What To Expect While Detoxing?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Riverside Ca
Posts: 117
What To Expect While Detoxing?
Hello and thanks in advance.
I have tried to stop a few times but the DTs are so bad that I could not even function.
I have made an appointment to see my Dr. and get the necessary medication to help with the DTs.
I have many questions.
Here is a little history. I have been drinking for years with small stints of sobriety.
My drinking has gradually gotten worse. Now I am in-taking about an 18 pack plus a half pint of tequila every day. Sometimes more.
I walk up in a pool of sweat and shaking badly until I get some beers in me.
I am self employed and have been blowing off jobs because I have been feeling so poorly.
I used to be very active with many hobbies. Now I feel like I do not care about anything. Horrible suicidal thoughts, deep depression.
OK, enough of that.
What can I expect? How long do DTs last?
What are the meds like?
ANY input will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
I have tried to stop a few times but the DTs are so bad that I could not even function.
I have made an appointment to see my Dr. and get the necessary medication to help with the DTs.
I have many questions.
Here is a little history. I have been drinking for years with small stints of sobriety.
My drinking has gradually gotten worse. Now I am in-taking about an 18 pack plus a half pint of tequila every day. Sometimes more.
I walk up in a pool of sweat and shaking badly until I get some beers in me.
I am self employed and have been blowing off jobs because I have been feeling so poorly.
I used to be very active with many hobbies. Now I feel like I do not care about anything. Horrible suicidal thoughts, deep depression.
OK, enough of that.
What can I expect? How long do DTs last?
What are the meds like?
ANY input will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,386
Hi and welcome back Animal 
The DTs are actually a very specific kind of withdrawal and you'd know if you had them...but withdrawal can be dangerous in any event, so I'm really glad you're seeing your Dr.
The question of medication will lie with your Dr and their assessment of your condition and what you need.
Withdrawal varies from person to person but here's a thread of some experiences:
www.soberrecovery.com/forums/alcoholism/138403-quitting-what-expect-what-we-did.html
I hope you'll get the help you need
D
The DTs are actually a very specific kind of withdrawal and you'd know if you had them...but withdrawal can be dangerous in any event, so I'm really glad you're seeing your Dr.
The question of medication will lie with your Dr and their assessment of your condition and what you need.
Withdrawal varies from person to person but here's a thread of some experiences:
www.soberrecovery.com/forums/alcoholism/138403-quitting-what-expect-what-we-did.html
I hope you'll get the help you need
D
Dismember
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Hi Animal,
I've been fortunately... lucky, rather... that my withdrawal's never progressed to delirium tremens. One of the symptoms as I understand is extreme mental confusion. So it's good that you're seeing a doctor now as for some once they reach a severe DT state it's hard to think rationally about their health.
I've taken one of the meds used to treat withdrawal before. Of course this is only my experience; I don't know what your dosage, medication or reaction might be different from my own so take this as a *possibility* only. They made me a little drowsy and space-y.
I've been fortunately... lucky, rather... that my withdrawal's never progressed to delirium tremens. One of the symptoms as I understand is extreme mental confusion. So it's good that you're seeing a doctor now as for some once they reach a severe DT state it's hard to think rationally about their health.
I've taken one of the meds used to treat withdrawal before. Of course this is only my experience; I don't know what your dosage, medication or reaction might be different from my own so take this as a *possibility* only. They made me a little drowsy and space-y.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Riverside Ca
Posts: 117
Originally Posted by Dee74 
Hi and welcome back Animal
The DTs are actually a very specific kind of withdrawal and you'd know if you had them...but withdrawal can be dangerous in any event, so I'm really glad you're seeing your Dr.
The question of medication will lie with your Dr and their assessment of your condition and what you need.
Withdrawal varies from person to person but here's a thread of some experiences:
www.soberrecovery.com/forums/alcoholism/138403-quitting-what-expect-what-we-did.html
I hope you'll get the help you need
D
The DTs are actually a very specific kind of withdrawal and you'd know if you had them...but withdrawal can be dangerous in any event, so I'm really glad you're seeing your Dr.
The question of medication will lie with your Dr and their assessment of your condition and what you need.
Withdrawal varies from person to person but here's a thread of some experiences:
www.soberrecovery.com/forums/alcoholism/138403-quitting-what-expect-what-we-did.html
I hope you'll get the help you need
D
Thank you good read. Just curious but why is that thread closed? It has such great input.
Originally Posted by Isaiah
Hi Animal,
I've been fortunately... lucky, rather... that my withdrawal's never progressed to delirium tremens. One of the symptoms as I understand is extreme mental confusion. So it's good that you're seeing a doctor now as for some once they reach a severe DT state it's hard to think rationally about their health.
I've taken one of the meds used to treat withdrawal before. Of course this is only my experience; I don't know what your dosage, medication or reaction might be different from my own so take this as a *possibility* only. They made me a little drowsy and space-y.
I've been fortunately... lucky, rather... that my withdrawal's never progressed to delirium tremens. One of the symptoms as I understand is extreme mental confusion. So it's good that you're seeing a doctor now as for some once they reach a severe DT state it's hard to think rationally about their health.
I've taken one of the meds used to treat withdrawal before. Of course this is only my experience; I don't know what your dosage, medication or reaction might be different from my own so take this as a *possibility* only. They made me a little drowsy and space-y.
Is "cold turkey" just a bad idea all together?
Seems like tapering is a safe route to go however I do not think I can do that.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,386
Thank you good read. Just curious but why is that thread closed? It has such great input.
I've tried both - I think both cold turkey and tapering have their dangers and pitfalls - cold turkey got me into some serious health difficulties and tapering never worked, I just drank the lot and got some more....
it's best to get some professional medical input.
D
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome (back) Animal!
I can relate to a lot of what you said.... the depression, lack of interest, anxiety.... It was a miserable way to live and only got worse over time.
Good for you for going to see your doctor. Be sure to be honest about the amount you drink so that they can give you the right help.
Glad you're here!
I can relate to a lot of what you said.... the depression, lack of interest, anxiety.... It was a miserable way to live and only got worse over time.
Good for you for going to see your doctor. Be sure to be honest about the amount you drink so that they can give you the right help.
Glad you're here!
EndGame
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 4,677
After a three-year relapse, I needed a medical detox in a hospital. I could no longer function. Those were the best five days I'd had in the three years leading up to them.
Being knocked out most of the time, and actually getting real sleep was just what I needed. And I ate. I even asked to stay longer (my thinking was extremely foggy, and I had difficulty getting up from a chair and walking), but city hospitals are generally eager to discharge people from detox units.
I always get anxious when I read/hear about people attempting do detox on their own. There is simply no good way to predict what will happen to any particular individual during detox.
Being knocked out most of the time, and actually getting real sleep was just what I needed. And I ate. I even asked to stay longer (my thinking was extremely foggy, and I had difficulty getting up from a chair and walking), but city hospitals are generally eager to discharge people from detox units.
I always get anxious when I read/hear about people attempting do detox on their own. There is simply no good way to predict what will happen to any particular individual during detox.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Riverside Ca
Posts: 117
Well, I got 7 weeks under my belt tomorrow.
They gave me Valium for the first 5 days and Terazodone to sleep (didn't help my sleep at all).
I pretty much fired my first two therapists. I knew within minutes that I was not compatible with them. The one I have now is great.
I have yet to go to an AA meeting. I have a good support system with my friends, family and hobbies. I have kept myself very busy with hobbies. I have built or rebuilt 4 bicycles and have gotten back into racing large scale RC cars. Been doing allot of beach riding.
I am not apposed to AA. I am sure one day I will go but thus far I have been able to alleviate my anxiety in different ways. Just coming here to read helps allot.
Thank goodness for Kaiser insurance.
Thanks to you all.
They gave me Valium for the first 5 days and Terazodone to sleep (didn't help my sleep at all).
I pretty much fired my first two therapists. I knew within minutes that I was not compatible with them. The one I have now is great.
I have yet to go to an AA meeting. I have a good support system with my friends, family and hobbies. I have kept myself very busy with hobbies. I have built or rebuilt 4 bicycles and have gotten back into racing large scale RC cars. Been doing allot of beach riding.
I am not apposed to AA. I am sure one day I will go but thus far I have been able to alleviate my anxiety in different ways. Just coming here to read helps allot.
Thank goodness for Kaiser insurance.
Thanks to you all.
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