Hi Everyone,
I have never had withdrawal per se....when I quit drinking I had a medical detox in the local hospital...had been drinking every evening for four years.
I drank a total of 24 years with a year or two sober here & there.
When I had to change antidepressants I titrated off the current one over a two week period....then had severe depression until the new AD kicked in.
You all are so brave to discuss this and help each other. My Brother has been through all of this & finally ended up in the hospital to finish his detox from alcohol which he used to get off methametaphine. He didn't call me during the detox because he was so ill. He ended up having a heart attack in September this past year during his detox...scared him so got honest with the doc and told him everything up front. I didn't know he was using drugs until after our Dad died....then he went from bad to worse with both alcohol & drugs. I have always been scared of drugs...did have friends that used them though...alcohol made me sick enough.
I wondered why my Brother was so afraid to be in jail & he later told me he would go through withdrawal in jail & he got no help for it. He has been to treatment many times...mostly court ordered though.
He has been clean/sober since October 31, 2008....not very long but it took almost a year to just get detoxed and feeling better. I have been sober 20 years but it doesn't seem like 20 years should feel. I am 68 & my Brother is 67. Alcoholism, Depression, & Drug use is in our family tree...treated & untreated. Mostly alcohol & depression for the older family members that are gone now.
I wish the best to all of you & just keep up the good work even if it takes staying in bed all day...drinking plenty of water even if it comes back up...you are worth it....to get yourselves back into the groove of life again. I know it is so hard & seems never ending but it all will be worth it in the end.
kelsh