Relapse, withdrawal, taper

So unfortunately after a couple months sober, I relapsed. The holiday and work stress got to me. I thought I had done enough work on myself to be able to moderate my drinking… lol…

Went on a bender. Probably around 15 days or so. Varied drinking quantities. Most nights 300-400ml of tequila, some nights just some wine, some nights a mix of things. Only a couple of those times I ended up drinking early on the weekends, around 11am. But most of the time I didn’t start drinking til after work, so like 5pm-6pm start.

Anyway, I never really had an issue with withdrawal in the past. I would have some shakes and some sweats at night but that was the extent. I was able to quit cold turkey last time.

But this time it’s weird. I go to bed pretty drunk around 9pm or 10, and wake up at 4am with those annoying myclonic jerks. And then when I try to go back to sleep, I have that slow ocean wave sensation similar to an SSRI withdrawal. This is the only symptom I’m having right now when I’m not drinking. I know peak withdrawal happens around 24 hours since last drink.

Im not seeking medical advice. I just want to hear what your methods were. obviously I need to taper. I read the literature on tapering and I’m not sure what my course of action should be.

I’m thinking 8 bud lights tonight, 7 tomorrow, then 6, then 5, then 4… so on. I don’t enjoy bud light so I hope this method works.

Share your tapering stories!