slight headache. I don’t know if it’s alcohol withdrawal related or not, but it maybe?Anyhow I want to know what is a safe level for me to cut down, do I cut down to every 2 days, then 3 days and so on… Or is it safe to go for week, then 2 weeks etc…? Am I at risk of having bad withdrawals and what would they be at this level of drinking?
I want to cut down on my drinking, so I can lose some weight (drinking makes ya fat) and save some money (makes ya broke as well)
Rehab is not a option I have to many commitments to take time out. And I want to tackle this on my own.
You should keep drinking every day. What you should cut is the amount of cider you drink. Start by keeping it 3 liters straight with no "4.5 liters on odd occasion". A week after cut it to 2 liters. Keep this amount for a week, and then cut again to 1 liter, and so on...
You have a serious problem . Many people don't even drink the amount of 3 liters of any liquid a day. I am surprised you haven't developed anything serious until now you are so lucky! Cider sure makes you fat. You must cut down the amounts immediately and work out as well. You need to find the time of the day when you drink most, Is it in a certain situation, is it whenever you feel something, you have to figure out what are the symptoms that lead you to it. You have to try and find a substitute for the cider. You might want to start drinking small amounts but spread it over the whole day. Gradually reduce the amount. Start exercising after exercising never drink the cider try water if you can't stand it maybe try a juice Apple juice would be better.
The search for people who can answer your question continues for as long as needed - until you find the answer you were looking for.
When an answer is posted by someone who was invited (byYedda or by yourself) to answer your question, their answer is marked with a yellow "invited by Yedda".
To be invited to answer other people's questions in your areas of knowledge and interest, be sure to list your favorite topics:
» My Settings My Topics.
Of course, the more helpful your answers are, the more likely you are to be invited to future questions...
NOTICE: By the time you have noticed this notice, you will have noticed that this notice is not worth noticing.
First, no one can say if you're an alcoholic except you yourself. However, as we say in AA, if you think you have a drinking problem, you probably do have a drinking problem. You might attend a few AA meetings (they have them everywhere); you can remain completely anonymous (hence the name); no one you know will know you're there (unless they also are members/visitors). No one will say anything; we are the friendliest people you will ever meet, and will become your friend, if you want it. (Of course, there are some groups who are insular, or composed of nasty or unfriendly people; those you can avoid; just try a different meeting until you find one you like. They all have different flavors/personalities. You can decide about your "problem" by yourself. No one will blame you or try to coerce you; they'll just say "Keep coming back." (It's free, too; donations are accepted--we pass the basket for expenses; no obligation.)
Secondly, tapering off or down rarely, if ever, works. People who try invariably wind up where they were before, if not worse. However, there have been people who "did it on their own". After all, the AA movement started in 1935, and there weren't any rehab/treatment facilities then. The biggest fear is going into withdrawal (DT's). These usually occur after about 3-4 days after abrupt cessation, so don't try "cold turkey". Tapering off is an option, but, like I said, doesn't really work without some outside support (like AA). If you want to try, though, I'd suggest cutting down a very little at a time. For example, take your usual consumption level, then decrease it every 4-5 days by about 100 cc. (I know that seems slow, but it's the safest way without medical supervision.) Staying on that schedule is going to be difficult, however, unless you have a great will power. (Under medical supervision, i.e. rehab or with the help of an addictionologist, you can get off it in about a week with the help of tranquilizers [e.g. Valium].
I doubt that you'll be able to "cut down", though. People who try, and apparently succeed, almost invariably go back to their old ways. They are told by "friends", "Well, just one can't hurt you." It's the first drink that gets you drunk. It sets off a physical craving, and soon you're back where you started.
Previous commitments are the number one excuse that people use to avoid rehab. No matter what they are, for the sake of your health, if not your family, you need to get off it. Completely. Employers are almost always understanding if you are honest with them. Most even have pre-arranged facilities that take their employees without question; some even pay for it, and a few will continue to pay you your salary. At least you'd get a complete physical to see exactly how much damage you've done to your body. And, I guarantee, you have.
Most people think that without drink, they'll never have any fun anymore. They think that they'll become isolated and bored. They think that their life is over. Trust me, nothing could be further from the truth. We are not a glum lot. (That's from the Big Book; our "Bible")
I'm sorry if this diatribe is too long and/or preachy, and you got bored halfway through. I did it as much, if not more, for myself than for you. (It's what we call 12th step work.) And, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you try to do.
By the way, you'll have to search hard to find a place to spend all the money you'll save. But, you'll feel much healthier, and have more energy, to spend it.
All the best,
Dave E.
Clean and sober 4+ years
Got an answer for chilli-pepper? Would you like to comment on the posted answers, or vote for the one which you think is the best?
Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member).
Other people asked questions on similar topics, check out the answers they received:
Other people asked questions on various topics, and are still waiting for answer. Would be great if you can take a sec and answer them