What happens after detox? - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Fitzpatrick · 10-06-2007, 04:12 PM

Today is my fifth day of not drinking. I'm feeling really good, really upbeat.

I don't know for sure if I'm through the detox period, though. Assuming I am, what typically happens next?

I see my counseler again on Monday, and I'll ask him that question, but I thought I'd ask it here as well. He told me last Monday that I was going to feel terrible for a long time. He didn't go into detail, so that's what I'm curious about.

Thanks for any replies.

**CarolD** · 10-06-2007, 04:47 PM

Well...your doctor may be referring to this...

http://www.tlctx.com/ar_pages/paw_part1.htm

While I did experience a few of these symptoms
it was not drastic and vanished for me by 3 months sober.

I think the support of my AA friends made my progress easier.

Keep in touch ...you too can recover!

Pipes Mcgee · 10-06-2007, 05:04 PM

If by "what happens next?", you mean what should you expect, you can expect Doctors and counselors to suggest AA meetings. They will suggest that you stay away from all old drinking "places and faces" which means bars/parties where drinking takes place and friends who drink. And staying out of relationships for atleast the whole first year,...til you get your entire mind and body back.

***51anna*** · 10-06-2007, 05:18 PM

I think everybody feels a bit differently as they detox from the alcohol. What's next is probably working on yourself and your recovery every day. I am so glad you feel good.

kelsh · 10-06-2007, 06:42 PM

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

nogard · 10-06-2007, 06:46 PM

as you can see it varies wildy, I agree with Anna. Be active in your recovery don't wait for it to come to you as it won't. The world does not applaud just because we give up booze and drugs, far from it. We get back into society by putting down the drugs work on how to leave them down (in my case the NA program) and then start to learn about living life on lifes terms.

I stick with the strength every single day, those in recovery who live their program and not those who dance on the edge of recovery.

Kevin

jinxblu · 10-06-2007, 08:11 PM

I went through a three day detox....saw a Doctor who put me on some meds to help with my cravings. They are not gone but somewhat more manageable. AA meetings have helped me immeasurably!!!!!

Fitzpatrick · 10-06-2007, 09:34 PM

Thanks for the replies.

CarolD, the PAW syndrome sounds like a lot of fun.

I just hope that I don't have acute symptoms.

My job gets very stressful at times. I'll have to figure out a way to keep it from being overly stressful.

Sounds like I have a lot more to talk about with my counselor.

angibaby · 10-06-2007, 10:18 PM

most people go into physical withdrawal from alcohol long before their fifth day. maybe you lucked out. now you just have to go to meetings and work on staying sober one day at a time. welcome to the forum! angie

Rusty Zipper · 10-07-2007, 06:58 AM

fitz'y, find a good recovery program.. and as mentioned (kev, & others)

work it the best , and as honestly as one can...

good wishes fitz'y

you can do it!

xxoo, rz

Jersey Nonny · 10-07-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

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.

Well said by kelsh (and others)...it's a simple program for complicated people, and are we alcoholics/addicts ever complicated! Or, maybe we just tend to complicate things, instead of just following simple, basic suggestions. It truly does work.

calfritch · 10-08-2007, 10:27 PM

i am currently doing the same thing. Today is my sober day number 5. I went on a crazy binder and ended up going to the emergency room for detox last week. They gave me the usual Lorazepam, had me talk to someone in psychiatry and sent me on my way as they didnt have an in-patient detox. I am on day 5 and the withdrawl effects are going away, but depression sets in everynow and then. People are trying to push me to go into rehab but I think Ive done the hard part and am going to try AA and start seeing a therapist. i had been laid off from work so now need to find a new job so I dont want to be out of the world for 30 days. So I think I know what you are going through....so to speak

**CarolD** · 10-09-2007, 12:17 AM

Hi calfritch...

Welcome to SR!

***indigo*** · 10-09-2007, 03:48 AM

Welcome to SR from me to calfritch

GrouchoTheCat · 10-09-2007, 06:54 AM

AA is free, what have you to lose by checking it out?

You may notice that there are an amazing number of folks here on SR who are kind, supportive, and caring. If you want to find people like us in the real world, they tend to hang out at AA.

I wish you the best, and I wish you success.

Ted

GlassPrisoner · 10-09-2007, 01:47 PM

I thought De-tox was all I needed. If I could just make it through withdraw one more time, I'd be able to stay away from the booze.

Not.

I didn't do IOP or AA, guess what happened ?

I highly recommend a good recovery program. I use AA, and I'm pushing a year in recovery now.

calfritch · 10-10-2007, 12:28 PM

thanks for the kind words everyone. today is sober day 7 - i am going start doing AA and as soon as i can will start seeing a therapist or addiction specialist and see if they can help with the depression which was mostly why i drank in the first place.

Jersey Nonny · 10-11-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calfritch

thanks for the kind words everyone. today is sober day 7 - i am going start doing AA and as soon as i can will start seeing a therapist or addiction specialist and see if they can help with the depression which was mostly why i drank in the first place.

And, of course, alcohol is a depressant...so, it only served to compound the problem! Hope you've been able to get to an AA meeting.

Laciemae · 10-11-2007, 04:57 PM

I hope you don't mind if I jump in. Today is number 4 sober. I have attempted this a few times in the past but it doesn't usually go past 4 days. But I don't have any choice now for various reasons. I don't really have anyone to help me with this but me, for right now. Can I tell you how absolutely scared spitless I am? I suppose that is a natural thing. Pretty sure that I am detoxing. Feel like crap, I am freezing in a sweatshirt and long johns, with the heater to about 90. Meetings are not an option at this point in time, but perhaps in the future. Can anybody recommend something I could read?
This looks like a nice place to find recovery.

Fitzpatrick · 10-11-2007, 05:04 PM

It seems that most of the people here are involved with AA.

I told my counselor that I'd rather not do AA if he didn't consider it necessary. I have my reasons, and they have nothing to do with AA itself. My brother went through AA successfully, and a good friend of mine is now an AA counselor.

My addiction counselor said that, given my progress, joining AA may not be necessary. He qualified that remark by saying that, if I have multiple relapses, then I must join.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks for any replies.

***51anna*** · 10-11-2007, 05:54 PM

Whatever path works for you, Fitz.

AA does work for many. I am not an AA person, but I do work on recovery every day.

GlassPrisoner · 10-12-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitzpatrick

It seems that most of the people here are involved with AA.

I told my counselor that I'd rather not do AA if he didn't consider it necessary. I have my reasons, and they have nothing to do with AA itself. My brother went through AA successfully, and a good friend of mine is now an AA counselor.

My addiction counselor said that, given my progress, joining AA may not be necessary. He qualified that remark by saying that, if I have multiple relapses, then I must join.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks for any replies.

Thoughts ?

Quote:

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
--HERBERT SPENCER

That is, don't knock it until you try it.

BTW, what is an AA counselor ? And, how do you go through AA ?

10-06-2007, 04:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fitzpatrick Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MKe Posts: 20	What happens after detox? Today is my fifth day of not drinking. I'm feeling really good, really upbeat. I don't know for sure if I'm through the detox period, though. Assuming I am, what typically happens next? I see my counseler again on Monday, and I'll ask him that question, but I thought I'd ask it here as well. He told me last Monday that I was going to feel terrible for a long time. He didn't go into detail, so that's what I'm curious about. Thanks for any replies.

10-06-2007, 04:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
CarolD Forum Leader Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas, Ga. USA Posts: 21,882	Well...your doctor may be referring to this... http://www.tlctx.com/ar_pages/paw_part1.htm While I did experience a few of these symptoms it was not drastic and vanished for me by 3 months sober. I think the support of my AA friends made my progress easier. Keep in touch ...you too can recover! __________________ Each Day Sober Is A Victory!! Joy In AA Recovery! :

10-06-2007, 05:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
*51anna* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 14,734	I think everybody feels a bit differently as they detox from the alcohol. What's next is probably working on yourself and your recovery every day. I am so glad you feel good. __________________ Anna And I dont know what the future is holding in store I dont know where Im going, Im not sure where I've been There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me My life is worth the living, I dont need to see the end. John Denver

10-06-2007, 06:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
kelsh Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Omak WA Posts: 879	After Detox.... 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 __________________ God Grant Me the Serenity to Accept the Things I Cannot Change..the Courage to Change the Things I Can Change..and the Wisdom to Know the Diifference. Sobriety Date: July 10, 1988

10-06-2007, 06:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
nogard Connected at last Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne Victoria Australia Posts: 14,115 Blog Entries: 3	as you can see it varies wildy, I agree with Anna. Be active in your recovery don't wait for it to come to you as it won't. The world does not applaud just because we give up booze and drugs, far from it. We get back into society by putting down the drugs work on how to leave them down (in my case the NA program) and then start to learn about living life on lifes terms. I stick with the strength every single day, those in recovery who live their program and not those who dance on the edge of recovery. Kevin __________________ ...And like a bird that's on the wing and is flying free He can hear the song of home endlessly

10-06-2007, 05:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pipes Mcgee Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 32	If by "what happens next?", you mean what should you expect, you can expect Doctors and counselors to suggest AA meetings. They will suggest that you stay away from all old drinking "places and faces" which means bars/parties where drinking takes place and friends who drink. And staying out of relationships for atleast the whole first year,...til you get your entire mind and body back.

10-06-2007, 08:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
jinxblu Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 79	I went through a three day detox....saw a Doctor who put me on some meds to help with my cravings. They are not gone but somewhat more manageable. AA meetings have helped me immeasurably!!!!! __________________ YOU ARE ONLY LIMITED BY YOUR IMAGINATION

10-06-2007, 09:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
Fitzpatrick Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MKe Posts: 20	Thanks for the replies. CarolD, the PAW syndrome sounds like a lot of fun. I just hope that I don't have acute symptoms. My job gets very stressful at times. I'll have to figure out a way to keep it from being overly stressful. Sounds like I have a lot more to talk about with my counselor.

10-06-2007, 10:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
angibaby Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: south pole Posts: 24	most people go into physical withdrawal from alcohol long before their fifth day. maybe you lucked out. now you just have to go to meetings and work on staying sober one day at a time. welcome to the forum! angie

10-07-2007, 06:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 20,961	fitz'y, find a good recovery program.. and as mentioned (kev, & others) work it the best , and as honestly as one can... good wishes fitz'y you can do it! xxoo, rz __________________ *Rule 62*

10-08-2007, 10:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
calfritch Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 302	i am currently doing the same thing. Today is my sober day number 5. I went on a crazy binder and ended up going to the emergency room for detox last week. They gave me the usual Lorazepam, had me talk to someone in psychiatry and sent me on my way as they didnt have an in-patient detox. I am on day 5 and the withdrawl effects are going away, but depression sets in everynow and then. People are trying to push me to go into rehab but I think Ive done the hard part and am going to try AA and start seeing a therapist. i had been laid off from work so now need to find a new job so I dont want to be out of the world for 30 days. So I think I know what you are going through....so to speak

10-09-2007, 12:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
CarolD Forum Leader Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas, Ga. USA Posts: 21,882	Hi calfritch... Welcome to SR! __________________ Each Day Sober Is A Victory!! Joy In AA Recovery! :

10-09-2007, 03:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
*indigo* Community Greeter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mid-Life Express Posts: 9,919	Welcome to SR from me to calfritch __________________ When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself." Namasté

10-09-2007, 06:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
GrouchoTheCat Coffee Maker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lobstah Land Posts: 1,115 Blog Entries: 1	AA is free, what have you to lose by checking it out? You may notice that there are an amazing number of folks here on SR who are kind, supportive, and caring. If you want to find people like us in the real world, they tend to hang out at AA. I wish you the best, and I wish you success. Ted __________________ He, who by good deeds covers the evil he has done, illuminates this world like the moon freed from clouds. Buddha (Not inebriated (Amethystos) since:9/27/07)

10-09-2007, 01:47 PM	#16 (permalink)
GlassPrisoner Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Murrieta, Ca Posts: 2,685	I thought De-tox was all I needed. If I could just make it through withdraw one more time, I'd be able to stay away from the booze. Not. I didn't do IOP or AA, guess what happened ? I highly recommend a good recovery program. I use AA, and I'm pushing a year in recovery now. __________________ Life Happens

10-10-2007, 12:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
calfritch Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 302	thanks for the kind words everyone. today is sober day 7 - i am going start doing AA and as soon as i can will start seeing a therapist or addiction specialist and see if they can help with the depression which was mostly why i drank in the first place.

10-11-2007, 04:57 PM	#19 (permalink)
Laciemae Ann Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Wild Mid-west Posts: 42	I hope you don't mind if I jump in. Today is number 4 sober. I have attempted this a few times in the past but it doesn't usually go past 4 days. But I don't have any choice now for various reasons. I don't really have anyone to help me with this but me, for right now. Can I tell you how absolutely scared spitless I am? I suppose that is a natural thing. Pretty sure that I am detoxing. Feel like crap, I am freezing in a sweatshirt and long johns, with the heater to about 90. Meetings are not an option at this point in time, but perhaps in the future. Can anybody recommend something I could read? This looks like a nice place to find recovery.

10-11-2007, 05:04 PM	#20 (permalink)
Fitzpatrick Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MKe Posts: 20	It seems that most of the people here are involved with AA. I told my counselor that I'd rather not do AA if he didn't consider it necessary. I have my reasons, and they have nothing to do with AA itself. My brother went through AA successfully, and a good friend of mine is now an AA counselor. My addiction counselor said that, given my progress, joining AA may not be necessary. He qualified that remark by saying that, if I have multiple relapses, then I must join. Any thoughts on this? Thanks for any replies.

10-11-2007, 05:54 PM	#21 (permalink)
*51anna* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 14,734	Whatever path works for you, Fitz. AA does work for many. I am not an AA person, but I do work on recovery every day. __________________ Anna And I dont know what the future is holding in store I dont know where Im going, Im not sure where I've been There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me My life is worth the living, I dont need to see the end. John Denver

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