Hello all,
I have a question. I have been a heavy drinker for 6 years off and on. I mean drinking up to a BIG bottle of wine every night (or almost every). I have been a social drinker since I was 17 years old. I am now 36.
I am ready to quit. Do I need medical supervision? I am just now starting to get the shakes when it is time to drink again. What withdrawel symptoms can I expect?
Thanks.
Hi Jack Russell
If you are worried I'd suggest talking to your doctor first. It may/may not be necessary hard to say. But definately get medical advice if you are concerned.
I get a little shaky but not too bad, never been to a detox. Mostly for me, sleep problems, anxiety and panicky. I actually have more physical problems when I DO drink than when I quit. The physical is NOTHING for me, compared to the mental. The cravings get real bad at times.
If you've been drinking that much for that long I'd say you definately need some kind of recovery plan to help you, there's various recovery programs out there, or you can try therapy or whatever.
Congrats for deciding to face your problem. All the best with your journey. Post and share here any time for support.
If you are worried I'd suggest talking to your doctor first. It may/may not be necessary hard to say. But definately get medical advice if you are concerned.
I get a little shaky but not too bad, never been to a detox. Mostly for me, sleep problems, anxiety and panicky. I actually have more physical problems when I DO drink than when I quit. The physical is NOTHING for me, compared to the mental. The cravings get real bad at times.
If you've been drinking that much for that long I'd say you definately need some kind of recovery plan to help you, there's various recovery programs out there, or you can try therapy or whatever.
Congrats for deciding to face your problem. All the best with your journey. Post and share here any time for support.
Does anyone know if doctors prescribe anything to get thru the rough patch at the beginning? What would they be? I am scared to cold turkey it - should I try to taper off some before stopping all together? Any thoughts or ideas??
Dear jack russell: First of all welcome to our friendly helpful alcohol board, we are glad to have you here... and congrads to you on your first step.. recognizing your have a problem... I don't know of any patch but I do know of some type of pill you can take, so if you drink you will get sick to your stomach.. I have not taken it, but have heard about it, if you google there is some info on it.
Have you been a heavy drinker? like drinking 24-7. If so I would say talk to your doctor first and foremost. They would run some tests for you and see where you stand with your health. My friend had to go to detox because the withdrawls can be deadly. I don't mean to scare you but it's the truth. I didn't go through really any to speak of, after a night of drinking I felt tired, anxiety, leg cramps that type of thing, but never the shakes. I guess it's all an individual thing and depends where you are in your disease.
I hope that helped a little..
God Bless You
lovedove
Have you been a heavy drinker? like drinking 24-7. If so I would say talk to your doctor first and foremost. They would run some tests for you and see where you stand with your health. My friend had to go to detox because the withdrawls can be deadly. I don't mean to scare you but it's the truth. I didn't go through really any to speak of, after a night of drinking I felt tired, anxiety, leg cramps that type of thing, but never the shakes. I guess it's all an individual thing and depends where you are in your disease.
I hope that helped a little..
God Bless You
lovedove
Thanks Love-Dove!
I saw my psyche today. I may go into treatment for dual diag when I get out of school. This whole thing with my hubbie has made me self medicate more than ever. The doc gave me a prescription - you know how they love to give u drugs - but I am hesitant to fill it. It is clonopin, and I have heard that it is addictive - and that is the last thing I need!! In fact, she gave me some before, I got it filled, never took any - but my hubbie took them all! So.....I just want to be careful - don't need another addiction! I feel awful for posting last night - but I called a suicide hotline and was put on hold! Can you imagine that?! I so appreciate all of the caring thoughts and prayers. I am in a MUCH better place right now. In fact, I am "detoxing" from my husband!! Thanks again for all of your help!!
I saw my psyche today. I may go into treatment for dual diag when I get out of school. This whole thing with my hubbie has made me self medicate more than ever. The doc gave me a prescription - you know how they love to give u drugs - but I am hesitant to fill it. It is clonopin, and I have heard that it is addictive - and that is the last thing I need!! In fact, she gave me some before, I got it filled, never took any - but my hubbie took them all! So.....I just want to be careful - don't need another addiction! I feel awful for posting last night - but I called a suicide hotline and was put on hold! Can you imagine that?! I so appreciate all of the caring thoughts and prayers. I am in a MUCH better place right now. In fact, I am "detoxing" from my husband!! Thanks again for all of your help!!
JR - You're post reminded me of how I felt at the end...suicide, detox from husband....I actually was monitored on an outpatient basis for the first eight days of my sobriety and was given Librium, a very monitored dose, by the Addictionoloist ...it didn't stop the shaking though. I shook it out in the rooms of AA, people still talk about that at meeting; how I couldn't even pour my own coffee and how I almost shook myself right out of the chair. Good luck to you.
JR,
i decided to post over here to you because of what you wrote here. This is THE most important time right now to be taking care of yourself, not those around you. A girlfriend with addiction was the reason I showed up in AlAnon. It took my sponsor there to start seeing that I needed more than just AlAnon, that I had some alcoholic issues that needed to be dealt with. Alcoholism by itself can be deadly. Couple that with the emotional stuff that comes along with an alcoholic/addict in our lives, WOW. But he was gentle enough with me to give guidance in realizing that the problem was with ME, not those around me. It also opened up areas where I found WHY I got in the relationships I did.
I've tried to respond to this before, but have always felt like the words would not some out right.
You are taking good steps here. Recognizing there may be a problem and admitting it is huge. The nightly drinking can be a bigger problem than you realize.
Keeping you in my prayers. You have a lot on your plate. But don't ever give up!
i decided to post over here to you because of what you wrote here. This is THE most important time right now to be taking care of yourself, not those around you. A girlfriend with addiction was the reason I showed up in AlAnon. It took my sponsor there to start seeing that I needed more than just AlAnon, that I had some alcoholic issues that needed to be dealt with. Alcoholism by itself can be deadly. Couple that with the emotional stuff that comes along with an alcoholic/addict in our lives, WOW. But he was gentle enough with me to give guidance in realizing that the problem was with ME, not those around me. It also opened up areas where I found WHY I got in the relationships I did.
I've tried to respond to this before, but have always felt like the words would not some out right.
You are taking good steps here. Recognizing there may be a problem and admitting it is huge. The nightly drinking can be a bigger problem than you realize.
Keeping you in my prayers. You have a lot on your plate. But don't ever give up!
Dear jackrussell: My b/f is and has been a crack addict.. and when you said you self medicated by drinking, I can sooooooo relate......please realize you can only change you..and only you don't ever think life is not worth living because of your b/f and his addiction, NO.................................... I have felt that way as well, but believe me, seriously life IS SO WORTH IT, don't give up on YOU!! you are a beautiful person, and we are here...
Big hugs
lovedove
Big hugs
lovedove
Hows things Jack Russel
Give AA a go, as budda say's in your ending live wisely and earnestly in the present moment.
Well for me that describes a good AA meeting.
Light and love Zac
Give AA a go, as budda say's in your ending live wisely and earnestly in the present moment.
Well for me that describes a good AA meeting.
Light and love Zac
