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Is this a symptom of withdrawal?

Old 01-02-2007, 10:31 AM
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Is this a symptom of withdrawal?

Hi everybody --

Yesterday I cut my drinking down from daily 7-9 shots of hard liquor (tequila), to three glasses of white wine. I just can't go it "cold turkey," at least, not this time, and it's been a long time since I tried. I don't think I've ever noticed any withdrawal symptoms in the past, but last night, I had a HORRIBLE night's sleep, full of awful nightmares. One of the nightmares involved me being forced to handle and eat live spiders! It was terrible! I woke up and my sheets were wet with sweat (in the middle of winter!) The next dream I fell into involved me being charged with trying to murder a baby and being sent to jail and nobody would listen to me when I told them that I didn't do it -- and it was so REAL. I was really afraid (in my dream), of my first night sharing a cell and when I was dropping off to sleep (in my dream), someone got on my bed and shook me. This woke me up. Again, I was damp with sweat. I was kinda afraid to try to go back to sleep after that.

Are nightmares part of the withdrawal process? I don't ever remember this happening to me before -- in fact, whenever I've gone off the booze, I've slept wonderfully. Also, since I did consume three glasses of wine, I didn't technically "go off," but certainly did drink considerably less than I normally do.

Despite the rotten night of sleep (thankfully, I could stay in bed late this morning), I feel great today -- better than I have for some time. I'm a little nervous about going to sleep tonight for fear the nightmares will return. Maybe it was just a coincidence and the nightmares have nothing to do with alcohol?

Any help or insight would be appreciated!
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Old 01-02-2007, 10:44 AM
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I'm pretty inclined to say yes. The fact that you can sleep at all is a good thing, but you may have to put up with the nightmares for a few nights...

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Old 01-02-2007, 10:47 AM
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Yup. Nightmares, insomnia, sweats.....these are all symtoms of mild withdrawl.
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Old 01-02-2007, 10:56 AM
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Yes...your body amd mind did not get the usual ammount
of alcohol which started you into withdrawal.

Look at the top of this page for
"Quitting what to expect"
for some of our personal experiences.
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Old 01-02-2007, 10:58 AM
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I would have to concur. Please don't hesitate to seek medical help. Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal.
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Old 01-02-2007, 11:54 AM
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I'm in the process of dealing with the nightmares too. The last time I tried to quit drinking, it was these nightmares that made me start again. It seems almost silly that a nightmare would be enough to make someone keep up an addiction, but the nightmares are SO awful. So so awful. They seem to come from what you fear the most and are "catered" exactly to what is going to grasp your emotions and psyche for days.

I have been sober for 2+ days this time, and last night was my first withdrawal nightmare... They always have something to do with a medical clinic (I am a med-student and currently work in a clinic), and they always involve the scariest and worst possible situations with patients that my brain can imagine. The withdrawal from alcohol seems to "know" exactly which buttons to push in my dreams to get to me. I really hope they only last a few nights.

Good luck... hang in there. Just know that tonight I'll be going to bed scared too, but we're not alone in that.
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Old 01-02-2007, 12:13 PM
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I had horrible, vivid nightmares. They were so real and terrifying! They only lasted it seems 10 days or so.....hang in there. They will come to an end!
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Old 01-02-2007, 12:23 PM
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At the height of my alcohol withdrawal I only had to shut my eyes and a very scary fast film of bizarre faces and frightening images played out. I would also jolt awake and almost leap off the bed. I agree with what was said above - don't attempt cold turkey - seek medical advice before quitting if your intake was high for a long period.
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Old 01-02-2007, 01:02 PM
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Thanks everyone, for your input. I kinda figured the nightmares would be related to the greatly reduced amount of alcohol I consumed last night, but since this has never happened to me before, I couldn't be sure. As much as I hate to think others experience the same thing, it's good to know I'm not alone out there.

My step father in-law, who is an extremely hard drinker, had to go in for surgery a few years back and ended up having some complications so was in the hospital for much longer than the over-nighter that he expected. He was fine at first, and then about Day 6 in the hospital he started going through massive DT's. They ended up keeping him in the hospital much longer to help him through this. My mother in-law said the doctor told her that the DT's don't come immediately if you've been drinking hard and long -- that the longer and harder you drank, the longer it'll take for them to appear. Has anyone else experienced that? I mean, it seems like as soon as your body is rid of alcohol (a couple of days?) you'd go into DT's if you were going to have them.

I understand why some of you have suggested that I seek medical care but I have to say, I'm not comfortable *at all* with going to my primary care doctor and explaining all of this to him. I know, I know -- he's heard it all and probably wouldn't be shocked -- but still, it's too hard and I know I won't do it. Maybe I should go find someone new just for this particular issue?

Thanks again for all of your input. I'm still doing pretty good today but the fear of the nightmares has me wavering about what I drink tonight. Like someone said above, it's silly that nightmares would make you turn back to an addiction that is more harmful to you -- but man, they were so vivid and scary. Maybe I should have tried to taper more slowly? Like go from 8 shots down to six for a few days, then down to four for a few days, etc. Any thoughts?
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Old 01-02-2007, 01:12 PM
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I strongly suggest you see a doctor...
an addiction specialist would be ideal.

You are messing around with your life.
Please get professional help.
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Old 01-02-2007, 01:24 PM
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This is from my files...I think it is from NIH


If you plan to stop drinking all , you must have medical supervision for your detox if any of the following are true for you:

1. If you have a history of blood pressure that is higher than 140/90.
2. If you have used more than a six pack of beer daily, more than six 4 oz. glasses of wine or more than eight ounces (half a pint) of liquor per day for over a year.
3. If you have had prior withdrawal symptoms, such as depression or agitation.
4. If you have ever had seizures for any reason, and in particular if you have had alcohol DT's.
5. If you are using any other (either illegal or prescription) drugs in combination with the alcohol. This particularly includes benzodiazepines such as Valium, Librium or Xanex.

Withdrawal from significant or long standing alcohol use can be a serious process. Keep yourself safe as you make this change. You are taking a very important and brave step.

Withdrawal symptoms can include depression, insomnia, sweating, tremulousness, agitation, irritability, and brain "fog."

Bleeding, swings in blood pressure, convulsions, heart palpitations and hallucinations...means the ER.

Withdrawal usually starts 4-6 hours after the time you usually have your alcohol. If you drink every day at 6:00 PM, you will begin to experience discomfort that evening. If you have been a heavy drinker, your doctor may prescribe short term medication which will minimize the possibility of having seizures during detox.
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Old 01-02-2007, 02:03 PM
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I don't know of any alcoholic who was able to "taper" drinking away to nothing over a period of time. I guess if we had this level of control we would not have the problem. Maybe others might disagree?
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Old 01-02-2007, 03:45 PM
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CarolD,

I really appreciate your posting that information. I know it is valuable and true. On the other hand, I get the feeling from reading a lot of the messages on this board, that many people do not seek medical treatment for their detox (not that that's okay). I have a few of the risk factors listed and think that medical detox is probably the best way to go, but as I said earlier, I don't feel comfortable going to my GP for this. I can't explain it. I mean, if and when I'm able to achieve complete sobriety, I might be able to "confess" to him that this has been an issue in my life, but right now -- I just can't do it. Maybe I could seek the help of a psychiatrist that deals with alcohol issues?

I'm not doing really well as the afternoon has progressed and am increasingly afraid of going to sleep tonight. I guess I know that the "white-knuckling" is not a good thing -- but maybe necessary? I've been to AA in the past (for about six months), and I just find it's not the right environment for me.

I don't know what to do. I'm feeling sort of lost right now. Scared and lost.

Bobnik -- you are absolutely right. Most alcoholics cannot control their alcohol -- which is why they are alcoholic. Still, it seems worth a try?

Thanks everyone.
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Old 01-02-2007, 08:17 PM
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Let's not confuse the issue of your de toxing.
That is the main concern at this point.

While I do use AA and it works great for me
you can find a list of recovery program near
the top of this page.
It is #3.

Take care...
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Old 01-03-2007, 04:34 AM
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Kats I went through de-tox under medical supervision, I highly reccommend it, withdrawal for alcohol can kill!

As others have said, you may want to talk to a doctor. One very important thing to keep in mind for the future, if you are an alcoholic drinking or sober for 10 years, you need to make sure that any doctor or dentist that is treating you is aware of that fact, this can make a big difference in how you are treated.

One more thing to keep in mind is in selecting a long term recovery program it is far better to do this once you are sober and not before. As an alcoholic I can tell you that while I was still drinking there was no way in Hades I was going to go to AA, well I have come to find out that was my disease speaking.

I have found that when I was drinking my thought process was controled by alcohol, as a result my disease was in control of me and my entire thought process was geared towards continued drinking, the last thing my disease wanted was me in AA because that meant my disease would no longer be in charge.

Wait until you are sober to make a decision on what long term recovery program you want to get into. No matter what program you pursue none of them will work if you do not follow them.
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Old 01-03-2007, 04:01 PM
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kats

Those are textbook symptoms. I had the night sweats for almost three weeks. I would literally drench the bed. I drank hard for 33 years. I would recommend chatting with your Physician. He can prescribe medication to ease the withdrawal.

Good luck!

gibbonsm
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Old 03-06-2009, 04:53 AM
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Yes, the nightmares are just about to be more than I myself can take but I am trying to stay busy during my witching hour. I've been blessed with warm weather and have started gardening. To the point that I think I might transplant some weeds today!! Hopefully I can find a meeting of some kind when it gets dark outside. Living out in the country makes it tough sometimes. I pray for all going through the hell I am experiencing now. What is it they say, "This too shall pass". I wish it would hurry!
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Old 03-06-2009, 05:02 AM
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Nightmares...yes plenty..very vivid..

IMPORTANT
Please seek medical attention before you commence NOT DRINKING..

It can be very dangerous to approach this without advice from a doctor..

I admire your efforts BUT you may end up in a worse situation if you dont.
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Old 03-06-2009, 07:28 AM
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A very old thread folks, the date of the original post is 01-02-2007!!!!

I was kind of shacked when I saw I had already replied to this one.
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Old 03-06-2009, 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by kats View Post
Hi everybody --

Yesterday I cut my drinking down from daily 7-9 shots of hard liquor (tequila), to three glasses of white wine. I just can't go it "cold turkey," at least, not this time, and it's been a long time since I tried. I don't think I've ever noticed any withdrawal symptoms in the past, but last night, I had a HORRIBLE night's sleep, full of awful nightmares. One of the nightmares involved me being forced to handle and eat live spiders! It was terrible! I woke up and my sheets were wet with sweat (in the middle of winter!) The next dream I fell into involved me being charged with trying to murder a baby and being sent to jail and nobody would listen to me when I told them that I didn't do it -- and it was so REAL. I was really afraid (in my dream), of my first night sharing a cell and when I was dropping off to sleep (in my dream), someone got on my bed and shook me. This woke me up. Again, I was damp with sweat. I was kinda afraid to try to go back to sleep after that.

Are nightmares part of the withdrawal process? I don't ever remember this happening to me before -- in fact, whenever I've gone off the booze, I've slept wonderfully. Also, since I did consume three glasses of wine, I didn't technically "go off," but certainly did drink considerably less than I normally do.

Despite the rotten night of sleep (thankfully, I could stay in bed late this morning), I feel great today -- better than I have for some time. I'm a little nervous about going to sleep tonight for fear the nightmares will return. Maybe it was just a coincidence and the nightmares have nothing to do with alcohol?

Any help or insight would be appreciated!
Nightmares, night terrors, and disturbed sleep patterns are common in newly recovering people, and can last for a while. I think I finally quit having nightmares after about 18 months of clean time. It did slow down after a couple of months, but it didn't stop completely for awhile.
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