Hi.....
I was detoxed in a hospital setting for six days and I got out on a Thursday and went to my first AA Meeting that night. That first year I concentrated on what others said at the meetings, went to a meeting every night for one solid year, and did not make any major life event changes, as suggested by old timers.
I did not have withdrawal symtoms, but had major depression, which I had had since a teen. When I discovered alcohol after I married, I quit take my antidepressant & drank to self-medicate my depression. My doc did not want to treat my depression very agressively until I had been sober 9 months so I was miserable that way but did have a growing pride in my sobriety.
This all happened 19 years ago and I have been sober since. I also continue treatment for my depression and follow-up with my doc every two to three months. I also have a psycdoc that reviews my meds about once a year and makes changes if needed.
The most important thing for me was to attend my meetings and work the AA program. I also had a good Sponsor and stuck with the successful alcoholics that could stay sober and tried to help others that couldn't seem to make it.
Please keep coming back and ask any questions that come up. We can share our experience, strength, and hope with you to help you grasp on to sobriety.
kelsh