Quitting..What to expect ..What we did

[nogard]

Thanks Corol

My detox from Alchol was a complete shock.

My 11 year relapse started with a day off from my 20 recovery from drugs.

I had no resepct fro alcolhol and so even whn I quit. I continued that detox'd on my own at home in a reomte area.

I had dt's
shakes for weeks
palpitations (called an ambulance this got so bad)
stomach cramps
vomitted.

Most of this lasted about a week. My advice is get help detoxing and eat lots of fruit, drink lots of water, sleep when you can sleep.

Professional detoxs can be good, talk to someone who has been through it.

Good thing is its gone. These days I don't even think about using or drinking, really! Isn't that a gift.

I wish you well.

Kevin

[scaredykat]

My detoxing wasn’t as bad as some people can be. I think I was just lucky. I have always taken a lot of vitamins even while I was drinking. So I think that helped a lot with my detoxing. I didn’t see a Doctor about quitting drinking which wasn’t a good idea. I have a fear of Dr's so that is what held me back. Detoxing can be dangerous, so seeing a Dr is the better way to go to be safe.

Here is my personal experience when I was detoxing:

Day 1- I had some stomach pain, but no problem with eating. Very nervous, some shakiness, insomnia really bad. Only able to sleep a few hours. I drank a lot of water. I also started my recovery this day that I decided to use.

Day 2- Still some stomach pains, but still eating well. I was still very nervous and shaky some. Sleeping was still really bad. Very tired during the day. I still drank a lot of water.

Day 3- I still had some stomach pains. Still very nervous. Sleeping was still very difficult at night. I took some naps during the day which helped. Still drank a lot of water. Mentally and emotional getting very hard with not drinking.

Day- 4 Feeling a lot better physically. Still having problems with sleeping. Still drinking a lot of water. Emotional and mentally getting harder.
End of week 1- Physical done with detoxing. Emotional and mentally getting harder.

Week 2- Sleeping still hard but better. Emotional and mentally really hard. Crying and anger was the 2 biggest problems.

End of 1st month- Finally sleeping normally. Still drinking my water. Emotional and mentally still hard, but learning to deal with it because I know it will not last forever.

I had a lot of support when I quit. That helps a lot when you are quitting. I had friends here at home and I came on SR 2-3 times a day.

It is possible to quit. I know. I drank for many years and I’m now sober. Living sober is so much better. I feel like I have joined life again and it feels great.

Thanks Carol, and everyone else for being here.

Barb

[ManchurianC]

I suppose I'm sort of an average alcoholic - who drank 10 to 15 units a day and averaged about 85 per week.

Day 1 - nasty taste in mouth (like the smell that comes from alcoholics). Sleep OK but wake up early with a cold sweat.

Day 2 - sort of head pain (not an ache but a kind of tightness). A bit harder to sleep and wake up early with a cold sweat again.

Day 3 - Starting to feel really tired. Gums become tender and bleed if brushed hard. wake up early but no cold sweat.

Day 4 - just want to loaf about and can't concentrate for long. Have to sleep a lot but keep waking up and feel exhausted all day. Find the tragedies and misfortunes of others funny and feel generally hateful.

Day 5 to Day 9 - like day 4 but gradually become more productive, sleep better and less inclined to enjoy the suffering of others and feel less hateful. Gums firm up and minor aches and pains subside.

Day 10 - start feeling normal being sober. Begin convincing self not an alcoholic and begin to remember how much fun drinking is.

I'm back to day 6 at the moment after a Christmas relapse. Detox, physically, is not so bad at my level of drinking. But I suppose it's as bad as everybody else's psychologically/emotionally.

I'm not a fan of the detox industry, but I can see from the posts here, professional supervision is needed for some.

[MyPaperAnchor]

I'll chime in here since DT's are a very recent memory. FWIW I was a binge drinker drinking a fifth to at most a half-gallon a day. My last drunk that landed me in the ER lasted 5 days.

Day 1: vomitting, dry heaving, racing heart, panic attacks, sweating, dizziness, twitching, unbearable and indescribeable full-body pain, insomnia, visual and auditory hallucinations (SPIDERS!!!!!!)
Day 2: dry heaving, racing heart, panic attacks, sweating, shakes, throbbing headache, auditory hallucinations, body ache, insomnia
Day 3: sweating, chills, anxiety but no more panic attacks, dull headache
Day 4: almost normal. Slight headache and some shakes still, but for the most part done. I actually went to work that day…hardest day of work in my life.

I was able to hold down solid food on day 3 and was able to sleep that night as well.

I tried to get in to a detox facility but every one remotely close to me was full. Don't do what I did if at all possible. You need medical supervision to do this safely.

In my estimation I am extremely fortunate to be alive. I'm in AA now and it's been nothing short of a miracle. I don't have to do this alone. Maybe I'm on a pink cloud but I don't plan on giving any less than 100% to my recovery regardless.

God bless you all.

[Texasblind]

This thread helped so much when I was detoxing. I was so glad to read others similar experiences so I knew my symptoms were "normal." Maybe my experience will do the same for another. I was a constant fifth a day guy for three years. Vodka and whiskey were the poisons.

I don't remember the days, because I unplugged the clock and shut all the drapes. I just wanted to get through it. I brought 5 cases of water and a ton of movies into the bedroom and shut the door.

My symptoms: (basically, it felt like a really bad flu)
Chills - I couldn't get warm. I turned the furnace up and up, but I couldn't get warm. Only a shower helped. Someone else said "compulsive showering." I had that too. Only to be contrasted with...
Sweats - If I managed to sleep, I woke up soaked in sweat. Sweat was coming out of my scalp, even my feet. I kept reminding myself that it was my body purging itself. I'm not kidding though, I literally must have sweat off a gallon or so. Showering a lot for this too. The best way to describe it is like camping when it's raining or maybe living in Atlanta . Just very humid and sleeping with wet comforters.
Liver pain - just a constant tenderness.
Severe dehydration - my skin felt like it was on fire, if I scratched it burned. And, I had to replace all that sweat.
Bad heartburn - this was the worst for me because I'm such a baby when it comes to that.
Headache - the kind that only vomiting makes go away.
Nightmares - when I finally started dreaming again, they were incredibly vivid and scary.

I didn't have shaking, major vomiting, hallucinations or seizures. I'm very thankful for that. It's been over 30 days and I still occasionally sweat all night.

Sorry for the long share, but grateful for the opportunity.

[FightingIrish]

I asked for help and got it from work and was referred to a detox program followed by a 28-day rehab.

Still, I didn't think my physical symptoms would be that bad, as twice before on my own I had made it to 5 days, although obviously I hadn't been able to quit for good. (I didn't want anything to do with AA or recovery, I just wanted to be a normal drinker.)

It turns out what I had done was quite dangerous, and when I went into the detox, they fed me two librium before I was even checked in! Apparently I am terrible at seeing my own symptoms. Many many people noticed that I was usually twitchy and shaky when I myself couldn't see it even when I looked for it.

With the librium the symptoms are likely different from doing it on one's own. Without it, I recall auditory hallucinations (sounded like there was a dance song playing constantly in the next room even when there wasn't), visual phenomena, profuse sweating, chills, aches. These symptoms were somewhat moderated with the librium, but the librium brought a feeling like I was floating above the ground constantly. And I would find myself bumping against the walls when I tried to walk down a hallway.

My blood pressure was also quite elevated, but it gradually went down and stabilized after 4-5 days. (This is one of the ways they determine how long you need to spend in detox.)

After about two days my appetite returned with a vengeance...I literally ate two plates at every meal followed by two desserts, and TONS of coffee and tea. (Maybe not advisable, but it passed the time and satisfied that "sipping" urge.)

-M

[Wizard]

Ok, well, I guess I'll post my symtoms because they seem to be a lot different then every elses... Of course, I'm only on day 4... Also, I didn't drink a ton everyday. Just usually a few beers or so.

Day 1: Completely exhausted. Slept a lot of the day. Stomach hurt.

Day 2: Felt a little better. It was a Monday. Took some Pepto Bismo and went to work. Felt tired most of the day. Came home and went to sleep at 8:30.

Day 3: Felt much better! Went to work, came home, did a bunch of cleaning and went to sleep a little after 11. Still felt a little out of it, but that was about it.

Day 4: (today) Feel fine. A little bit out of it, but nothing much at all. Going for a walk tonight and going to do more house cleaning. Overall, I feel really good...

[Overman]

I guess I'm lucky, as I've never had a bad physical detox as described by others here. Worst thing for me was feeling flushed and hot all over, and the b/p jumped up to 200/100.

Far worse than the physical stuff was the depression, guilt, and anxiety that accompanied it.

[Lindsay]

When you say "brain fog" what exactly does that entail? I am currently on day 4 and definitely do seem to be experiencing an almost out of body experience. It's almost like I'm in a daze, although I'm sure I appear just fine. I've been experiencing it mostly when I'm at work on the computer or driving. My eyes feel somewhat dry as well.

Also, is it common to NOT experience hardly any detox symptoms? I considered myself to be a fairly heavy drinker...anywhere from 6-10 beers on week nights and basically drunk friday night through sunday. I haven't experienced any severe detox symptoms that have been discussed in this thread. (which I'm happy about of course.)

[CantWait11]

What do I do?/My story so far

Ok so I was getting pretty sick and bad anxiety and i couldnt figure out why - then after looking on here it was clear - it was because I had cut down on my drinking and my body was starting to detox. Now even tho I drank A LOT, it was clear to me that if I never want to feel this way again in the future, I need to stop altogether. I was drinking 8 of the tiny shot bottles of 99proof shnapps on my lightest days, and 10 + random cocktails on heavy days and party days. I would drink SOMEtimes to wake up, and frequently at work: and it took the edge off anxiety at work

So I am on Day 2 cold turkey at home.

Day 1- super nausea, dry heaving constantly (nothing to throw up because I cant even think about eating). Very intense anxiety with minor shaking, head fuzziness, stuttering, Difficulty sleeping, being woken up by anxiety or stomach

Day 2- less anxiety, dry heaving is exactly the same (horrible), and very worried and depressed and just feeling disassociated with the world. Some trouble sleeping. Still unable to eat and not super easy to drink fluids either. even when my stomach is calm i feel like crying.

My mom has been giving me half of a xanax once a day or so to take the edge off and help sleep some.

here are my questions:
-Ive heard all about the dangers of convulsion/seizure, stroke, high blood pressure and I would love the supervision of a doctor but IM BROKE and have NO INSURANCE

-They say take a Bcomplex vitamin but not on an empty stomach. I CANT EAT!

Im not even on day 3 yet - im scared to pieces! I've called into work these last 2 days and Im suppose to work again on Sunday (that would be day 5) and im afraid I wont be able to function! Some advice PLEASE!

-BJ

[Gertiegirl]

Hiya all!

Im an alcoholic, I only have 19days in sobriety so far since my last relapse. In the past I have had periods of 5yrs, 3-6 months etc dry and each time I detoxed cold turkey at home, without knowing the risks, just that the first few weeks of withdrawals were a living nightmare. I was terrified of detoxing this time because I had experienced pretty awful withdrawals in the past, and with my last relapse I climbed to my highest consumption yet - a minimum of one 3L cask of wine (approx 4 bottles) between 7.30pm and 11pm ish every single night. Every day I would have awful shakes and anxiety by around 5pm. So I wasn't execting a fun experience thats for sure. With the advice of someone here on SR - I asked my Dr for help, and came clean with exactly what levels I was drinking etc. He refered me to a community drug and alcohol service, to medically manage my detox on an outpatient setting. My experience is as follows.

Day one: Cold Turkey. That night I had terrible nightmares, sweating proffusely was horribly anxious. I didnt go to bed till around 1am, and got very little sleep.

Day two: Arrived at detox center at 9am, was breathalysed to ensure no alcohol consumed. Nurse examination - checking for shakes (real bad) Blood pressure etc (BP 170/120 pretty high, high respitory and pulse rates too). Given 10mg diazepam (valium), came home. 2pm Went to pharmacy to be examined (mainly visual and questioning) by pharmacist before dispensing second 10mg of diazepam and take home dose of 20mg for bedtime. Felt pretty OK - physically and mentally, although still had cold sweats and minor tremors in hands. I was also put on B vitamin complex, and Thiamine HCL.

Day three and four: Pretty much the same as Day two. Felt absolutely fine, but BP all over the place (Still around 170/120 in mornings). On day four I was advised to see my Dr in afternoon for BP check, by the second dose of diazepam my BP at Dr's was under control at 130/75.

Day Five: Nightime dose of diazepam reduced to 10mg. Had to see Dr again regarding BP as still very high in mornings, but again was normal by mid afternoon.

Days six and seven: BP stabilised, diazepam reduced by 5mg per dose each day. Felt clear headed, healthy and pretty much normal, although still minor hand tremors. As the diazepam was withdrawn I was prescribed naltrexone (Revia) to control cravings and block receptors to inhibit alcohol effectiveness.

Day eight and since: Off diazepam completely, BP etc all normal only withdrawal/alcohol effect remaining was tremors in hands, and insomnia. After almost 3 weeks I still havnt made it to bed before midnight yet. I am still taking naltrexone, thiamine and multi-vit suppliment. I am moody, often grumpy, craving regularily and reasonably intolerant. Hopefully this will pass! Physically though - I am feeling great, Lost around 6lb already without all the sugar the pack into cask wine to make it taste halfway decent. I see an alcohol counselor, a therapist, have follow up with my detox nurse and attend 1 to 2 AA meetings per week. Im looking into an IOP programme. Having detoxed cold turkey dangerously in the past - this medically managed detox, was much easier, much safer and meant avoided the horrible physical side of withdrawal Ive had in the past. I had never previously realised the danger (ie BP etc) and I still got to be at home with my hubby and children. If at all possible and you're looking at detox, I majorly recomend medical intervention - even if means you have to fess up to your Dr that you have a drinking problem when you dont want to. Its far safer and easier.

Blessings and hope this helps someone, anyone dont care who on thier journey!
Gerts.

[Trisomy21]

Day 1: Hungover, anxious, clammy and exhausted but unable to sleep. Luckily I got my doctor involved and he prescribed me Lorazepam 1mg
Slept well that night

Day 2: Felt a lot better, no real symptoms other than a bit of fogginess which could easily be a side affect from the lorazepams

Day 3: More energy, a little shakey and slight confusion but had a good sleep with no alcohol in my system, kind of excited to be "normal" again

Day 4: Another good, long 9-hour sleep. Woke up feeling good and ready to continue the battle.

Over all, I'm 100% certain my withdrawals would have been 100 times worse without the aid of Lorazepam. It allowed me to sleep comfortable, in fact the best sleep I've had in months. Its one drug used in detoxification to prevent seizures etc, also prescribed for anxiety.

Lorazepam, while addictive is a lot easier to quit than alcohol, in my opinion.

[Trippstar]

My experience while going through detox is this :

1st Day. Shaking seeing things dancing on walls and things scuttling around on the floor couldnt even take my medication had to be hand fed it cuz I was shaking so bad. Had to drink with a straw or the water would go everywhere, panic attacks I was pacing around talking to all the nurses just because I couldnt stand being around in that room on my own. No sleep just nightmares when I shut my eyes was very strange.

Day 2. More of the same but not as bad. Still had too be hand fed medication.

Day 3 felt loads better had to start my injections called valax or summit to help repair my nervous system but was feeling a hell of alot better than monday still sweating it all out and sleep was hard.

Day 4. Started feeling really much better still bit shakey and hard too get to sleep bit panicky at times.

Day 5. Even better bit shakey no more hallucinations slept a bit better.

Day 6. Felt reall tired and glad I was going home feeling better than I got there.

[Zeke]

I have always known that alcohol can kill you (cirrosis, pancreatitis, heart failure, etc.). What I didn't know was that alcohol withdrawal could kill you... Until about 5 years ago.

The first time that I noticed that I must be experiencing alcohol withdrawal was about 5 years ago and that realization caused me to panic. After some quick research, I went and bought some beer and "weaned" off. That was scary and I quit drinking for about 4 months. Then the disease said to me, well you didn't die. So, I went back to drinking.

The next time that I was in withdrawal was much worse. I did some additional research and found the CIWA-AR scale that tests withdrawal severity which scared me (too much knowledge, maybe). I called my sister who is a nurse and she came and took me to the ER. They took my vitals and gave me ativan which is a benzo like valium, xanax, librium, etc. I felt much better. The ER convinced me to check in to detox. I agreed. They took my vitals every 4 hours and gave me what I recognized as the CIWA test. Then they gave me valium. Eventually my CIWA rating was not high enough for valium. This was about 24 hours after the first symptoms and about 30 hours after the last drink. But, they would not let me leave detox. And I saw some terrible things from the other patients - seizures, delerium, restraints - it was a mess and I felt fine. After 72 hours they let me go with my treatment plan and my promise to go to AA.

I went to AA and decided I was not as bad as "these" people. But, I still wanted to drink. But, I did not want to have to go to detox ever again. So, I decided best not to drink as much. I also decided to do some more research on what causes alcohol withdrawal and why it could kill you. I learned that over a period of time of alcohol abuse, the brain determines that it needs to direct the CNS to extrete higher and higher levels of norepinephraine and dopamine as alcohol depresses these neurotransmitters. Alcohol also completely destroys the GABA neurotransmitters (along with all vitamins and minerals and amino acids and all that other stuff that keeps you alive). GABA regulates norepinephraine and dopamine among other things. Acute alcohol withdrawal occurs when the body stops receiving alcohol which is depressing norepinephraine and dopamine and does not have any GABA to inhibit those neurotransmitters. Too much norepinephraine and dopamine causes temors, sweating, heart palpitations, insomnia, seizures, delerium, stroke, coma and death. So, the doctors give you benzos.

All this and I still wanted to drink. So, I decided the best thing to do was make an appointment with a doctor to get some benzos. I went in and described all the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks without ever mentioning either disorder. He ran some blood work which was all good and prescribed me a 25 capsule script for ativan with 5 refills.

So my disease tells me that I'm still in good shape - just drink less, eat well, take your vitamins and in case you need them, you've got the ativan.

So, the next 5 times that I went through withdrawal, I took the ativan and the thiamine and the B complex and the milk thistle, monitored my vitals, drank copious amounts of juice and I was good to go within 30 hours.

I kept on drinking. But, now I was out of ativan and having used up my 6 scripts in 6 months, the doctor would not give me any more. So, back to the research because I still wanted to drink. So, I came across valerian - an herb marketed as a sleep aid. I knew from previous research that the benzos were also prescribed as sleep aids before the likes of the hypnotic sleep aids like ambien. More research found that it was thought that valerian worked by stimulating the production of GABA and inhibiting the enzyme responsible for destroying GABA on the receiving side of the synapse. So, to the GNC to get valerian and I'm good to go.

The next 4 withdrawals, I followed the same regimine, only substituting valerian for the ativan. Worked great, however, the withdrawal episodes were getting longer. This is because with each episode, the symptoms get worse and eventually, the intervention for reconstituting GABA, detoxing your body with vitamins and lots of fluids no longer works as your brain has learned this trick.

During my last bout of heavy drinking - drank 3 bottles of Jack Daniels in 2 days and was pretty much useless, my girlfriend and my kids went to the store and bought me a case of beer, 2 cases of water and 5 gallons of juice. When they got home from the store, they came up and basically said, "we know the drill. Here's your beer for the first stage of withdrawal and here's your juice and water for detox. How's your vitamin and valerian supply? And there is soup ready to be made when you are ready to eat." I just looked at them, incredulous. My oldest son said, "dad, you are a professional." My youngest son said, "You are always telling us how smart we are and never to pick up a drink or a drug. We read that book that you gave us (I had given the Under the Influence). You're smart too, dad. You figured out how to drink.".

That was April 4, 2007. I skipped the beer, took the valerian, took the vitamins, drank the water and the juice and ate the soup.

Today is April 4, 2009. I don't drink. I still take the vitamins and drink the juice and the water. I don't need the valerian. I eat well. I sleep well. I have lots of friends in AA. I compose and record music with my boys. We go on long bike rides and lift weights together. They are both on the A honor roll. I try and teach them useful things. One is 16 and the other is 13. They don't drink or use drugs.

My girlfriend smiles at me sometimes and says, "you are pretty smart." I say, "No one will be able to write on my headstone, 'He was so smart that he drank himself to death'".

Your mileage will vary. I certainly don't advise this approach other than don't drink, but take the vitamins and drink the water and the juice.

Zeke

[maz09]

first week

shakes, heart palptations, blurred visions, feeling like I wasn't on earth, vomiting, anxiety, insomina, nightmares, depression


second week, still anxiety, insomina, depression, feeling spacey

third week, anxiety, insomina, but that has eased of a bit as I finally slept for a couple of hours last night and I still feel spacey and I can't stand being in crowds.

[pearlwolf911]

I had hellll week. 7+ days os shaking like an epileptic rabbit, puking my face off, and a whole host of other delightful symptoms...

[thekat]

ok, well so far.....

Day one: Panick attacks, anxiety, vertigo, insomnia, tremors, liver and kidneys start hurting, sweating. managed a slice of toast and half a tortilla

Day two: insomnia, sweating, tremors, liver kidneys ribs and shoulders in agony......go to AA meeting, everyone really great and all tell me their experiences while I sit there shaking uncontrolably. managed a bit more solid food today

Day three: even less sleep, body pains starting to go a bit, less shakiness and anxiety get some sleeping pills. eat fruit and spaghetti bolognaise then later jacket potatoe!!

Day four: slept ok but feel a bit fuzzy, think it's from the pills. still a bit shaky at times. can't wait to feel well enough to go back to AA.

This has been a real wake up call to how dependent I was on alcohol. I just thank the lord I decided to quit now and not later when it would have been so much worse

[eddie73]

My most recent detox wasnt as awful as ones ive experienced in the past, but it was not too pleasant either.

Day 1 Dry wretching, no appetite, anxiety and restlessness, constant dread and exsistential angst. Insomnia. Poor concentation, paranoia and guilt. Shaking and sweating.
Aches and pains in joints and muscles. Dehydration.

Day 2. All of the above except replace anxiety with a horrible empty depression. When the anxiety goes, depression takes its place with dreadful ease. Appetite back by the evening.

Day 3. Depression wears off enough so as u are motivated to go for a short walk, do something small but constructive. Slight relief that the ordeal is now past its worst part. An insane temptation to drink again as a reward. What a disgusting idea.

Day 4. Back to almost being normal. Ambition and responsibilty return and the diary is opened up, projects are planned, the world is not as alien as it has been.


The most important thing i can emphasise about withdrawl to anyone who is about to do it is that it is very very worth it. Just hang in there.

[Makeitso]

I would not advise using this method. Truth of the matter is I could have died because I did not seek professional help from a rehab facility. This also points out my physician’s lack of knowledge about alcoholism, He should have advised me to be checked in to rehab. Please do not try this at home.

I visited my doctor and fessed up on the amount of alcohol I was drinking (yes I told the truth). He didn’t even bat an eye, I was shocked. (1 Fifth of Vodka per day for the last 6 years) He did ask me why I thought I was drinking to that extent and I told him…sort of, I am not entirely sure why to be honest. He wrote me a script for Ativan .05 mg 20 pills non refillable. He basically wanted me to try and take one pill when I began to feel anxious about having a drink to see if I could quit or cut back on my own. I also had my blood work done to check on the elevation counts on my liver. I got a call back from the lab saying that my liver was not functioning correctly and the numbers were high.

I was starting to feel the damage that consuming that much Alcohol was doing to my body. I could feel the Liver and gastrointestinal pains. I tried the moderation thing, measuring drinks ect and that worked for about three days and I went back to my old routine. The pains that I was feeling on my left side and upper left side were getting worse and worse finally! I decided to do something about it because I felt like I was dying. So I came to terms with my problem and decided to try and quit.

Day 1, I took one Ativan at 4:00 PM (was my old start drinking time) I started experiencing mild to moderate Anxiety, Panic attacks, Dizzyness, Cold sweats “day time and night”, Nausea, High blood pressure, jittery, anorexia or lack of appetite and insomnia and crazy nightmares when I could sleep. The Ativan did calm down the symptoms for a while and I took the second pill later on that evening. Because I felt so jittery I decided to drink some caffeine free herbal tea ”Sleepy time tea” to calm my nerves and it helped and I drank this every evening as a matter of fact. I ended up staying awake on my first night reading on SR till about 3:45 AM. Woke up the morning in a pool of sweat.

Day 2, in the morning I felt jittery, panicky, weak feeling, brain fog, and my brain felt tight, nervousines. I went to the Vitamin store and picked up some B-Complex 100 mg, B-1 Thiamine Hydrochloride, A good Multi vitamin and for the insomnia, I bought some Valerian Root capsules 500mg. Started on the vitamins. Then on to the grocery store I bought Oranges, Grapes, Peaches, Bananas and Strawberries and Juice-organic kind and water and soup. During the day all the same symptoms as mentioned as the first day but to a certain degree less. As it became evening 4PMish “around my old drinking time” things seemed to get a bit more intense than day one. Time to take my first Ativan for the day and herbal tea and soup. I started seeming things out of the corner of my eye. As if something just ran out of my site. Paranoia and mild sweats, panic attacks and jitters. Managed to calm down by 11PM wanted to try and get some sleep so I took another Ativan and two Valerian capsules. Jumped on the net and was reading the forums on SR. 2:00AM. I was able to lay down and that is when the mild visual hallucinations started in the dark eventually I did get some sleep. Again crazy nightmares and also lucid dreaming /being awake “not sure if I was sleeping or awake” and night time sweating .

Day 3, was about the same as the second day but starting to feel somewhat better. I was able to eat a solid meals and get some rest during the day. Also was able to go to bed at 12ish. I also played a mediation CD of running water while I was sleeping and this helped out tremendously. The medications were the same on this day. 2 Ativans, one at 4pm and one at 8pm, Vitimans and Valerian capsules at bed time.

Day 4, got my appetite completely back all symptoms are even less today then the third day. I had some craving later on that evening but I think that was due to a moment of stress. The medication was the same as mentioned above. During the night I had a good rest, No Hallucinations, No Paranoia and no morning sweats.

Day 5, Is today! I am feeling much better I would say normal "what ever that is" or should I say stable. I am happy that I have made it this far I know it’s going to take a lot of work to make this to become a new way of life for me. I have called the Doctors to make a appointment for this week to see he will give me a prescription for Revia (naltrexone).

My plan is to stop taking Ativan this week and start taking Revia (naltrexone) to reduce the cravings for alcohol. I am currently looking for an Alcohol abuse counselor and looking in to attending AA meetings.

Thanks to all of you who contribute to sober recovery forums. I have found the inspiration to change my life because of all of you.

Makeitso

[wyldflwr34]

Well, Last night was the first night. Not too bad. But, that is probably because I took an over the counter sleep aid. But, it did feel nice to sleep like a rock without waking up and work out this morning! I know though, that my hardest days are 3-6 and I'm not looking forward to it. But, I'm going to do it! I am addicted to liquor, but my withdrawal is not as bad as everyone that I'm reading. I dont think my habit was as much either. Still a habit and still addicted though... I have drank between a fifth and 1/2 gallon of wiskey almost every week for the past 8-9 years. I pretty much drink everyday. If I skip a day its only because I am completely exausted from drinking and my blood is acid. Then, I get a good nights sleep and have a drink because I feel so good....lol. Enless circle. I found though that my life is becoming completely unmanageable and I'm not living everyday and doing the things that I want to. AND, I look like sh**! I look 10 years older than what I really am! It's insane what drinking has done to me. So, I'm done with it. In the back of my mind, I look at the words I'm typing and it looks and feels so easy - but, I know that this next week will suck!!!!!! I guess I'm hoping to get some kind of support on these boards, cuz I dont have ANYONE in my life that I want to share this struggle with. I just want to quit drinking, live my life better and get on with it all - noone has to know. - except you all do now..lol. But, that's okay cuz I dont know any of you..lol.

Not looking forward to trying to make different memories this weekend. My memory bank tells me, "its the weekend! Have a drink and relax!". I have so many happy times and felt so good having drinks on the weekend. But, I think its just because my brain REMEMBERS this, is why I want it...I dont know. Its like memory association. I see a certain show on TV or something like that and I think..."oh, its time for a drink! It will enhance my experience so much!" But, all its doing is destroying my life!

[okforever]

Originally Posted by Jfanagle

Carol,

I did find this thread after all. Sorry to be so dense, perhaps killed a few brain cell too many before I finally stopped!!

MY DETOX, like everything else at that point in life I was beyond stupid in the way I went about it. I was drinking between 2 sometimes almost 3 fifths of Canadian Club whiskey per day. I had been a very heavy drinker for almost 26 years, but this level for about a year. I was always pleasantly drunk morning to night and if I didn't drink I would shake so badly that I couldn't write. Believe it or not I was running my business during all this. Just goes to show that we don’t always need to lose “stuff” before we hit bottom hard!

DETOX

Day 1: I decided that I couldn't live like I was anymore so I went into one of the bedrooms in the back wing of the house and shut the door. Thus began 3 days of hell. Severe chills, violent cramping to the point of pain that was almost unbearable. Hot flashes and then followed by more numbing chills. I imagined I saw all manner of bugs and creatures crawling on the walls and carpet, but no pink elephants!

Day 2: More of the same from day 1 with periods of complete exhaustion and lapses of memory for a few hours at a time may have been blackouts but I was the only one there and so I don't really know what happened.

Day 3: Got somewhat better, but most of the symptoms were still coming and going. A whole bunch of sweating and chills. I was beyond wrung out with dehydration and hunger. At the mid point of day 3 I came out of my “cave” and showered, shaved, and drank copious amounts of water. I was very shaky and exhausted. I finally slept a lot.

Week 1: Contacted an old college friend, he is a doctor who was and still does run the University of Utah's Medical center and Medical School and asked him for some advice on what to do now. He told me "get on your knees and thank God that you didn't have a stroke and/or die you idiot!" “There are reasons why they have detox centers!” After these kind words he suggested that I do something with the rest of my life since I MUST HAVE BEEN SPARED FOR A REASON! Obviously he didn't think my "solo detox method" was a good idea.

Week 1 & 2: I called my insurance agent who was the only person I knew in AA and he took me to a meeting and I have been going ever since. Got a sponsor, took the steps as quickly as I could and began making my amends.

Weeks 2 thru 422 (the present): Go to at least 2 meetings a week or more if needed, work with other alcoholics and exercise regularly, eat sensibly and pray when required based on life's little bumps in the road.

DO NOT FOLLOW the first three days under any circumstances. After week 1, if you are a PhD like I was (poor hopeless drunk), then what I have done just might work for you. Only my opinion however.

Thanks for asking me to participate Carol.

Jon

Jon I thank you so much for your honesty. I have been in denial for a number of years as some weeks are good and then some bad days from drinking too much just once and then too long of stretches of hair of the dog so I could work. How embarassing is that to say. Today I am stopping and stories like yours are inspiring. I am so angry with myself...how do I get rid of that ? And thanks, you are so brave and inspiring!

[christian1975]

Originally Posted by CarolD

My De Tox

Day 1- Vomiting... Stomach Cramps... Heart Racing
Sweating and Twitching... Blurred Vision

Day 2 -Pain in liver... Head and Body Aches... Nose Bleeds
Hearing Voices... Convulsion

Day 3- Hallucinations...Compulsive Showering...Violent Dream
Jello and Broth stayed down

Day 4- Exhausted and finished!

I was so ignorant of the danger that I did it at home
with a friend who had gone to rehab.
Really lucky as I had several indications I needed medical help.

Don't be as risky as I was....do it with medical supervision

thanks for your post...detoxing currently...i have never met anyone else who hear voices when they detox...so that was comforting to know that it was from the detox!! thanks

[christian1975]

it's my first day of sobriety and i just wanted to send you this quick note! good luck during the weekend and take care! Christian

[Dee74]

Welcome to SR Christian

Good luck with the detox - I know you're underway but please do think about seeing a doctor...especially if you feel at all worried about how things are going.

Feel free to start your own thread too - you may get more feedback that way

D

[CarolD]

Christian .....
Glad you are heading into sobriety
Welcome