JLS

Well, I am new to this but I figure this is the best place to get some advice. First of all, about me... Last year I drank wayy too much at happy hour and decided to get into my car and in turn totalled it on the highway going 80 mph. I survived luckily but it has changed me forever. My problem with drinking is I can't have just one. I definetly do it to get drunk. Now, my best friend/boyfriend is currently an alcoholic and is currently trying to quit drinking. He is the kind of drinker that drinks a beer the minute he wakes up. He was recently in the hospital because he didn't have the normal amount of alcohol in his system that he is used to so he had a seizure. He is only on day 2, but the doctors told him that he can't quit cold turkey due to the severity of his disease and that he is going to have to start by weaning himself everyday. He is doing a wonderful job, but the withdrawl symptoms are scary. His shaking is so terrible. He is also having cold sweats, sleeplessness, he puked up everything he ate yesterday. I am just wondering what I can do to help him or what advice is out there that I can pass along. I also have made a decision to give up drinking becuz I realized that life and happiness is way more important. Any advice as to what to expect and what I can do to help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

michski

Good Decision!

I also had siezures when withdrawing from alcohol. I drank a beer first thing in the morning and frequently woke up at 3am for my mid pass out sleep drink.

Wish I could say something more helpful, but it takes what it takes and after years of blasting ourselves away by drinking we can't expect a quick fix.

I always recommend a medical detox. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she can do for you to lessen the anxiety.

CarolD

You are trying to help a friend de tox?
And you have not experienced this and
have no medical training?

This situation is a serious medical procedure.
Finding an addiction specialist would be a wise move.

Glad to see you survived your accident
so many die needlessly from drinking.

What is your plan for your sober life?

Welcome to SR!

Candy Scratch

Please, Please have your friend detox under medical supervision, ie/ in a hospital. If he is having seizures and vomiting, it sounds serious. I'm not sure he got really sound advice. Bad things can happen that you can't see, ie/ blood pressure changes which affect the heart.

I'm glad you got a second chance at life, JLS. Don't waste this wonderful opportunity to start over. Do you have any support to help you quit drinking? Like AA or counselling or anything?

Hugs during this crazy, scary, but hopeful time for you.
Candy Scratch

miss communicat

Hi JLS,

Since you asked for advice, you will surely find it here. I ditto EVERYThing said already.

1. Have your friend go to a medical doctor immediately. This is more than you can safely handle
2. Call your locall AA number and ask to speak to a member for yourself about how to quit, what to expect and perhaps to make a plan to visit some AA meetings. If you decide that you work better using a differenet program, explore those too. But, you will need support and education, lots of it.
3. Speaking of education, there are several good books. One that I hear recommended the most is "Under The Influence" There is a thread here posted by "Green Tea" with some useful excerpts. Consider checking it out.
4. Be good to yourself. Don't drink today, and see a doctor for YOUR own detox issues and advice.
5. Stay around and let us know how you are doiung. we are all here to help you ,and have been where you are.

Hang in there! (((Hugs to you and your friend)))

Ngokpa

The information I got is that some people go into seizures when they detox, so that you might want to allow them to drink a little on the way to a recovery center so that they don't have a seizure in the car. I took a friend to a detox a few times, and they don't drink at all up there, but they do have a detox room and medical supervision, which means meds and checking up on them.

I've never heard of anybody successfully tapering off, because alcoholics have a hard time stopping. One is never enough.

miss communicat

good advice Ngokpa, thanks!

san migel

Hi,
I have just come back from detox from my local hospital,i had fits whilst drinking which is very unusual.Normally u will have fit if u quit! i do not recall any of this+ falling down the staircase. My partner had to call 999 /911. i was in hospital for over a week.Had CAT scan to make sure the brain was ok as well as ultra sound of the liver!As i am in the medical professional myself i knew what i needed and asked for it!

Need medical detox then AA meeting as fits can be fatal! Go to your GP or take him to the local hospital/he can not make rational decision at this stage,therefore u will have to do it for him like my partner.Today i am making sense!Now i go to AA meetings.Inearly died,therefore please do not waste valuable time!SEEK HELP QUICKLY