Help, please.
Secret Agent
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 24
Help, please.
Hello, everyone. I'm new to this forum and I hope I can get support *as well as* offer some.
My name is Heather and I've been drinking heavily for about 3 years. I'm nearly 21, and I'm trying to quit to live a more fufilling life.
I actually did quit this Tuesday. I quit cold turkey. However, a friend informed me that this is dangerous and possibly life threatening to me.
Before I stopped on Tuesday the third of April, I drank on average 15 shots a night. I would go through half gallons (handles, as I call them) in three or four days.
My friend informed me that I could possibly suffer from Delirium Tremens, and told me to start drinking again. He said I should start out drinking half as much as I did, and gradually cut down over a time period of about three months.
I listened, in fear of my life, and I'm not drinking a beer. Of course... I feel better already. My question is basically, is this true? I don't want to drink again and drinking this beer is already making me feel wonderful and warm and everything I *do not* want to feel because it will trigger me back into heavy drinking. That's what I feel, anyways.
If it is true, then I suppose I have one of the greatest friends ever. I trust him because he used to be a nurse and is a recovering alcoholic himself.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Heather
My name is Heather and I've been drinking heavily for about 3 years. I'm nearly 21, and I'm trying to quit to live a more fufilling life.
I actually did quit this Tuesday. I quit cold turkey. However, a friend informed me that this is dangerous and possibly life threatening to me.
Before I stopped on Tuesday the third of April, I drank on average 15 shots a night. I would go through half gallons (handles, as I call them) in three or four days.
My friend informed me that I could possibly suffer from Delirium Tremens, and told me to start drinking again. He said I should start out drinking half as much as I did, and gradually cut down over a time period of about three months.
I listened, in fear of my life, and I'm not drinking a beer. Of course... I feel better already. My question is basically, is this true? I don't want to drink again and drinking this beer is already making me feel wonderful and warm and everything I *do not* want to feel because it will trigger me back into heavy drinking. That's what I feel, anyways.
If it is true, then I suppose I have one of the greatest friends ever. I trust him because he used to be a nurse and is a recovering alcoholic himself.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Heather
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,580
Every individual is different. I drank a lot in my 20 years of drinking..and in the end it was basically every night...mildly to extremely soused. I drank a lot. I drank so much on weekends I couldn't even tell ya how much I consumed as I lost count early on in.
I suffered no DT's. I quit cold without any physical difficulty whatsover (emotional is a whole other thing) But I have read people's posts on here who appear to have drank less than the amount I have and suffered physical withdrawal.
Like Mike said..seek the advice of a doctor.
I suffered no DT's. I quit cold without any physical difficulty whatsover (emotional is a whole other thing) But I have read people's posts on here who appear to have drank less than the amount I have and suffered physical withdrawal.
Like Mike said..seek the advice of a doctor.
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
I will agree with the others, see a doctor, cold turkey may be an issue or not. The most important thing to remember is to be totally honest with the doctor about how much, how often, and for how long you have drank, with out you being honest the doctor will be unable to give you proper guidance.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 94
Your'e friend was right. Go see a doctor. He may recommend that detox is the best way. There, it will only be a few days and will probably give you Librium to ween you off the alcohol and keep blood pressure at a reasonable level. I went through this a few months ago, and it was the best thing I had ever done. I was drinking just as much as you are and it's been almost 3 months for me. Please keep us posted on whats going on...that's what this forum is for! 
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Hi and Welcome to our Alcoholism Forum!
Here is a link with some of our personal experiences
on de toxing....
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-expect.html
As you will see by reading the link
there are no 2 people who have the same experience.
There are too many variables to predict what will
happen to you.
That is why a medically supervised withdrawal is
so very important.
Be safe and be sober!..
Glad to see you here!
Here is a link with some of our personal experiences
on de toxing....
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-expect.html
As you will see by reading the link
there are no 2 people who have the same experience.
There are too many variables to predict what will
happen to you.
That is why a medically supervised withdrawal is
so very important.
Be safe and be sober!..
Glad to see you here!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SAN DIEGO, CA
Posts: 379
Welcome Symposium -
As has been said here, going to a doctor is the best path to take. You can't go wrong. At worst, you may need inpatient detox; at best, the doctor will be available and aware of your history if you are able to detox at home and if there is a problem.
Bets of luck, and keep on postin' - It really does help!!
TinLizzy
As has been said here, going to a doctor is the best path to take. You can't go wrong. At worst, you may need inpatient detox; at best, the doctor will be available and aware of your history if you are able to detox at home and if there is a problem.
Bets of luck, and keep on postin' - It really does help!!
TinLizzy
Coffee Drinker
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lobstah Land
Posts: 1,122
If you feel embarrassed or reluctant to level with a doctor just keep in mind that doctors:
1. Have heard this (and worse) before
2. Are trained to offer advice and know what to do
3. Conform to legally mandated confidentiality
Please see a doctor and be truthful.
You can also look up alcoholics anonymous in the white pages and call the number.
A nice person will answer the phone and will ask for your number. Then you will receive a call from an AA volunteer who can give you support and answer your questions one on one.
I wish you the best
Ted
1. Have heard this (and worse) before
2. Are trained to offer advice and know what to do
3. Conform to legally mandated confidentiality
Please see a doctor and be truthful.
You can also look up alcoholics anonymous in the white pages and call the number.
A nice person will answer the phone and will ask for your number. Then you will receive a call from an AA volunteer who can give you support and answer your questions one on one.
I wish you the best
Ted
Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 13
Welcome. I can relate a lot to your drinking. I would go and see your doctor like everyone suggests. I know it can be hard to be honest when a doctor asks you how much you're drinking. I would always tell kind of ridiculous lies, like if I was drinking 3 bottles of wine a night I would say I'm drinking 2 and 1/2 bottles as though that extra half would really make a big difference. Anyway, all the best in your recovery. For me I go to AA meetings and personally have found that I don't stand a chance of staying sober as an alcoholic without the support of AA. That's just my experience though I'm not telling you what to do. Hope you're doing ok today.
Adam
Adam
Secret Agent
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 24
Thank you!
Can I see my regular doctor?
The more I think about it the more its scaring me. My boyfriend has already offered to drop me off at AA meetings as often as I want. I've already gone through the NA thing, and I just feel like once I quit alcohol I'll use something else.
I don't want to, I'm just afraid. I'm sorry. I'm not meaning to complain or anything.
I really appreciate all the advice. It means so much.
Can I see my regular doctor?
The more I think about it the more its scaring me. My boyfriend has already offered to drop me off at AA meetings as often as I want. I've already gone through the NA thing, and I just feel like once I quit alcohol I'll use something else.
I don't want to, I'm just afraid. I'm sorry. I'm not meaning to complain or anything.
I really appreciate all the advice. It means so much.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
Yes, your regular GP will do great. Dr's are not allowed to talk about their patient's condition including drug or alcohol problems, if they do they can lose their license to practice medicine. So no worries there.
How long has it been since you have had anything (not just booze) and what withdrawal symptoms are you having?
How long has it been since you have had anything (not just booze) and what withdrawal symptoms are you having?
Last edited by Taking5; 04-07-2007 at 08:21 AM. Reason: spelling
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Mega Hugs....you are not complaining
SR is here for information and support.
Yes, your regular doctor is good for de toxing.
He/she may refer you to an addiction specialist
if necessary. Do tell your doctor about your
former DOC just so the proper treatment can
be implimented.
Sure...AA is vital to my recovery.
Hugs to your BF for the offer.
Keep asking questions and let us know how
you are doing!
SR is here for information and support.
Yes, your regular doctor is good for de toxing.
He/she may refer you to an addiction specialist
if necessary. Do tell your doctor about your
former DOC just so the proper treatment can
be implimented.
Sure...AA is vital to my recovery.
Hugs to your BF for the offer.
Keep asking questions and let us know how
you are doing!
Secret Agent
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 24
Thank you
dgillz, I was sober until last night. I mean, I wasn't drunk last night because I only had two drinks and a beer. Before then I hadn't had a drink since Tuesday.
This is what I had:
slight muscle tremors (shaking hands/legs)
anger/mood swings (severe anger)
anxiety (more than usual)
insomnia
sweating
hot flashes, then freezing
paleness
I got sent home from work because I was so pale. I've also been incredibly jumpy. For example... Last night before I started drinking I was making a sandwich in the kitchen. When I turned around to go to the sink, there was a spider. I'm already afraid of spiders, but I don't usually freak out like I did. I had a major panic attack.. from a stupid house spider. Small noises are making me jump a half mile. It's really ridiculous.
I'm an insomniac anyways, but when I drink I can make myself pass out. I haven't really been sleeping. Last night even though I drank I couldn't sleep until 4 in the morning.
"Do tell your doctor about your
former DOC"
What is DOC?
Thanks again everyone.
Heather
dgillz, I was sober until last night. I mean, I wasn't drunk last night because I only had two drinks and a beer. Before then I hadn't had a drink since Tuesday.
This is what I had:
slight muscle tremors (shaking hands/legs)
anger/mood swings (severe anger)
anxiety (more than usual)
insomnia
sweating
hot flashes, then freezing
paleness
I got sent home from work because I was so pale. I've also been incredibly jumpy. For example... Last night before I started drinking I was making a sandwich in the kitchen. When I turned around to go to the sink, there was a spider. I'm already afraid of spiders, but I don't usually freak out like I did. I had a major panic attack.. from a stupid house spider. Small noises are making me jump a half mile. It's really ridiculous.
I'm an insomniac anyways, but when I drink I can make myself pass out. I haven't really been sleeping. Last night even though I drank I couldn't sleep until 4 in the morning.
"Do tell your doctor about your
former DOC"
What is DOC?
Thanks again everyone.
Heather
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
DOC is your Drug Of Choice
You said you had been to NA
so what were you using?
It's not important
for you to post it here..but
The doctor needs to know everything.
Blessings
You said you had been to NA
so what were you using?
It's not important
for you to post it here..but
The doctor needs to know everything.
Blessings
Secret Agent
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 24
Oh, ok!
They really need to know what I was using before even if I haven't used it in many years?
Well, duh.. I guess they don't want to give me a med if I was addicted to it. Sorry, dumb question. :p
They really need to know what I was using before even if I haven't used it in many years?
Well, duh.. I guess they don't want to give me a med if I was addicted to it. Sorry, dumb question. :p
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
I would still go to the Dr., but your withdrawals are pretty normal, if such a word applies to us.
This will all pass, you'll start sleeping better and better, feeling better and better, etc. Just don't forget how bad you feel now. From my experience, after sobering up and getting better, I was very good about forgetting how far down I was and I decided to "go a few more rounds" with the heavyweight champ, alcohol.
Needless to say, I got beat up even worse after that.
At any rate there's a lot of great support here, let us know how you are doing.
This will all pass, you'll start sleeping better and better, feeling better and better, etc. Just don't forget how bad you feel now. From my experience, after sobering up and getting better, I was very good about forgetting how far down I was and I decided to "go a few more rounds" with the heavyweight champ, alcohol.
Needless to say, I got beat up even worse after that.
At any rate there's a lot of great support here, let us know how you are doing.
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
sympossium the most important thing in getting sober and ven more important when it comes to staying sober for me and most other alcoholics is honesty!
I had to first become honest with myself just to start trying to get sober. I had be honest enough with myself to know I could not stop on my own..... after 10 years of failing that part was pretty easy! LOL
Next comes the getting honest with others, please be honest with your doctor, if you lie the only one you could hurt is your self.
I was a huge liar when I was drinking, the problem with lying is keeping the lies straight!!!! It is a lot easier to remember the truth then what lie I told one person and not another.
I had to first become honest with myself just to start trying to get sober. I had be honest enough with myself to know I could not stop on my own..... after 10 years of failing that part was pretty easy! LOL
Next comes the getting honest with others, please be honest with your doctor, if you lie the only one you could hurt is your self.
I was a huge liar when I was drinking, the problem with lying is keeping the lies straight!!!! It is a lot easier to remember the truth then what lie I told one person and not another.
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