Need4Change

Hi (yes, I'm baaaaack)

Delayed alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Is this possible?. Believe it or not, I have been alcohol free going on the 6'th day now and the first 4 days were not nearly as bad as I had anticipated (no cravings, sweats, tremors or anything) even though I was just coming off of drinking 10 beers every other day for over a year. I have been taking Campral, Ativan, Celexa and Atenolol to keep the withdrawal symptoms in check and they *seem* to have been working pretty good for those first 4 days but on the 5'th and 6'th day (today) of my sobriety, I began to experience the following...

Depression (I'm taking Celexa for this), stomach is in knots (I'm taking Prevacid and Pepsid Complete for this), breathing issues, heart papitations, apathy (Celexa), lack of motivation (Celexa), scatterbrained, short-term memory issues, brain/mind feels dazed...numb...foggy. And of course, some pretty intense cravings (I'm taking Campral for this).

Anyway, is this delayed alcohol withdrawal and is there even such a thing?. I'm really getting confused here because I was under the impression that I would feel normal again within 4-5 days (ie; the "pink cloud" effect) but instead, I feel like my IQ has dropped 20 points and my brain has been pickled in brine. I'm also aware of the "kindling" affect which means that the more often you detox and then relapse, the more difficult the withdrawal is each successive time. So what exactly is going on here and can anyone tell me if this is normal?.

Finally, I composed a list of reasons NOT to drink below...

* Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal and is the only addictive substance that to be that way when detoxing from.
* Repeated withdrawals make it that much more difficult to quit each time.
* Alcohol almost got me arrested (I came SO close!).
* I do bad and dangerous things EVERY time I drink.
* The hangovers (no matter HOW long I go without drinking and no matter HOW "healthy" I feel, are absolutely MISERABLE!!!.
* Alcohol neaqrly destroyed the relationship with all of my family and my best friend.
* Alcohol (and cigs) deprived me of of other things I could have used the money for.
* Withdrawaling from alcohol takes a long time and is VERY unpleasant.
* Alcohol made me lazy, unproductive, apethetic and miserable to be around.
* Alcohol is a tricky liar.
* You always think that "this time" it will be "different" (yeah, RIGHT!).
* As it grew progressively worse, alcoholism made me feel more and more terrified, desperate, hopeless...like there was no way out and I was going to die from this and soon. I would almost compare it to having rabies, mad cow disease or the E. Bola virus. I "knew" I could not stop drinking no matter what, I was horrified of detox and AA meetings and I also knew what all of this meant - a slow, agonzing, DEATH!.
* I got tired of hanging out on forums every day. I got tired of talking about how bad my hangovers were and when I was drunk, saying dumb, sick and even mean things. This whole daily pattern/cycle got so old and boring and I HAD to break it somehow.
* I thought about the year and a half I had remained sober (many years ago before I relapsed again "this time around") and how good that felt and how I did'nt even think about alcohol back then in my day to day life because I was so recovered.
* When I drank, I chain smoked like crazy and caused my room mate and animals to breath in my second-hand smoke. It was like a poker room!.
* I was so sick and tied of having this expensive and dangerous "time bomb" hanging over my head. The thought that I had allowed somthing to so completely control my life, my behavior and suck my wallet dry each month was devestating to me.
* From time to time I was beginning to get a mild pain in the general area of my liver - especially while drinking.

PS: I have purposely avoided this forum (and others) for almost a week now because of the fear that some of the posts might trigger me to begin drinking again. I am in a fragile state right now but more determined than ever to stop drinking once and for all. I have not had any alcohol in the house for just as long and I have no intention of going back to that Hell I was in when I was either drunk or hungover every day. anyway, please don't forget my original question (ie; "delayed withdrawal"). Thank you very much!.

Merry Christmas and Best Regards - Need4Change

Justme57

Hi Need4,

What you describe is , in my experience, quite common. I see you have seen your Doc, and that is good.

For me, the "foggy" head lasted several months, my depression lifted after about 3 months, and has not returned. My memory ( short term) is still not too good, but it got worse before it got better LOL

I was lucky not to have too many physical symptoms, I had the shakes, and a huge thirst. I also have an Immune system muscle related disease, which was caused by my continual assault on it , over 30 odd years, I too drank 10+ beers a night , and whatever else was lying around LOL

I did not have medications , so my effects may have lasted longer than yours will.

Choccy milkshakes helped my cravings

Just dont pick up 1 drink for 1 day ..................

HUGX
Leigh

CarolD

Here is a link on PAWS

Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center

By 3 months of AA sobriety
my symptoms had vanished.

I did not use of the drugs you mentioned.
Actually...did it without any drugs

Soooo...
Not everyone has long term PAWS.

Take care....

Pinkcuda

Congrats on day 6. I don't know anything about what you're going through as far as the withdrawls. It could be anything from the combination of all those pills to the sudden inrush of oxygen from pulling your head out. Possibly something you ate too. People giving up drinking are not immune from everyday bugs just like everyone else, so it may be unrelated altogether. I like your list of reasons not to drink. Keep it handy and keep doing what you're doing.

Treasure2Find

SPONSOR means (Sober Person Offering Newcomer Suggestions on Recovery)!!!

I have no idea what Delayed Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms is but DAWS might stand for (DONT AVOID WORKING STEPS)!!!!!!!!!

If you can manage that there is HOPE (Happy Our Program Exists)

Then you might have a chance at a HEART (Healing Enjoying And Recovering Together)

Dee74

everything sounds pretty normal...after all you've been abusing yourself for over a year...I think it's natural that it'll take more than a week to get back to 'normal'...as for the delayed thing...almost every withdrawal I had came with its own character - there's nothing out of the ordinary in what you describe, based on my own exploits and things I've read here...

it sounds mainly like anxiety to me. Try and recognise it for what it is - you and your body missing the alcohol - and breathe through it.

Merry Christmas
D

Need4Change

Thanks everyone

In dealing with the intense cravings and the crazy feelings in my head (as my brain presumably attempts to "rewire" itself) I have to wonder...what can I do to lessen the pain of withdrawal?. Spend hours each day here talking it all away?. Get engrossed in some hobby to get my mind off of the unpleasant detox symptoms?. Sleep it off?. Take some type of medication to make me "happy" so I won't constnatly be focused on how crappy I feel?. How do YOU people cope in your own, unique way (besides "just giving it time")?

All of the meds I'm on now are ones that I've taken for years (off and on - with the exception of Campral) so I'm pretty sure this is being completely caused by withdrawal (delayed withdrawal) and it's pretty tough right now. I mean VERY tough.

Well, I have to go make a salad and grill some hot dogs for dinner but I'll be back after awhile. So where is 51Anna, merlotmomma, ccrider, Rusty Zipper, nogard, Jomy, stone and the rest of the people I used to talk to every day (beside my good friends who have already replied)?.

- Need4Change

Dee74

LOL all busy I expect N4C - it is Xmas eve after all

I don't know how else to say this...if there was anything available to lessen the pain of withdrawal, I would have taken it - and I'd probably still be drinking.

It sucks, but can you really expect it to be otherwise N4C?.
I look back at it now as the first lesson in getting through stuff without a crutch. If that sounds unsympathetic I'm sorry - it's just how it is.

Just - keep busy - anything...hobbies, books, TV, even cleaning, mowing the lawn, anything - you won't have time to think about how crap you feel and you may just tire yourself out enough to sleep

D

NOMOMERLOTMAMMA

Merry Christmas Need,

You doing great! Keep going...and PRAY.

xo

Karen

Pinkcuda

Chocolate, exercise and a positive mental state. All three are proven methods of therapy when it comes to quitting. Chocolate as a substitute for the sugar you get from alcohol. Exercise, especially the lower legs is good for depression. Go chase a Jackrabbit or whatever you do up there for fun. It'll help. Focus on something that gives you hope for the future. Set a goal and work towards it. Not a goal as far as length of sobriety, but something that we have a little more control over at this point. Besides, your goal for sobriety is only 1 day. Don't forget to repeat that tomorrow too.
I wish I had a way to make it easy, but I don't. If it was easy, people would be standing in line to do it. Apparently death is a more viable option for them. Keep going for it though. You're on a roll.

Need4Change

Oh my, I sure do hope the other's I mentioned will get to see this post before it gets scrolled off onto the second or third page. Perhaps I should PM them or something.

- Need4Change

Anna

Hi Need4change,

I think 'giving it time' is important, but it's also just getting used to dealing with things in life without benefit of alcohol. It really does get easier as time goes by. I have to work at staying positive because if I don't, it will start me down that slippery slope. I have to keep balance in my life every day. Try to connect with your spiritual self, get some exercise and take care of your body. And, recognize the voice in your head for what it is - and then you can turn it off and move on.

Kellye C

I've been told chocolate ice cream is great for cravings. I can't have ice cream so I never got to try it out. Pieces of chocolate work though.

Try to keep yourself busy and out of your own head. If you're up to it do something physical. If not, dive into a book or a good movie.

Bottom line is there is no way through withdrawals except to actually go through them. You can take meds and lessen the affects which it sounds like you are doing. I have to agree with the poster who said that if they had done that they probably would have continued to drink. I'm not directing that at you at all N4C I just know for me withdrawals were pure hell and something that I can still remember 3.5 years later and an experience that I don't want to go through again.

Your 6 days in so better days have got to be around the corner if you'll just make a pact with yourself that you will not drink NO MATTER WHAT.

Merry Christmas,
Kellye

Need4Change

Is it the sugar (or chocolate) in chocolate ice-cream that does the trick?. Anyway, thanks for the tip. I had a restless night last night; insomnia, vivid dreams, bird kept squawking and waking me up but I did feel *somewhat* rested upon finally awakening although those two cups of coffee did'nt do me much good (anxiety!). Thanks again everyone and may you all have a blessed and joy-filled Christmas .

PS: Day 7# !!!

- Need4Change

Rusty Zipper

i'm'a here need4...

just a ear today... or eyes! lol


a Merry Christmas to ya need4


xxoo

RZ

matt88

hey need4change. I think right now is a great time to be doing what you are. Out off all the Christmas gifts and presents, giving yourself the gift of sobriety will be the best. ive read sometimes symptoms take 72 hours to set in, but i think if you're on day 6 already and doing alright keeping down fluids and foods etc you'll be ok. you'll feel better, much better. Have you been kicking smoking as well during this? I know once I stopped smoking I felt better right away.

MyGraySkies

I don't know if your doctor mentioned it, but the Campral won't take away cravings right away, it takes some time to get in your system and start giving you the full benefit of the med. I felt the cravings lesson within a couple of weeks, but the difference was much more noticeable a couple of months later when I had my first huge stresses to deal with since detox and I realized I wasn't craving a drink at ALL, it hadn't even crossed my mind, I was just trying to deal with the problems at hand and not looking for a way to numb everything.

Need4Change

Another thing I've definately noticed is that my emotions are all over the place. As an example, this morning I woke up and as I lay there in bed for a little while I suddenly found myself singing. A few minutes later I was having negative thoughts and getting very upset. Just as quickly as that ended, I began thinking about other things and I began crying...not big crocodile tears or anything but I was feeling very sad.

I feel like I'm on some kind of roller-coaster and I want the ride attendant to push the "off" switch and let me off. Ride over, please refund my ticket!.

I'm assuming this is "normal" as well?.

- Need4Change

NOMOMERLOTMAMMA

Merry Christmas Need,

Yeah, the first two weeks my emotions were all over the place! I'm assuming after pushing all the emotional stuff down by drinking, your body has to go sorta haywire for a bit to get back to normal..

Be kind to yourself..I"m very happy to see you doing so well with this!

Karen

Jomey

Hey Need 4- Merry Christmas! Only have a second but wanted to say you are doing great! Your post was one of my Christmas prayers answered!!! Keep it up! Going away for a few days - will catch up with you over the weekend! BE SOBER WHEN I GET BACK!!! LOL!!! OR I AM CALLING DAISY!!! Love ya, Jomey