Weaning of alcohol

I'm trying to get through alcohol withdrawal. I've never really done it before, or at least not consciously. Might go on a weekend bender with buddies and suffer the hang over for a day or two (or three) afterwards, but figured this was just part of the territory. Now I've been reading more about the danger of alcohol withdrawal, and am a little worried this time around because my drinking has progresses. For the past few months I've been doing nearly daily maintenance drinking (5-6 days a weeks), anywhere from 2-8 drinks, and probably 1 day/week with 12 drinks. I cannot afford to go to rehab, and want to ween myself off (while attending AA).

1) Does the amount I've been drinking put me at serious risk for DT if I go cold turkey?

2) If cold turkey is not an option, what would an appropriate wean down schedule be? I was considering starting at 6 and weening down a drink a day to nothing, if I'm able to. Advice from people who have successfully detoxed by weaning their alcohol consumption is appreciated.

3) I am staying well hydrated, taking my vits, eating well, and taking a B-complex 2-3 times/day.

4) Is exercise beneficial or detrimental to this? On the one hand, I feel it helps me fight off the cravings. But on the other, I don't want to stress my body too much when it may already be going out of whack.

Thanks for your advice

[ibizan]

there are many posts here on the dangers of withdrawal from alcohol minus medical advice.I believe you can find these posts in the archives in the search bar.

[surfin]

Hey, it's good to see you've realized you need to quit drinking.  Your strategy may work for a little while, but from my experience, weening off is harder than quitting cold turkey.  You may make it a few days or weeks, but if you keep drinking, you're gonna convince yourself of something later that isn't in your plans right now.

Sorry for not really answering your question, but often times manning up, seeing a doctor and going cold turkey is what it takes.

God bless, and hey, miracles do happen when we try to get sober

[surfin]

Hey, it's good to see you've realized you need to quit drinking.  Your strategy may work for a little while, but from my experience, weening off is harder than quitting cold turkey.  You may make it a few days or weeks, but if you keep drinking, you're gonna convince yourself of something later that isn't in your plans right now.

Sorry for not really answering your question, but often times manning up, seeing a doctor and going cold turkey is what it takes.

God bless, and hey, miracles do happen when we try to get sober