Healing of the body after giving up drinking
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 84
Healing of the body after giving up drinking
Today marks my 4th day sober, I'm curious about the body healing once you've given up drinking. Yesterday I went to a clinic where they took two vials of bloods to be tested, today got the results which are:
Low vitamin D, or vitamin D deficiency
Low testosterone level
High liver enzymes
They're going to take more blood tomorrow to check for infection such as hepatitis and then next Monday go back to discuss treatment of the above mention.
I'm sure that the above is attributed to the use of alcohol, and guess my question for people who've been down this path... are these things that will level out as the body heals itself from alcohol abuse?
Low vitamin D, or vitamin D deficiency
Low testosterone level
High liver enzymes
They're going to take more blood tomorrow to check for infection such as hepatitis and then next Monday go back to discuss treatment of the above mention.
I'm sure that the above is attributed to the use of alcohol, and guess my question for people who've been down this path... are these things that will level out as the body heals itself from alcohol abuse?
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,444
I expected my body to heal in days - I seriously underestimated the amount of years I'd been drinking and the effect that would have on me.
You will feel better in time, no doubt - but try and be patient too...as you know I had other issues as well from my detox but the first three months were challenging for me.
D
You will feel better in time, no doubt - but try and be patient too...as you know I had other issues as well from my detox but the first three months were challenging for me.
D
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Yep, what Dee said. Those are three of the things most of us have damaged to some extent.
It takes staying sober, above all. I was very sick when I quit and got all my tests done then - my liver panels were all dangerously high which was the most serious problem. Around 100 days, they had normalized. I'm still amazed.
Getting the alcohol out gives us a baseline to know what's up. Then, we can take steps appropriate for our situation and heal. Our bodies can repair and be helped by drs, etc - but there are limits. It won't get better if you don't get and stay sober now. It WILL, however, get worse and harder.
It takes staying sober, above all. I was very sick when I quit and got all my tests done then - my liver panels were all dangerously high which was the most serious problem. Around 100 days, they had normalized. I'm still amazed.
Getting the alcohol out gives us a baseline to know what's up. Then, we can take steps appropriate for our situation and heal. Our bodies can repair and be helped by drs, etc - but there are limits. It won't get better if you don't get and stay sober now. It WILL, however, get worse and harder.
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 374
In my past experience, three weeks was a turning point when my body began to stabilize. Not healed, but at a point that the healing process could begin. Granted, I also cleaned up my diet as well, and that had something to do with it.
I'm at day 17 and I think last night was the first night I didn't wake up with a soaked shirt. I also think I had some strange dreams instead of the bazaar nightmares that haunt most of us the first week or so.
I'm at day 17 and I think last night was the first night I didn't wake up with a soaked shirt. I also think I had some strange dreams instead of the bazaar nightmares that haunt most of us the first week or so.
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 84
Originally Posted by Notch8 
I'm at day 17 and I think last night was the first night I didn't wake up with a soaked shirt. I also think I had some strange dreams instead of the bazaar nightmares that haunt most of us the first week or so.
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 84
I'm definitely focusing on my health going forward and staying away from alcohol. Day 4 today and so far it hasn't been horrible. Evenings have felt somewhat dull, but nothing like I thought it'd be. Best part is... I can tell how not drinking these past 4 days have saved money. It's actually nice not seeing my bank account shrink quick and having money to actually go out and do things!
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 374
Originally Posted by Devious0ne
Best part is... I can tell how not drinking these past 4 days have saved money. It's actually nice not seeing my bank account shrink quick and having money to actually go out and do things!
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 80
Congrats on day 4!
The duration and intensity of your alcohol consumption will have a significant impact on how long and how your body heals.
At day 4, I was just starting to feel "human" again, but it took a few weeks for me to really somewhat "good". About 4 months into recovery, at which time I had been working out for 3 months, eating well and staying hydrated, my blood levels were all normal. I shudder to think what they were a week after I quit.
The best thing that will help support physical healing is adequate nutrition, hydration, rest, and ongoing sobriety.
The duration and intensity of your alcohol consumption will have a significant impact on how long and how your body heals.
At day 4, I was just starting to feel "human" again, but it took a few weeks for me to really somewhat "good". About 4 months into recovery, at which time I had been working out for 3 months, eating well and staying hydrated, my blood levels were all normal. I shudder to think what they were a week after I quit.
The best thing that will help support physical healing is adequate nutrition, hydration, rest, and ongoing sobriety.
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 374
Not to gross anyone out, but my bowels and urinary tract were an absolute train wreck before I stopped. Even after that, it took time to eve resemble anything normal. Hint: banana smoothies are your friend. Embrace them.
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
I would estimate it took at least a few months for my GI issues to return to somewhat normal function after I quit - we are all different. Comparing the timeline for recovery is a dangerous thing, because we are all different not only physically, but also in the degree we damaged our bodies from drinking. Also remember that many times we neglected other health issues while drinking that can compound the issue.
Be honest with your doc and give it time....there are almost always solutions to every health issue.
Be honest with your doc and give it time....there are almost always solutions to every health issue.
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,967
I would check with a doctor before the Epsom Salt bath as this can dehydrate you, and alcoholics aren't necessarily hydrated as alcohol is a dehydrator...…
Give time time, heal well and relax and enjoy the ride of sobriety!!!
Give time time, heal well and relax and enjoy the ride of sobriety!!!
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