Alcohol, diaxepam and kindling
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 6
Alcohol, diaxepam and kindling
Has anyone noticed or have any comments on diazepam after heavy alcohol consumption, and kindling?
I have been drinking for 30 years, heavily and daily about 5 years in my 30’s, then heavily again for a couple of years in my 40’s. About 3 years ago I decided for health reasons to cut my drink down, and for 3 years I’ve been drinking 3 to 4 days a week, with one big day a week, (big day is one to two bottles of wine). Also 3 years ago I was prescribed diazepam and it didn’t take long before I worked out that if I woke in the middle of the night, after a my big drinking day, that quarter to a whole diazepam would relieve the symptoms. I was careful and for three years and I used diazepam no more than once a week, no more than one tablet, (10mg) and only in the middle of the night after the alcohol had dropped.
Then about a month ago I decided to stop the once a week diazepam. The first night after my weekly binge was horrific; I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I had to give in and take diazepam. The next day I read about kindling and was scared, so I decided to reduce my binge to one bottle of wine, spread over 5 hours, (which seems not too bad compared to what I've been capable of in the past). Again I woke in the middle of the night with my heart pounding and having had a very vivid scary dream.
I think I have symptoms of repeated withdrawals from my once a week binge, (kindling), which possibly the diazepam has either masked, reduced or even increased.
Has anyone else noticed anything like this?
Thanks!
I have been drinking for 30 years, heavily and daily about 5 years in my 30’s, then heavily again for a couple of years in my 40’s. About 3 years ago I decided for health reasons to cut my drink down, and for 3 years I’ve been drinking 3 to 4 days a week, with one big day a week, (big day is one to two bottles of wine). Also 3 years ago I was prescribed diazepam and it didn’t take long before I worked out that if I woke in the middle of the night, after a my big drinking day, that quarter to a whole diazepam would relieve the symptoms. I was careful and for three years and I used diazepam no more than once a week, no more than one tablet, (10mg) and only in the middle of the night after the alcohol had dropped.
Then about a month ago I decided to stop the once a week diazepam. The first night after my weekly binge was horrific; I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I had to give in and take diazepam. The next day I read about kindling and was scared, so I decided to reduce my binge to one bottle of wine, spread over 5 hours, (which seems not too bad compared to what I've been capable of in the past). Again I woke in the middle of the night with my heart pounding and having had a very vivid scary dream.
I think I have symptoms of repeated withdrawals from my once a week binge, (kindling), which possibly the diazepam has either masked, reduced or even increased.
Has anyone else noticed anything like this?
Thanks!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
I was an alcohol and Valium addict for years (Valium from 1974 to 1989 when I went to recovery). Booze from 1959 to 1989.
My recovery began in a 90 day in-patient rehab in 1989, then straight into AA.
I had began to taper off Valium under Dr's supervision in April '89 and had quit drinking in April as well. There were ~weekly visits to the ER as I was experiencing severe bouts of dread and heart symptoms where they would give me Ativan and finally, in a suicidal despair, submitted to the 90 day rehab in July '89.
The recovery home I went to is a no-med spiritually based facility which was run by a Priest. My recovery began there and carried on into AA.
That is/was my experience. I will try to answer any questions you may have if you wish to PM me.
All the best.
Bob R
My recovery began in a 90 day in-patient rehab in 1989, then straight into AA.
I had began to taper off Valium under Dr's supervision in April '89 and had quit drinking in April as well. There were ~weekly visits to the ER as I was experiencing severe bouts of dread and heart symptoms where they would give me Ativan and finally, in a suicidal despair, submitted to the 90 day rehab in July '89.
The recovery home I went to is a no-med spiritually based facility which was run by a Priest. My recovery began there and carried on into AA.
That is/was my experience. I will try to answer any questions you may have if you wish to PM me.
All the best.
Bob R
...than never
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Coast USA
Posts: 152
I have experienced a few varieties of withdrawals and for my money the diazepines are the worst. There are a myriad of different diazepines from Valium to Clonopin, but they all do the same thing to me...make me sleep no matter what the external stimulus is...amazing since I am a very light sleeper usually.
But that easy sleep comes at a steep price, one that I discovered that I was totally unable to pay. Withdrawal from diazepines was a nightmare. Constant headache, inability to sleep, and strong feelings of impending doom ran rampant. I shun the diazepines now.
But that easy sleep comes at a steep price, one that I discovered that I was totally unable to pay. Withdrawal from diazepines was a nightmare. Constant headache, inability to sleep, and strong feelings of impending doom ran rampant. I shun the diazepines now.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chicago Burbs- Illinois
Posts: 202
Definitely had similar experiences to everyone else. In the past 2 years or so I have had long daily streaks for months then quit for a week or so and I have definitely seen the kindling effect. The first time I "quit" I felt sort of up, maybe a bit manic, but very very subtle. After 3 or 4 "quits" I had nausea, feeling shaky but not visibly shaky, bad headache and basically figure this was kindling in action.
As for the benzos I played that game a few times but the withdrawal was horrible. There is no hangover cure for me like a benzo of any kind but the eventual hangover after those wore off was just exponentially worse.
As for the benzos I played that game a few times but the withdrawal was horrible. There is no hangover cure for me like a benzo of any kind but the eventual hangover after those wore off was just exponentially worse.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 652
l did alcohol and then oxazepam to get rid of the affects the next day.
In no time l was using 4 oxazepam to get to work in the morning.
Soon found out that a benzo with a drink made me feel..well, you know.
It is a deadly combination.
The things l did under influence of that.
l think detoxing fron benzo's is about as bad as getting off herione.
In no time l was using 4 oxazepam to get to work in the morning.
Soon found out that a benzo with a drink made me feel..well, you know.
It is a deadly combination.
The things l did under influence of that.
l think detoxing fron benzo's is about as bad as getting off herione.
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