I believe I am a functioning alchoholic. My current drinking habits have been steadily increasing for the last 3 years or so. I now drink about 1 litre of red wine every night - alone. I often don't remember things that I do when I am drunk and pretty much drink until I pass out.

Is it possible for me to try cold turkey without medical intervention? Or would I be better to drink say 1 glass a night for a period of time - how long so that the worst (life threatening) symptoms of withdrawal do not affect me.

I don't have a support network at all but I have two beautiful young children who deserve a better mother. And I deserve a better life.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks that helped them?

My brain injury cured 35 years of social drinking. I attended Alanon for a year to deal with family alcoholic issues. You might try AA or a therapist.

Good morning.

One question before you label yourself: Can you just have one glass of wine and be content, or do you NEED to finish the bottle?

Be honest.

I find it very difficult to have just one glass and usually drink the whole bottle. I can if I HAVE to only have one or two glasses.

Only you or a professional can tell if stopping cold turkey would be a safe option.

If you are drinking until a "black out/pass out stage" that is not safe at all with children to care for.

Usually there are deep emotional influences on why some people get into a drinking cycle. Those issues may need to be examined at some point.

Not having any wine/drinks in the house would be a start.
If you run into detox problems, seek a professional to help with it.

What Jo*mar said above.

I can't stress enough how alcohol will cloud your thinking, especially when it comes to your kids. I lost my marriage of 12 years and I lost the relationship with my kids. I chose alcohol over my "life" and I am paying dearly for it.

It is NOT too late for you. Please, I beg you, do not make the same mistake I did.

Wean yourself off slowly, quit cold turkey, hit up an AA or Celebrate Recovery meeting, get an accountability partner, hire a sober companion, lock yourself in a cabin in Maine for 2 weeks....

Do something before its too late. You do NOT want to follow in my footsteps.

I have never posted here before, but quickly my experience is as follows:
I am now 75 years old. I quit when I was 29, and believe me I was an Alcoholoic. You will probably have no luck with tapering off, I have never seen that work.
Get yourselp to an AA group as soon as possible. I was a member of the Top Of Texas Group in Amarillo, tx for a long time. They are by far your most sucessfull chance.
There are no quick cures, I had to stay close to the group for a long time, but it will be worth it
No telling how my life would be now, if I had not found AA.
Wish you the best
FREDH

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You will find a lot of compassion and support right here. Many of us have issues with addictions of many different kinds. I weaned off morphine after 10 years. I also quit smoking cold turkey. My dad and mother both were heavy drinkers, I never did that, as it scared me.
I would advise you to see a friend, a councilor, some kind of program to where you have support right now for the drinking. Of course I am here to listen. Any addiction is hard to kick. For the sake of your youngsters it is important that you do. I hated growing up with drunk parents, and I was angry for a very long time.
My council told me when you get rid of something bad, fill it with something good. I would try that to start with. Maybe an outing with the kids, some state park, where you connect to something beautiful to share with your young ones. Do something positive to take your mind off of drink, and replace it with something you like even better. If you can afford a therapist, go for it. You have the rest of your life to have a good time. Don't waste it being in a state where you can't enjoy it. Life is short, terrible short, don't waste a minute with something that isn't good for you. I am here to listen any time. Be well, be happy, find an inner peace. ginnie

I am a recovering addict who has been clean for 8 years and I know how hard it is to quit drinking/using drugs.

I am not sure about your health conditions but quiting cold turkey from Alcohol isn't the best idea. There are only 2 drugs you can die from withdrawal. Benzos and Alcohol.

I would discuss it with a health care professional and find out your options.

Its great you want to face this and sounds like you are a smart, strong determined person.

Prayers for you.